Vedge Your Best, Vegan Ideas for Everyone At Any Age

Michele Olender

There has never been a more important time to be Vegan. Vedge Your Best is the only podcast aimed at teaching midlife women how to limit and eliminate the consumption of animal products without feeling deprived, overwhelmed or unsupported, even if no one you know is Vegan. Life Coach Michele Olender will show you how living Vegan is the superpower that will unlock your possibilities and give you the confidence to take on your next impossible goal, by doing it YOUR way. Vedge YOUR Best and there’s nothing you can’t do.

  1. 299: Vegan Anniversaries and Big Days.

    6d ago

    299: Vegan Anniversaries and Big Days.

    What if the episode before the milestone is actually the point? This week on Vedge Your Best, Michele reflects on the strange pressure of recording Episode 299 — the one right before 300 consecutive weekly episodes. Instead of treating it as a drumroll for the “big” episode, she uses it as a chance to talk about overthinking, milestones, and the stories we attach to numbers, birthdays, anniversaries, and fresh starts. Overthinking often disguises itself as responsibility, preparation, or “just wanting to get it right.” But maybe the most valuable thing is not a perfect plan. It’s simply to keep going, keep learning, and keep engaging. For anyone starting, restarting, or re-energizing a vegan or plant-based practice, this matters. The hard part isn’t always the food, it is the meaning we attach to every little choice. What does it mean if I say I’m vegan? What does it mean if I make a mistake? What does it mean if my family isn’t doing this with me? This episode is an invitation to stop treating every choice like a final exam and remember that the small step IS the transformation. In this episode: Why Episode 299 brought up unexpected overthinking How milestones can become pressure cookers instead of moments of reflection Why turning 67 has special emotional meaning for Michele How stories attach themselves to ages, dates, numbers, and identities The difference between useful planning and fear-based delay Why “big moments” are mirrors, not masters How this applies to building a vegan or plant-based practice Why “all or something” is often more powerful than all-or-nothing A simple three-question practice for interrupting overthinking Listener Challenge Choose one thing you’ve been overthinking. Ask yourself: What story am I attaching to this? Is that story helping me stay engaged? What is the next smallest step I can take? Then take that step in the next 24 seconds, 24 minutes, or 24 hours. Don’t wait for Monday.Don’t wait for the perfect plan.Don’t wait for the milestone. Just take the next step. Key Takeaway Most of life is not the big milestone. Most of life is Episode 299 — the ordinary, unglamorous step that makes the milestone possible. Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us grow and share the message of plant-based living with more listeners. For more information, to submit a question or topic, or to book a free 30 minute Coaching session visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠veganatanyage.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠or email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠info@micheleolendercoaching.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music, Production, and Editing by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Charlie Weinshank⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. For inquiries email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠charliewe97@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Virtual Support Services: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://proadminme.com/⁠

    25 min
  2. 298: Email Apnea, Anxiety & Sleep with Henry & Henry - The Vegan Breathing Coaches

    May 19

    298: Email Apnea, Anxiety & Sleep with Henry & Henry - The Vegan Breathing Coaches

    Ever noticed yourself holding your breath while checking your email? Or reading the news? Or seeing a text notification flash on your phone? This week on Vedge Your Best, Annette and Graham Henry, AKA the Vegan Breathing Coaches join the pod. Berlin-based Brits Annette and Graham are vegan. They are breathing coaches. And they are talking to us about something most of us assume we already know how to do: breathe. We talk about mouth breathing, nose breathing, over-breathing, breath-holding, snoring, sleep, anxiety, posture, modern stress, and the very real phenomenon sometimes called “email apnea.” But this conversation is really about something bigger than breath. It’s about noticing what we didn’t know we weren’t noticing. So many of us walk around thinking, “I’m just anxious,” or “I just don’t sleep well,” or “I’m just overwhelmed,” when sometimes there may be something very basic happening in the body that we have not even considered. And if you are part of the Vedge Your Best community, you know how much of changing our lives begins with awareness. We inherited a way of eating. We inherited ideas about animals, food, normalcy, health, and comfort. And apparently, many of us may also have inherited or developed breathing habits that are not serving us as well as we think. This is not a magic wand episode. Breathing does not fix everything. Veganism does not fix everything. No single practice fixes everything. But sometimes change begins with one small question: What if this thing I thought was “just me” is actually something I can understand, support, or gently change? In this episode, we talk about: Why Annette and Graham call themselves the Vegan Breathing Coaches What “email apnea” is and why so many of us may be holding our breath without realizing it How modern stress, phones, inboxes, posture, and daily habits may affect the way we breathe The difference between mouth breathing and nose breathing Why “just take a deep breath” may not always be the most helpful advice How breathing patterns can relate to sleep, anxiety, snoring, and feeling constantly on alert Why the diaphragm matters more than many of us realize The connection between awareness, body signals, and lasting change Why noticing your breath can be a useful practice — without turning it into one more perfectionist project Important Note This episode is for education and curiosity. It is not medical advice. If you have sleep apnea, significant breathing concerns, chronic insomnia, panic attacks, serious snoring, or you are considering something like mouth taping — especially for a child — please work with a qualified professional Resources Learn more about Annette and Graham Henry and their breathing resources here: https://www.henryandhenryeu.com/ Mentioned in this episode: Breath by James Nestor Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us grow and share the message of plant-based living with more listeners. For more information, to submit a question or topic, or to book a free 30 minute Coaching session visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠veganatanyage.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠or email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠info@micheleolendercoaching.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music, Production, and Editing by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Charlie Weinshank⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. For inquiries email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠charliewe97@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Virtual Support Services: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://proadminme.com/⁠

