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One of our awesome clients sent me an intriguing email and a really great question recently: I picked up a nasty cold and flu that I still can’t shake 🤒 But it got me to thinking about a concept. I find that as humans, we are hard-wired to focus on what’s not working or going well. It doesn’t come naturally for us to spend our days being mindfully grateful for how amazing our bodies are. For example, you never think about the wonders of your bladder, but get a UTI and suddenly all you focus on is your bladder! Or me with my cold… I never give much thought to my lungs, but now that they’re sore and congested, I can’t wait till they recuperate and stop preventing me from doing my normal day-to-day high energy activities! When it comes to overall health and wellness, I don’t think I’m alone when I express that I have a really hard time “taking stock” of what is going well. Have you ever come across a practical way to do this? (To gauge that we feel better, sleep better, move better, etc.?) Some of these things happen so gradually and subtly that I find myself not noticing, and stuck in an impatient mindset of thinking I should be doing more, or tweaking this or that… It is easier to compare our (hopefully overall good) health to people we know who don’t make health and fitness a priority, and therefore suffer from ongoing ailments. But how do you compare “today’s you” to “a month or a year ago you”? I find it very abstract… -Marcy I’m so glad Marcy brought this up. In our work with clients, we prioritize “small wins”, including ones that can be difficult to measure (like energy levels, sleep quality, and ability to move through day-to-day activities). But, as our client above mentions, it can be challenging to take stock of these things! And we don’t have an official way of measuring these, either – we let each client develop their own. I thought it would be interesting to collect ideas from my community, so I asked my email subscribers to write in with their thoughts on the following: “How do you maintain gratefulness, recognize small wins, or otherwise focus on the positive aspects of health? Any tips to share?” Here are their insights (all shared here with permission, of course). We spend time appreciating our bodies when we meditate/pray/contemplate, thanking the greater good for the positive aspects of our lives and environment. I think it’s at those times we tend to focus more on what’s right and what’s wrong with ourselves. For as long as we are striving to slightly improve some aspect in our lives every day, then we are already feeling the benefit of this upward change by being positive in our outlook and goals. It doesn’t always have to be the same improvement - it could be to take the stairs one day, or walk the extra distance from the bus stop the next, or not be the first person to reach for a cookie on the plate at the next meeting. Continuous improvement is the key to becoming better. We don’t necessarily need to measure every day – sometimes the daily changes are so small they are immeasurable. But with accumulated changes, over time, we can see and feel these changes. This is where the 2 points above coincide. Meditation allows you to reflect on your recent achievements, and be thankful for what’s improved in yourself. We aren’t succeeding if we are measuring change against others, only against ourselves. In a similar vein, for my work, I set out 5 goals I want to achieve that day, then reflect and analyse them towards the end – what could I have changed, what doesn’t need to change and what should I change next time. I don’t always meet them all but at least I’ve tried to and that’s satisfying for me and gives me more focus next time I hit similar challenges. Recognizing negative aspects are important for change and they need to be dealt with positively in order to be able to resolve them. - Paul I’m an Oncology nurse, so my patients have inspired me to appreciate the small things. Standing to the commode, swallowing water, breathing, appreciating relationships, and having energy to do anything besides sitting up in bed. Yes, people do take all these little things for granted when they can do them without thinking. - Roxanne I've prayed constantly since I was young, so being grateful is familiar to me. In 2010, after getting a keen piece of advice, I started a very fun/useful/simple gratitude practice that involves conducting a quick, full body stretch (starting from my toes and moving all the way to my "over the head" arms/fingertips) that I perform twice while still in bed right after I've woken up each day. The stretch has two purposes: a) offer gratitude to my maker that I woke up at all and b) making sure all my body parts are working as they should. And since this past July 2023, I've been in training for my Positive