Thrive on Plants

Dr. Daphne Bascom

The Thrive on Plants podcast, hosted by Dr. Daphne, empowers women to navigate menopause and midlife with confidence through expert insights on plant-based nutrition, weight loss, hormones, and mindset. Each episode blends education, inspiration, and real-life success stories to help listeners thrive on a plant-based lifestyle. https://www.youtube.com/@drdaphnebascom

  1. 5D AGO

    #45 - Rim-to-Rim Ready: The Smart Way to Train for Elevation and Endurance

    Big hikes don’t just “happen.” They’re earned, through smart training, durable joints, and a fueling plan you’ve practiced before the trail gets serious. In this episode of the Thrive on Plants Podcast, I’m joined by Mikey Bell, founder of Outdoor Adventure Training (OAT), NASM Certified Personal Trainer + Corrective Exercise Specialist, professional mountain guide (Mount Shasta), and a plant-based athlete for over a decade.  Together we break down what it actually takes to prepare for long hikes and big elevation days (including Rim-to-Rim style objectives): posture from the ground up, downhill “armor,” pack weight progression, trekking pole technique, heart rate zone training, and plant-based fueling that won’t wreck your gut. If you’re training for a bucket-list hike, or you simply want to feel confident and capable on the trail, this is your blueprint. Key takeaways • Train the downhill on purpose (eccentric strength + stability), not as an afterthought. • Posture isn’t “stand up straight, ”it’s alignment under load, starting at the feet. • Use heart rate zones to build real endurance (and stop guessing intensity). • Your pack plan should be progressive and strategic, not a last-minute ego test. • For long efforts, practice a plant-based fueling strategy that prioritizes performance and GI tolerance. Connect with Mikey + Outdoor Adventure Training (OAT) OAT Website: https://outdooradventuretraining.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@outdooradventuretraining Instagram: https://instagram.com/outdooradventuretraining Some Helpful Videos from OAT Train for Hiking: https://youtu.be/qHO8m0tQ0j0?si=vvGWSTTNRm02Fvb0 Train Without Mountains: https://youtu.be/42qKDlnt59Q?si=FsTQOT8lon1YZo6U How Much Should Your Pack Weigh?: https://youtu.be/HgG57D95OMY?si=I9bEKYPyS6ZZg7n9 How to Fit Your Backpack: https://youtu.be/h7eFd-D5_DI?si=Uj9OoqvtRZWnvuXR Nutrition for Endurance: https://youtu.be/XCPm4VRpX9I?si=jM9IkBVRlX6I-2AZ #hikingtraining #trekkingpoles #rucking #zone2training #plantbasedathlete #endurancefueling #kneepainprevention #outdooradventuretraining #thriveonplants Additional resources to help you thrive on plants: 🌱 Join our free Thrive on Plants community: Join Here 🌱 Access the free Plant-Powered Body course: Access Here 🌱 Take the free health assessment for women 40+: Start Here 🌱 Watch every episode on YouTube ⭐️ If you loved this episode, please leave a review! ⭐️ Here’s how to do it on Apple Podcasts: Go to the Thrive on Plants Podcast page: Click here Scroll down to the ‘Ratings & Reviews’ section. Tap ‘Write a Review’ (you may be prompted to log in with your Apple ID). Thank you for your support!

    1h 16m
  2. 12/03/2025

    #43 - From NASA Engineer to Vegan Visionary: Dr. Ruby’s Journey to Healing Through Plants

    In this episode of Thrive on Plants, Dr. Daphne Bascom interviews Dr. Ruby Lathon, a former NASA engineer who used a whole food, plant-based lifestyle to overcome thyroid cancer and then turned her healing into a mission to help others do the same. Dr. Lathon shares how she transitioned from a high-dairy, high-egg diet to a fully plant-based approach, the mindset shifts that supported her recovery, and why she believes it’s time for all of us to “stop playing” with our health. You’ll also hear the story behind her new cookbook, Stop Playin’, Go Vegan!, and how she makes nutrient-dense food simple, flavorful, and practical for everyday life. In this episode, they explore: • How Dr. Ruby reversed thyroid cancer using a whole food, plant-based diet • The key foods she removed and the healing foods she prioritized How meditation, visualization, and spiritual alignment supported her recovery • Why self-advocacy in the medical system is critical for long-term health • The inspiration behind Stop Playin’, Go Vegan! and what makes the recipes both healing and accessible • Practical, beginner-friendly ways to start moving toward a plant-powered lifestyle today If you’re looking for real-world proof that plant-based nutrition, mindset, and lifestyle changes can create radical health transformation, this conversation with Dr. Ruby Lathon will leave you informed, inspired, and ready to take the next step. Website: https://www.rubylathon.com/ Cookbook: https://www.rubylathon.com/product-page/cookbook-stop-playin-go-vegan YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheVeggieChest Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrRubyLathon Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drrubylathon/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drrubylathon/ Additional resources to help you thrive on plants: 🌱 Join our free Thrive on Plants community: Join Here 🌱 Access the free Plant-Powered Body course: Access Here 🌱 Take the free health assessment for women 40+: Start Here 🌱 Watch every episode on YouTube ⭐️ If you loved this episode, please leave a review! ⭐️ Here’s how to do it on Apple Podcasts: Go to the Thrive on Plants Podcast page: Click here Scroll down to the ‘Ratings & Reviews’ section. Tap ‘Write a Review’ (you may be prompted to log in with your Apple ID). Thank you for your support!

