In this episode, we’re kicking off an exciting chapter—shaking things up with a fresh format and welcoming our new cohost: celebrity chef, author, and culinary innovator Jason Wrobel! Alongside the expert guests and transformative insights to help you thrive, we’re bringing you streamlined episodes packed with essential tips, myth-busting, cutting-edge research, and answers to your most pressing questions. It’s all designed to energize, inform, and inspire you. Join us as we introduce Jason and dive into this bold new era together!

Podcast sponsors:

- Vedge Vegan Collagen: vedgenutrition.com – use code S4G for 30% off your order. - https://www.vedgenutrition.com/

“Complementary proteins are two or more incomplete protein sources that, when eaten together, provide all these nine essential amino acids. And they are simple combinations that we eat every day. Rice and beans, hummus and pita bread, lentils, and quinoa, and, you know, Americana favorite, peanut butter and jelly.” -  Dotsie Bausch

What we discuss in this episode:

- What colostrum is, safety concerns for human consumption, and debunking common myths around it.

- The truth about dairy’s effects on testosterone. 

- Your questions answered: The best non-dairy sources of calcium, how much calcium we actually need, and the truth about calcium absorption.

- Debunking the myth: Does dairy really contribute to stronger bones?

- Maintaining muscle mass on a vegan diet and as you age.

- Essential tips for getting enough protein on a vegan diet.

- Chef Jason’s expert tips for cooking beans.

- How to lower phytate content in plant-based foods for better nutrient absorption.

- Exploring the potential health benefits of adding mushrooms to your meals.

- Understanding complete vs. incomplete proteins and how they support muscle protein synthesis.

Resources:

- Switch4Good podcast episode #58: Listening to Your Gut With Jason Wrobel - https://switch4good.org/listening-to-your-gut-with-jason-wrobel/

- Protein study: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/

- Milk, Modernity and Muscles: Raw Dairy and Bodybuilding in 1960s America - https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1468-0424.12644#:~:text=4,%2C%20ambition%2C%20discipline%20and%20virility

- Dairy and testosterone: 10 Foods to Avoid if You Have Low Testosterone - https://lowcountrymale.com/low-testosterone-avoid-foods/

- What is bovine colostrum: https://www.theguardian.com/wellness/2024/nov/15/

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As we wrap up the year, we’re sharing an uplifting story to inspire your fresh start. Today’s guest, Sharme Ridley, faced serious health challenges and saw her weight reach 300 pounds. Embracing a plant-based lifestyle, she reclaimed her vitality, becoming medication-free and thriving as a chef. Now, Sharme empowers others through her Atlanta Creole YouTube channel, her work as a Licensed Food for Life Instructor with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, and her role as a host for CNS Kitchen. Tune in to hear how she transformed her health—and how you can take the first steps to improve yours!

Podcast sponsors:

- Book your Application Call: www.fitvegancoaching.com

- Vedge Vegan Collagen: vedgenutrition.com – use code S4G for 30% off your order. - https://www.vedgenutrition.com/

“I turned 65 this month, and I take no medicines. If a person is pre-diabetic and they want my advice, the very first thing I would say is don't eat anything with a mother. When I found out that animal products caused inflammatory responses in the body, I knew my issue was inflammation. I remembered someone said that you can heal your body with food. Found it, and that's what started my searching for a different way. It's weight, and it's health. If I had to choose between one or the other, I would take health in a minute. I don't know anyone in my personal life who eats better than I do, and there is no way that I want to go back to that chronic pain, constant pain.” -  Sharme Ridley

What we discuss in this episode:

- Sharme’s journey transitioning to a plant-based lifestyle and the lessons she learned.

- Her insights on fasting and its role in her wellness routine.

- Understanding autophagy: what it is and how it works.

- Practical tips and strategies Sharme uses to stay on a healthy path.

- Sharme’s advice for those who are pre-diabetic.

- Recommendations for new vegans or anyone curious about trying a vegan diet.