    53 min
  3. 297: The Olender Test - for Vegan Representation in Popular Culture

    May 12

    297: The Olender Test - for Vegan Representation in Popular Culture

    What if the way vegans show up in movies, TV, and books is shaping how we’re treated in real life? This week, Michele introduces The Olender Test — a simple idea inspired by the Bechdel Test — to explore how vegan characters are portrayed in popular culture. From fruitarians played for laughs to vegan characters reduced to punchlines, Michele walks through a few familiar examples — and highlights what’s missing. What IS the connection between media representation and real-life experiences?  It may not be random. This episode brings in a touch of behavioral science — including the availability heuristic and social norms — to explain why repeated portrayals matter more than we think. The Olender Test isn’t about perfection.It’s not about making every vegan character admirable or inspirational.Can vegans exist in stories as full human beings — without being the joke or the problem?In This Episode A simple explanation of the Bechdel Test — and why it still matters The introduction of the Olender Test (and how to use it) Examples from film and television: passes, fails, and edge cases Why vegan representation is often played for laughs — and what that reinforces The connection between media, perception, and real-life social dynamics Why you might feel the need to “brace” before mentioning you're vegan The Olender Test  A film, show, or book passes the Olender Test if: There is a vegan character They are a full human being (not just a stereotype or plot device) Their veganism is not treated as a joke or a problem Referenced in This Episode The Midnight Library by The Midnight Library Matt Haig on social media:“How to be seen as a militant vegan: gently mention you are vegan.” The Bechdel Test — created by Alison Bechdel Listener Invitation Try the Olender Test on something you’re watching or reading this week. Does it pass? Send Michele your examples — she’d love to feature listener submissions in a future episode. Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us grow and share the message of plant-based living with more listeners. For more information, to submit a question or topic, or to book a free 30 minute Coaching session visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠veganatanyage.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠or email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠info@micheleolendercoaching.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music, Production, and Editing by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Charlie Weinshank⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. For inquiries email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠charliewe97@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Virtual Support Services: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://proadminme.com/⁠

    15 min
  4. 296: Uncomfortable Conversations and Happy Cow

    May 5

    296: Uncomfortable Conversations and Happy Cow

    Would you ever give a vegan restaurant a “bad” review?  In this solo episode, we talk uncomfortable conversations and whether we sometimes grade vegan businesses on “a curve.” Of course we want to support vegan businesses at home and on the road.  AND we also want to give honest information and useful feedback. As someone who is much more comfortable encouraging and amplifying than criticizing, I share why this has felt like such an uncomfortable conversation for me to finally have. We discuss the challenge of relying on review platforms while traveling, the importance of thoughtful standards in vegan dining, and why clear, respectful feedback may actually be real support. This is a conversation about honesty, expectations, and the difference between loyalty and lowered standards. In this episode: Why I never really talked about my trip to Paris this winter The tension between supporting vegan businesses and being honest about the experience Why some review platforms have felt less helpful than I’d like while traveling What happens when expectations and reality do not line up Why standards matter for vegan restaurants and vegan diners alike The difference between harsh criticism and useful feedback Why honesty and support do not have to be at odds Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us grow and share the message of plant-based living with more listeners. For more information, to submit a question or topic, or to book a free 30 minute Coaching session visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠veganatanyage.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠or email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠info@micheleolendercoaching.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music, Production, and Editing by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Charlie Weinshank⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. For inquiries email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠charliewe97@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Virtual Support Services: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://proadminme.com/⁠

