Episode 251: Scrawny Teen to Vegan Bodybuilder: Coach Sawyer's Story

In this episode of Muscles by Brussels Radio, Dani sits down with Randall and Robin to explore the nuanced relationship between body positivity and weight loss. They share their personal journeys through long-term struggles with body image, food, and fitness, including major weight loss transformations.The conversation dives into food noise, the reality of yo-yo dieting, and how building routines (not relying on motivation) became the key to sustainable change. They also unpack the benefits and limitations of the body positivity movement, challenging the idea that health and self-acceptance are mutually exclusive.This episode offers an honest, balanced look at how you can pursue better health while still respecting and valuing your body.Randall: @knishofdeathRobin: @tofunestfitness🌱 Coaching ApplicationTake your fitness and nutrition goals to the next level with one-on-one coaching:http://www.veganproteins.com/personal-training 📖 Free 7-Day High-Protein Meal Plan:https://bit.ly/4kab1Ll💪 Muscles by Brussels Membership:Try it free for one month:https://www.veganproteins.com/muscles-by-brussels-membership-free-trial/ ✅ Membership Includes: 4 live coaching calls per month Monthly home or gym workouts 200+ high-protein vegan recipes Exclusive app features Habit challenges with cash prizes A supportive vegan athlete community 🔗 Follow Us Online: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veganproteins/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VeganProteins Website: https://www.veganproteins.com/ Apparel: Muscles by Brussels Tank Tops SCIENCE:MASS (Monthly Application In Strength Sport): MASS is one of our secret weapons and it continues to be an invaluable resource for us to keep up to date with the latest research. Don’t get swept up in fads or bogus info. Sign up and stay up to date with easy-to-consume journals and support the evidence-based fitness community.=================================

In this episode, Ben sits down with Coach Sawyer to kick off a new series highlighting the personal stories behind the Vegan Proteins coaching team. Sawyer shares his evolution from a sports-loving kid with performance anxiety to a dedicated lifter navigating body image struggles, extreme bulking phases, and ultimately finding balance in his fitness journey.They dive into the mental and emotional side of bodybuilding, including chasing validation, overcoming insecurity, and learning to let go of extremes in pursuit of a more sustainable physique. Sawyer also opens up about his transition to veganism, how it reshaped his values and worldview, and the unexpected health and emotional benefits he’s experienced over the past decade.This episode is a deep, honest look at what it really takes to build not just muscle—but a healthier relationship with fitness, identity, and long-term goals.🌱 Coaching ApplicationTake your fitness and nutrition goals to the next level with one-on-one coaching:http://www.veganproteins.com/personal-training 📖 Free 7-Day High-Protein Meal Plan:https://bit.ly/4kab1Ll💪 Muscles by Brussels Membership:Try it free for one month:https://www.veganproteins.com/muscles-by-brussels-membership-free-trial/ ✅ Membership Includes: 4 live coaching calls per month Monthly home or gym workouts 200+ high-protein vegan recipes Exclusive app features Habit challenges with cash prizes A supportive vegan athlete community 🔗 Follow Us Online: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veganproteins/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VeganProteins Website: https://www.veganproteins.com/ Apparel: Muscles by Brussels Tank Tops SCIENCE:MASS (Monthly Application In Strength Sport): MASS is one of our secret weapons and it continues to be an invaluable resource for us to keep up to date with the latest research. Don’t get swept up in fads or bogus info. Sign up and stay up to date with easy-to-consume journals and support the evidence-based fitness community.=================================