- What a typical day of meals looks like for Sharme, along with some of her favorite dishes, go-to recipes, and how she keeps her meals flavorful and nutritious.

- Tips for cooking without oil, including Sharme’s sautéing techniques.

- Sharme’s work with CNS Kitchen.

Resources:

- Sharme Ridley: https://nutritionstudies.org/author/sridley/

- Atlanta Creole: https://www.youtube.com/@AtlantaCreole/videos

- Plant-based Atlanta Creole: https://www.facebook.com/atlantacreole/

- CNS Kitchen - cnskitchen.nutritionstudies.org - http://cnskitchen.nutritionstudies.org

- WFPB Cooking: A Beginner's Course - https://nutritionstudies.org/courses/wfpb-cooking-beginners/

- WFPB Cooking: Meal Planning Made Easy - https://nutritionstudies.org/courses/wfpb-cooking-meal-planning/

- Get Ready for Thanksgiving! with Forks Over Knives Chef Del Sroufe - https://switch4good.org/get-ready-for-thanksgiving-with-forks-over-knives-chef-del-sroufe/

- Let's Eat with Forks Over Knives' Chef Del! - Switch4Good - https://switch4good.org/lets-eat-with-forks-over-knives-chef-del/

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Chef Babette Davis, born and raised in East Los Angeles, is a force of nature who’s turned adversity into triumph. As the founder of the wildly popular vegan restaurant Stuff I Eat in Inglewood, California, she’s known for her soul food platters and vibrant health. At 73, Chef Babette is a fitness icon with legions of followers—whether she’s working out, cooking, or running stairs around Los Angeles.

Stay with us for an insightful conversation with the one and only Chef Babette—always authentic, always funny, always inspiring!

Podcast sponsors: 

- Book your Application Call: www.fitvegancoaching.com

- Vedge Vegan Collagen: vedgenutrition.com – use code S4G for 30% off your order. - https://www.vedgenutrition.com/

“The human body is incredibly intelligent and responds to the love you give it or not. If I don’t get my ass up in the morning and go work out, nobody is gonna do that for me. I don’t care that I’m 72. I’m on no medication. I can stand up, put my shoe and my sock on, and balance myself through the entire process. If you’re an older person, move and nourish yourself. Do it for you. We have been misled and misguided by people that don’t know what the hell they’re talking about. Along with all of the barbecue and the ribs and potato salad and coleslaw, and everybody’s sitting back piling up all this food at one sitting and wondering why they feel like crap afterwards.” -  Chef Babette Davis

What we discuss in this episode:

- How Chef Babette became vegan and how it transformed her health.

- How timing when she eats certain foods has proven beneficial for her.

- How the books Fit for Life and Mucusless Diet Healing System changed her life.

- Why she does a juice cleanse three times a year.

- Her journey from catering in a parking lot to opening her incredibly successful restaurant, Stuff I Eat.

- How a predominantly meat-eating community was convinced to try plant-based dishes, leading to a thriving restaurant with a loyal following of regulars.

- Lifestyle choices that maintain her health and advice on how others can achieve their best selves and longevity.

- Her exciting show, Peeled.

- The dishes she recommends for thriving like she does.

Resources:

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefbabette/

- Chef Babette’s book: Cash In On Cashews: 50 plus Desserts using One Nut - https://www.amazon.com/Cash-Cashews-plus-Desserts-using/dp/0692094717

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What if the secret to transforming your productivity, relationships, and health was right within your grasp?

In this episode, we explore the transformative power of sleep with Devin Burke, founder of the Sleep Science Academy and author of The Sleep Advantage. Named one of USA Today’s top ten coaches of 2023, Devin shares evidence-based strategies to turn sleepless nights into a source of renewal and vitality.

If you’ve ever struggled to fall asleep or found yourself wide awake in the middle of the night, this is the episode you won’t want to miss!