    20 min
  5. 295: Plant Based With Kids: Erin Stanczyk from EatMoveRest.com

    Apr 28

    295: Plant Based With Kids: Erin Stanczyk from EatMoveRest.com

    This week on Vedge Your Best, Erin Stanczyk of EatMoveRest.com shares the health struggles that pushed her to question the standard American diet and eventually build an entirely different life around food, movement, and rest.  Symptoms like anxiety, brain fog, sluggish digestion, irregular cycles, and high cholesterol in her twenties led Erin to search for answers beyond quick fixes, which led her to a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle. One step led to the next.  After hearing Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, letting go of animal products one step at a time, working through protein fears, and discovering that simple really is sustainable, Erin and her husband Dusty went on to build EatMoveRest.com. Now they share recipes, wellness tools, an app, retreats, and their family cookbook, The Happy Healthy Plant-Based Cookbook. (The Stanczyks | EatMoveRest) Michele and Erin also talk about raising plant-based kids without perfectionism, leading by example instead of pressure, making healthy food colorful and fun, and why “rest” is about much more than sleep. This is a practical conversation for anyone who wants to feel better, start smaller, and build a plant-based life that works in real life with real friends and family, not just in theory. In this episode, we talk about: Erin’s early health struggles and the search for answers Food as medicine and the shift to whole-food, plant-based living Why eggs were the last thing to go Getting past protein obsession Building EatMoveRest out of personal healing Creating simple, family-friendly plant-based meals Raising kids by example, not pressure Bite-size habits and the power of getting 1% better Why rest is more than sleep Community, retreats, and the value of immersion and support Resources Mentioned: EatMoveRest The Happy Healthy Plant-Based Cookbook EatMoveRest app EatMoveRest retreats (The Stanczyks | EatMoveRest) Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us grow and share the message of plant-based living with more listeners. For more information, to submit a question or topic, or to book a free 30 minute Coaching session visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠veganatanyage.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠or email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠info@micheleolendercoaching.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music, Production, and Editing by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Charlie Weinshank⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. For inquiries email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠charliewe97@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Virtual Support Services: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://proadminme.com/⁠

    53 min
  6. 294: The Human Cost of Farming Animals - The Transfarmation Project.org

    Apr 21

    294: The Human Cost of Farming Animals - The Transfarmation Project.org

    Factory farming is an animal issue, but it is also a story about debt, lost autonomy, pollution, and the pressure many farm families face when powerful companies control the terms. This week, Megan Hunter, Senior Program Specialist for Transfarmation joins the pod to talk about what happens when farmers want out — and what it can look like to build something different in its place. Megan explains how Transfarmation helps farmers transition from industrial pig, chicken, and some dairy operations into specialty crop production such as mushrooms, hydroponic lettuce, microgreens, herbs, flowers, fruits, and vegetables. She also shares examples of farmers in North Carolina, Iowa, and Indiana who have repurposed former animal agriculture spaces into new local food businesses. We talk about the debt loop many contract farmers face, the lack of transparency in the system, the environmental burden of waste, the next generation’s reluctance to inherit this model, and why supporting local farmers and diversifying what we eat can be part of a more just and resilient food system. On the eve of Earth Day, this conversation feels especially timely. In this episode, we talk about: • how factory farming contracts can trap farmers in debt• why many farmers lose autonomy• the waste burden and public health concerns tied to factory farming• how former hog, poultry, and dairy facilities can be repurposed• why mushrooms and hydroponic crops can make sense as transition crops• how buying more local food can support farmers in transition• why this conversation matters not just for animals, but for farmers, communities, and the future of our food system Megan Hunter was born and raised in the Midwest and previously worked as a 911 emergency dispatcher in rural Indiana. At TheTransfarmationProject.org, she works closely with farmers as they move away from factory farming and helps document their experiences so other farmers can see that another path may be possible. If this episode gives you a new way to think about factory farming — especially the human side of it — please share it with someone who might not usually listen to a vegan podcast. Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us grow and share the message of plant-based living with more listeners. For more information, to submit a question or topic, or to book a free 30 minute Coaching session visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠veganatanyage.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠or email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠info@micheleolendercoaching.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music, Production, and Editing by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Charlie Weinshank⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. For inquiries email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠charliewe97@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Virtual Support Services: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://proadminme.com/⁠

