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. 302: The Hidden Cost of Waiting

    5d ago

    302: The Hidden Cost of Waiting

    This episode drops on my 67th birthday.  One thing I really wish I'd understood earlier? Waiting isn't the safe choice. It just sends the bill to your future self. We tend to think that waiting is the less costly option. That the right time is out there, and when it arrives, the awkwardness will be gone, the support will be in place, and the path will be clear. But that perfect moment doesn't tend to show up. And while we're waiting for it, we're not building any of the skills we'll need when we get there. This episode isn't about blame — yours or mine. It's about what's actually going on when we keep putting things off, and what it might look like to start practicing instead. In this episode: The "no one is coming" idea from psychotherapist and author Nathaniel Branden — and why it's actually very good newsWhy waiting feels cheaper than starting, even when it isn'tStatus quo bias: the behavioral science behind why doing nothing doesn't feel like a choice — but it isThe "excusitarian" phase — and why imperfect practice still countsWhy plant-based eating is a practice, not a destination you arrive at fully preparedReal obstacles are real: a genuinely non-judgmental look at why change is harder for some people than othersThe difference between taking ownership of what happens next and blaming yourself for what came beforeThe question from this episode: What would you do a little differently if you believed that waiting is costing you something? Resources mentioned: Nathaniel Branden, psychotherapist and author — his work on self-esteem and personal responsibilityThis week's invitation: You don't have to solve the hard part first. If there's one food, one situation, one habit you're waiting to have figured out before you start — set it aside for now. What's one thing you can do? One meal, one choice, one grocery item. That's the practice. That's where it begins. If this one landed for you, share it with someone who might need to hear it. And I'd love to know — what have you been waiting on? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or come find me and tell me. As always: you don't have to do it perfectly. You just have to Vedge Your Best 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. 301: " Vegan? Must be Nice…"

    Jun 9

    301: " Vegan? Must be Nice…"

    “Oh Vegan?  Must be nice…." Some people hear words like "change” or “goal” and feel intrigued. Others feel offended.  As if YOUR growth is a comment on who THEY are. In this episode, we talk about why that happens, what those people are actually protecting, and how understanding it can give you more insight and compassionate for them AND yourself. We also talk directly to the RE-starters. If you've had a gap in your plant-based or vegan practice, this one is for you. IN THIS EPISODE: Why some people feel offended by the idea of personal development — and what they're really protectingCarol Dweck's research on fixed vs. growth mindset, and why mindset is domain-specific (you might be open to plant-based change and have a fixed mindset somewhere else entirely)The Glenda the Good Witch moment — why realizing you had the power all along isn't always comfortableKristin Neff on self-compassion and "common humanity" — why your struggle is not evidence of your inadequacyWhy the moment you notice you've drifted and come back IS the practice. RESOURCES MENTIONED: Carol Dweck — Mindset: The New Psychology of Success Brené Brown — research on shame, vulnerability, and courage (brenebrown.com) Kristin Neff — self-compassion research (self-compassion.org) 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
  3. 300: What Have You Been Practicing?

    Jun 2

    300: What Have You Been Practicing?

    You’re more consistent than you think, because not practicing is also a practice. In this milestone 300th episode of Vedge Your Best, Michele reflects on what it really means to show up week after week. This episode explores the stories we tell ourselves about discipline, follow-through, and identity and how those stories can become self-protective. If we say, “I’m just not wired that way,” we may be protecting ourselves from shame, disappointment, or other people’s expectations. But we may also be protecting ourselves from evidence that we are capable of more than we think. For anyone who has ever thought, “I’m not consistent enough to be vegan,” “I’m not that kind of person,” or “I could never stick with that,” this episode offers a compassionate reframe. A vegan or plant-based practice can be about ethics, compassion, health, and the planet — and it can also be a way to update your belief in yourself. In this episode: Why Episode 300 made Michele question her own story about consistency How “I’m consistently inconsistent” can become a self-protective identity Why our brains collect evidence for the stories we already believe What John Acuff calls “soundtracks” — the repeated phrases we play in our minds The Instapot story and the idea of “practicing not practicing” Why veganism or plant-based change can feel activating when you fear inconsistency How “I’m not like that” can sometimes mean “I haven’t practiced that yet” Why all-or-something is more useful than all-or-nothing How consistency may simply mean learning how to come back Episode 300 ChallengeAsk yourself three questions: What have I been practicing that I’m not giving myself credit for? What have I been practicing not practicing? What is one tiny thing I want to practice on purpose this 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/⁠

    26 min
  4. 299: Vegan Anniversaries and Big Days.

    May 26

    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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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
5
out of 5
58 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.

You Might Also Like