Podcast sponsors: 

- Book your Application Call: www.fitvegancoaching.com

- Vedge Vegan Collagen: vedgenutrition.com – use code S4G for 30% off your order. - https://www.vedgenutrition.com/

- EarthAnimal.com/Switch4Good 20% off code: Switch4Good - https://earthanimal.com/shop/?only=235174,243429

“A great night of sleep starts as soon as you wake up. So most people start their day… Your body knows how to sleep, it wants to sleep, it's just our minds get in the way. Caffeine has a half-life of about six hours. That means that it's in most people's systems for 12 hours. So, that's why having a cutoff with your last cup of coffee, or tea, or energy drink, or whatever has caffeine tends to be helpful for people and their sleep. If you wake up and you feel refreshed, if you feel energized, if you're able to focus and you have sustained energy, that's a good sign that you're getting enough sleep and enough quality sleep.” -  Devin Burke

What we discuss in this episode:

- How much sleep you truly need and how these needs are determined.

- Recognizing the signs and potential causes of sleep apnea.

- Caffeine and sleep.

- The critical role of natural light exposure in regulating your sleep cycle.

- The value of prioritizing rest in your daily routine.

- How nighttime content consumption—especially news—affects your sleep quality.

- Tips for when you can’t fall asleep.

- Managing sleep when crossing time zones.

- The difference between sedation and true restorative sleep.

- The effects of alcohol and THC on sleep quality.

- Devin’s advice on alarms, snooze buttons, and starting your day right.

Resources:

- Sleep Science Academy: https://sleepscienceacademy.com/

- Devin Burke: https://devinburke.com/

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/devinburkewellness/?hl=en

- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/devinburke

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/devinburkewellness/

- Devin’s book: The Sleep Advantage: Optimize your night to win your day: Burke, Devin - https://www.amazon.com/Sleep-Advantage-Optimize-your-night/dp/0578752484

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What if animals think and feel in ways we’ve yet to grasp? In this episode, we delve into this fascinating question with Dr. Marc Bekoff. Dr. Bekoff is a pioneering ethologist and professor emeritus of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Renowned for his groundbreaking work on animal emotions, rewilding, and ethics, he has collaborated with figures like Jane Goodall to challenge our perceptions of nature and published numerous books and essays, the latest of which include A Dog's World: Imagining the Lives of Dogs in a World Without Humans, Dogs Demystified: An A-to-Z Guide to All Things Canine, and The Emotional Lives of Animals: A Leading Scientist Explores Animal Joy, Sorrow, and Empathy―and Why They Matter. 

We’ll also explore his recent book, Dogs Demystified, uncovering fresh insights into our canine companions—how they experience the world, communicate, and how we can improve their lives.

“More and more science is being done that shows that animals have rich and deep emotional lives. It's also common sense. What is the number one thing you believe a person can do to give their dog a wonderful life? Love them. Spoil them. Make them the most special beings in the world. And I really mean that. One myth about dogs is that they are unconditional lovers. The other myth is that they're our best friends. Neither is true. Basically, the general bumper sticker is that dogs off leash are better behaved, maybe less assertive, less aggressive, more playful than the same dog on a leash. People who leave their house at eight in the morning and come home at six at night and the dog has no company, I would consider that relatively abusive.” -  Dr. Marc Bekoff

What we discuss:

- Tips for enriching your dog’s life.

- The truth about alpha dogs and the reality of social hierarchies.

- What your dog feels when left alone—and how to ease their stress.

- Recognizing when your dog needs to go outside.

- Why a vegan diet can be a safer, healthier choice for your dog.

- Fascinating facts about a dog’s nose and the critical role of scent in their world.

- Dr. Bekoff’s perspective on purebreds vs. mutts—and what genetics mean for your dog.