    41 min
  7. 293: Your "Vegan Muscle” Powers Your Whole Life

    Apr 14

    293: Your "Vegan Muscle” Powers Your Whole Life

    What if the thing that helps you stay vegan isn’t more willpower, more discipline, or a more perfect plan? This week we talk about resilience — not as a trait you either have or don’t, but as something you build. Just like a muscle. After a stretch of medical challenges left me feeling deconditioned and frustrated, I found myself back with much lighter weights than I used to lift. And that experience reminded me of something I see all the time in vegan and plant-based change: people don’t usually fail because they don’t care enough. They struggle because they try to lift too much, too soon. If you’ve ever told yourself you should be further along by now… if you’ve started over more times than you can count… if you’ve made a setback mean you’re weak, inconsistent, or not cut out for this, this episode is for you. We talk about why resilience matters more than perfection, why smaller changes are often the smarter strategy, and how supporting yourself through the wobble is what actually helps you build a practice that lasts. In this episode: Why resilience is more useful than relying on willpower How vegan change works a lot like strength training Why all-or-nothing thinking keeps us stuck What it means to lower the bar without giving up the goal How small wins build confidence, trust, and momentum Why getting off track is not failure — it is part of the process How your vegan practice can strengthen the way you handle challenges in every part of life If you’ve been trying to do this the hard way, let this be your reminder: you do not need to start at the advanced level. You need to start where you are, build from there, and learn how to come back when things get messy. Resilience - that’s your vegan muscle. Strengthening it will power a whole lot more than what’s on your plate or the weight rack. Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us grow and share the message of plant-based living with more listeners. For more information, to submit a question or topic, or to book a free 30 minute Coaching session visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠veganatanyage.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠or email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠info@micheleolendercoaching.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music, Production, and Editing by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Charlie Weinshank⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. For inquiries email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠charliewe97@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Virtual Support Services: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://proadminme.com/⁠

    19 min
  8. 292: Vegan Made Easy - A Practical Guide to Plant-Based Living with Joanne Kong

    Apr 7

    292: Vegan Made Easy - A Practical Guide to Plant-Based Living with Joanne Kong

    What if veganism is not as complicated as people think? This week Joanne Kong, co-author of Vegan Made Easy: A Practical Guide to Plant-Based Living, visits to discuss what makes veganism more approachable and practical, Joanne explains why she and her co-author, Dr. Camila Perussello, wanted to create a book that readers could flip through easily for answers, encouragement, and clear next steps. They talk about the difference between plant-based and vegan, why that language matters, and why Joanne sees going vegan not as adding more complication, but as a return to basics. Joanne also shares why, for her, going vegan became more than a health choice — it became an emotional and even spiritual opening toward greater kindness and connection. Michele and Joanne explore perfectionism, food labels, non-vegan partners and family members, cultural conditioning around food, and the importance of being a positive role model rather than leading with blame or shame. Joanne also discusses her TEDx talk, her music-based advocacy work through Vegan Virtuosi, and why art and music can sometimes reach people more deeply than facts alone.In this episode: Why Joanne says going vegan can be a return to basics Why plant-based can sound more approachable than vegan Why veganism, for Joanne, became more than a health choice How to avoid letting perfectionism get in the way of good-faith effort Why reading labels matters, even on products marketed as plant-based How to navigate non-vegan partners, relatives, and visitors with more flexibility Why Joanne believes vegans should be happy, positive, well-adjusted people who also just happen to be vegan How Joanne uses music and art in her advocacy What Dr. Camila Perussello brought to the book Why Lantern Publishing & Media is such an important home for books like this Mentioned in this episode: Vegan Made Easy: A Practical Guide to Plant-Based Living — Joanne Kong and Dr. Camila Perussello Vegan Voices — Joanne Kong Food for Thought — Dr. Camila Perussello TEDx talk: The Power of Plant-Based Eating Vegan Virtuosi Strands of Compassion Vegans Make a Difference Lantern Publishing & Media Animal Factories — Jim Mason and Peter Singer James Aspey’s phrase: “Don’t blame or shame. Explain.” Vystopia — Clare Mann Vegan Action Connect with Joanne at vegansmakeadifference.comPublisher: This book is published by Lantern Publishing & Media, a mission-driven publisher focused on veganism, animal rights, social justice, humane education, and related work. Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us grow and share the message of plant-based living with more listeners. For more information, to submit a question or topic, or to book a free 30 minute Coaching session visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠veganatanyage.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠or email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠info@micheleolendercoaching.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music, Production, and Editing by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Charlie Weinshank⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. For inquiries email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠charliewe97@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Virtual Support Services: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://proadminme.com/⁠

    48 min
5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

There has never been a more important time to be Vegan. Vedge Your Best is the only podcast aimed at teaching midlife women how to limit and eliminate the consumption of animal products without feeling deprived, overwhelmed or unsupported, even if no one you know is Vegan. Life Coach Michele Olender will show you how living Vegan is the superpower that will unlock your possibilities and give you the confidence to take on your next impossible goal, by doing it YOUR way. Vedge YOUR Best and there’s nothing you can’t do.

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