Videos

Dr. Minil Patel AKA @DrIronJunkie on why he went vegan. Watch the full podcast on my YouTube page, at aethixfitness.com, on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or anywhere you listen to your podcasts!

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COACHING: http://aethixfitness.com

MERCH: http://www.aethixfitness.com/shop

TRAINING PROGRAMS: http://www.aethixfitness.com/training

TRUE NUTRITION - My absolute favorite, affordable, customizable vegan protein powder! Use code "AETHIX" at checkout for 5% off anything you order! Using the code helps support me! http://www.truenutrition.com/

JACK AND FRIENDS VEGAN JERKY - Super tasty jackfruit based jerky and a great small business to support! Use code "AETHIX" at checkout for 10% off anything you order! https://www.jackandfriendsjerky.com/

SOCIAL:
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/aethixfitness
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/tofustrong
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/aethixfitness
Twitter: https://twitter.com/aethixf
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beeflessbros

PODCAST:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0...
Audible: https://www.amazon.com/The-Aethix-App...
Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/the-aet...

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Minil Patel - a London-based vegan doctor specializing in general medicine with a passion for health and fitness. Minil has been vegan for over six years, has been lifting seriously for well over ten years, and is a strong believer in keeping the mind and body healthy through nutrition, fitness and science. We get into all the details about how and why Minil went vegan, his lifestyle and diet before and after, what drew him to the medical field, and his experiences in medical school and as a doctor.

We also get into the knitty gritty details on plant based protein sources and how they compare to animal based proteins, meat and masculinity and why men are less likely to go vegan than women, excelling in athletics on a plant based diet, pressure on vegans to be good examples and so much more.

Minil is extremely knowledgeable and I particularly loved hearing about his evidence based approach to plant based nutrition, his recommendations and how he applies it to his own life. I think you’ll get a lot of really interesting information from this episode in particular and I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed our chat.

If you’re interested in connecting and following Minil on social media, he can be found mainly on Instagram at @DrIronJunkie . Thanks again to Dr. Minil and without further ado, on with the show!

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Intro to Podcast
00:45 - Intro to Dr. Minil Patel
2:00 - Podcast episode start
2:45 - Quick intro to Minil
4:10 - Does Minil incorporate a plant based diet into his practices as a doctor?
6:20 - Moving up through the medical field
9:30 - What made Minil want to specialize in general practice?
12:00 - Why are medical students drawn to pursuing specializing in surgery?
13:15 - Do medical students get nutrition training?
15:45 - Minil's view on medications and changes in lifestyle
18:45 - How the general public interprets nutrition science
21:45 - Minil's reasons for going vegan
26:00 - Why do people NOT go vegan?
31:00 - Minil's experience switching to plant based diet while lifting
35:00 - Plant protein sources vs animal protein sources
44:00 - PDCAA (protein digestibility corrected amino acid) scores
46:45 - Leucine and muscle protein synthesis
48:15 - Study hierarchies and what studies are more applicable
49:45 - Differences in protein intake for various people, protein recommendations
55:00 - Meat and masculinity - why men are less likely to go vegan
1:03:00 - Examples of amazing vegan athletes
1:07:00 - Backlash against plant based diets
1:09:00 - Pressure on vegans to be good examples
1:13:45 - Stereotype of militant vegans, vegan activism
1:18:45 - Minil's recommendations for transitioning to a plant based diet
1:23:45 - Minil closing statement
1:25:05 - Where can Minil be found on social media?
1:26:15 - Episode outro

-

COACHING: http://aethixfitness.com

MERCH: http://www.aethixfitness.com/shop

TRAINING PROGRAMS: http://www.aethixfitness.com/training

TRUE NUTRITION - My absolute favorite, affordable, customizable vegan protein powder! Use code "AETHIX" at checkout for 5% off anything you order! Using the code helps support me! http://www.truenutrition.com/

JACK AND FRIENDS VEGAN JERKY - Super tasty jackfruit based jerky and a great small business to support! Use code "AETHIX" at checkout for 10% off anything you order! https://www.jackandfriendsjerky.com/

SOCIAL:
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/aethixfitness
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/tofustrong
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/aethixfitness
Twitter: https://twitter.com/aethixf
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beeflessbros

PODCAST:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0...
Audible: https://www.amazon.com/The-Aethix-App...
Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/the-aet...

Listen to this full episode of The Aethix Approach podcast featuring vegan strongwoman Jenny Morgan anywhere you listen to your podcasts!

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COACHING: http://aethixfitness.com

MERCH: http://www.aethixfitness.com/shop

TRAINING PROGRAMS: http://www.aethixfitness.com/training

TRUE NUTRITION - My absolute favorite, affordable, customizable vegan protein powder! Use code "AETHIX" at checkout for 5% off anything you order! Using the code helps support me! http://www.truenutrition.com/

JACK AND FRIENDS VEGAN JERKY - Super tasty jackfruit based jerky and a great small business to support! Use code "AETHIX" at checkout for 10% off anything you order! https://www.jackandfriendsjerky.com/

SOCIAL:
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/aethixfitness
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/tofustrong
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/aethixfitness
Twitter: https://twitter.com/aethixf
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beeflessbros

PODCAST:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0...
Audible: https://www.amazon.com/The-Aethix-App...
Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/the-aet...

In this episode, Jen Morgan joins me to talk all about her experiences as a competitive, vegan, strongwoman athlete in the masters’ 132 and 148 pound weight classes. Strongman is a competition that includes a variety of events where the goal is to demonstrate the highest feat of strength possible on that particular movement to beat out other competitors in the weight class.

