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Hosted by Shawna Barker, a plant-based nutritionist and passionate advocate for the vegan lifestyle. Whether you’re here for the health benefits, the ethics, or learning how to navigate the social aspects, this podcast is your go-to source for all things vegan. Each episode features in-depth discussions on nutrition, plant-based living, and the ethical side of veganism, with guests from all walks of life—athletes, entrepreneurs, activists, doctors, and more, all thriving on plants. Join me as we explore what it truly means to be a Vegan Boss—living consciously, thriving on a plant-based diet, and making an impact. 🎧 Subscribe now and start exploring what it means to be vegan.
Episodes

17 minutes ago
17 minutes ago
In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Tila Kansagra, also known as The Plant Promoting Doctor on YouTube. Dr. Tila is Board Certified in Lifestyle Medicine, holds a certificate in Plant Based Nutrition, and works as a GP and private lifestyle coach. She supports clients with their health and weight loss goals by focusing on the six key pillars of lifestyle medicine—nutrition, movement, sleep, stress management, healthy relationships, and avoidance of risky substances—alongside their medical care.
We talked about her personal health journey, how lifestyle medicine has shaped her practice with patients, and the importance of making small, sustainable changes that truly last.
We also touched briefly on the misconception that carbs are to blame for type 2 diabetes. Research has shown that intramyocellular lipids play an important role in insulin sensitivity, and vegans have been found to have about 30% lower levels. For anyone interested, here’s the study I mentioned: “A low fat vegan diet and a conventional diabetes diet in the treatment of type 2 diabetes: a randomized controlled 74-week clinical trial.”
Learn more about Dr. Tila on her YouTube Channel @plant_promoting_doctor, her Instagram @plant_promoting_doctor, and her website plantpromotingdoctor.com.
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👉 If you’re ready to take the next step in your own nutrition journey, book a free 15-minute discovery call with me to learn more about private nutrition consultations.
If you’re looking for 100% vegan supplements, check out my online supplement store — everything is carefully curated, ships anywhere in Canada, and is always 10% off for everyone, all the time.
Need support with plant-based nutrition? I offer private consultations to help you build a balanced, sustainable approach. Check out synergynutrition.ca for details.
Check out the Vegan Boss apparel line to spread the vegan message wherever you go — everything is on the website and @veganbossapparel on Instagram.
🎧 Subscribe, share, and leave a review if this episode resonated with you.
📩 Questions or feedback? DM me anytime @vegan_boss!

Thursday Sep 18, 2025
Thursday Sep 18, 2025
In this episode, I'm joined by Natalie Fulton, a passionate advocate for the animals, who went vegan during the pandemic and vowed to do whatever she could to help. Since then, she’s been creating content on YouTube, Substack, and Instagram, while also serving as the Media and Content Lead for Pro-Animal Future.
In this episode, Natalie shares her experience with different forms of activism, from street outreach to creative campaigns like Elwood’s Dog Meat, and reflects on what’s most effective for inspiring others to take action. We also dive into broader topics like whether Gen Z is going vegan, and the ways veganism intersects with politics and culture today.
This conversation is both thought-provoking and inspiring—whether you’re new to activism or looking for new ideas on how to make an impact, you’ll take a lot from Natalie’s insights.
Learn more about Natalie on her YouTube @Natalie.Fulton and Instagram @nattiefulton.
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👉 If you’re ready to take the next step in your own nutrition journey, book a free 15-minute discovery call with me to learn more about private nutrition consultations.
If you’re looking for 100% vegan supplements, check out my online supplement store — everything is carefully curated, ships anywhere in Canada, and is always 10% off for everyone, all the time.
Need support with plant-based nutrition? I offer private consultations to help you build a balanced, sustainable approach. Check out synergynutrition.ca for details.
Check out the Vegan Boss apparel line to spread the vegan message wherever you go — everything is on the website and @veganbossapparel on Instagram.
🎧 Subscribe, share, and leave a review if this episode resonated with you.
📩 Questions or feedback? DM me anytime @vegan_boss!