Intelligence (PI) Coach Certification to share "Mental Fitness" to my clients. "Mental Fitness is your capacity to respond to life’s challenges with [a] positive rather than [a] negative mindset." - Cathy I suffered through a very difficult time from May of 2016 through September 2017. It all began with getting my orders to deploy in May of 2016. The very next day, I find out that my sister Emilia [names have been changed] was getting divorced after 30+ years from a man I had admired and known since I was 14, but wound up cheating on her and abandoning their children. I left for my deployment on October 9, 2016 and I had only been gone for 2 weeks when my sister Shauna died unexpectedly. My sister-in-law succumbed to cancer in January of 2017 and my son Darryl died in May of 2017. Shortly after that, my older son Mark told me his biological father had found him and wanted him to move to Hawaii so he could get to know Mark. Needless to say, my life changed drastically. No matter who told me what, or what I knew at the time, I will always feel I could have done more to help Darryl. He was a grown man who made his own decisions, but I still sometimes feel as if I failed him. Mark's revelation, despite his reassurances, makes me feel like I was losing another son. I was due to visit my sister Shauna when I was done with training in Mississippi, but I never got the chance. I hadn't seen her in 2 years. All of this is very long way of saying I have learned over the past 7 years to be grateful for what I have and to strive to be better. I share this because it is part of my vegan journey that led me to find you and your podcast. I stopped eating veal in the '80's when my sister told me how the cows were treated. Over the next several decades I slowly lessened my consumption of meat and dairy, mostly due to reading of how those products can affect your health. When my "year of hell" was over and I began to see a therapist, I found new ways of coping with my depression. One of those was to get my dogs out for hikes. Over the course of time my beagle Daisy became increasingly important to me. She is my support when I've been alone. Daisy was also a tether for me for when my depression hit me so hard, I was in a very dark place. Her presence pulled me back. As my journey continued, I began to research animals and abuse, discovering how beagles are one of the most common dogs used for animal testing due to their amenable nature. I switched to natural, cruelty-free products. This eventually led me to the vegan lifestyle. I was listening to Star Talk during a workout and you were one of the guests. Immediately after that interview I found your podcast and website and I was off and running, so to speak. Within a year I was about 95% vegan. I had already had a foundation in cooking and exercise, but with your podcast and the information you put out I have increased my overall health and exercise routines. I have been very grateful for your podcasts and willingness to gather and share all of the information that you do! All of these things have led me to discover and appreciate small goals. Getting through a day without focusing on my son’s death and being able to get work done was a big deal. From there I decided to live in the moment. Whether I'm going to a baseball game, date night with my wife, or spending time with my family, I make a conscious effort to be in the moment. I stop, take a breath and look around at my surroundings, taking it all in. The fact that I'm still here after some very dark days I consider a victory. At 52 I am not on any medication, with the exception of the occasional meloxicam for knee pain and a nasal spray for bad sinuses. My therapist originally wanted to prescribe me an anti-depressant, but I've managed to discover ways to deal with my depression. When my doctors see my blood work I am very proud of the fact that my sugars are "perfect" and my cholesterol is really low (in a good way)! It is nice to see them impressed and ask about my lifestyle. After reading back through this email, I may have delved too deeply into why I take time to be grateful and ways I have discovered to maintain gratefulness, but I am also happy to share my story. I believe it is very important to be open about mental health issues and ways to combat it. I could also go further into my struggles to stop using weight as a measure of good health, but that is another story. I am grateful for what you do, the ways in which you do it, and how you have helped me through the years. - Wesley Thank you to these amazing folks for sharing their thoughts! Whether it’s meditation, a specific movement practice, our line of work, or difficult life experiences – there are ways each of us can foster a gratitude practice. Small wins It's also important to keep track of "small wins" as you progress through your fitness and health