The Vegan Gym Podcast

Epizode

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  July Health Check-In: Movement, Marriage, and Perspective 05.07.2026 58min

  We’re going to try something a little different today. This is our first monthly health and life check-in. Our plan is to do these once a month as a way to reflect on what has been going well, what has been challenging, what we’re learning, and what we’re grateful for. And honestly, even if no one else listens, I think we’ll get a lot out of doing these. It’s a good opportunity for us to reflect and have intentional conversations about real life, health, marriage, fitness, and everything in ...
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  The Menopause Masterclass Every Woman Needs 30.05.2026 2h 47min

  In this episode of The Vegan Gym Podcast, Janine sits down with physician and women’s health expert Dr. Daphne Bascom for an in-depth conversation about menopause, aging, and how women can protect their long-term health with confidence. Together, they unpack the hormonal changes that occur during menopause and why this transition can feel so challenging. From body composition and bone density to cardiovascular health, brain health, sleep, energy, and strength, Dr. Daphne explains what is act...
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  If You’re a Woman 30–50, Listen to This Before It’s Too Late 02.05.2026 1h 44min

  In this episode of The Vegan Gym Podcast, Erin sits down with physician and women’s health expert Dr. Daphne Bascom to break down how to navigate perimenopause and menopause with confidence, clarity, and a proactive approach to your health. They dive into what is actually happening in your body during this transition and why so many women feel caught off guard by changes in energy, mood, sleep, and body composition. As Dr. Daphne explains, these shifts can begin earlier than most women expec...
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  How I’m Designing My Diet to Live to 120+ (Without Obsessing Over Food) 14.03.2026 1h 31min

  In this episode of The Vegan Gym Podcast, Erin and I break down exactly how we are designing our diets to maximize healthspan, longevity, and performance without obsessing over food or making life miserable. My goal is simple. Live to a healthy 120. Not just longer, but stronger, sharper, independent, and fully alive. We talk about the difference between lifespan and healthspan, why “healthy enough” is not the same as optimized, and how we are building a nutrition strategy that supports our f...
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  Why You Can’t Stick to Healthy Habits (And It’s Not Willpower) 07.02.2026 1h 28min

  Why do healthy habits feel so hard to stick to, even when you really want to change? In this episode of The Vegan Gym Podcast, we break down why willpower and motivation are the wrong tools for long-term health, and why most people fall off track despite their best intentions. You’ll learn how human nature, delayed rewards, and daily friction quietly sabotage consistency, and how to replace “trying harder” with a simple framework that makes healthy habits feel easier, more enjoyable, and su...
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  Why Cancer Was the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me 24.01.2026 1h 17min

  In this episode, we dive deep into why your health must become your top priority — not someday, but today. I share the story of my cancer diagnosis at age 21, the mental and emotional toll it took, and how it completely reshaped the way I live my life. Erin and I talk honestly about the difference between being “healthy enough” and truly optimizing your health, and why waiting for a wake-up call is the worst strategy. We also discuss how to build sustainable health systems without obsessing,...
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  I got married! (life and health update) 28.12.2025 1h 10min

  After a long break, The Vegan Gym Podcast is officially back. And instead of jumping straight into training and nutrition, I wanted to share a life and health update. In this relaunch episode, I talk about getting married, rebuilding consistency after falling off with my health and fitness routine, and introducing my new podcast co-host, my wife, Erin. We share how we met through The Vegan Gym community, how our relationship developed, what it was like planning a fully vegan wedding, and why...
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  The Plant-Powered Blueprint: Your Path to Optimal Health 13.03.2025 52min

  In this episode of The Vegan Gym Podcast, Leif and Daphne dive into the Plant-Powered Blueprint, a holistic framework designed to help you optimize your health and thrive on a plant-based lifestyle. Leif breaks down the seven key elements of the blueprint. Discover how this framework simplifies health and fitness, making it both sustainable and achievable. Tune in to learn how you can apply these strategies to look, feel, and perform at your best. Daphne also interviews Leif about an exciting...
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  Kendrick Farris: The Vegan Olympian Who Took on the World 07.02.2025 2h 2min

  Olympic weightlifting legend and long-time vegan, Kendrick Farris, shares his extraordinary journey from the Olympic stage to embracing a plant-based lifestyle. He discusses his competitive mindset, camaraderie in the weightlifting community, and the transition to veganism. Kendrick opens up about the challenges he faced when he made the switch in 2014, revealing how he fueled his body, overcame criticism, and stayed mentally strong. With captivating insights on performance, mindset, and plan...
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  Tired of losing weight just to gain it back? Here’s the fix. 29.01.2025 1h 6min

  In this inspiring episode of The Vegan Gym Podcast, recorded at the 2024 Vegan Superhero Academy Retreat, Leif sits down with Coach Marc and his client Elyssa to discuss her transformative weight loss journey. Elyssa shares how, before joining VSA, she struggled to find a sustainable approach that worked for her long-term. It wasn’t until she teamed up with Marc that she began to shift her mindset and develop a healthy relationship with food and exercise. Marc and Elyssa dive into the process...
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  Struggling With Thyroid Issues? Here’s What Works 22.01.2025 39min