Episode resources:

- Dr. Bekoff’s homepage: marcbekoff.com - http://marcbekoff.com/

- Twitter/X: https://x.com/MarcBekoff?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor 

- Switch4Good podcast episode 18: Marc Bekoff: Compassionate Conservation & the Lives of Animals - https://switch4good.org/mark-bekoff-on-compassionate-conservation-and-the-emotional-lives-of-animals/

Podcast sponsors: 

- Book your Application Call: www.fitvegancoaching.com

- Vedge Vegan Collagen: vedgenutrition.com – use code S4G for 30% off your order. - https://www.vedgenutrition.com/

- EarthAnimal.com/Switch4Good 20% off code: Switch4Good - https://earthanimal.com/shop/?only=235174,243429

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Today, we’re thrilled to welcome back culinary innovator Chef Del Sroufe, the mastermind behind Forks Over Knives—The Cookbook. Since his plant-based journey began in 1989, Chef Del has made it his mission to create flavorful, nourishing food that’s accessible to all. With experience ranging from running his own bakery to executive chef roles, he now shares his expertise at the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies. 

Just in time for the holidays, join us as Chef Del shares his tips for crafting delicious, crowd-pleasing treats to bring everyone to the table!

“It's a lot easier for people to come towards you when they're not feeling defensive about their own choices. And then to give up on the idea of perfection for others, what you do and what you eat is your choice. They're going to make their own. You can make it available. You can make it beautiful. You can make it taste great, but that doesn't bring them to the table. They've got to make that decision for themselves. The only people who are not getting enough protein are people who do not get enough calories. Get rid of the steamer, get rid of the boiler, get on the stove top or get in the oven and roast and see the difference in your foods. The problem is that these guys are gonna find out In their 50s and 60s that they've got kidney disease now because they had so much protein beating up on their body.” - Chef Del Sroufe

What we discuss in this episode:

- Chef Del’s advice for navigating the holidays as a vegan.

- The truth about protein on a plant-based diet and how to meet protein needs easily.

- Thanksgiving turkey alternatives from Chef Del.

- Key techniques for oil-free cooking.

- How to make delicious vegan mashed potatoes.

- Chef Del’s holiday recipes, preparation tips for holiday feasts, and details on his upcoming cooking classes.

- Ideas for vegan dishes perfect for potlucks.

- An overview of Chef Del’s cooking retreats.

Resources:

- Website: Chef Del Sroufe - https://chefdelsroufe.com/

- CNS Kitchen community: CNS Kitchen - https://cnskitchen.nutritionstudies.org/

- Chef Del’s upcoming events, courses, and recipes: 

• WFPB Cooking: Live Holiday Cook Along with Chef Del - https://cnskitchen.nutritionstudies.org/plans/1464095?bundle_token=18a98564b5ddf047213dd019db08dadf&utm_source=manual

• CNS Kitchen Whole Food, Plant-Based Cooking: A Beginner's Course - https://nutritionstudies.org/courses/wfpb-cooking-beginners/

• CNS Kitchen Whole Food, Plant-Based Cooking: Meal Planning Made Easy - https://nutritionstudies.org/courses/wfpb-cooking-meal-planning/

• CNS Kitchen Whole Food, Plant-Based Living: Getting Started - https://cnskitchen.nutritionstudies.org/plans/1449988?bundle_token=b23f30c40e13290f9a00fc25d98dc65e&utm_source=manual

• Holiday Themed Recipes - https://nutritionstudies.org/recipes/

• 17 Whole Food, Plant-Based Holiday Dessert Recipes - https://nutritionstudies.org/9-whole-food-plant-based-holiday-dessert-recipes/

• 19 Whole Food, Plant-Based Recipes Everyone Will Love - https://nutritionstudies.org/19-whole-food-plant-based-holiday-recipes-everyone-will-love/

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefdelsroufe/

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChefDelSroufe/

- His books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/

- Episode #169: Let's Eat with Forks Over Knives' Chef Del! - Switch4Good - https://switch4good.org/lets-eat-with-forks-over-knives-chef-del/

- Episode #299: How Our Racist Food Policies Make Us Sick with Professor Andrea Freeman - https://switch4good.org/how-our-racist-food-policies-make-us-sick-with-professor-andrea-freeman/

- Book your Application Call: www.fitvegancoaching.com - VEDGE Vegan Collagen at vedgenutrition.com 30% off code: S4G - http://vedgenutrition.com

- EarthAnimal.com/Switch4Good 20% off code: Switch4Good - https://earthanimal.com/shop/?only=235174,243429

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Anthony Masiello—a devoted father who, after years of battling obesity and life-threatening health issues, received a wake-up call that changed everything. In 2005, weighing 360 pounds and denied life insurance, Anthony was faced with the realization that he might not be there to see his children grow up. Determined to change his fate, he embraced a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle, shedding 160 pounds and reversing chronic health conditions like migraines, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea.