journey. Celebrating small accomplishments keeps us motivated to stay on track, and increases our confidence. This, in turn, leads to more consistency, which is the most important factor when it comes to getting fitness and health results. Here's an example of one of our clients celebrating some fantastic "small wins"! So it’s been a month of consistency… and it is showing! How? We travelled this weekend to be a part of our recent granddaughter’s baptism. Parents live on the second floor of an older building. Narrow winding stairs, straight up and down. No problem for me! Not even winded and knees didn’t complain either, and no holding the rail! You would have thought I was a youngster. Other notable win: we stayed in an Airbnb on the second floor… more stairs! Carried my luggage and bag straight up and down with ease. And I could pick up my 4-year-old granddaughter from the floor onto my lap, when she was just dead weight because…she’s 4 and wanted to be held! Cool for me because I was noticing how much harder those things were becoming before we started this plan. So I know you are smiling reading this… and so am I. Can’t wait to see what the next 4 weeks bring! Mindset Remember that we get to work out. We don’t have to work out. Being able to work out is a privilege, and how we talk about it and the language we use are important. Check out this post by Dr. John Rusin. In it, he says: Everyone has an opportunity to reflect, rearrange the thoughts in their head and restore their heart back to a place of humble thankfulness. Spend a few minutes a day devoted to defining your purpose, giving thanks to what you have, and planning on proactive ways to keep pushing forward no matter what’s ahead in your path. Ultimately, you must change the way you THINK, to change the way you FEEL and change the way you LIVE. It all starts with you. I'd love to hear your thoughts! Anything to add? Want to share your own health gratefulness practice? Please get in touch! Get not one--but two--vegan personal trainers! ​ Only a few spots available! If you're ready to level-up your fitness and vegan nutrition, our award-winning coaching programs are for you. Coach K and Coach Zoe will build a customized workout routine around your busy life so you don’t have to reorganize your entire schedule. We’ll create a nutrition action plan that lets you eat your favourite foods, while supporting both your fitness and your physique goals. Most importantly, we'll provide an in-depth support and coaching system to keep you accountable and moving toward your goals. Learn more here. To share your thoughts: Comment on the episode's Facebook post. To support the show: Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. Your reviews really help, and I read each one! Subscribe to the show: Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Podcasts.

Ironman triathlete Todd Crandell speaks with me about his organization, his own addiction recovery, parallels between approaches to veganism and addiction recovery, and much more. Todd is a 111-time Ironman event finisher, 4-time author, vegan since 2016, documentary subject, dad, and founder of Racing for Recovery, which has been featured on CNN, ESPN, the New York Times, and Runner’s World Magazine. He’s dedicated his personal and professional life to helping substance abusers re-channel their destructive behaviours into positive, life-affirming action. By sharing personal stories about the perils of substance abuse, best practices in prevention, and how to lead a holistic lifestyle, Todd offers a positive alternative to those struggling to overcome a life of addiction. Important topics we discussed: >> The nuances [and many layers] of addition recovery >> Parallels that exist between veganism, and addiction recovery >> Why Racing for Recovery was founded, and what it hopes to achieve Connect with Todd: >> Todd on Instagram >> The Racing for Recovery website Episode transcript: >> Access a full transcript of the episode here. Get not one--but two--vegan personal trainers! ​ Only a few spots available! If you're ready to level-up your fitness and vegan nutrition, our award-winning coaching programs are for you. Coach K and Coach Zoe will build a customized workout routine around your busy life so you don’t have to reorganize your entire schedule. We’ll create a nutrition action plan that lets you eat your favourite foods, while supporting both your fitness and your physique goals. Most importantly, we'll provide an in-depth support and coaching system to keep you accountable and moving toward your goals. Learn more here. To share your thoughts: Comment on the episode's Facebook post. To support the show: Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. Your reviews really help, and I read each one! Subscribe to the show: Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Podcasts.

