Vegan Boss Radio

What if aging didn’t have to mean slowing down, losing strength, or accepting things that are considered just normal parts of aging?

In this episode, Shawna is joined by Jane Thurnell-Read, an independent author and blogger. She writes about health and wellbeing with a focus on
positive lifestyle solutions. She’s in her seventies and loves inspiring others. She enjoys lifting weights in the gym, riding her bike and eating healthily with a dusting of vegan chocolate. Her books are:

• Health & Wellbeing on a Budget: Simple and Affordable Strategies for a Healthier, Happier You
• The Science of Healthy Ageing: Unlocking the Secrets to Longevity, Vitality, and Disease Prevention
• 190 Weight Loss Hacks: How To Lose Weight Naturally and Permanently Without Stress
• Menopause Weight Loss: Live Well, Sleep Well, Stop Hot Flashes and Lose Weight

These are available on Amazon as a paperback and eBook, and on Audible and iTunes as an audiobook. Each book is full of evidence-based, practical information. Jane also posts gym videos, inspirational lifestyle quotes and vegan salad pics on her Instagram account @thrivingjane. Visit her website https://janethurnellread.com/ for more information.

In this conversation, we dive into:

• Why weight training is one of the most important tools for healthy aging

• Strength training during and after menopause

• Bone health, muscle mass, confidence, and independence as we age

• Why staying active is non-negotiable for long-term vitality

• How a plant-based lifestyle can support aging well

This episode is inspiring, practical, and a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to build strength, support your health, and thrive at any age.

__________________________________________________________________

🥗 Need help with your plant-based nutrition? Book a private consultation at synergynutrition.ca for personalized guidance to meet your nutrient needs and feel your best.

👉 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.

 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!

In this episode of Vegan Boss Radio, Shawna is joined by Rosie Martin, a UK-based registered dietitian, to break down some of the most common misconceptions and challenges people face when eating plant-based.

Together, they explore:

• Widespread myths and misinformation around plant-based nutrition

• Nutrients people tend to worry about unnecessarily, and the ones that actually deserve attention

• Gut health, bloating, and why fibre is often misunderstood

• Concerns with the new U.S. Food Guide and how nutrition guidance is often oversimplified online

About the Guest

Rosie is a UK registered dietitian working in the NHS and as a plant-based diet specialist in private practice through her business Rosemary Nutrition & Dietetics. As a former zoologist with experience in animal behaviour and welfare, Rosie turned to a fully vegan diet in 2014 and retrained in nutrition. Having studied the theory of plant-based nutrition and experienced the real-life physical and psychological benefits, Rosie now works to support others embrace a plant-based diet and lifestyle for human, animal and planetary health.

This episode is ideal for anyone who wants a more grounded, evidence-based approach to plant-based eating.

Learn more about Rosie and the services she offers:

Website: www.rosemarynutrition.co.uk

Instagram: @plantdietitianrosie

Link to free weight-loss session: https://www.rosemarynutrition.co.uk/register-2/

__________________________________________________________________

🥗 Need help with your plant-based nutrition? Book a private consultation at synergynutrition.ca for personalized guidance to meet your nutrient needs and feel your best.

👉 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.

 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!

Can you really build muscle on a plant-based diet?
Is meat actually necessary for strength, or is that just a story we’ve been told?

In this episode, Shawna sits down with Dr. Minil Patel to break down the science, culture, and myths surrounding plant-based nutrition, strength training, and masculinity.

Dr. Patel shares his personal journey from being, in his own words, “the least vegan person” to going vegan for ethical reasons after questioning why we care for some animals while eating others. That realization sparked a deeper interest in plant-based nutrition, performance, and lifestyle medicine, and ultimately shaped both his medical practice and public advocacy.

In this episode:

• Whether plant-based diets can support muscle growth and strength training

• The cultural link between meat consumption and masculinity

• Common myths about protein, muscle, and vegan nutrition

• How misinformation spreads online, and how to evaluate nutrition claims critically

• What it really takes to thrive on a plant-based diet as an active individual

About the Guest

Dr. Minil Patel is a UK-based General Practitioner and Lifestyle Medicine Physician with a special interest in plant-based nutrition and strength training. He graduated from King’s College London in 2016 with an MBBS and a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience.

