Vedge Your Best, Vegan Ideas for Everyone At Any Age

Michele Olender
  • 5.0 (58)
  • FOOD
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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. 285: "What Difference Does It Make?" Choosing Vegan When The World Is On Fire

    2D AGO

    285: "What Difference Does It Make?" Choosing Vegan When The World Is On Fire

    Ever hear yourself think, “Who cares?” or “What difference does it make?”—especially when the world feels heavy and the news feels relentless? In this solo episode, Michele takes on the two-word excuse that can quietly sabotage your vegan (or plant-based) intentions—and honestly, your intentions in every other part of life too. “Who cares?” Answer for yourself. This episode also makes space for “not knowing” in your plant-based journey: you don’t need perfect certainty or a lifelong declaration to make your next aligned choice. In This Episode Why “Who cares?” shows up across every goal (not just food) The “Pointlessness” excuse category—and what it’s really communicating Why you don’t have to know your forever plan to be successful A simple moment map to identify what’s driving the excuse Five practical tools to respond in real time Real-life examples (restaurants, cravings, overwhelm, and the news) Key Takeaway You don’t need perfect certainty. You need the next aligned choice. 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/⁠

    24 min
  2. 284: Stop the Press: Athena Kugblenu on Veganism, Humor & the Media

    FEB 10

    284: Stop the Press: Athena Kugblenu on Veganism, Humor & the Media

    Guest: Athena Kugblenu — comedian, author, commentator, and former Papercuts podcast regular Athena Kugblenu is a UK-based comedian and writer known for her sharp cultural commentary and her ability to use humor to explore power, media narratives, and social change. In this episode, Athena joins me for a serious AND funny conversation about how veganism is being covered in the news — and what gets lost when complex ideas are flattened into headlines. We talk about: Why declaring “veganism is over” is a lazy media story,  Why the real barriers to eating more plants are poverty, time, kitchens, and access,  Why the alternative to meat isn’t fake meat — it’s a completely different way of thinking about food. Along the way, Athena explains why comedy can work when arguments fail, how laughter creates shared reference points, and why humor can help people listen to ideas they might otherwise reject. In this episode, we cover: How veganism became a media narrative instead of a lived practice Why the press loves false binaries (“the future” vs. “over”) Veganism, capitalism, and the problem with fake meat “Ingredients households” and why cooking from scratch matters Poverty and access as the biggest barriers to eating well Comedy as a tool for social change Why making people laugh helps them hear uncomfortable truths Why this conversation matters right now At a time when the news cycle thrives on outrage and oversimplification, this episode offers a steadier lens — one that rejects either/or thinking and makes space for nuance, compassion, and clarity. Notice where headlines try to “bait” you into a binary — about food, politics, identity or anything else. Listener challengeAsk yourself: What’s missing from this story? Or Who?Learn more about Athena Kugblenu at https://athenakugblenu.co.uk/ 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/⁠

    1h 2m
  3. 283: Plant-Based in Public — Self-Advocacy for Vegans

    FEB 3

    283: Plant-Based in Public — Self-Advocacy for Vegans

    Hey kids — it’s Michele.This episode starts with a tiny restaurant moment (lemon… table… shade) that turned into a big coaching insight.  If you pride yourself on being “easy” and low-maintenance, you might also be practicing a lifelong habit of not asking for what you need. And here’s the twist: plant-based consistency in the real world isn’t mostly about food. It’s about asking. Asking questions, requesting swaps, clarifying ingredients, and tolerating a few seconds of social awkwardness without abandoning yourself. If you’ve ever eaten something “just to keep things simple”… this one’s for you. In This Episode The difference between being “easy” and self-silencingWhy asking can feel like “making a scene,” even when it’s totally reasonableThe nervous-system reason you choose discomfort over disapprovalHow this shows up at restaurants, with family, at events, and while travelingA simple progression to build the “asking muscle” (without apology spirals)The Lemon Challenge: one small ask per day for 7 daysKey Takeaways Asking isn’t being difficult. It’s self-advocacy.Not asking means saying, “No,” to yourself.If your identity is “I don’t ask for things,” veganism can feel harder than it needs to.The win isn’t a perfect meal. The win is: “I didn’t sacrifice myself.”Try This: The Lemon Challenge (7 Days) For the next week, make one small request per day—at a restaurant, with a friend, at work or home, anywhere. Rules: Keep it simple.Skip the apology spiral.The goal is making the ask, not getting a yes.If you do it, I want to hear what you asked for and what you noticed. Mentioned Café Sapori (West Palm Beach, FL) — a vegan-friendly restaurant shout-outHow you go vegan is how you do everything.See you next week. 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/⁠