Black-and-white thinking is rampant in the fitness and nutrition industries. Within the vegan community, it often centres around ethical vs. unethical, or healthy vs. unhealthy. This prevents more nuanced discussion. There seems to be growing pushback against some plant-based product innovations around being “too processed” or “too unhealthy”, and there’s a lot of fear-mongering around certain ingredients (including seed oils). In this episode, I discuss the above sentiments [and much more] with Chef Karen McAthy, as we dive into some serious myth debunking and unpacking of where these thought processes came from. Karen, a life-long resident of BC’s west coast, is an innovator in dairy-free, vegan, plant-based cultured cheese, and plant-based cuisine. Co-founder of former cpg brand Blue Heron and parent company Lumi Foods, Karen’s focus on innovation in plant-based food is linked to understanding the complex systems of food from growing to finished goods. Currently, Karen is developing starter and adjunct cultures for commercial use in the cultured vegan cheese and dairy-alternative sector. Important topics we discussed: >> Fear and misinformation related to so-called “processed” foods, and new plant-based food products that are coming to market >> We discuss veganism as an ethical system, and why it’s often conflated with health >> The myth of “if you can’t pronounce the ingredients, you shouldn’t eat the product" Connect with Karen: >> Karen on Instagram Episode transcript: Access a full transcript of the episode here. Get not one--but two--vegan personal trainers! ​ Only a few spots available! If you're ready to level-up your fitness and vegan nutrition, our award-winning coaching programs are for you. Coach K and Coach Zoe will build a customized workout routine around your busy life so you don’t have to reorganize your entire schedule. We’ll create a nutrition action plan that lets you eat your favourite foods, while supporting both your fitness and your physique goals. Most importantly, we'll provide an in-depth support and coaching system to keep you accountable and moving toward your goals. Learn more here. To share your thoughts: Comment on the episode's Facebook post. To support the show: Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. Your reviews really help, and I read each one! Subscribe to the show: Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Podcasts.

When we discuss the realms of veganism and plant-based eating, we can all come to the table around a common thread: food. Food builds relationships, connection, and community. Case in point: Matt de Gruyter. Matt is the co-founder and CEO of Next Level Burger, America’s first 100 percent plant-based burger joint that serves up vegan burgers for a better world in 10 locations coast to coast. Since its start in 2014, Next Level Burger has become a plant-based phenomenon. Matt and his wife and co-founder, Cierra de Gruyter, lead the large-scale national expansion of the brand, adding more cities and more stores every year without losing sight of their passion for serving healthy, sustainably sourced food that drives their commitment to nourishing the people and nurturing the planet. We discuss his business journey, surprising trends in the sector, and what a [near shocking] 52.8% represents. Important topics we discussed: >> NLB conducted a recent survey of 339 respondents from five Next Level Burger stores in five key markets — Portland, Denver, Brooklyn, San Francisco and Seattle — and it revealed how their vegan offerings are displacing meat consumption. >> The survey's most significant finding is that nearly 21% of respondents admitted they would have opted for an omnivorous meal at another restaurant or at home if they hadn't chosen to eat at Next Level Burger that day. This data underscores Next Level Burger's success in effectively displacing meat-based meals with plant-based alternatives. >> Next Level Burger's displacement data translates into a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. By replacing meat-based meals with plant-based options, Next Level Burger helps lower the overall carbon footprint and contributes to saving water and land resources compared to traditional meat-based diets. Connect with Matt: >> Next Level Burger's website >> Next Level Burger on Instagram and Facebook Episode transcript: Access a full transcript of the episode here. Get not one--but two--vegan personal trainers! ​ Only a few spots available! If you're ready to level-up your fitness and vegan nutrition, our award-winning coaching programs are for you. Coach K and Coach Zoe will build a customized workout routine around your busy life so you don’t have to reorganize your entire schedule. We’ll create a nutrition action plan that lets you eat your favourite foods, while supporting both your fitness and your physique goals. Most importantly, we'll provide an in-depth support and coaching system to keep you accountable and moving toward your goals. Learn more here. To share your thoughts: Comment on the episode's Facebook post. To support the show: Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. Your reviews really help, and I read each one! Subscribe to the show: Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Podcasts.