Flash forward 15 years, and he’s thriving. His incredible journey has been featured in media outlets such as PBS, The Huffington Post, Forks Over Knives, and Runner’s World, and as the co-founder and CEO of Love.Life Telehealth—a wellness network focused on addressing the root causes of chronic disease and offering holistic solutions—he continues to inspire and drive change in healthcare.

Join us today as we dive into his powerful story!

“What made you change at age 33? The spark was being denied that life insurance policy. My wife was pregnant with our second son. And, I wanted to, as a father and as a provider for my family, I wanted to make sure that my family would be taken care of if something happened to me. It wasn't like I was going through the formalities of getting a life insurance policy. Like, this is something that I was proud to be putting in place for my family so if something happened, they would be able to take care of themselves. And getting denied was like a ton of bricks coming down. Not only would they not give me the insurance, so I couldn't be proud to know that if something did happen to me, that my family would be able to take care of themselves, but the fact that they didn't think I was going to make it 20 years was even more hard to take because here I am holding an infant with an 18-month-old toddler running around. So my focus was eating more, eating more fruits and vegetables every single day. And I was letting that naturally crowd out all the other stuff that I should be eating less of. So I didn't start with a hard line on no cheese. I didn't start with a hard line on no bread or flour or those kinds of things. So glad that I did it this way. It wasn't necessarily as conscious. It's kind of what I heard. I was working in pharmaceutical research and I had more of an informatics role there where I was helping with data analysis and things like that to help bring new drugs to market. I was really excited about that when I started working there because I thought it was an opportunity to help people. And, through my own transformation, I realized, wow, I would rather help people to not need medications to come up with new medicines that may or may not help people to actually feel better.” - Anthony Masiello

What we discuss in this episode: 

- How Anthony’s struggle with weight became central to his identity, along with the health complications he faced.

- The pivotal early months of his journey, what sparked his shift to a vegan lifestyle, and how he built a new, health-transforming way of eating.

- How he overcame cravings and avoided unhealthy foods.

- The role of exercise in his weight loss and overall health.

- Anthony’s keystone habits and advice for lasting lifestyle change.

- A look into his daily meals and how he stays nourished.

- How Love.Life Telehealth empowers people to take control of their health—and Anthony’s role in driving this movement.

Resources:

- Website: Love.Life Telehealth

- Love.Life Telehealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovelifetelehealth/

- Anthony’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amasiello/?hl=en

- Facebook: Anthony Masiello - https://www.facebook.com/anthonymasiello/

- Eat to Live: The Amazing Nutrient-Rich Program for Fast and Sustained Weight Loss, Revised Edition: Fuhrman MD, Joel - https://www.amazon.com/Eat-Live-Amazing-Nutrient-Rich-Sustained/dp/031612091X/ref=sr_1_3?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.

- Book your Application Call: www.fitvegancoaching.com - VEDGE Vegan Collagen at vedgenutrition.com 30% off code: S4G - http://vedgenutrition.com

- EarthAnimal.com/Switch4Good 20% off code: Switch4Good - https://earthanimal.com/shop/?only=235174,243429

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Did you know nearly half a billion people worldwide are grappling with type 2 diabetes? It’s a staggering statistic, revealing a global health crisis. But here’s the good news: It doesn’t have to be a life sentence!

Our guest today, Lewis Bertus, a passionate Physician Assistant with a personal connection to diabetes, has dedicated himself to transforming lives through a holistic, plant-focused approach. Inspired by the impact he’s seen in both his patients and his wife, he founded Diabetes 180 to show that reclaiming health is truly possible.