    36 min
  4. 282: Strategy or Tactics? Why Your Vegan Intentions Keep Stalling

    JAN 27

    282: Strategy or Tactics? Why Your Vegan Intentions Keep Stalling

    In this episode, Michele explores a powerful but often overlooked distinction that can make or break any meaningful change: strategy vs. tactics. Inspired by a coaching conversation with a client struggling through Veganuary, this episode unpacks why caring deeply—and even making a strong values-based decision—is often not enough to create consistent follow-through. Whether your goal is moving in a vegan or plant-based direction, improving your health, writing a book, changing your drinking, or following through on any important intention, this episode will help you identify what might be missing—and how to make change feel lighter instead of heavier.In this episode, you’ll learn: The difference between strategy (the “why” and identity-level decision) and tactics (the real-life actions that create movement) Why many smart, motivated people feel like they keep “restarting”—and why it’s not a motivation problem How having strategy without tactics leads to exhaustion and self-blame Why tactics without strategy often feel brittle, artificial, or short-lived How writer Steven Pressfield’s work on “Resistance” offers a powerful parallel for vegan and lifestyle change Why support and accountability are tactics, not strategies—and how to tell if support is actually helping What “good accountability” sounds like (and what it doesn’t) How routines, defaults, and reflection can help you stay engaged when life gets loud Mentioned in this episode: The War of Art by Steven Pressfield The concept of “Resistance” and the idea of “turning pro” Veganuary and values-based change Strategy and tactics as transferable skills for any life transition Listener reflection: Ask yourself: Do I have a strategy without tactics? Or tactics without strategy? Where might support or reflection make this change lighter instead of heavier? 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/⁠

    22 min
  5. 281: Concern, Projection, and the Myth of the Extreme Vegan

    JAN 20

    281: Concern, Projection, and the Myth of the Extreme Vegan

    What happens when you get sick—and you don’t eat animals? In this uncharacteristically candid solo episode, Michele shares a personal rant sparked by a winter virus, a year full of medical appointments, and the familiar (and frustrating) question many plant-based and vegan people hear when something goes wrong:“Are you sure veganism is working for you?” Drawing from her own experience all while receiving consistently excellent bloodwork and zero nutritional concern from her medical team—Michele unpacks why these comments feel so patronizing, why they persist, and why they’re often not actually about health at all. This episode is not about denying medical advice. It’s about rejecting the myth that being vegan requires asceticism, self-neglect, or irrational dogma—and offering reassurance to anyone who has felt judged, scrutinized, or quietly undermined for their choices. In this episode, we explore: Why illness or injury often becomes a “conversation starter” about protein, supplements, or animal foods The difference between medical advice and cultural projection Why none of Michele’s doctors or registered dietitians expressed concern about her nutrition What the phrase “as far as possible and practicable” really means in a vegan context How “concern” can sometimes function as a defense against self-examination Why being plant-based or vegan does not mean being extreme, irrational, or self-destructive Michele also reflects on how deeply embedded cultural assumptions—what psychologist Melanie Joy calls “normal, natural, and necessary”—shape the way vegan choices are perceived, especially when health enters the conversation.A reminder worth repeating: Veganism is not a purity test.It is not martyrdom.And it is not incompatible with caring for your health. As Michele puts it: how you go vegan is how you do everything—with realism, compassion, and respect for the external realities of your life.Listener Reflection / Invitation Ever had someone question your health or judgment because you’re vegan or plant-based?Not a troll. Not a stranger. Someone close. Michele would love to hear from you. And if your version of “Vedge-ing Your Best” right now isn’t perfect, ideal, or 100%—let that be okay.  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/⁠

    14 min
  6. 280: Re-Introducing Vedge Your Best: Why Most Change Fails—and What Actually Works

    JAN 13

    280: Re-Introducing Vedge Your Best: Why Most Change Fails—and What Actually Works