In this episode, Dani and Alice break down how to stay on track with your fitness goals while traveling, without making your life miserable.They cover realistic expectations for different types of trips, how to approach workouts on the road, and creative ways to hit protein targets as a vegan.From packing strategies and grocery hacks to gym alternatives and travel-friendly tools, this episode is packed with practical advice for maintaining (or at least not losing) progress while away from home. 🌱 Coaching ApplicationTake your fitness and nutrition goals to the next level with one-on-one coaching:http://www.veganproteins.com/personal-training 📖 Free 7-Day High-Protein Meal Plan:https://bit.ly/4kab1Ll💪 Muscles by Brussels Membership:Try it free for one month:https://www.veganproteins.com/muscles-by-brussels-membership-free-trial/ ✅ Membership Includes: 4 live coaching calls per month Monthly home or gym workouts 200+ high-protein vegan recipes Exclusive app features Habit challenges with cash prizes A supportive vegan athlete community 🔗 Follow Us Online: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veganproteins/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VeganProteins Website: https://www.veganproteins.com/ Apparel: Muscles by Brussels Tank Tops SCIENCE:MASS (Monthly Application In Strength Sport): MASS is one of our secret weapons and it continues to be an invaluable resource for us to keep up to date with the latest research. Don’t get swept up in fads or bogus info. Sign up and stay up to date with easy-to-consume journals and support the evidence-based fitness community.=================================

In this episode, Giacomo and Sawyer tackle a challenge nearly every lifter eventually faces: getting injured. They discuss the mental side of dealing with setbacks, how to adjust your training without completely losing momentum, and the importance of patience during recovery.The conversation covers practical strategies like modifying exercises, managing training volume and intensity, and focusing on what you can still train. They also talk about long-term thinking in bodybuilding: why pushing through injuries can often do more harm than good, and how smart adjustments can keep you progressing while healing.If you’ve ever wondered how to stay productive in the gym while recovering from an injury, this episode provides a realistic and thoughtful approach to navigating setbacks.🌱 Coaching ApplicationTake your fitness and nutrition goals to the next level with one-on-one coaching:http://www.veganproteins.com/personal-training 📖 Free 7-Day High-Protein Meal Plan:https://bit.ly/4kab1Ll💪 Muscles by Brussels Membership:Try it free for one month:https://www.veganproteins.com/muscles-by-brussels-membership-free-trial/ ✅ Membership Includes: 4 live coaching calls per month Monthly home or gym workouts 200+ high-protein vegan recipes Exclusive app features Habit challenges with cash prizes A supportive vegan athlete community 🔗 Follow Us Online: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veganproteins/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VeganProteins Website: https://www.veganproteins.com/ Apparel: Muscles by Brussels Tank Tops SCIENCE:MASS (Monthly Application In Strength Sport): MASS is one of our secret weapons and it continues to be an invaluable resource for us to keep up to date with the latest research. Don’t get swept up in fads or bogus info. Sign up and stay up to date with easy-to-consume journals and support the evidence-based fitness community.=================================

In this episode of Muscles by Brussels Radio, Alice and Sawyer break down one of the biggest challenges of dieting: managing hunger during a fat-loss phase. They discuss what people should realistically expect when entering a calorie deficit and why dieting shouldn’t feel like constant suffering.The coaches dive into the concept of calorie density and how choosing the right foods can dramatically impact satiety. They explore the difference between foods that provide stomach volume versus true fullness, and how high-volume foods like fruits and vegetables can help stretch the stomach and reduce hunger while keeping calories low.They also talk about practical strategies for structuring meals, choosing satiating foods, and maintaining routines when dieting gets tough. Whether you're preparing for a bodybuilding cut or simply trying to lose fat sustainably, this episode offers actionable tips to make dieting far more manageable.🌱 Coaching ApplicationTake your fitness and nutrition goals to the next level with one-on-one coaching:http://www.veganproteins.com/personal-training 📖 Free 7-Day High-Protein Meal Plan:https://bit.ly/4kab1Ll💪 Muscles by Brussels Membership:Try it free for one month:https://www.veganproteins.com/muscles-by-brussels-membership-free-trial/ ✅ Membership Includes: 4 live coaching calls per month Monthly home or gym workouts 200+ high-protein vegan recipes Exclusive app features Habit challenges with cash prizes A supportive vegan athlete community 🔗 Follow Us Online: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veganproteins/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VeganProteins Website: https://www.veganproteins.com/ Apparel: Muscles by Brussels Tank Tops SCIENCE:MASS (Monthly Application In Strength Sport): MASS is one of our secret weapons and it continues to be an invaluable resource for us to keep up to date with the latest research. Don’t get swept up in fads or bogus info. Sign up and stay up to date with easy-to-consume journals and support the evidence-based fitness community.=================================