In this episode, we explore his evidence-backed strategies, the power of dietary shifts, and his mission to spread a plant-based message of hope and change. For anyone facing diabetes or supporting someone who is, this conversation is one you won’t want to miss!

“Type 2 diabetes, I should say, is a disease where your body is no longer sensitive to its own insulin. So your pancreas is now in overdrive, overproducing insulin. And this is why the disease gets worse because the pancreas gets stressed. Type 1 diabetics is different, but they can also suffer from insulin resistance. With a Type 1 diabetic, their pancreas is no longer producing a sufficient amount of insulin. But, even the insulin they inject can get to the point where your body is rejecting it. The lifestyle and the diet is basically promoting resistance to the insulin. So when you go on the right lifestyle – low fat, whole food plant-based, intermittent fasting, exercising is a good thing. I encourage people to build their lean muscle. See it as cabinet storage for sugar. So it takes less insulin to do its job, whether you're injecting it as a Type 1 diabetic or your body is producing it. And that's what really leads you to reverse the disease because guess what? Now you could eat carbs, a bowl of fruit for breakfast, and your body just responds like it normally should.” - Lewis Bertus Pa-C

What we discuss in this episode:

- How Lewis’s wife transformed her health through a plant-based diet.

- Understanding diabetes, fat intake, and insulin resistance.

- Strategies for coping with sugar cravings.

- Benefits of intermittent fasting for patients, including how it works and supports health.

- Inspiring success stories from Lewis’s patients.

- Lewis’s recommendations for starting a plant-based diet.

Resources: 

- Website: Diabetes 180 - https://www.lewisbertus.com/

- YouTube: Lewis Bertus PA-C - Diabetes Reversal Health Coach - YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@lewisbertus

- Facebook: Diabetes 180 - https://www.facebook.com/lewisbertusdiabetes180/

- Lewis Bertus Instagram - Lewis Bertus Pa-c (@diabetes_reversal_coach) • Instagram photos and videos - https://www.instagram.com/diabetes_reversal_coach/

- Book your Application Call: www.fitvegancoaching.com - VEDGE Vegan Collagen at vedgenutrition.com 30% off code: S4G - http://vedgenutrition.com

- EarthAnimal.com/Switch4Good 20% off code: Switch4Good - https://earthanimal.com/shop/?only=235174,243429

★☆★ Help us remove dairy from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans! ★☆★

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Dr. Monica Aggarwal is the perfect example of what can happen when you don’t take care of your body … she’s also the perfect example of what can happen when you do take care of your body. Living under the constant pressure of defined gender norms in a subspecialty medical profession, Dr. Aggarwal strived to be perfect. After finishing school and experiencing several miscarriages, she had three children in four years and tried to be Super Mom along with her full-time job as a cardiologist. Ultimately, her body broke down and she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Months passed until she took control of her health—not with medicine, but with lifestyle. When she prioritized sleep, plant-based eating, and more gentle forms of exercise, she put her disease in remission. This is part one of our two-part interview with the fabulous and knowledgeable Dr. Aggarwal. We just couldn’t cover everything in one short hour. Buckle up and get ready to learn.

“So there's a study that shows that if you have high genetic risk and you have a poor lifestyle, your risk of building plaque stays here. But if you have that same high genetic risk and you have a great lifestyle, you can reduce that risk by 50 percent. So similarly, if you look at somebody with low genetic risk, then that person has a good lifestyle, they will have maybe a risk of heart disease of this. But if they have a low genetic risk and a poor lifestyle, they will double their risk by 50 percent. So why are we not working on lifestyle? Such a big and important problem. The reality is that our medical system is so flawed because we focus on acuity-based care and not value-based care, and that's fundamentally the problem.” - Dr. Monica Aggarwal

What we discuss in this episode:

- Expectations placed on women in the medical field

- Gender roles

- Dr. Aggarwal’s story of healing

- Rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune disorders

- Understanding inflammation and disease

- Inflammatory foods and triggers

- Understanding heart disease and risk

- Preventative measures to decreasing risk of illness

Resources: 