    It’s January. We’re past Quitter’s Day.And if you’ve ever quietly stopped believing that change is possible—for your health, your habits, or your vegan practice—this episode is for you. In this re-introduction to Vedge Your Best, Michele shares why most New Year’s resolutions fall apart not because people are lazy or unmotivated, but because they’re using the wrong mindset for change. This episode explores the powerful shift from outcome-based thinking (“I’ll feel proud when I get there”) to a process-based mindset—and why that shift changes everything, not just when it comes to veganism, but in every area of life. Drawing on lived experience, behavioral psychology, and a very human understanding of how change actually works, Michele explains why treating veganism as a practice—rather than a pass/fail identity—creates consistency, confidence, and momentum over time.In this episode, we cover: What “Quitter’s Day” reveals about how most people approach goals Why big moments rarely create lasting change The difference between an Outcome Mindset and a Process Mindset How perfectionism and all-or-nothing thinking sabotage progress Why focusing on systems, habits, and practice calms your nervous system What’s happening in your brain when you stop chasing results Why veganism works better as a practice, not a performance Simple ways to shift your thinking today, without overhauling your life If you’ve ever: Started over… again Felt like you “should” be further along Given up on goals because they felt exhausting or fragile Wanted to move in a more plant-based or vegan direction but felt stuck You’re in the right place. This episode is an invitation to stop chasing perfect outcomes—and start building a process that actually supports the life you want to live. Because how you go vegan is how you do everything. 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
  7. 279: Staying Alive: Sherry Shrallow Talks Heart Disease, Food, and the Vegan Volunteer Corps

    JAN 6

    279: Staying Alive: Sherry Shrallow Talks Heart Disease, Food, and the Vegan Volunteer Corps

    What if a life-threatening health crisis wasn’t just a tragedy — but an opportunity? In this episode of Vedge Your Best, Michele talks with Sherry Shrallow, author of Staying ALive, plant-based educator, and longtime advocate for using food as a tool for prevention, healing, and service. At 56, Sherry was an active, fit woman eating what she believed was a heart-healthy diet when she suffered a sudden heart attack while at work. What followed included emergency surgery, a complicated recovery, and a profound reckoning with what she had not been told about heart disease, lifestyle, and prevention. Sherry shares how discovering whole-food, plant-based nutrition — including the early work of Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn — changed the course of her health and her life. She also reflects honestly on depression after surgery, rebuilding strength and routine, navigating imperfection, and learning how to get back on track without shame. This conversation goes beyond food. Sherry talks about meditation, yoga, purpose, and why helping others — including through the Vegan Volunteer Corps, where she helps provide plant-based meals to people experiencing homelessness — has become a central part of her healing and happiness. If you’ve ever wondered whether change is still possible, whether it’s “too late,” or how to move forward without perfection, this episode offers clarity, realism, and hope.In this episode, we discuss: Sherry’s heart attack at age 56 and the long recovery that followed Why heart disease often develops quietly — even in people who think they’re healthy What she learned (and wasn’t told) about food, lifestyle, and prevention Discovering whole-food, plant-based eating as a powerful intervention Depression after major illness and the importance of routine and purpose Why this wasn’t a tragedy, but an opportunity Teaching cooking classes and making plant-based food accessible The Vegan Volunteer Corps and using food to serve others Letting go of perfection and learning how to get back on track Why it’s never too late to improve the quality of your life  Sherry’s YouTube Channel — Chef Sherry’s Plant-Based Kitchen 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/

    57 min
  8. 278: 7 Themes From 2025 (and What We’re Carrying Into 2026)

    12/30/2025

    278: 7 Themes From 2025 (and What We’re Carrying Into 2026)

    As 2025 comes to a close, Michele reflects on the patterns, lessons, and insights that showed up again and again this year—in her own life, on the Vedge Your Best podcast, and in her work with clients. This episode isn’t about resolutions or reinvention. It’s about continuation. Drawing on behavioral science, psychology, and lived experience, Michele shares seven themes that shaped 2025 and offers a grounded, compassionate framework for carrying those lessons into 2026—especially for anyone moving in a plant-based or vegan direction and wondering why change can feel so hard even when it matters deeply. If you’ve felt discouraged, stuck, or “behind,” this episode is a reminder that you’re not starting from scratch—you’re starting from experience.In This Episode, We Explore: Why deciding once is never enough—and why remembering is the real work of change How information is rarely the problem, and why friction points matter more than facts Why discomfort is not failure, but often the cost of caring The difference between performance and practice, and why practice is what sustains long-term change How waiting keeps us stuck, and why engagement creates clarity Why restarting is not starting over, and how experience becomes an asset How the deepest changes are often subtle, invisible at first, but foundational Key Takeaways: You don’t think your way into lasting change—you act your way into clearer thinking All-or-something beats all-or-nothing every time Identity shifts often happen before outcomes stabilize Not changing is uncomfortable too—it’s just quieter You’re not behind, broken, or failing You’re starting from experience 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/⁠

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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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