After adopting a vegan lifestyle in 2017 for ethical reasons, Dr. Patel completed the Plant Based Nutrition course at the University of Winchester. He also holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Education from King’s College London and a diploma from the International Board of Lifestyle Medicine.

He is an active member of Plant Based Health Professionals UK and serves as an ambassador for Climategames and Running On Plants. Dr. Patel was featured in the documentary I Could Never Go Vegan and has appeared in Men’s Health Online. He regularly speaks at events such as Vegfest, Vegan Camp Out, and VegMed on topics including plant-based diets for athletes, muscle building, and performance. He shares evidence-based insights on veganism, nutrition, health, and fitness through his Instagram account @drironjunkie.

__________________________________________________________________

🥗 Need help with your plant-based nutrition? Book a private consultation at synergynutrition.ca for personalized guidance to meet your nutrient needs and feel your best.

👉 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.

 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!

In this episode, I’m joined by Karen Lee of The Sensitive Foodie Kitchen for a powerful conversation about autoimmune disease, healing, and the role of a whole-food, plant-based diet in supporting long-term health.

Karen shares her journey following a multiple sclerosis diagnosis in 2016 and how she uses diet and lifestyle approaches to manage her condition. We explore how plant-based nutrition can support people living with autoimmune conditions, reduce inflammation, and improve quality of life, while still being realistic, nourishing, and enjoyable.

Karen is a retired intensive care nurse and naturopathic nutritionist who has a
passion for amazingly tasty food that’s also great for health. After a diagnosis of MS in 2016, she uses diet and lifestyle to manage her condition and shares this knowledge with others through her website – The Sensitive Foodie Kitchen – as well as workshops, talks and online classes.

She published her first book Eat Well Live Well with The Sensitive Foodie in 2019. Her second book, Healing From The Inside Out, is due out 15th January 2026, and explores the benefits of a whole-food plant-based diet for autoimmune disease.

Karen is a facilitator for the charity Overcoming MS that provides an accessible lifestyle medicine program that supports people with MS. She also teaches medical students how to cook plant-based meals as part of the Cooking for the Climate module offered by Plant-Based Health Professionals UK (PBHP) and works as PBHPs Event Manager.

We also talk about the importance of food skills, community education, and empowering people with practical tools they can actually use, whether they’re newly diagnosed, supporting a loved one, or simply looking to build resilience and health from the inside out.

This episode is thoughtful, grounded, and inspiring, especially for anyone navigating chronic illness or curious about the role of plant-based nutrition in autoimmune health.

Learn more about Karen on her website, Instagram @the.sensitive.foodie, Facebook @thesensitivefoodie, LinkedIn, and YouTube. 

__________________________________________________________________

🥗 Need help with your plant-based nutrition? Book a private consultation at synergynutrition.ca for personalized guidance to meet your nutrient needs and feel your best.

👉 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.

 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!

In today's episode, I'm joined by Vanessa Sturman, a multi-award-winning Speaker and Health and Nutrition Coach who helps busy leaders, teams, and individuals build practical, sustainable nutrition habits that support performance, resilience, focus, and healthy weight maintenance. She connects how we eat with how we lead, linking personal performance, business success, and planetary health.

A regular contributor to Sky News, BBC Radio, and other major media outlets, Vanessa's approach is rooted in enjoyment and real life, with flavour-filled food and simple shifts that fit naturally into everyday routines. No restriction. No overwhelm. Just realistic, evidence-based steps.

Drawing on nutrition science, real-world experience, and cultural food knowledge, Vanessa equips people to sustain energy and focus under pressure. Her inclusive, relatable perspective is shaped by her recovery from teenage binge eating and her experience growing up as a person of colour with an immigrant mother who taught her the value of food, budgeting, and reducing waste.

Educated at Cambridge University in Social and Biological Anthropology (BA (Hons), MPhil, MA), Vanessa is also a published recipe developer and experienced one-to-one coach. Her clients include Fulham Football Club, Cambridge University, and Octopus Electric Vehicles. She serves as a Health Expert for BBC Radio Oxfordshire and Berkshire and has received two speaker awards for her high-impact delivery.

Vanessa delivers keynotes, workshops, and panel sessions on leadership, adaptability, and small habit change, even within diverse food cultures. She also coaches individuals and corporate teams to make sustainable nutrition choices that support wellbeing and success. 

