The Vegan Academy Podcast

koen vaessen

Weekly Podcast With inspiring Vegan guests that help you transform your life and thrive on a vegan lifestyle.

  1. 03/03/2021

    Ep. #43 Luckie Sigouin: Change your response, change your outcome!

    How to change your outcome? Luckie from @luckiesigouin and I talked about the effect of your response on the outcome of your life. You are 100% responsible for what happens in your life. E + R = O  Meaning, Event + Respons = The Outcome Therefore Because you choose how you respond to every event in your life, you are 100% responsible for all the outcomes of your life You got to choose if you want to react to the events in your life in a negative way or respond to them in a positive way. After a stressful day, it might be your default, to load up on processed foods, lay down on your couch, and watch some Netflix. But how would your life change if instead, you would choose to respond differently? If instead, you would go for a walk outside, workout, practice mindfulness or eat a healthy meal? How much different would you feel? And how much different would that outcome be? Only based on responding differently to the event. And that's why your life and the outcome of your life are your responsibility. You don't need to make these changes all at once. Most important is that you are actually get started. Instead of looking at the mountain top, and thinking you can never get there. Take the first step, start small and build your way up. Luckie shares many powerful anecdotes and insights about his personal and professional life.  From how to stay consistent and making health sustainable to dealing with comparing yourself to others.   As always thank you for listening to another Vegan Academy Podcast. If you like to know more or connect with us on social, click the links below. https://www.instagram.com/luckiesigouin/ https://www.instagram.com/theveganacademy/ https://www.fitvegan.ca/

    Ep. #43 Luckie Sigouin: Change your response, change your outcome!
  2. 02/16/2021

    Ep. #42 Koen Vaessen: Are carbs the root of all evil?

    Are carbs the root of all evil? Still too often I speak people totally confused about carbohydrates and sugars. It worries me to see so many people think that carbs are bad for them. Will make them gain weight. That too much sugar is not good for them. And they need to be careful about how much fruit they eat. That's what inspired me to create this podcast and hope to shed some light on these common misconceptions. When people refer to carbs are bad, or carbs make you gain weight they actually mean "processed carbs". However, this got sadly widely interpreted as "ALL CARBS ARE BAD" Carbs are the main source of energy for your body, and therefore absolutely essential for short and long-term health and well-being. Did you know that your brain mainly runs on glucose? And that when your blood sugar levels drop you can notices that often by a lack of focus and overall energy? So the reason that people assume carbs are bad is more so because of the package they often come in. These processed carbs are not only high in white sugar and things like corn syrup. They also contain a lot of fat and other unhealthy ingredients. Not only making you easily overeat but also making them very caloric dense. So does that mean I can have some vegan Ben & Jerry's again? Of course not. Focus on eating a wide variety of wholefoods, carbohydrates like fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes. For 80-90% of the time. You are more than fine to fill in the other 10-20% with the foods that you so enjoy. Thank you for listening to another Vegan Academy Podcast. Make sure to be back next week, and click the link below to connect with me on social. www.instagram.com/theveganacademy/

    Ep. #42 Koen Vaessen: Are carbs the root of all evil?
  3. 02/10/2021

    Ep. #41 Shaun Conaghan: How to eat like a champion?

    Do you eat like a champion? In Podcast Nr 41 I interviewed Shaun Conaghan @theactivenutritionteacher, who shares everything he learned with us on his endeavor as a Whole Foods Plant-based Teacher. Shaun is on a mission to empower children & their families towards healthy diet & lifestyle habits. Growing up as the son of a farmer, his diet was always very animal-centered, With loads of cheese, dairy, and meat. But when his mom, unfortunately, passed away due to cancer and also his father fell ill later on, he started to ask himself the question, "How did this happen?"  That's when he started to discover the benefits of a whole foods plant-based diet. Being frustrated with the lack of knowledge our governments are providing us in this aspect. He knew he had to be the change he wished to see in the world. As a teacher, he knew he could have a lot of impact on the health and well-being of his students and their families. And that's when the "Eat like a champion" week was born.  Where he didn't just teach the boy's in his class to eat like a champion. But also to sleep, train and snack like one. He encourages all of us to just start taking the first step, towards a healthier lifestyle. Not by focusing on restricting yourself or feeling like you need to give up on anything. But looking at it like what you can all add to your life and diet. Because one of the most important aspects of making it sustainable is that you feel proud of what you are doing and have fun with it. Thank you for listening to another Vegan Academy Podcast. Check out the links below to connect with us on social, and we hope to have you back next week for another episode. https://www.instagram.com/theactivenutritionteacher/ https://www.instagram.com/theveganacademy/

    Ep. #41 Shaun Conaghan: How to eat like a champion?
  4. 02/04/2021

    Ep. #40 Koen Vaessen: Why you are not seeing results?

    Do you feel like you are not seeing results?  Well, You are not alone. It's interesting to me that the more people I speak, the more coaches and professionals I interview the more patterns I detect. Even though you are unique, and you experience your life in your own way. We are really not that different after all. A lot of our pains, obstacles, and worries are similar. Not feeling worthy or good enough. Comparing yourself with others. Struggling to stay consistent. These are topics I keep hearing, and have dealt with often enough myself. Lack of discipline or willpower, and not overcoming your own limiting beliefs can play a big role in your ability to stay consistent. However, one part we often don't pay attention to is comparing ourselves to others. The reason why you are not seeing the results you are making is because you are holding them to someones else's standards.  You are comparing your achievements based on someone else's (social media) life. Instead of being focused on yourself. Comparing the new you, with the old you. It doesn't matter SHIT what others, do or have. Or SAY they have. You are unique and so is your journey. No one is ahead of you and you are not behind. Every flower blooms at the exact right time. And so do you.  So stop diminishing your performance based on what other people do.  And JUST DO YOU! Thank you for listening to another Vegan Academy Podcasst. Let's connect through the link below, and make sure to be back next week for another episode. www.instagram.com/theveganacademy/

    Ep. #40 Koen Vaessen: Why you are not seeing results?
  5. 01/29/2021

    #39 Danyel Breuls: The life of a vegan ultra runner.

