NBSV 186: Coach and gym owner Izzy Jacobus on running vegan businesses, his past as a pro musician, and poking trolls online
Release Date: 12/10/2024
NBSV 198: Thom Norman on ending factory farming through evidence-based giving
No-Bullsh!t Vegan
In this episode I speak with Thom Norman, co-founder of FarmKind, a nonprofit organization working to end factory farming through evidence-based giving. Thom shares his personal journey to veganism and why he left a legal career in nuclear energy policy to pursue systemic change for animals. He discusses the unique approach FarmKind takes in identifying and supporting high-impact charities, how donations can rival or even surpass individual dietary change in reducing animal suffering, and the importance of pragmatism in creating long-term shifts toward animal liberation. Thom also emphasizes...
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NBSV 197: Coach K's strategy sessions vol. 4 — Muscle recovery, high-protein foods, meal prep, and outsmarting our own brains
No-Bullsh!t Vegan
In this final volume of my free strategy call series, you’ll listen in on two coaching sessions packed with plant-based problem solving, strength training tweaks, and behaviour hacks. Anna wants to build muscle alongside MMA and dance without being sore for days, while Rebecca’s focused on navigating menopause, portion sizes, and protein goals (with a side of DIY vegan high-protein ice cream). We cover everything from barbell boredom and tofu techniques to food prep strategies and how to outsmart your own brain so you don’t need to rely on willpower.
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NBSV 196: Fitness, veganism, and social justice: why politics belong in plant-based health
No-Bullsh!t Vegan
In this episode, I’m diving into why fitness and veganism aren’t just personal choices—they’re political whether we realize it or not. Based on a recent article I wrote, I’m exploring how things like race, class, and ability shape who gets access to fitness and plant-based foods, and why pretending otherwise is itself a political act. This episode was sparked by a podcast review I received telling me I should keep social commentary and political opinion out of my show. So, naturally, I decided to lean all the way in.
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NBSV 195: Environmental benefits of plant-based agriculture with agrologist Cory Davis
No-Bullsh!t Vegan
Agrologist Cory Davis joins me to unpack the environmental toll of animal agriculture—and the enormous potential of plant-based food systems to reduce emissions, reclaim land, and restore ecosystems. Cory brings a systems-level perspective that blends science, ethics, and practical solutions. He also does some serious myth-busting about “sustainable” local meat and “regenerative grazing”. Whether you're a climate advocate or curious about food’s environmental impact, this episode will challenge what you thought you knew about sustainable eating. Cory is a licensed professional...
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NBSV 194: Renowned dietitian Brenda Davis on powering health with plants
No-Bullsh!t Vegan
In this episode, I’m joined by renowned registered dietitian and plant-based pioneer, Brenda Davis. With decades of experience and 13 books to her name, Brenda shares powerful insights on fine-tuning plant-based diets for every stage of life, and using nutrition to prevent and treat chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes and heart disease. We explore the role of processed foods and faux meats in a healthy diet, and her inspiring journey of being vegan for 36 years (she started back when plant-based diets were dismissed as mere fads). Whether you're a long-time vegan or just plant-curious,...
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NBSV 193: How much protein do you really need? A deep dive with Vesanto Melina
No-Bullsh!t Vegan
In this episode of the No-Bullshit Vegan Podcast, registered dietitian and award-winning author Vesanto Melina returns to dive deep into all things vegan protein. With decades of experience in plant-based nutrition, Vesanto shares insights from her latest book, Plant-Powered Protein, debunking common myths about protein intake and addressing how different populations—from strength trainers to older adults—can optimize their nutrition. We discuss how protein needs change with age, why plant-based athletes may need to tweak their intake, and how the science behind protein...
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NBSV 192: Kettlebell training for every body with Coach Damali Fraiser
No-Bullsh!t Vegan
Kettlebell training should be for every body. Coach Damali—kettlebell expert, speaker, and owner of Lift Off Strength & Wellness—joins me to challenge diet culture in the fitness space and share how to make kettlebell coaching more inclusive. She breaks down what it means to approach training from a size-inclusive, trauma-informed, and judgement-free perspective, rethinks the use of props in kettlebell coaching, and discusses why language matters when working with clients. Don’t miss this powerful conversation on making strength training accessible to all!
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NBSV 191: Actor, playwright, director, and public speaking coach Lynn Aliya shares her vegan journey
No-Bullsh!t Vegan
If you looked up “powerhouse” in the dictionary, you’d find a picture of Lynn Aliya. This multi-talented dynamo is an award-winning actor, playwright, director, public speaking coach, country radio broadcaster, and now—author of a brand-new book! In this episode, Lynn shares her vegan journey, discusses her latest book, and (drumroll, please) announces a brand new TV show for the first time ever! When she’s not training doctors in empathetic communication or lighting up the stage and screen, Lynn—also known as Brooklyn—is learning to surf at almost 60! Because if anyone can prove...
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NBSV 190: Coach K's strategy sessions vol. 3 — metabolism, macros, calories, and strength training for endurance sports
No-Bullsh!t Vegan
About once a year, I open up my schedule to between 20 and 30 awesome folks on my email list. Each person gets a free strategy session, where they can chat about whatever they’d like! Creating an effective workout plan, brainstorming vegan meal prep, calculating protein requirements, plotting vegan world domination… anything goes! In today's instalment of strategy session episodes, I first speak with Dan, a triathlete and a marathoner who had some specific questions for me about strength training to complement his endurance training. Next I speak with Julia, who was doing some nutrition...
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NBSV 189: Strength coach Meghan Callaway on training with (and bouncing back from) injuries
No-Bullsh!t Vegan
Time for a catch-up with strength coach extraordinaire and overall powerhouse Meghan Callaway! Cat news! Injury and recovery news (from both Meghan and me)! Business news! We cover it all. Meghan Callaway is a coach with 21 years of experience, a life-long athlete, and an animal lover. Her Ultimate Pull-Ups program has been featured in the New York Times, and has been followed by thousands of people in almost 90 countries since it was released in 2017. Meghan grew up playing sports, including making the majors baseball all-star team that competed to qualify for the little league world series....
info_outlineIzzy and I have been Facebook friends for years, but have never had a face-to-face chat…until now. Listen in as we talk about our respective musical backgrounds, working with clients, the role of AI in fitness, and running various types of vegan businesses.
Izzy Jacobus is a personal trainer with a certification from the National Academy of Sports Medicine and nutrition coach with certifications from the Nutritarian Education Institute and Precision Nutrition. After holding a position at Brooklyn Nurse Practitioners Clinic (a vegan medical clinic) as their nutrition counsellor, he started The Workout Plant to continue helping local clients in Brooklyn, New York, and online clients around the world pursue their fitness and health goals. Izzy is also the founder of Vegans of New York, the largest vegan community in NYC, and creator of Animals First on the Second, a global animal advocacy organization.