As an ethical stance, we’re familiar with veganism, its tenets, and how it translates to our daily lives. Outside of that, you’d be surprised to learn about the many points that veganism intersects with, and today we’re exploring one: the relationship between veganism, and leadership. Leadership coach Nancy Wehnert is on the show to discuss her approach to leadership, and how that connects to veganism. Nancy is a leadership coach who works with leaders and their teams. After running her own company for 15 years and seeing her team members struggling with how to perform at their best, she became passionate about leadership and building cohesive, high-performing teams. We speak about her method in doing that, and how the glories of plant-based life supported the process [and beyond]. Important topics we discussed: >> What are people today looking for when it comes to leadership in work settings? >> Nancy’s unique approach to leadership >> How does veganism factor in here? Nancy says, "Vegans are early adopters of this change that the world is seeking. People know they want something different and have an idea of what that might be but vegans actually take that next step, they take it to the next level. They understand that there is a gross disconnection from the animals and our planet. They're aware sooner than mainstream people are that this might be a very important first step." Connect with Nancy >> Nancy's website >> Nancy on Instagram and Facebook Episode transcript: Access a full transcript of the episode here. Get not one--but two--vegan personal trainers! ​ Only a few spots available! If you're ready to level-up your fitness and vegan nutrition, our award-winning coaching programs are for you. Coach K and Coach Zoe will build a customized workout routine around your busy life so you don’t have to reorganize your entire schedule. We’ll create a nutrition action plan that lets you eat your favourite foods, while supporting both your fitness and your physique goals. Most importantly, we'll provide an in-depth support and coaching system to keep you accountable and moving toward your goals. Learn more here. To share your thoughts: Comment on the episode's Facebook post. To support the show: Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. Your reviews really help, and I read each one! Subscribe to the show: Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Podcasts.

Sheep farmer-turned-vegan JH Burnett speaks with me about his experiences in animal agriculture, his vegan story, and more. This is one of the most raw stories that’s been aired on the podcast thus far, so I’m really grateful to JH for sharing his story. JH is a former sheep farmer and breeder in the dairy industry who, after the atrocities he witnessed in these industries, turned vegan and an animal rights activist. He openly shares his gruelling story and absolute low point, and how he gave life a second chance, dedicating himself to the animal liberation movement. He’s written a memoir, Ex-Farmer Goes Vegan, offers vegan-inspired coaching programs, and, along with his wife Elle, co-creates a variety of vegan children’s books. Trigger warnings: animal abuse and suicide. Listen to our conversation here: Important topics we discussed: >> How JH became a sheep farmer >> How he ended up working in the dairy industry >> How these experiences led him to veganism and vegan activism Connect with JH Burnett >> JH's website, Veganism Has Won Episode transcript >> Access a full transcript of this episode here. Get not one--but two--vegan personal trainers! ​ Only a few spots available! If you're ready to level-up your fitness and vegan nutrition, our award-winning coaching programs are for you. Coach K and Coach Zoe will build a customized workout routine around your busy life so you don’t have to reorganize your entire schedule. We’ll create a nutrition action plan that lets you eat your favourite foods, while supporting both your fitness and your physique goals. Most importantly, we'll provide an in-depth support and coaching system to keep you accountable and moving toward your goals. Learn more here. To share your thoughts: Comment on the episode's Facebook post. To support the show: Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. Your reviews really help, and I read each one! Subscribe to the show: Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Podcasts.

Why are doctors talking about connection? What is connection medicine and is connection just a "nice-to-have" or does it really impact your physical health and disease outcomes? My guests today, Drs. Alona Pulde and Matthew Lederman, combined conventional Western medicine, Chinese medicine, Lifestyle medicine, Nonviolent Communication, Polyvagal Theory, and Trauma-Informed, Somatic Principles & Pain Reprocessing to create their groundbreaking health paradigm. They have been successful corporate leaders, starred in the documentary Forks over Knives, lectured for eCornell, served as adjunct medical school professors and corporate medical advisors, and are New York Times bestselling authors. Important topics we discussed: >> The reasons why doctors are talking about connection >> What connection medicine encompasses, and how it impacts physical health and disease outcomes >> The role of the 9 pillars, and how they impact one another Connect with Dr. Pulde and Dr. Lederman >> Dr. Pulde and Dr. Ledermans' website >> Dr. Pulde and Dr. Ledermans' Facebook page Episode Transcript Access a full transcript of this episode here. Get not one--but two--vegan personal trainers! ​ Only a few spots available! If you're ready to level-up your fitness and vegan nutrition, our award-winning coaching programs are for you. Coach K and Coach Zoe will build a customized workout routine around your busy life so you don’t have to reorganize your entire schedule. We’ll create a nutrition action plan that lets you eat your favourite foods, while supporting both your fitness and your physique goals. Most importantly, we'll provide an in-depth support and coaching system to keep you accountable and moving toward your goals. Learn more here. To share your thoughts: Comment on the episode's Facebook post. To support the show: Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. Your reviews really help, and I read each one! Subscribe to the show: Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Podcasts.