- Book: Body on Fire: How Inflammation Triggers Chronic Illness - https://www.amazon.com/Body-Fire-Inflammation-Triggers-Chronic/dp/1570673926

- Instagram: @drmonicaaggarwal - https://www.instagram.com/drmonicaaggarwal/

- Book your Application Call: www.fitvegancoaching.com - VEDGE Vegan Collagen at vedgenutrition.com 30% off code: S4G - http://vedgenutrition.com

- EarthAnimal.com/Switch4Good 20% off code: Switch4Good - https://earthanimal.com/shop/?only=235174,243429

★☆★ Help us remove dairy from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans! ★☆★

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In 2017, The Game Changers documentary caught the attention of millions, sparking a new conversation about plant-based nutrition and athletic performance. Behind its scientific integrity was David Goldman, the film’s chief science advisor, who ensured its message was grounded in robust, evidence-based findings. 

David is a certified specialist in sports nutrition and strength conditioning, with a master’s degree in applied physiology and nutrition from Columbia University. He has worked with college, professional, and Olympic athletes, helping them excel through plant-powered strategies. Join us as we explore his latest research, insights, and actionable strategies for optimizing your health and unlocking your potential!

“When weight is lost, a whole bunch of things come down, generally, like inflammation, inflammatory markers, for example, like C-reactive protein or your cholesterol will drop. But then when you have people do it with a diet like a carnivore diet that's real, or a keto diet that's really high in saturated fat, you have this competition between weight loss, lowering cholesterol, paired with saturated fat and dietary cholesterol, increasing cholesterol, and so that's where there's this sort of mixed findings on what the effects of these diets are on some of these blood markers. Now, if you were to lose weight on a plant-based diet, it just drops like a rock. You know, you can just drop cholesterol LDL, especially blood pressure, and you can just drop these like crazy. There's no competition. Be in the driver's seat of your own dietary choices for your life. And those are hard decisions you have to make. A lot of those same benefits can come even to greater extents eating plant-based diets.” - David Goldman

What we discuss in this episode:

- The facts about vitamin B12 supplementation.

- Why carnivore and keto diets aren’t sustainable, the risks they pose, and why some see short-term results.

- David’s approach to fostering healthy eating habits in his children.

- The connection between plant-based eating and erectile function.

- How increasing whole plant foods improves women’s sexual health.

- The link between plant-based diets and better Covid-19 outcomes.

- Ensuring sufficient omega-3 intake on a plant-based diet.

- The hidden dangers of estrogen in cow’s milk and its effects on health.

- Debunking the myths around soy and plant phytoestrogens.

Resources:

- Can Athletes Get Enough Protein and Leucine on a Plant-based Diet? New Modeling Studies Say Yes - Switch4Good - https://switch4good.org/protein-and-leucine-on-a-plant-based-diet/

- Acute Effects of Dairy or Soy Milk on Sex Hormones Following Resistance Exercise in Males: A Randomized, Crossover Pilot Trial | Cureus - https://www.cureus.com/articles/247514-acute-effects-of-dairy-or-soy-milk-on-sex-hormones-following-resistance-exercise-in-males-a-randomized-crossover-pilot-trial#!/

- Let The Plant-based Games Begin: Optimizing Athletic Performance with Plant-based Nutrition - https://www.amazon.com/Let-Plant-based-Games-Begin-Performance-ebook/dp/B0C5PBBQZK

- The Game Changers - https://gamechangersmovie.com/ - Book your Application Call: www.fitvegancoaching.com - VEDGE Vegan Collagen at vedgenutrition.com 30% off code: S4G - http://vedgenutrition.com

- EarthAnimal.com/Switch4Good 20% off code: Switch4Good - https://earthanimal.com/shop/?only=235174,243429

★☆★ Help us remove dairy from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans! ★☆★

https://switch4good.org/dietary-guidelines-for-americans-2025/

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According to the CDC,  about 659,000 people in the United States die from heart disease each year. That’s 1 in every 4 deaths. A staggering 100 BILLION dollars were spent several years ago on stents and bypasses. But how effective are those dangerous, invasive, and costly procedures in improving the patient's quality of life? Is there an alternative?