In this episode of Muscles by Brussels Radio, Ben and Dani break down how to spot scam artists in the fitness and wellness space. They discuss common red flags like speaking in absolutes, fear-mongering about foods and training methods, overpromising results, expert creep, manipulative sales tactics, and parasocial marketing.The conversation also explores the difference between ethical coaching and predatory practices, how to evaluate online content critically, and why nuance, transparency, and accountability matter when choosing who to trust with your health and fitness goals. 🌱 Coaching ApplicationTake your fitness and nutrition goals to the next level with one-on-one coaching:http://www.veganproteins.com/personal-training 📖 Free 7-Day High-Protein Meal Plan:https://bit.ly/4kab1Ll💪 Muscles by Brussels Membership:Try it free for one month:https://www.veganproteins.com/muscles-by-brussels-membership-free-trial/ ✅ Membership Includes: 4 live coaching calls per month Monthly home or gym workouts 200+ high-protein vegan recipes Exclusive app features Habit challenges with cash prizes A supportive vegan athlete community 🔗 Follow Us Online: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veganproteins/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VeganProteins Website: https://www.veganproteins.com/ Apparel: Muscles by Brussels Tank Tops SCIENCE:MASS (Monthly Application In Strength Sport): MASS is one of our secret weapons and it continues to be an invaluable resource for us to keep up to date with the latest research. Don’t get swept up in fads or bogus info. Sign up and stay up to date with easy-to-consume journals and support the evidence-based fitness community.=================================

Should you cut, bulk, or recomp? In this episode of Muscles by Brussels Radio, Ben and Giacomo break down how to decide which phase is right for you based on your training age, body fat level, goals, and mindset.They discuss why most people start with fat loss, why recomping is underrated, when a surplus is actually necessary, and the psychological challenges that come after reaching your goal physique. If you’ve ever wondered “what now?” after a cut, this episode is for you.🌱 Coaching ApplicationTake your fitness and nutrition goals to the next level with one-on-one coaching:http://www.veganproteins.com/personal-training 📖 Free 7-Day High-Protein Meal Plan:https://bit.ly/4kab1Ll💪 Muscles by Brussels Membership:Try it free for one month:https://www.veganproteins.com/muscles-by-brussels-membership-free-trial/ ✅ Membership Includes: 4 live coaching calls per month Monthly home or gym workouts 200+ high-protein vegan recipes Exclusive app features Habit challenges with cash prizes A supportive vegan athlete community 🔗 Follow Us Online: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veganproteins/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VeganProteins Website: https://www.veganproteins.com/ Apparel: Muscles by Brussels Tank Tops SCIENCE:MASS (Monthly Application In Strength Sport): MASS is one of our secret weapons and it continues to be an invaluable resource for us to keep up to date with the latest research. Don’t get swept up in fads or bogus info. Sign up and stay up to date with easy-to-consume journals and support the evidence-based fitness community.=================================

In this episode of Muscles by Brussels Radio, Ben sits down with Dr. Minil Patel (aka @DrIronJunkie), UK-based GP and lifestyle medicine physician, to unpack one of the most controversial topics in nutrition right now: are ultra-processed foods actually unhealthy...and where do plant-based meats fit in?They dive into Dr. Patel’s journey from heavy meat-eater (including wild game and keto-style eating) to ethical vegan, and discuss the science behind plant-based meat alternatives, LDL cholesterol, saturated fat, and cardiometabolic risk. The conversation explores the NOVA food classification system, common misconceptions about “processed” foods, and why comparing foods to what they replace matters more than labeling them as simply “natural” or “ultra-processed.”They also tackle current U.S. dietary guidelines, protein recommendations, vegan nutrient concerns, and whether plant protein intake should be limited. This episode blends ethics, evidence-based nutrition, and practical application for athletes and everyday vegans alike.If you’ve ever wondered whether plant-based meats are harming your health or helping it, this is a must-listen.Dr. Minil PatelCenter for Science in the Public InterestPlant Based Juniors🌱 Coaching ApplicationTake your fitness and nutrition goals to the next level with one-on-one coaching:http://www.veganproteins.com/personal-training 📖 Free 7-Day High-Protein Meal Plan:https://bit.ly/4kab1Ll💪 Muscles by Brussels Membership:Try it free for one month:https://www.veganproteins.com/muscles-by-brussels-membership-free-trial/ ✅ Membership Includes: 4 live coaching calls per month Monthly home or gym workouts 200+ high-protein vegan recipes Exclusive app features Habit challenges with cash prizes A supportive vegan athlete community 🔗 Follow Us Online: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veganproteins/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VeganProteins Website: https://www.veganproteins.com/ Apparel: Muscles by Brussels Tank Tops SCIENCE:MASS (Monthly Application In Strength Sport): MASS is one of our secret weapons and it continues to be an invaluable resource for us to keep up to date with the latest research. Don’t get swept up in fads or bogus info. Sign up and stay up to date with easy-to-consume journals and support the evidence-based fitness community.=================================