Where are the places where veganism, plant-based living, and business practices intersect? We have found some, and we’re here to share the intel! Cynthia Owen joins me on the show to talk about making veganism more mainstream, leveraging grants to help businesses move forward with plant-based offerings, and her coaching work, including being part of a cultural/global movement for women. Cynthia is a seasoned Mentor and Coach in the realm of personal growth and skill development, having supported over a hundred Fempreneurs to take their businesses to the next level. With advanced degrees in science and economics, Cynthia brings more than 25 years of professional experience in market analysis, program design and delivery to the table. Important topics we discussed: >> Cynthia’s vegan journey >> Grants businesses could leverage to move veganism forward. >> Cynthia’s coaching practice with women entrepreneurs Connect with Cynthia: >> Cynthia's website >> Cynthia on LinkedIn Episode Transcript Access a full transcript of this episode here. Get not one--but two--vegan personal trainers! ​ Only a few spots available! If you're ready to level-up your fitness and vegan nutrition, our award-winning coaching programs are for you. Coach K and Coach Zoe will build a customized workout routine around your busy life so you don’t have to reorganize your entire schedule. We’ll create a nutrition action plan that lets you eat your favourite foods, while supporting both your fitness and your physique goals. Most importantly, we'll provide an in-depth support and coaching system to keep you accountable and moving toward your goals. Learn more here. To share your thoughts: Comment on the episode's Facebook post. To support the show: Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. Your reviews really help, and I read each one! Subscribe to the show: Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Podcasts.

Should kids be eating a plant-based diet? Will kids who are vegan be inherently more prone to vitamin deficiencies? We’re jumping into these questions and more on today’s podcast episode. Dr. Leigh Ettinger has been a medical doctor since 1998 but did not learn about the plant-based diet until 2014. He made changes in his own eating and quickly saw the benefits. He’s earned a certificate in plant-based nutrition from eCornell and is now board certified in obesity medicine. He enjoys helping families successfully change course to a plant-strong path for their health, for the animals, for social justice, and for the environment. Important topics we discussed: >> Some parents are concerned about feeding their kids a 100% plant-based diet. Dr. Ettinger shares some things he'd tell parents who might fear things like nutrient deficiencies. >> Dr. Ettinger’s work with young patients and their families, and how a vegan diet factors in. >> Dr. Ettinger’s experience of the benefits of a plant-based diet for cycling Connect with Dr. Ettinger: >> Dr. Ettinger's website Mentioned in the episode: >> Whole Communities, hosted by the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies Episode transcript: Access a full transcript of the episode here. Get not one--but two--vegan personal trainers! ​ Only a few spots available! If you're ready to level-up your fitness and vegan nutrition, our award-winning coaching programs are for you. Coach K and Coach Zoe will build a customized workout routine around your busy life so you don’t have to reorganize your entire schedule. We’ll create a nutrition action plan that lets you eat your favourite foods, while supporting both your fitness and your physique goals. Most importantly, we'll provide an in-depth support and coaching system to keep you accountable and moving toward your goals. Learn more here. To share your thoughts: Comment on the episode's Facebook post. To support the show: Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. Your reviews really help, and I read each one! Subscribe to the show: Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Podcasts.

In this ititeration of the 'Ask Us Anything' series, our listeners make the call on what we're speaking about, and what we dive into! We answer questions that have been received from listeners [via email, Facebook, and Instagram], on everything from strength training and recovery, to veganism and tattoos, to intermittent fasting...and a heck of a lot more. We packed as many answers to listener questions as we could into this episode, and promise to return with another episode to cover the questions we couldn't address. If you're looking for a multi-faceted, multi-subject, BS-busting episode,you've found it! Important topics we discussed: >> Strength training programming >> Vegan tattoos >> Pre- and post-workout nutrition and supplements >> [and much more!} Connect with Coach K and Coach Zoe: >> Coach K on Instagram >> Coach Zoe on Instagram >> Coach K and Coach Zoe: coaching information Episode transcript: Access a full transcript of this episode here. Get not one--but two--vegan personal trainers! ​ Only a few spots available! If you're ready to level-up your fitness and vegan nutrition, our award-winning coaching programs are for you. Coach K and Coach Zoe will build a customized workout routine around your busy life so you don’t have to reorganize your entire schedule. We’ll create a nutrition action plan that lets you eat your favourite foods, while supporting both your fitness and your physique goals. Most importantly, we'll provide an in-depth support and coaching system to keep you accountable and moving toward your goals. Learn more here. To share your thoughts: Comment on the episode's Facebook post. To support the show: Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. Your reviews really help, and I read each one! Subscribe to the show: Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Podcasts.