  Are you struggling with Hashimoto’s or thyroid health challenges? You’re not alone. In this inspiring episode of The Vegan Gym Podcast, Dr. Daphne Bascom sits down with Coach Sarah and Holly, a VSA athlete, to dive into the realities of living with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and how a plant-based lifestyle can transform your health. Holly shares her personal journey of overcoming fatigue, inflammation, and weight gain, and how she reclaimed her energy and confidence by embracing sustainable life...
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  Rethink Your Limits: Breaking Barriers with Determination and Focus 15.01.2025 55min

  In this episode of The Vegan Gym Podcast, recorded outdoors at the 2024 Coaches Retreat, Leif is joined by VSA coach and Powerlifter Arman Kehlhofer. Arman shares his inspiring journey to becoming an entirely plant-powered athlete, explaining how veganism came before weight training in his life. Arman dives into valuable insights from his powerlifting experience, emphasizing the importance of consistency and dedication. He reflects on how success comes not from being inherently special, but f...
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  Turn Your Struggles into Strength (Here’s How) 08.01.2025 1h 20min

  In this episode of The Vegan Gym Podcast, recorded outdoors at the 2024 Coaches Retreat, Leif is joined by VSA Coach Nathan Perrin, who shares his inspiring story of transformation. Nathan talks about the life-changing events that propelled him into fitness coaching and how personal adversity became the driving force behind his athletic and professional success. In this deep and candid conversation, Nathan reveals how these challenging experiences fueled his commitment to consistency and self...
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  How To Heal Your Relationship With Food (Take Back Control) 01.01.2025 1h 1min

  In this heartfelt episode of The Vegan Gym Podcast, recorded at the 2024 Coaches Retreat, Leif is joined by VSA Coach Tiana Braden for a powerful and vulnerable conversation. Tiana opens up about her deeply personal struggles with anorexia, binge eating, and disordered eating. With compassion and insight, she shares her journey to healing, offering practical advice for those facing similar battles. Tiana discusses the mindset shift that transformed her perspective on body image and how streng...
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  Late to Fitness? How to Transform Your Life at Any Age 26.12.2024 56min

  In this inspiring episode of The Vegan Gym Podcast, recorded outdoors at the 2024 Coaches Retreat, Leif sits down with VSA coach Lukasz Rafacz, a calisthenics enthusiast with a powerful mindset. Lukasz opens up about his personal journey into veganism and fitness, balancing a non-vegan household, and the fitness philosophies he shares with his clients. Throughout the conversation, Lukasz emphasizes the importance of committing to a goal first, even when the path isn’t fully clear. His advice?...
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  Struggling to See Fitness Results? Here’s a Smarter Approach 27.11.2024 1h 19min

  In this episode of The Vegan Gym Podcast, recorded outdoors at the 2024 Coaches Retreat, Leif is joined by VSA coach Daniel Louwrens, who shares his inspiring journey of becoming a passionate advocate for plant-based living in South Africa. Daniel opens up about his personal background, detailing the experiences that shaped his commitment to health, fitness, and a vegan lifestyle. The conversation delves into Daniel's unique insights on fitness and nutrition, highlighting the importance of in...
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  How Discipline and Motivation Deliver Fitness Success 20.11.2024 32min

  In this special episode of The Vegan Gym Podcast, recorded at the 2024 Vegan Superhero Academy Retreat, Dr. Daphne Bascom hosts an insightful discussion with Coach Arman and two of his clients, Tooshdi and Erin. The conversation centers on maintaining motivation and discipline throughout the various stages of a health and fitness journey. Coach Arman shares his unique philosophy on staying committed, emphasizing the importance of understanding your goals and finding joy in your exercise routi...
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  Why People Struggle With Food and Overcoming Bad Habits 23.10.2024 1h 2min

  Emotional eating is more than a surface-level challenge — it's a signal of deeper emotions like loneliness and sadness. In this episode, learn how to transform your relationship with food through intuitive eating. Coach Tiana opens up about her personal journey from disordered eating to freedom, sharing powerful insights on managing emotional triggers and finding balance. Discover practical strategies like 'urge surfing' and the 'STOP method' that can help you break free from obsessive food ...
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  How to Practice Self-Love (Without Becoming Complacent) 16.10.2024 58min

  Redefine self-love in this eye-opening conversation on personal growth. Leif and Daphne challenge the common notion of unconditional self-acceptance, sharing how they've come to see true self-love as not just accepting who you are, but being proud of the journey you're on and the progress you're making. They explore how self-worth is tied to growth, and how embracing challenges can lead to empowerment, rather than settling for complacency. This episode offers powerful insights on building se...
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  Why Plant-Based Habits Prevent Disease (And How To Start) 09.10.2024 53min

  After battling non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, Angenette transformed her health through a plant-based lifestyle. In this episode, she shares how focusing on sustainable habits and staying proactive allowed her to thrive beyond just 'dieting.' Joined by Dr. Daphne Bascom and Coach Marc, Angenette discusses the power of applying knowledge: 'Knowledge is power, but wisdom is application.' Tune in to learn how the Vegan Superhero Academy program helped her celebrate small wins, shift her...