Episode Description:

Dive into the Season 4 premiere of the Vegans Who Lift Podcast, where fitness, veganism, and inspiring stories collide! Join hosts John Thomas, aka The Bodybuilding Vegan, and Brooke Sellers, aka Miss Meatless Muscle, as they explore powerful journeys in vegan fitness with special guest Ashley King. Discover how Ashley’s transition to veganism helped heal her body, the impact of mindfulness on gut health, and why embracing balance can transform your approach to both fitness and life. Don’t miss this episode packed with motivation, practical advice, and insights that could change your journey forever.

Hosts:

• John Thomas (@TheBodybuildingVegan): A competitive bodybuilder, fitness coach, and co-host of the Vegans Who Lift Podcast. John shares his expertise in building muscle on a plant-based diet and offers practical advice for those looking to transform their fitness journey.
• Brooke Sellers (@Miss_Meatless_Muscle): Also known as Miss Meatless Muscle, Brooke is a fitness coach and advocate for intuitive eating and sustainable vegan fitness. She co-hosts the podcast and brings her experience in overcoming gut health challenges and finding balance in training.

Special Guest:

• Ashley King (@AshleyKingFitness): A mom of three, fitness coach, and vegan advocate. Ashley shares her inspiring journey to veganism, overcoming alcohol dependency, and building a successful fitness career that blends both in-person and online training.

Episode Overview:

In this Season 4 premiere of the Vegans Who Lift Podcast, John and Brooke welcome Ashley King, a fitness expert with a powerful story of transformation. In this in-depth conversation, Ashley shares how her transition to a vegan lifestyle helped her overcome severe gut health issues, improved her energy levels, and even transformed her approach to fitness and life. With candor and humor, Ashley, Brooke, and John discuss the ups and downs of maintaining a vegan diet as athletes and the challenges they face in the vegan community.

Whether you’re a seasoned vegan or just curious about the lifestyle, this episode is packed with valuable insights into making veganism work for you, balancing fitness with life’s demands, and how to maintain your mental well-being in the process.

Key Discussion Points:

1. Introducing Ashley King:
   • Ashley shares her journey to becoming vegan, which began during the pandemic as she sought solutions to ongoing gut health issues.
   • From her initial skepticism about maintaining muscle on a vegan diet to discovering new energy and reduced inflammation, she details the physical and emotional benefits of making the switch.
2. Gut Health, Bodybuilding, and Vegan Diets:
   • Brooke and Ashley discuss their experiences with severe gut issues, like SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth), and how a plant-based diet helped them recover.
   • The group highlights practical tips for managing gut health as a vegan athlete, emphasizing the importance of a balanced approach to nutrition.
3. Mindfulness Practices in Fitness:
   • Ashley shares how meditation, therapy, and taking time for self-care have helped her cope with anxiety and maintain focus.
   • John and Brooke discuss how they’ve incorporated mindfulness and mental health practices into their routines, especially during intense training periods.
4. The Importance of Balance and Intuitive Eating:
   • Brooke talks about her recent shift from a strict bodybuilding diet to a more intuitive approach, helping her find a sustainable balance between fitness goals and enjoying life.
   • Ashley and John discuss the challenges of maintaining a disciplined diet while allowing room for flexibility and enjoyment, both for themselves and their clients.
5. Sobriety and Mental Health:
   • Ashley opens up about her decision to quit drinking at 22, how it changed her life, and the role fitness played in her recovery.
   • The conversation explores the parallels between maintaining sobriety and committing to a fitness journey, highlighting the importance of self-awareness and resilience.
6. Wins of the Week:
   • The hosts and guest each share personal and professional victories, offering listeners a glimpse into their ongoing growth and achievements.
   • Highlights include Ashley’s milestone of enjoying eating out again, Brooke’s year-long journey of being SIBO-free, and John’s new support from a former academy student.
7. Advice for Pre-Vegans and New Vegans:
   • The team discusses strategies for helping clients make the transition to veganism, stressing the importance of education, patience, and understanding.
   • John introduces the concept of “pre-vegans” and shares how he and Brooke use this positive language to encourage clients to explore plant-based eating without pressure.
8. Navigating the Vegan Community:
   • Ashley, Brooke, and John share their experiences with both the supportive and challenging sides of the vegan community.
   • They discuss how to handle criticism from within the community, the importance of maintaining a welcoming attitude towards new vegans, and the shared goal of creating a better world for animals and people.

Notable Quotes:

• “The biggest thing people can learn is that vegans are nice, and we want to help people and accept everybody.” – Ashley King
• “If we can get a hundred people to go vegan fifty percent of the time, that’s a lot better than getting ten perfect vegans.” – John Thomas
• “It’s all about creating balance and learning moderation, which is the hardest thing to teach people.” – Brooke Sellers

Episode Highlights:

• The surprising benefits of veganism for athletes struggling with inflammation and gut health.
• How mindfulness practices can boost recovery and mental well-being during training.
• Why balance and sustainability matter more than perfection in a long-term fitness journey.
• Ashley’s candid story of sobriety and how it has shaped her perspective as a coach and mom.

Connect with Us:

• John Thomas: @TheBodybuildingVegan
• Brooke Sellers: @Miss_Meatless_Muscle
• Ashley King: @AshleyKingFitness

Get in Touch:
For coaching inquiries, collaborations, or just to say hello, reach out through our social media or email us at contact@vegansexplore.com.

Listen to the Episode:
Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a review if you enjoyed the episode!

Share the Love:
Help us reach more listeners by sharing this episode with your friends, family, or anyone curious about the vegan lifestyle. Tag us on social media with your thoughts, and let us know your biggest takeaway from this inspiring conversation!

About the Vegans Who Lift Podcast:
The Vegans Who Lift Podcast brings together the worlds of plant-based nutrition, strength training, and personal growth. Hosted by two passionate fitness coaches, each episode dives deep into the challenges, triumphs, and strategies that help vegan athletes achieve their goals while spreading positivity and inclusivity in the vegan community. Whether you’re an experienced lifter or just starting your journey, tune in for fresh perspectives, expert insights, and inspiring guest stories.