Roni DeLuz, RN, ND, PhD, founded the Martha's Vineyard Holistic Retreat in 1997 to help others discover the path to wellness that she herself achieved after years of debilitating chronic illness. She has a PhD in natural health and a certificate as a naturopathic doctor from Clayton College of Natural Health/American Holistic College of Nutrition. She is a registered nurse and hydrotherapist and is recognized as a leading expert in the field of holistic health. She lives in Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts.
James Hester spent years working as a record company executive before a health crisis led him to Roni DeLuz's retreat. She helped him to lose more than forty pounds and turned his life around. He became so committed to her work that they became business partners in 2003. Their partnership resulted in the New York Times bestseller 21 Pounds in 21 Days. He lives in New York and Martha's Vineyard.