    In this week’s Vegan Academy Podcast I speak with Danyel Breuls a vegan Ultrarunner who pushes his body and mind to the absolute limits. Danyel definitely hasn’t always lived like this. In fact, quite the opposite. Until his 37th he lived a very destructive lifestyle. Filled with junk food, drugs, and alcohol. Which lead him to the point of being severely overweight. His wake-up call came when his doctor told him that he wouldn’t make it over 40 if he would continue to live like this. And that’s when he changes. He quit all his destructive habits, started to eat healthier, and picked up running, which he hated so much. The first run he did, he almost dropped dead after 500 meters, puked, and couldn’t move afterward for almost a week. But Danyel was caught by it. Caught by the hunger to change himself and become a better person. After finishing his first marathon he said to himself: “Is this it? Is this the magical feeling everyone is talking about?” Which lead him to ultra running. His performance started to get better and better, but the biggest change came when he adopted a vegan lifestyle. "I could no longer say to myself I’m an animal friend but still continue to eat them." His performance peaked, he lost more weight and recovered quicker than ever. Leading him to his biggest achievement so far a 160+ KM long ultra run in Germany. Where he ran over 19 hours and burned roughly 17.000 calories.  But this is not the end for Danyel. He keeps pushing himself every single day to be the best version he can possibly be. When I asked him, how can others get started with this? He said: “Well even a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Be patient but be consistent. Don’t expect fast results, but just keep going.” Value the small changes the small progress. And most of all value the small things in life. Be grateful for the birds in the sky and being able to breathe. Because if you can’t enjoy the journey, what is it worth, to begin with?  As always thank you so much for listening to another Vegan Academy Podcast. Click the links below to connect with us on social, and we hope to have you back next week for another episode. https://www.facebook.com/danyel.breuls www.instagram.com/theveganacademy/

    #39 Danyel Breuls: The life of a vegan ultra runner.
  6. 01/23/2021

    Ep. #38 How to overcome your own b******t?

    It's the BS story you keep telling yourself that prevents you from achieving greatness. Telling yourself the same story over and over is exactly what keeps you stuck.  In this week's Vegan Academy Podcast I share with you my own journey about how I overcame one of the most difficult periods of my life. I was 25, just ended a 4+ year relationship, and lost my job in retail management. Something that I had been working my but off for nearly 10 years. I had no f*****g clue what my next move was. I didn't even know who I was anymore. What I stood for, what I valued. I created this whole identity for myself. The career-maker, the manager, the talent. But deep down what I felt was: A failure A terrible partner A fraud I felt useless But as s****y as I felt about myself, as inspired I was to change. It was my time to rise. To build myself up again. To become stronger than I had ever been. I dove into my own personal development. Read book after book and watched video after video. From Tony Robbins to Jim Rohn and Stephen Covey. I worked out 6x a week. Ate the healthiest foods. However, nothing filled that hole. I didn't feel better about myself. I actually just felt worse. Alone and misunderstood. And that's when I slowly started to realize:  If I want to the things I have never done before, I have to become the person I have never been before. I started to become aware of my thoughts and started talking to myself differently. And that's when the real change happened. As always thank you so much for listening to today's episode. Looking forward to connecting with you on social! www.instagram.com/theveganacademy/

    Ep. #38 How to overcome your own b******t?
  7. 01/17/2021

    Ep. #37 Your Vegan Family: How to thrive as a vegan family?

    How to thrive as a vegan family? In this week's Vegan Academy Podcast Stacy and Markus shares with us their journey of over 26+ years as vegans.  How they make sure their family gets all they need, and what rituals make them shine together. Parents are often concerned if eating and living this way will give their children all the building blocks of life they need. That's why it's always important to focus on the specific requirements of each person. VEGANISM IS NO EXCEPTION IN THAT. A great way to make sure of that is by eating the rainbow. As well as eating a wide variety of food.  But also to measure and calculate your meals from time to time to know they are adequate. Don't just only eat apples and oranges every week, but try and experiment. This way food also becomes much more fun and enjoyable. If you want to make a sustainable vegan lifestyle you have to focus on knowing what you do. Educate yourself and making it convenient. But it's not just the food that plays a big part, it also the rituals around it.  Markus & Stacy are big advocates for letting your kids get as much involved in the process as possible. Their sons, prepare food, make the table, help in the garden, and make sprouts. It definitely not just what you eat, but also how you eat and enjoy each other's time that will create a lasting healthy vegan lifestyle. So whether you have a family of your own, considering going vegan, or are just curious about a vegan lifestyle yourself, this podcast provides a ton of value for you.  As always I really appreciate your feedback and thank you for listening to another Vegan Academy Podcast. For more info or connect with us on social, click the links below.  https://www.instagram.com/your_vegan_family/ https://www.instagram.com/theveganacademy/

    Ep. #37 Your Vegan Family: How to thrive as a vegan family?

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Weekly Podcast With inspiring Vegan guests that help you transform your life and thrive on a vegan lifestyle.