Links:

Website and Vanessa’s Power Hour, code POWER15 at checkout for a 15% discount https://www.vanessasturman.com/the-power-hour 

Follow Vanessa on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/vanessaforhealth 

To discuss your needs with Vanessa, no obligation, book a call here https://calendly.com/energiseandthriveplantbased/healthy-living-discovery- call or drop me a text on 07826 519611

Connect with Vanessa on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-sturman-plant-based-health-coach/ 

__________________________________________________________________

Also, a quick reminder that there are still a few spots left in my upcoming 15 Hour online Plant Based Nutrition Course, running Thursdays from 8am–11am PST, starting January 5th. If you’d like to register, just email registrar@pacificrimcollege.com.

_________________________________________________________________

🥗 Need help with your plant-based nutrition? Book a private consultation at synergynutrition.ca for personalized guidance to meet your nutrient needs and feel your best.

👉 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.

 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!

In this episode, Shawna sits down with Tania Cantú, the creator behind Plant Based Mexican (@plantbasedmexican), a woman whose life flipped the moment she realized her body had been whispering warnings since childhood.

A vibrant voice blending humour, wellness, and flavour to show the world that healthy living doesn’t have to be bland or boring. After overcoming childhood asthma, food sensitivities, and generational patterns around health, she turned her personal transformation into a mission to inspire the Latino community to nourish their bodies and rewrite their story.

Her story isn’t just about going plant based…it’s about confronting the emotional chaos, the family dynamics and the moments that pushed her to ask: “Who am I becoming?”

A lifelong athlete, plant based cook, and mindset mentor, Tania’s transformation led her to create a space where wellness meets humour, flavour, movement, and the kind of honesty people don’t usually share online. She shares practical tools, delicious recipes, and lifestyle habits that help people. Today, Tania empowers everyone to take back their health, reconnect with their inner voice, and create a life that actually feels good, one recipe, one habit, and one brave decision at a time. And her message has become her signature: "If Tania Can, You CanTU".

In this episode, we dive into:
• Tania’s plant based journey and what inspired her to share her recipes online
• Sneaky animal products commonly found in Mexican cuisine (like lard in beans, chicken stock in rice, and seasoning cubes that aren’t vegan)
• The rise of plant based options in Mexico, especially in Mexico City
• Tania’s favourite ingredient swaps for creating authentic flavours
• Her top plant based recreations of classic dishes
• How she inspires a bilingual audience that’s curious about healthy living, even if they’re not plant based

Before the interview, Shawna also shares details about her upcoming 15-Hour Plant Based Nutrition Course, running online through Pacific Rim College from January 8th to February 5th. This course is ideal for nutrition students, nutritionists, and healthcare providers who want to better support plant based clients, as well as anyone already vegan or plant based who wants an in-depth understanding of nutrient needs and evidence-based guidance. To register, email registrar@pacificrimcollege.com.

This episode is a delicious blend of culture, education, and inspiration, perfect for anyone who loves Mexican food, is curious about plant based living, or wants practical tools for navigating eating plant based within traditional cuisines.

Learn more about Tania on her Instagram @plantbasedmexican and her YouTube @plantbasedmexican.

____________________________________________________________________

🥗 Need help with your plant-based nutrition? Book a private consultation at synergynutrition.ca for personalized guidance to meet your nutrient needs and feel your best.

👉 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.

 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!

In this episode, I chat with Sylvain Karpinski, founder and CEO of GUSTA Foods and SLY Foods, and one of the most innovative voices in Canada’s vegan food landscape.

Sylvain has been vegan for two decades and has built two successful plant based companies rooted in his passion for sustainability, flavour, and adventure. GUSTA Foods quickly became a staple in Canadian grocery stores with its artisanal, clean-label vegan sausages, roasts, and cheeses. More recently, Sylvain launched SLY Foods: a line of gourmet, freeze-dried, plant based meals designed for adventurers who want nutritious, long-lasting meals that taste amazing.

In this conversation, we explore:
• Sylvain’s vegan journey and what inspires his work
• The origins and growth of GUSTA Foods
• Why he created SLY Foods and the gap it fills for outdoor enthusiasts
• How the plant-based meat alternative market has evolved
• His experiences as an adventure athlete and how that shaped SLY Foods

This is an inspiring, insightful episode for anyone interested in vegan entrepreneurship, plant based innovation, or the intersection of food and adventure.