Sunday Sep 14, 2025
Sunday Sep 14, 2025
In this episode, I’m joined by Terri Chrisman, a distinguished speaker, podcaster, author of Fabulous Health, and board-certified nutritionist with the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. Terri is passionate about empowering people to reclaim their health, combining cutting-edge science with real-world, actionable strategies.
Together, we dive into some of the most powerful aspects of lasting health transformation:
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Practical strategies to create food and lifestyle habits that stick
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A deep dive into the six pillars of health
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The mindset shifts that make change sustainable
This conversation is packed with clarity, encouragement, and actionable takeaways. Whether you’re just beginning your health journey or looking to refine your habits, this episode will inspire you to take simple steps toward a healthier, more energized life.
Learn more about Terri on her website, fabuloushealth.net, her Instagram @fabuloushealthtlc, and her podcast, The Fabulous Health Show.
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👉 If you’re ready to take the next step in your own health journey, book a free 15-minute discovery call with me to learn more about my private nutrition consultations.
If you’re looking for 100% vegan supplements, check out my online supplement store — everything is carefully curated, ships anywhere in Canada, and is always 10% off for everyone, all the time.
Need support with plant-based nutrition? I offer private consultations to help you build a balanced, sustainable approach. Check out synergynutrition.ca for details.
Check out the Vegan Boss apparel line to spread the vegan message wherever you go — everything is on the website and @veganbossapparel on Instagram.
🎧 Subscribe, share, and leave a review if this episode resonated with you.
📩 Questions or feedback? DM me anytime @vegan_boss!

Friday Sep 05, 2025
Minisode: How to Build Balanced Plant Based Meals
Friday Sep 05, 2025
Friday Sep 05, 2025
Coffee often gets a bad rap, but is it really something we need to avoid? And what exactly makes a meal “balanced”?
In this solo mini episode, I break down two of the most common nutrition questions I get: whether it’s okay to drink coffee on an empty stomach, and the simple framework you can use to build meals that actually keep you full and energized.
We’ll look at how coffee impacts appetite, and why it can be perfectly fine (and even beneficial) when enjoyed with or after a meal. Then, I’ll take you through the essentials of balanced eating: protein, carbs, fibre-rich fruits and veggies, and healthy fats, with practical examples of how to put it all together at home.
If you’ve ever wondered how to enjoy your morning coffee without throwing off your day, or how to consistently create satisfying meals without overthinking, this episode is for you.
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Need support with plant based nutrition? I offer private consultations to help you build a balanced, sustainable approach. Check out synergynutrition.ca for details.
If you’re looking for 100% vegan supplements, check out my online supplement store — everything is carefully curated, ships anywhere in Canada, and is always 10% off for everyone, all the time.
Check out the Vegan Boss apparel line to spread the vegan message wherever you go — everything is on the website and @veganbossapparel on Instagram.
🎧 Subscribe, share, and leave a review if this episode resonated with you.
📩 Questions or feedback? DM me anytime @vegan_boss!

Thursday Aug 28, 2025
#51 Maxime Sigouin - Founder and CEO of Fit Vegan Coaching
Thursday Aug 28, 2025
Thursday Aug 28, 2025
In this episode of Vegan Boss Radio, I sit down with Maxime Sigouin, founder and CEO of Fit Vegan Coaching, one of the world’s leading whole-food, plant-based body recomposition programs.
Over the past five years, Maxime and his team have helped more than 1,000 clients transform their body composition and health, with a special focus on empowering people over 50 to regain strength, vitality, and confidence through sustainable, plant-based strategies.
A passionate advocate for the vegan lifestyle for over a decade, Maxime is on a mission to help 10,000 people get lean, thrive, and reduce their risk of chronic disease by 2033—and 1 million by 2050. Through evidence-based nutrition and compassionate coaching, he helps his clients not only reach their goals but also disease-proof their bodies for long-term health.
He’s also the host of the award-nominated Fit Vegan Podcast, where he shares expert insights, inspiring client stories, and practical advice for thriving on a plant-based diet. Beyond coaching, Maxime is an athlete currently training for basketball, showing firsthand how powerful plants can be for performance. Originally from Canada, he now lives in California with his wife, Ivy, and their dog, Tempeh.
This conversation dives deep into what it takes to achieve lasting results, why plant-based nutrition is such a powerful foundation for longevity, and how anyone—at any age—can start thriving on plants.
Learn more about Maxime at fitvegancoaching.com, his Instagram @maximesigouincoach, and his podcast, The Fit Vegan Podcast.
___________________________________________________________________
👉 If you’re ready to take the next step in your own health journey, book a free 15-minute discovery call with me to learn more about my private nutrition consultations.
If you’re looking for 100% vegan supplements, check out my online supplement store — everything is carefully curated, ships anywhere in Canada, and is always 10% off for everyone, all the time.
Need support with plant-based nutrition? I offer private consultations to help you build a balanced, sustainable approach. Check out synergynutrition.ca for details.
Check out the Vegan Boss apparel line to spread the vegan message wherever you go — everything is on the website and @veganbossapparel on Instagram.
🎧 Subscribe, share, and leave a review if this episode resonated with you.
📩 Questions or feedback? DM me anytime @vegan_boss!