Today's guest is Dr. Dean Ornish, the founder and president of the nonprofit Preventive Medicine Research Institute. He is a clinical professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, and the author of seven books, all national bestsellers. Dr. Dean Ornish has directed revolutionary research proving that lifestyle changes can often reverse or undo the progression of many of the most common and costly chronic diseases and even begin reversing aging at a cellular level. He documented his findings in his landmark book UnDo It!

Dr. Dean Ornish studied medicine under Dr. Michael DeBakey, an American vascular surgeon and cardiac surgeon, scientist, and medical educator known for his trailblazing efforts in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. 

Today, Dr. Dean Ornish is helping people regain their health with his program, The Only Program Scientifically Proven to Reverse Heart Disease, which is reimbursed by Medicare from anywhere in the U.S. ’Nuff said! Let's dive into this eye-opening episode and UnDo It!

“When I was in medical school, we were taught that the only way to change your genes is to change your parents, meaning you can't do anything about it. But we did a study with Craig Venter, who was the first to decode the human genome, and we found that over 500 genes were changed in just three months. Same lifestyle changes turning on the good genes, turning off the bad genes in simple terms. And there are mechanisms. There is something called methylation, which is a molecule that's like a switch that can turn on or turn off a gene. Technically, the genes are the same, but the expression of the genes—if you can turn off a gene that causes cancer, then it's as though you're changing your genes. Or different proteins, histone, and non-histone proteins, they act as switches, and sirtuins and others that turn on and turn off the genes. And we found that over 500 genes were changed in just three months.” - Dr. Dean Ornish

What we discuss in this episode:

- Dr. Dean Ornish walks us through that pivotal moment when he met Woodstock Guru Sri Swami Satchidananda and how that encounter changed the direction of his life 

- How stress increases our predisposition to cardiovascular diseases and the worst thing about being depressed

- Is there something wrong with traditional medicine? 

- Dr. Dean Ornish talks about the joy that his work brings, enabling people to have options vs. undergoing costly medical procedures

- How to UnDo It! Eat Well, Move More, Stress Less, Love More

- How comprehensive lifestyle changes influence DNA methylation and gene expression

- Does eating specific foods (sweet potato meals vs. blueberry vs. cheeseburgers) influence cancer genes?

- What hope do we have in getting the message to people about the way we view our health and the overall healthcare system?

- Choosing a plant-based diet - What you gain is so much better than what you give up! Watch The Game Changers, a revolutionary film about plant-based eating, protein, and strength. 

-The Ornish Diet - What you include in your diet is as important as what you exclude.

- The Gut-Brain Connection and how our bodies are affected by the food we eat

Resources:

- Book: UnDo It! - https://www.amazon.com/Undo-Lifestyle-Changes-Reverse-Diseases/dp/052547997X

- Website - https://www.ornish.com

- Instagram - deanornishmd/ - https://www.instagram.com/deanornishmd/

- Facebook - Dean Ornish - https://www.facebook.com/Ornish?_rdc=1&_rdr

- Book your Application Call: www.fitvegancoaching.com

- EarthAnimal.com/Switch4Good 20% off code: Switch4Good - https://earthanimal.com/shop/?only=235174,243429

★☆★ Help us remove dairy from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans! ★☆★

https://switch4good.org/dietary-guidelines-for-americans-2025/

★☆★ Click the link below to support the ADD SOY Act! ★☆★

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★☆★ Share the website and get your resources here ★☆★

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★☆★ Send us a voice message and ask a question. We want to hear from you! ★☆★

https://switch4good.org/podcast/

★☆★ Dairy-Free Swaps Guide: Easy Anti-Inflammatory Meals, Recipes, and Tips ★☆★

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