Learn more at both @gustafoods and @slyfoods.ca

____________________________________________________________________

Before the interview, I also share details about my upcoming 15-Hour Plant Based Nutrition Course, running online through Pacific Rim College on Thursdays from 8am-11am PST from January 8th to February 5th. Open to everyone, not just students, this course covers nutrient requirements, how to respond to common criticisms of vegan diets, and evidence-based explanations for popular plant based nutrition myths.

More info & to register: Pacific Rim College School of Continuing Education

____________________________________________________________________

🥗 Need help with your plant-based nutrition? Book a private consultation at synergynutrition.ca for personalized guidance to meet your nutrient needs and feel your best.

👉 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.

 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!

In this mini solo episode, I share the 10 things that I wish everyone knew about being vegan. Everything from why veganism is not a diet, to the funny (and sometimes frustrating) realities of navigating a non-vegan world.

I discuss the emotional and practical sides of vegan life: dealing with constant “nutrition experts,” learning to be overprepared, handling the never-ending jokes, and remembering that even when it doesn’t feel like it, every vegan choice makes a difference.

I also talked about a new video by past guest Natalie Fulton about how vegans “lost the culture war,” exploring how veganism’s boom after Cowspiracy and EAT-Lancet was met with backlash from the meat industry and media misinformation.

The episode wraps up with my own vegan story, which is coming up to my 32 year anniversary of going vegetarian this month, and how that eventually led to going vegan in 2002. 

Mentioned in this episode:

• My private vegan nutrition consultations and upcoming Plant Based Nutrition Course - detail can be found at synergynutrition.ca

• Natalie Fulton’s video “How Vegans Lost the Culture War” on YouTube

____________________________________________________________________

🥗 Need help with your plant-based nutrition? Book a private consultation at synergynutrition.ca for personalized guidance to meet your nutrient needs and feel your best.

👉 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.

 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!

Why do we love some animals but eat others?

In this powerful episode, I'm joined by Harvard-educated psychologist and author Dr. Melanie Joy to explore the invisible belief system of carnism, and how it shapes our values, culture, and food choices.

We discuss the emotional side of activism, how to navigate anger and grief, and the importance of compassion, not just toward animals, but toward ourselves and each other. Dr. Joy also opens up about her new novel, A Half-Hearted Death Wish, and what inspired her to share this deeply human story.

Whether you’re vegan, veg-curious, or simply interested in the psychology of eating, this episode will leave you with a deeper understanding of why society eats certain animals but not others.

Learn more about Dr. Joy’s work at melaniejoy.org and carnism.org, as well as her Instagram @drmelaniejoy , and the Beyond Carnism Instagram @beyondcarnism. ____________________________________________________________________

🥗 Need help with your plant-based nutrition? Book a private consultation at synergynutrition.ca for personalized guidance to meet your nutrient needs and feel your best.

👉 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.

 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!

Soy is one of the most misunderstood foods out there — even within the vegan and plant-based community. In this mini solo episode, I break down the top myths about soy and share what the latest research really says.

From hormones and breast cancer risk to thyroid health, “processed” tofu claims, and concerns about soy and the environment — this episode covers it all. You’ll learn why soy doesn’t increase estrogen or lower testosterone, how it may actually protect against certain cancers, and why cutting it out of your diet could mean missing out on a nutrient-dense, protein-packed food with decades of proven health benefits.

Whether you’re still unsure about soy or just need some science-backed facts to share with skeptics, this episode will help you feel confident adding tofu, tempeh, soy milk, and edamame to your meals.

Studies mentioned in this episode:

1. Dairy, soy, and risk of breast cancer: those confounded milks

2. Soy Isoflavones and Breast Cancer Risk: A Meta-analysis

3. Systematic Review and Meta-analysis on the Effect of Soy on Thyroid Function

4. Neither soy nor isoflavone intake affects male reproductive hormones: An expanded and updated meta-analysis of clinical studies

5. Clinical studies show no effects of soy protein or isoflavones on reproductive hormones in men: results of a meta-analysis

____________________________________________________________________

👉 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!