Dr. Matthew Nagra, ND recently shared some really helpful information on our podcast that I thought might benefit anyone here who's ever been told by a doctor they "can't be vegan." For those who aren't familiar with him, he's a naturopathic doctor based in Vancouver who focuses on evidence-based nutrition and spends a lot of time addressing nutrition misinformation using the available research. Dr. Matthew Nagra shares how he first adopted a plant-based diet for health and athletic performance before becoming ethically motivated after watching Earthlings. He discusses facing pushback in naturopathic medical school, how that challenged him to study the research more deeply, and why he ultimately adopted a more objective approach that acknowledges healthy animal-food dietary patterns are possible, though not necessary. We also explore medical ketogenic diets for intractable epilepsy, protein requirements and sources, the limitations of raw diets, common nutrient concerns such as protein, iron, and calcium, the uncertainty surrounding vitamin D recommendations, the claims behind "I was told I can't be vegan," and practical advice for effective activism, including consistency, diverse approaches, and avoiding perfectionism on social media. You can listen to the full episode here: http://vegansquadcoaching.com/vegansquadpod

I would want to go down in history as someone who got the vegan mission off the ground. Someone who actually helped the world change. Think of a 17th-century abolitionist, someone who wanted to see slavery end. Well, I want to see slavery end for animals worldwide. I want to help change the world before I die, and that's what I'm doing. That's why I founded Vegan Squad Coaching. We put over half a million dollars into Vegan Squad to create the best team in the world. The smartest, the brightest, the kindest, the strongest humans out here working tirelessly day in, day out to make the world a better place. Through our fitness coaching, we're helping vegans level up with their fitness. We’ve helped over 700 people transform their bodies and minds in ways they never dreamed possible. Through our business coaching, we're helping vegan businesses learn how to grow and succeed. Most vegans have great hearts, but a lot of them didn't go to business school. They don't know what successful business owners know. We're here to help show the way. Successful vegan businesses are the key to a vegan world. I want to empower and encourage you to find your voice. Speak up. If you're a vegan and you're watching this, become an activist. Wear veganism on your shirt. Put it on your hat. Put it out into the world that animals deserve to live too, because that's what we're here for.

Hey fam! I just signed up today. I can’t wait to be apart of this community, to have accountability and revive my fit body! I’ve been vegan on and off for about 10-12 years, and I’ve been in the gym on and off for almost 20 years. Vegan Squad represents everything I value and I’m so excited to be inspired and empowered by participating and staying connected with you all.

Joey shares his incredible journey from years of partying, drug use, and anxiety to discovering purpose through self-development, martial arts, and ultimately veganism. After growing up on a meat-heavy diet, conversations with his brother (who was inspired by Ed Winters’ debates) and his father’s empathy for animals, Joey was inspired to watch The Game Changers and Dominion... which transformed the way he viewed animals forever. We explore how Joey went vegan just one year ago and earned his OCB Pro card while using bodybuilding to challenge the myth that “you can’t build muscle on a plant-based diet”. Joey also opens up about a powerful spiritual experience on the way to his competition that reshaped his purpose and inspired him to use his platform to help young men become stronger, more conscious versions of themselves. Together, we discuss effective vegan activism: reaching carnivore influencers through respectful conversations, the psychology and spirituality behind animal agriculture, experimenting with raw vegan nutrition, and why true masculinity is rooted in compassion rather than domination. You can listen to the full episode here: http://vegansquadcoaching.com/vegansquadpod

Fasted cardio does allow you to burn fat a little bit faster. However, that’s not quite the full story. It’s almost like driving your car when the gas tank is already low and then getting gas versus getting gas and then driving for a longer period of time. When we train fasted in the morning, we have less glycogen stores to get through and this allows easier access to body fat to be burned for energy. If we’ve eaten a few meals and then perform cardio later in the day our body will start going for the glycogen stores first. At the end of the day calories and versus calories out will be the largest determining factor regardless of cardio timing. If you're a woman and you're already training a lot of days per week, fasted cardio might cause your cortisol levels to rise. I feel in a contest prep scenario or with a certain client, if it fits their schedule better, fasted cardio might be great. So fasted cardio really just depends upon the individual. If you are doing fasted cardio, I highly recommend that you use Yohimbine HCL. Yohimbine allows you to burn more fat while you're doing fasted cardio, and it only works in a fasted state. I've answered nine other questions just like this on my YouTube channel. I have clients asking these questions all the time. You can check it out here to learn more. https://youtu.be/hXcyMMDHHqs?si=G6NHzMsZpOU7aRr5