In this episode, I’m joined by renowned registered dietitian and plant-based pioneer, Brenda Davis. With decades of experience and 13 books to her name, Brenda shares powerful insights on fine-tuning plant-based diets for every stage of life, and using nutrition to prevent and treat chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

We explore the role of processed foods and faux meats in a healthy diet, and her inspiring journey of being vegan for 36 years (she started back when plant-based diets were dismissed as mere fads). Whether you're a long-time vegan or just plant-curious, this conversation is packed with wisdom you won't want to miss.

In this episode of the No-Bullshit Vegan Podcast, registered dietitian and award-winning author Vesanto Melina returns to dive deep into all things vegan protein.

With decades of experience in plant-based nutrition, Vesanto shares insights from her latest book, Plant-Powered Protein, debunking common myths about protein intake and addressing how different populations—from strength trainers to older adults—can optimize their nutrition. We discuss how protein needs change with age, why plant-based athletes may need to tweak their intake, and how the science behind protein recommendations has evolved. Plus, Vesanto shares her thoughts on the growing mainstream acceptance of plant-based diets, how restaurants and food industries are adapting, and why environmental sustainability is an essential part of the conversation.

We also chat about fitness and longevity, including Vesanto’s own inspiring approach to strength training at age 82 (spoiler alert: she holds a two-minute plank and takes five fitness classes a week!). We discuss how protein plays a role in maintaining muscle mass, especially for those in a calorie deficit, and why strength training is essential for long-term health. Whether you're a seasoned plant-based eater or just starting your journey, this episode is packed with evidence-based advice to help you fuel your body effectively—without falling for the protein myths. Tune in for an engaging and informative conversation that might just change how you think about protein on a vegan diet!

Kettlebell training should be for every body. Coach Damali—kettlebell expert, speaker, and owner of Lift Off Strength & Wellness—joins me to challenge diet culture in the fitness space and share how to make kettlebell coaching more inclusive.

She breaks down what it means to approach training from a size-inclusive, trauma-informed, and judgement-free perspective, rethinks the use of props in kettlebell coaching, and discusses why language matters when working with clients.

Don’t miss this powerful conversation on making strength training accessible to all!

If you looked up “powerhouse” in the dictionary, you’d find a picture of Lynn Aliya. This multi-talented dynamo is an award-winning actor, playwright, director, public speaking coach, country radio broadcaster, and now—author of a brand-new book!

In this episode, Lynn shares her vegan journey, discusses her latest book, and (drumroll, please) announces a brand new TV show for the first time ever!

When she’s not training doctors in empathetic communication or lighting up the stage and screen, Lynn—also known as Brooklyn—is learning to surf at almost 60! Because if anyone can prove it’s never too late to catch a new wave, it’s Lynn.

Tune in for an episode packed with inspiration, storytelling, and a serious dose of badassery! 

About once a year, I open up my schedule to between 20 and 30 awesome folks on my email list. Each person gets a free strategy session, where they can chat about whatever they’d like! Creating an effective workout plan, brainstorming vegan meal prep, calculating protein requirements, plotting vegan world domination… anything goes!

In today's instalment of strategy session episodes, I first speak with Dan, a triathlete and a marathoner who had some specific questions for me about strength training to complement his endurance training.

Next I speak with Julia, who was doing some nutrition coaching with me and my team. She wanted to discuss a few points around calories and basal metabolic rate, and also how strength training might fit into the overall equation of health and body composition.

Time for a catch-up with strength coach extraordinaire and overall powerhouse Meghan Callaway! Cat news! Injury and recovery news (from both Meghan and me)! Business news! We cover it all.

Meghan Callaway is a coach with 21 years of experience, a life-long athlete, and an animal lover. Her Ultimate Pull-Ups program has been featured in the New York Times, and has been followed by thousands of people in almost 90 countries since it was released in 2017. Meghan grew up playing sports, including making the majors baseball all-star team that competed to qualify for the little league world series. She was the only girl in the entire league. She also played competitive soccer for 27 years.

In her later 30s (and continuing now, in her mid-40s), Meghan achieved incredible feats of strength in calisthenics exercises like muscle-ups, pull-ups, pistol squats, back levers, and more.

1,008 vegan meals in 37 minutes: could you swing it? Chef Supreme Dow is one person who certainly can!

Chef Supreme Dow is a former celebrity chef, who left the glitz and glamour to fulfill his mission to tackle food security in the unhoused community in LA. His 10K Meals Across LA initiative aims to serve 100,000 vegan meals to the unhoused in LA over the next decade through his non-profit, The Harvest Academy. [That’s an average of 10,000 meals per year, for 10 years.]

Chef Dow recently made headlines by setting a Guinness World Record, serving 1,008 vegan meals in just 37 minutes. He embodies what it means to lean into compassion and selflessness for the greater good of the community.

We chat about his background, his experience working as a chef in non-vegan restaurants, his journey to community focused work, and much [much] more!

About once a year, I open my schedule to 30 awesome folks on my email list for coaching calls. Each person gets a free 20-minute strategy session, where they can chat about whatever they’d like! Creating an effective workout plan, brainstorming vegan meal prep, calculating protein requirements, plotting vegan world domination… anything goes!

In this second instalment of strategy session episodes, I first speak with Sam, one of our current clients. We discuss her results thus far, and a few areas of focus moving forward. Then I speak with Jo, who’s made some incredible fitness progress and wants to make sure she’s using her workout time most effectively.

Tune in for tips on:

- Building accountability into our workout routines.

- The types of exercises we should prioritize in our strength training.

- Options for training splits (training different muscle groups on different days).

Izzy and I have been Facebook friends for years, but have never had a face-to-face chat…until now. Listen in as we talk about our respective musical backgrounds, working with clients, the role of AI in fitness, and running various types of vegan businesses.

Izzy Jacobus is a personal trainer with a certification from the National Academy of Sports Medicine and nutrition coach with certifications from the Nutritarian Education Institute and Precision Nutrition. After holding a position at Brooklyn Nurse Practitioners Clinic (a vegan medical clinic) as their nutrition counsellor, he started The Workout Plant to continue helping local clients in Brooklyn, New York, and online clients around the world pursue their fitness and health goals. Izzy is also the founder of Vegans of New York, the largest vegan community in NYC, and creator of Animals First on the Second, a global animal advocacy organization. 

About once a year, I open my schedule to 30 awesome folks on my email list for free coaching calls. Each person gets a free 20-minute strategy session, where they can chat about whatever they’d like! Creating an effective workout plan, brainstorming vegan meal prep, calculating protein requirements, plotting vegan world domination… anything goes!

Today, I'm sharing two of these calls on the podcast. Listen in as I speak with Linda about strength training and establishing a regular workout routine, and with Raghu about macro ratios and grams, and how those relate to calories.

Business consultant and overall vegan powerhouse Kathleen Gage is on the show today to discuss becoming vegan, thriving as a septuagenerian, and growing a vegan business.

Kathleen is a seasoned business consultant with over 30 years of experience, a dedicated vegan, and a passionate advocate for compassionate living. Based in rural Oregon, Kathleen not only leads a thriving business but also rescues animals, reflecting her deep commitment to health, animal welfare, and the environment. Certified in Plant-Based Nutrition from eCornell, NLP, and as a Plant-Based Ambassador, Kathleen initially went vegan for her health and now champions the lifestyle for both the animals and the planet. She brings a wealth of knowledge on how to align business success with ethical living.