    1h 19m
  3. 11/19/2025

    #42 - From Fracture to Finish Line: Coach Val's Strategy for Marathon Training After 40

    In this episode of Thrive on Plants, Dr. Daphne reconnects with Coach Valarie Swanson, plant-based runner, author, and founder of Running on Carbs, to explore her incredible journey to mastering the marathon at age 52. After recovering from a femoral neck stress fracture, Val trained smarter than ever, embracing strength, patience, and purpose to cross the finish line stronger than she started.  Whether you're eyeing your first 5K or a personal best at any age, this episode delivers practical insights, heartfelt reflections, and plenty of motivation to keep moving forward. You’ll learn: How Coach Val trained for her first marathon after injury and into her 50sThe mindset shifts that transformed her approach to runningHer plant-based fueling strategies for endurance and recoveryThe role of strength training in building a resilient runner’s bodyWhy midlife might just be the perfect time to thrive as a runner Additional resources to help you thrive on plants: 🌱 Join our free Thrive on Plants community: Join Here 🌱 Access the free Plant-Powered Body course: Access Here 🌱 Take the free health assessment for women 40+: Start Here 🌱 Watch every episode on YouTube ⭐️ If you loved this episode, please leave a review! ⭐️ Here’s how to do it on Apple Podcasts: Go to the Thrive on Plants Podcast page: Click here Scroll down to the ‘Ratings & Reviews’ section. Tap ‘Write a Review’ (you may be prompted to log in with your Apple ID). Thank you for your support!

    1h 10m
  4. 11/05/2025

    #41 - Why Every Woman Needs a DEXA Scan After 40

    Is the number on the scale really telling you the whole story? In this episode of Thrive on Plants, Dr. Daphne is joined by Adam Kadela, co-founder of DexaFit, to explore why traditional health metrics like weight and BMI fall short, and what you should be tracking instead. They discuss the science of DEXA scans, visceral fat, appendicular lean mass, and why understanding your body composition is essential, especially for women over 35 navigating midlife, menopause, and metabolic shifts. Whether you’re optimizing fat loss, rebuilding muscle, managing your hormones, or simply want a smarter way to track your progress, this conversation is packed with clarity and tools to empower your journey. 🔬 Topics We Cover: Why BMI is outdated, and what to use insteadThe power of DEXA scans for precision healthVisceral fat: the hidden risk factorAppendicular Lean Mass Index (ALMI) and longevityHow DEXA scans help you track what matters mostAdditional resources to help you thrive on plants: 🌱 Join our free Thrive on Plants community: Join Here 🌱 Access the free Plant-Powered Body course: Access Here 🌱 Take the free health assessment for women 40+: Start Here 🌱 Watch every episode on YouTube ⭐️ If you loved this episode, please leave a review! ⭐️ Here’s how to do it on Apple Podcasts: Go to the Thrive on Plants Podcast page: Click here Scroll down to the ‘Ratings & Reviews’ section. Tap ‘Write a Review’ (you may be prompted to log in with your Apple ID). Thank you for your support!

    1h 30m
  5. 10/29/2025

    #40 - The Truth About Menopause: Muscle, Metabolism & Bone Health Decoded

    Discover how plant-based nutrition and strength training help women thrive during menopause, featuring Dr. Brooke Bussard, author of Outsmarting Menopause. In this episode of Thrive on Plants, Dr. Daphne Bascom sits down with Dr. Brooke Bussard, author of Outsmarting Menopause, to uncover the science (and soul) behind thriving in midlife. Together, they decode how hormones, metabolism, muscle, and bone health intersect and why plant-based nutrition and smart strength training can change the trajectory of women’s health after 40. 📌 What You’ll Learn: ▪︎ Why midlife feels different and what’s really happening to your metabolism ▪︎ How estrogen influences fat distribution, insulin sensitivity, and muscle strength ▪︎ The science behind sarcopenia and osteoporosis and how to rebuild from the inside out ▪︎ How to use resistance training and protein to combat “anabolic resistance” ▪︎ What your bone and body composition scans (DEXA or REMS) can tell you about longevity ▪︎ How to create sustainable, plant-based habits that protect your bones, muscles, and mood About Dr. Brooke Bussard Dr. Bussard is a physician turned lifestyle medicine expert, fitness coach, and author of Outsmarting Menopause. Through her work with Plants Over Animals, her Quick Cooks! app, and her online course Eat and Feel Good!, she empowers women to transform their health through plant-based nutrition, movement, and mindset. Website: drbrookebussard.com Plants Over Animals: plantsoveranimals.com Quick Cooks! App – Available on App Store & Google Play Connect with Dr. Daphne Bascom & Thrive on Plants Join our community - Thrive on Plants Community: www.ThriveOnPlantsLife.com Follow on Instagram: @drdaphnebascom Additional resources to help you thrive on plants: 🌱 Join our free Thrive on Plants community: Join Here 🌱 Access the free Plant-Powered Body course: Access Here 🌱 Take the free health assessment for women 40+: Start Here 🌱 Watch every episode on YouTube ⭐️ If you loved this episode, please leave a review! ⭐️ Here’s how to do it on Apple Podcasts: Go to the Thrive on Plants Podcast page: Click here Scroll down to the ‘Ratings & Reviews’ section. Tap ‘Write a Review’ (you may be prompted to log in with your Apple ID). Thank you for your support!