Thursday Aug 21, 2025
Minisode: Are These Nutrients Missing on a Vegan Diet?
Thursday Aug 21, 2025
Thursday Aug 21, 2025
There are a lot of myths about vegan diets being “nutritionally incomplete” — but how much truth is there behind those claims?
In this solo episode, I take a deep dive into some of the nutrients that are more recently being used to criticize vegan diets, including lysine, leucine, taurine, carnitine, carnosine, creatine, and choline.
This is a very technical episode with a lot of numbers — on purpose. I want to show you exactly how much of each nutrient we actually need each day, and then break down how simple it is to get those amounts from common plant based foods.
If you’ve ever heard someone say, “But where do vegans get ___?” — this episode will give you the practical food examples and clarity you need.
Whether you’re new to veganism, long-term plant based, or just curious about the science, this episode will help you feel confident in meeting your nutritional needs without animal products.
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Need support with plant based nutrition? I offer private consultations to help you build a balanced, sustainable approach. Check out synergynutrition.ca for details.
If you’re looking for 100% vegan supplements, check out my online supplement store — everything is carefully curated, ships anywhere in Canada, and is always 10% off for everyone, all the time.
Check out the Vegan Boss apparel line to spread the vegan message wherever you go — everything is on the website and @veganbossapparel on Instagram.
🎧 Subscribe, share, and leave a review if this episode resonated with you.
📩 Questions or feedback? DM me anytime @vegan_boss!

Thursday Aug 14, 2025
#50 Dr. Jules Cormier - Physician, Educator, and Advocate for Lifestyle Medicine
Thursday Aug 14, 2025
Thursday Aug 14, 2025
If you’re curious about how diet can dramatically impact chronic inflammation, this episode is for you.
I’m joined by Dr. Jules Cormier, a physician, educator, and advocate for lifestyle medicine who transformed his health after years of living with multiple chronic conditions. Through a whole food, plant-based diet, Dr. Cormier reversed issues like asthma, eczema, and chronic urticaria — and now teaches future physicians about the power of nutrition.
Since 2007, Dr. Cormier has practiced family medicine, taught at his local medical school, and led a thriving skin surgery clinic. After overcoming asthma, eczema, chronic urticaria, and cholinergic angioedema through evidence-based nutrition and lifestyle changes, he became a passionate proponent of plant-based living. Today, he teaches lifestyle medicine, nutrition, and family medicine to medical students, and shares his expertise as a naturopath and creator of plantbaseddrjules.com, a free resource for those pursuing better health.
A committed athlete, Dr. Cormier has represented the Maritime provinces at the World Ninja Championships in Las Vegas (2022), Orlando (2023), and California (2024). As a public speaker and coach, he empowers others to take control of their health through sustainable nutrition and fitness, both in clinical practice and across his online platforms.
In this episode, we talk about what inflammation really is, the difference between acute and chronic inflammation, and evidence-based ways to lower your risk through everyday food choices. Dr. Cormier also shares practical tips to help you make lasting changes without feeling restricted.
Learn more about Dr. Jules on his website plantbaseddrjules.com, his Instagram @drjulescormier, and his podcast The Dr. Jules Plant Based Podcast.
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If you’re looking for 100% vegan supplements, check out my online supplement store — everything is carefully curated, ships anywhere in Canada, and is always 10% off for everyone, all the time.
Need support with plant-based nutrition? I offer private consultations to help you build a balanced, sustainable approach. Check out synergynutrition.ca for details.
Check out the Vegan Boss apparel line to spread the vegan message wherever you go — everything is on the website and @veganbossapparel on Instagram.
🎧 Subscribe, share, and leave a review if this episode resonated with you.
📩 Questions or feedback? DM me anytime @vegan_boss!

