Turn Your Struggles into Strength (Here’s How)

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 of creating a personalized weight loss plan that fits into Elyssa’s life and focuses on building habits that would last. Their conversation highlights the power of mindset, consistency, and learning to love the process, factors that have helped Elyssa achieve lasting fat loss and intuitive eating.CONNECT WITH THE VEGAN GYM:WebsiteInstagramFacebookYouTubeNEW TO THE VEGAN GYM?We're on a mission to help 1,000,000 vegans get into the best shape of their lives because we believe that the more healthy, fit vegans there are in the world, the faster veganism will spread. Let’s work together to inspire change, spread compassion, and challenge the status quo.Support the show

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 lifestyle changes and personalized coaching.Coach Sarah breaks down practical strategies for managing Hashimoto’s, including reducing inflammation through plant-based nutrition, building muscle to combat fatigue, and prioritizing stress management and sleep. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, looking for natural ways to manage symptoms, or seeking hope and motivation, this episode is packed with actionable advice and heartfelt stories. Don’t let Hashimoto’s define you. Discover how you can take charge of your health one step at a time.CONNECT WITH THE VEGAN GYM:WebsiteInstagramFacebookYouTubeNEW TO THE VEGAN GYM?We're on a mission to help 1,000,000 vegans get into the best shape of their lives because we believe that the more healthy, fit vegans there are in the world, the faster veganism will spread. Let’s work together to inspire change, spread compassion, and challenge the status quo.Support the show

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 from showing up day after day, until lifting weights and training became a core part of his identity. This episode explores why falling in love with the process—rather than obsessing over results—is key to long-term success, and how these lessons can be applied to anyone’s health and fitness journey.CONNECT WITH THE VEGAN GYM:WebsiteInstagramFacebookYouTubeNEW TO THE VEGAN GYM?We're on a mission to help 1,000,000 vegans get into the best shape of their lives because we believe that the more healthy, fit vegans there are in the world, the faster veganism will spread. Let’s work together to inspire change, spread compassion, and challenge the status quo.Support the show

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-discipline. He also shares practical tools that have helped him and his clients build and maintain results, even when motivation is low. Tune in for an empowering discussion on how to find self-worth through adversity, stay consistent, and achieve your goals—even when life gets tough.CONNECT WITH THE VEGAN GYM:WebsiteInstagramFacebookYouTubeNEW TO THE VEGAN GYM?We're on a mission to help 1,000,000 vegans get into the best shape of their lives because we believe that the more healthy, fit vegans there are in the world, the faster veganism will spread. Let’s work together to inspire change, spread compassion, and challenge the status quo.Support the show

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 strength training became her path to empowerment. This conversation delves into the prevalence of eating disorders, the cultural stigmas that make recovery challenging, and how to recognize the signs of disordered eating in yourself or loved ones. Whether you're struggling with food or know someone who is, this episode provides both hope and actionable strategies for reclaiming control of your health and mindset.CONNECT WITH THE VEGAN GYM:WebsiteInstagramFacebookYouTubeNEW TO THE VEGAN GYM?We're on a mission to help 1,000,000 vegans get into the best shape of their lives because we believe that the more healthy, fit vegans there are in the world, the faster veganism will spread. Let’s work together to inspire change, spread compassion, and challenge the status quo.Support the show

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? Take action now and figure out the details along the way. He also shares how he’s learned to stop comparing his progress to others and instead focus on competing with his past self. Tune in for an empowering conversation about embracing your own journey, turning comparison into motivation, and the value of showing up consistently to reach your health and fitness goals.CONNECT WITH THE VEGAN GYM:WebsiteInstagramFacebookYouTubeNEW TO THE VEGAN GYM?We're on a mission to help 1,000,000 vegans get into the best shape of their lives because we believe that the more healthy, fit vegans there are in the world, the faster veganism will spread. Let’s work together to inspire change, spread compassion, and challenge the status quo.Support the show

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 individuality in every person’s journey. Leif and Daniel discuss how understanding personal tendencies, favorite exercises, and individual goals allows them to create tailored fitness and nutrition plans that actually work. Rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach, they emphasize the power of personalized coaching to achieve long-lasting health and fitness success.CONNECT WITH THE VEGAN GYM:WebsiteInstagramFacebookYouTubeNEW TO THE VEGAN GYM?We're on a mission to help 1,000,000 vegans get into the best shape of their lives because we believe that the more healthy, fit vegans there are in the world, the faster veganism will spread. Let’s work together to inspire change, spread compassion, and challenge the status quo.Support the showSupport the show

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 routine. Tooshdi and Erin offer their perspectives, discussing what keeps them motivated and how they've navigated challenges along the way. This episode aims to inspire you to set and pursue your own health goals with intention and passion.CONNECT WITH THE VEGAN GYM:WebsiteInstagramFacebookYouTubeNEW TO THE VEGAN GYM?We're on a mission to help 1,000,000 vegans get into the best shape of their lives because we believe that the more healthy, fit vegans there are in the world, the faster veganism will spread. Let’s work together to inspire change, spread compassion, and challenge the status quo.Support the show

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 tracking and embrace a healthier mindset around eating.CONNECT WITH THE VEGAN GYM:WebsiteInstagramFacebookYouTubeNEW TO THE VEGAN GYM?We're on a mission to help 1,000,000 vegans get into the best shape of their lives because we believe that the more healthy, fit vegans there are in the world, the faster veganism will spread. Let’s work together to inspire change, spread compassion, and challenge the status quo.Support the show

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 self-esteem through continuous improvement and striving for the best version of yourself.CONNECT WITH THE VEGAN GYM:WebsiteInstagramFacebookYouTubeNEW TO THE VEGAN GYM?We're on a mission to help 1,000,000 vegans get into the best shape of their lives because we believe that the more healthy, fit vegans there are in the world, the faster veganism will spread. Let’s work together to inspire change, spread compassion, and challenge the status quo.Support the show