Born and raised in Missouri, Dr. Joel Wallach attended the University of Missouri, where he received a Bachelor's degree in Science of Agriculture. A veterinarian for 30 years, he worked as a research veterinary pathologist with the National Institute of Health for The Center for the Biology of Natural Systems, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, Yerkes Regional Primate Research Center in Atlanta, Georgia, and Emory University.

Having discovered and identified the first animal models for Cystic Fibrosis in monkeys, he found that he could reproduce their condition at will because it was a nutritional deficiency. His find offered great promise for children with the disease, but when he made it public, the institute fired him on 24 hour notice. Chagrined and perplexed,

Dr. Wallach made the decision to go to the medical school so he could treat children for cystic fibrosis himself.Realizing that traditional medical school was likely to be a repressive as the National Institute he has accepted an invitation to teach nutrition at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Oregon, not even knowing what a naturopathic doctor was. When he learned that he could be a primary care physician, deliver babies, sew up chainsaw wounds, write prescriptions, and get paid by insurance, all through a program that encouraged interest in nutrition, he simultaneously enrolled as a full-time student. Soon people were flocking to the college clinic.