Saturday Aug 09, 2025
Saturday Aug 09, 2025
Pushing past your limits, living intentionally, and staying fuelled for the long run.
In this episode, I’m joined by Joe Gagnon — CEO, ultra-endurance athlete, high-performance coach, and author of Living Intentionally.
Joe is driven by a simple mission: helping people realize they are capable of far more than they believe is possible. Over the years, he has led six companies as CEO, coached top performers, and pushed himself to physical and mental extremes—completing six Ironman races, running 100-mile ultramarathons, finishing Six marathons on Six continents in Six days, and completing the legendary Badwater 135 ultramarathon through Death Valley.
As CEO of Raynmaker, he leads the development of an AI-powered sales platform designed to help small businesses grow smarter and faster. As a high-performance coach, he partners with bold, ambitious leaders to break through their self-imposed limits and lead lives filled with purpose and greater impact.
Joe’s life and his second book, Living Intentionally, are rooted in the belief that growth happens at the edge. It’s in the uncomfortable, uncertain, and transformational moments that we find out who we truly are. The principles of grit, grace, and groundedness guide every step he takes.
We dive into Joe’s plant-based endurance journey, his mindset for success, and why proper hydration and electrolytes are essential for anyone tackling extreme endurance races.
Learn more about Joe and Living Intentionally at thehighperformancelife.net and on Instagram at @thehighperformancelife
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If you’re looking for 100% vegan supplements, check out my online supplement store — everything is carefully curated, ships anywhere in Canada, and is always 10% off for everyone, all the time.
Need support with plant-based nutrition? I offer private consultations to help you build a balanced, sustainable approach. Check out synergynutrition.ca for details.
Check out the Vegan Boss apparel line to spread the vegan message wherever you go — everything is on the website and @veganbossapparel on Instagram.
🎧 Subscribe, share, and leave a review if this episode resonated with you.
📩 Questions or feedback? DM me anytime @vegan_boss!

Thursday Jul 31, 2025
#48 Amanda Persi - Vegan Travel Curator and Founder of The Getaway Co.
Thursday Jul 31, 2025
Thursday Jul 31, 2025
In this episode, I sit down with Amanda Persi — vegan travel curator and founder of The Getaway Co. — to talk all things plant-based travel! We explore the joys and challenges of traveling as a vegan, how The Getaway Co. creates unforgettable experiences for travellers interested in plant based diets or are already vegan, and why being surrounded by like-minded people can make your trip even more meaningful.
We also chat about the community Amanda has built with the local vegan guides in each of the destinations she visits, what goes into ensuring there are not just food options but amazing food options, and what it's really like to go on one of her trips to places like Italy, Portugal, Greece, and beyond.
Whether you're dreaming of a vegan vacation or curious about what a curated vegan travel experience will be like, this episode will leave you feeling inspired and empowered.
🌿 Learn more about Amanda and The Getaway Co. at thegetawayco.com and on Instagram at @thegetawayco.
Before we get into the episode, I share a little bit about my upcoming 15-hour Plant-Based Nutrition Course at Pacific Rim College — an evidence-based program designed for anyone transitioning to a vegan or plant-based lifestyle or working with clients who are. Topics include:
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The differences between vegan vs. plant-based diets
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Protein quality and nutrient bioavailability
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Digestive health and gut support
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Key nutrients and common myths
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Vegan supplement guidance
…and so much more.
🎓 Sign up for the Plant-Based Nutrition Course at Pacific Rim College by emailing them at registrar@pacificrimcollege.com
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Need support with plant-based nutrition? I offer private consultations to help you build a balanced, sustainable approach. Check out synergynutrition.ca for details.
Check out the Vegan Boss apparel line to spread the vegan message wherever you go — everything is on the website and @vegan_boss on Instagram.
Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you tune in.

Thursday Jul 24, 2025
#47 Emmanuelle Bonham - Personal Trainer, Nutritionist, & Founder of Kind Luxury
Thursday Jul 24, 2025
Thursday Jul 24, 2025
In this episode of Vegan Boss Radio, I’m joined by Emmanuelle Bonham, founder of Kind Luxury — a lifestyle philosophy rooted in the idea that we don’t have to choose between living well and living kindly.
We talk about the different ways people become inspired to go vegan, what it’s like being vegan in Dubai, her hands-on work in animal rescue, and how her background in fitness evolved into a compassionate vegan lifestyle. We also dive into habit change — and why taking small, sustainable steps is often the most effective approach.
Emmanuelle brings over nine years of experience in fitness, plant-based nutrition, and wellness, and her work — including collaborations with brands like Adidas and Greenpeace — encourages others to live more intentionally (not perfectly) and with purpose.
✨ Resources & Mentions
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Kind Luxury: @emmanuellebonham
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Vegan Boss Apparel: available at synergynutrition.ca (ships to CA/US/MX) or on Etsy (ships worldwide except EU)
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Plant-Based Nutrition Course at Pacific Rim College: runs Sept 3rd – Oct 1st, Wednesdays 12–3pm PST. Contact PRC to register.
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🎧 Subscribe, share, and leave a review if this episode resonated with you.
📩 Questions or feedback? DM me anytime @vegan_boss!