    1h 7m
  6. 10/22/2025

    #39 - Menopause Reimagined: Mindset, Wellness & Real Talk with Andrea Donsky

    In this episode of Thrive on Plants, Dr. Daphne Bascom sits down with award-winning nutritionist, researcher, and menopause advocate Andrea Donsky, co-founder of Morphus, to explore what it really means to thrive through perimenopause and menopause. Andrea shares her deeply personal journey, from a surprise first hot flash in her late 40s to becoming a leading voice in women's health. Together, we dig into the 103+ symptoms of menopause, what most women don't know about this transition, and how mindset, lifestyle, and community can radically transform your experience. 💥 What You’ll Learn: Why menopause is more than just hot flashes (and why they're not the #1 symptom!)The importance of collecting and analyzing data from real women—over 5,000 surveyed!How Andrea built Morphus to offer both research-based education and effective, safe supplementsThe role mindset plays in healing and empowerment at midlifeWhy Gen X women are changing the menopause narrative—for goodWhether you're in your 30s or 70s, Andrea’s wisdom offers a roadmap for women ready to reclaim agency over their health, hormones, and hope for the future. 🌿 This is menopause... reimagined. 🔗 Resources Mentioned  📍 Andrea Donsky: https://andreadonsky.com  📍 Morphus: https://wearemorphus.com  📍 Menopause Symptom Tracker: https://wearemorphus.com/pages/learn  📍 Follow Andrea on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearemorphus  📍 Podcast + Research: https://wearemorphus.com/pages/menopause-reimagined-podcast-with-andrea-donsky #Menopause #Perimenopause #PlantBasedWomen #AndreaDonsky #ThriveOnPlants #HormoneHealth #MindsetMatters #Morphus #MenopauseSupport #WomenOver40 #MenopauseReimagined #MidlifeWellness  Additional resources to help you thrive on plants: 🌱 Join our free Thrive on Plants community: Join Here 🌱 Access the free Plant-Powered Body course: Access Here 🌱 Take the free health assessment for women 40+: Start Here 🌱 Watch every episode on YouTube ⭐️ If you loved this episode, please leave a review! ⭐️ Here’s how to do it on Apple Podcasts: Go to the Thrive on Plants Podcast page: Click here Scroll down to the ‘Ratings & Reviews’ section. Tap ‘Write a Review’ (you may be prompted to log in with your Apple ID). Thank you for your support!

    1h 10m
  7. 10/15/2025

    #38 - Harvey Lewis Reveals the Mindset That Helped Him Run 450+ Miles

    In this episode of Thrive on Plants, Dr. Daphne sits down with legendary ultramarathoner and plant-based athlete Harvey Lewis. Harvey shares the mindset, lifestyle, and nutrition habits that have fueled his success and longevity in one of the world’s most demanding sports. Whether you're training for a marathon or just trying to stay motivated, this conversation will inspire you to challenge your limits, embrace recovery, and lead with purpose. In this episode we discuss: ☑️ What it takes to mentally and physically prepare for a 450-mile race ☑️ How Harvey uses plant-based nutrition for endurance and recovery ☑️ His mindset approach to pain, setbacks, and finding joy in hard moments ☑️ Tips for everyday runners on recovery, longevity, and training smarter ☑️ How purpose, community, and teaching fuel his performance and peace This is more than a running episode, it’s a masterclass in mental strength, compassion, and thriving against all odds. Harvey's Socials: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/harveylewisultrarunner/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harveylewisultrarunner/ UltraSignup: https://ultrasignup.com/results_participant.aspx?fname=Harvey&lname=Lewis Additional resources to help you thrive on plants: 🌱 Join our free Thrive on Plants community: Join Here 🌱 Access the free Plant-Powered Body course: Access Here 🌱 Take the free health assessment for women 40+: Start Here 🌱 Watch every episode on YouTube ⭐️ If you loved this episode, please leave a review! ⭐️ Here’s how to do it on Apple Podcasts: Go to the Thrive on Plants Podcast page: Click here Scroll down to the ‘Ratings & Reviews’ section. Tap ‘Write a Review’ (you may be prompted to log in with your Apple ID). Thank you for your support!

    1 hr
4.6
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

The Thrive on Plants podcast, hosted by Dr. Daphne, empowers women to navigate menopause and midlife with confidence through expert insights on plant-based nutrition, weight loss, hormones, and mindset. Each episode blends education, inspiration, and real-life success stories to help listeners thrive on a plant-based lifestyle. https://www.youtube.com/@drdaphnebascom

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