Jen Sinkler has a few different titles: writer, editor, trainer, and art maker [to name a few.] In recent years, her focus as a fitness trainer has pivoted. She trains clients out of a local gym and hosts a community workout group, but her focus has expanded to a bigger-picture approach: learning about the links between the environment and personal health. We discuss a few things that aren’t working in the fitness industry, ableism in the sector, and Jen's process of learning about community organization, and how to get involved with pertinent issues on local and state-wide levels. Since 2018, Jen has been studying and practicing various forms of visual art — drawing and collage, in particular — and she’s preparing to launch a greeting-cards company. We discuss her many roles, projects, and what she’s discovered as her focus in the fitness industry has shifted [you’ll want to hear this!] Important topics and points you don't want to miss: >> A few of the things that aren’t working in the fitness industry >> How Jen and I met in a comments thread on Facebook >> Ableism in the fitness industry >> Iowa (where Jen lives) and its unique environmental challenges, and how they affect the health of its population >> Individual versus collective action, and how we need both Connect with Jen: >> Jen on Twitter >> Jen on Instagram >> Jen's Substack, "From Where" Episode transcript: Access a full transcript of this episode here. Get not one--but two--vegan personal trainers! ​ Only a few spots available! If you're ready to level-up your fitness and vegan nutrition, our award-winning coaching programs are for you. Coach K and Coach Zoe will build a customized workout routine around your busy life so you don’t have to reorganize your entire schedule. We’ll create a nutrition action plan that lets you eat your favourite foods, while supporting both your fitness and your physique goals. Most importantly, we'll provide an in-depth support and coaching system to keep you accountable and moving toward your goals. Learn more here. To share your thoughts: Comment on the episode's Facebook post. To support the show: Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. Your reviews really help, and I read each one! Subscribe to the show: Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Podcasts.

In this episode I share with you a few thoughts on my birthday, and a presentation I gave recently at a health expo, about veganism and strength training. This is a great place to start if you’re new to either veganism or strength training (or both). And if you’re not new to these worlds, it’ll be a good refresher to make sure you’ve nailed the fundamentals. Learn why I no longer set annual goals on my birthday (and which two books had the biggest impact on me in this area), and how I celebrated this year. Also get the basics on the 6 fundamental strength training movement patterns you need to include in your workouts each week, a few nutrients to which active vegans need to pay extra attention, muscle gain and/or fat loss on a plant-based diet, and everyone’s favourite vegan topic: protein. Listen to our conversation here: Important topics and points you don't want to miss: >> Why I no longer set goals on my birthday every year >> Why active vegans need to pay special attention to overall food volume >> A few nutrients of extra importance for vegan athletes >> The best sources of plant-based protein Connect with Coach K: >> Coach K's website >> Coach K on Instagram and Facebook Episode Transcript: >> Access the full transcript of this episode here. Get not one--but two--vegan personal trainers! ​ Only a few spots available! If you're ready to level-up your fitness and vegan nutrition, our award-winning coaching programs are for you. Coach K and Coach Zoe will build a customized workout routine around your busy life so you don’t have to reorganize your entire schedule. We’ll create a nutrition action plan that lets you eat your favourite foods, while supporting both your fitness and your physique goals. Most importantly, we'll provide an in-depth support and coaching system to keep you accountable and moving toward your goals. Learn more here. To share your thoughts: Comment on the episode's Facebook post. To support the show: Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. Your reviews really help, and I read each one! Subscribe to the show: Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Podcasts.