In this episode, Ben and Alice dive into the increasingly popular world of recovery tools and break down what actually helps versus what’s mostly hype. They discuss heat and cold therapies like sauna use, hot showers, cold plunges, and ice baths, and how each affects the nervous system, inflammation, and long-term muscle growth.The conversation also covers injury management, joint and connective tissue recovery, stretching and foam rolling, massage, hydration, sleep, and the importance of solid training programming before relying on recovery “hacks.”Throughout the episode, they emphasize practical, low-cost strategies vegan lifters can use to recover smarter, train consistently, and stay healthy for the long haul. 🌱 Coaching ApplicationTake your fitness and nutrition goals to the next level with one-on-one coaching:http://www.veganproteins.com/personal-training 📖 Free 7-Day High-Protein Meal Plan:https://bit.ly/4kab1Ll💪 Muscles by Brussels Membership:Try it free for one month:https://www.veganproteins.com/muscles-by-brussels-membership-free-trial/ ✅ Membership Includes: 4 live coaching calls per month Monthly home or gym workouts 200+ high-protein vegan recipes Exclusive app features Habit challenges with cash prizes A supportive vegan athlete community 🔗 Follow Us Online: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veganproteins/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VeganProteins Website: https://www.veganproteins.com/ Apparel: Muscles by Brussels Tank Tops SCIENCE:MASS (Monthly Application In Strength Sport): MASS is one of our secret weapons and it continues to be an invaluable resource for us to keep up to date with the latest research. Don’t get swept up in fads or bogus info. Sign up and stay up to date with easy-to-consume journals and support the evidence-based fitness community.=================================

What if staying fit didn’t mean forcing yourself through workouts you hate?In this episode, Dani and Sawyer talk honestly about exercise burnout, why so many people struggle to stay consistent, and how redefining “fitness” can change everything.They break down practical ways to build strength and improve cardio without running, burpees, or rigid gym rules, and explain why enjoyment, curiosity, and sustainability matter more than doing the “hardest” option.If you’ve ever felt like exercise is just something you should do (but secretly dread), this episode will help you find a more realistic, livable approach to fitness. 🌱 Coaching ApplicationTake your fitness and nutrition goals to the next level with one-on-one coaching:http://www.veganproteins.com/personal-training 📖 Free 7-Day High-Protein Meal Plan:https://bit.ly/4kab1Ll💪 Muscles by Brussels Membership:Try it free for one month:https://www.veganproteins.com/muscles-by-brussels-membership-free-trial/ ✅ Membership Includes: 4 live coaching calls per month Monthly home or gym workouts 200+ high-protein vegan recipes Exclusive app features Habit challenges with cash prizes A supportive vegan athlete community 🔗 Follow Us Online: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veganproteins/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VeganProteins Website: https://www.veganproteins.com/ Apparel: Muscles by Brussels Tank Tops SCIENCE:MASS (Monthly Application In Strength Sport): MASS is one of our secret weapons and it continues to be an invaluable resource for us to keep up to date with the latest research. Don’t get swept up in fads or bogus info. Sign up and stay up to date with easy-to-consume journals and support the evidence-based fitness community.=================================