You may have heard of the World’s Strongest Man or World’s Strongest Woman, which is one of the most renowned competitions in the strongman universe and includes such athletes as Donna Moore, Andrea Thompson, Olga Liaschuk, Eddie Hall, Brian Shaw and Halfthor Bjornnsen, otherwise known by his role as the Mountain in the popular Game of Thrones series.

Although the specific events in strongman competitions always change a bit, some staples that frequently appear include some variety of deadlifts, squats, lifting stones, log or axle press, farmer’s carries or yoke walks, vehicle pulls, keg toss and tire flips, for example.

Jen walks me through the basics of what entails these competitions, how she trains for them, what got her into them, the strongman community in general, her reasons for going vegan, her experiences training for strongman and powerlifting as a vegan athlete and much more. Jen is insanely, mind-blowingly strong and it was super interesting hearing all about these things during out conversation.

Jen can be found on social media at @jacked_jenny . I hope you enjoy the episode as much as I enjoyed our chat and thanks so much again to Jenny for coming on!


TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Intro to Podcast
00:45 - Intro to Jen Morgan and strongman competition overview
2:25 - Podcast episode start
3:00 - Quick intro to Jenny
4:30 - What is strongman, exactly?
6:00 - Training for strongman
11:00 - What qualifies to compete at nationals?
11:45 - Jenny's weight class, making weight
16:00 - When did Jenny start lifting?
17:45 - Jenny's competition plans for the future
19:00 - Peak age for strength sports, masters classes
21:00 - Women in strength sports, strongwomen
22:00 - How Jenny got into strongman from powerlifting, home gym
24:15 - Strongman community, training with a team at a gym
26:45 - What drew Jenny to strongman?
28:15 - What competitions has Jenny done and best feats of strength?
30:30 - Jenny competing at nationals
33:15 - Why Jenny went vegan?
36:00 - Jenny's diet approach, some favorite protein options
38:00 - Protein intake and going lower on protein
40:45 - Diet vices, coffee, how caffeine effects us
43:45 - Calorie and macro intakes as an athlete
46:30 - Does a plant based diet have any disadvantages?
48:45 - Vegan athletes, plant based food now vs. in the past, being an example
53:45 - Jenny's tips for transitioning to a plant based diet as an athlete
58:00 - Jenny's tips for getting into strongman
59:45 - Where can Jenny be found on social media?
1:01:00 - Episode outro

-

COACHING: http://aethixfitness.com

MERCH: http://www.aethixfitness.com/shop

TRAINING PROGRAMS: http://www.aethixfitness.com/training

TRUE NUTRITION - My absolute favorite, affordable, customizable vegan protein powder! Use code "AETHIX" at checkout for 5% off anything you order! Using the code helps support me! http://www.truenutrition.com/

JACK AND FRIENDS VEGAN JERKY - Super tasty jackfruit based jerky and a great small business to support! Use code "AETHIX" at checkout for 10% off anything you order! https://www.jackandfriendsjerky.com/

SOCIAL:
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/aethixfitness
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/tofustrong
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/aethixfitness
Twitter: https://twitter.com/aethixf
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beeflessbros

PODCAST:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0...
Audible: https://www.amazon.com/The-Aethix-App...
Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/the-aet...

In this episode, Julien DesRoches joins me to talk all about bulking on a plant based diet. For anyone who isn't familiar with the term, bulking is the name for intentionally overeating to gain more weight and should be combined with a properly planned resistance training program. The goal with bulking is to put the body in a more anabolically-primed state to pack on more muscle quicker than the individual otherwise would while eating less. Under the vast majority of circumstances, bulking comes with some inherent fat gain alond with the muscle gain, so the goal is minimize the amount of fat cell accumulation. After reaching a target bodyweight or strength goals, a bulking or mass gain phase is usually followed by a cutting phase where the goal is to strip body fat back down while attempting to hold on to as much of that newly gained muscle tissue as possible. Julien is currently in a bulking phase and has been noticing some impressive progress, even after more than eight years of training. Julien and I get into the knitty gritty of bulking up on a plant based diet - who should do it, why they should do it, and tips for planning a successful mass gain focused training cycle. We also get into training as a natural after many years, body dysmorphia, our favorite sources of plant based protein, favorite meals for a bulk, specific tips and tricks we picked up over the years to pack on weight, and much more. I hope you enjoy the episode and you can find Julien at @plantsformed on Instagram or on our joint tiktok at BeeflessBros. Without further ado, on with the show!

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Intro to Podcast
00:45 - Intro to Julien and bulking overview
2:25 - Podcast episode start
3:00 - When Julien and I met, how long we've been vegan, Julien's quick history of lifting
4:30 - Maingaining vs bulking and cutting
7:15 - What exactly is bulking and why do it?
8:15 - What a bulk looks like for Julien in terms of calories
10:00 - Body types, Julien's body composition predisposition
11:45 - Julien's recent bulking progress and training
13:45 - To really push progress as a more advanced natural lifter, bulking and cutting is essential
16:15 - Recomend bulk and cuts to beginner lifters?
18:15 - Novice gains, how many years have we been lifting, genetic differences
21:15 - Body dysmorphia, natural vs. enhanced, the struggle of bulking up and social media
26:00 - Natural potential for bodybuilding, bodybuilding is an illusion, hormonal decline through age
32:30 - Is it possible to reach optimal body composition WITHOUT bulking and cutting?
36:00 - Crash diets, how Julien approaches a cut now, cardio during bulks/cuts
38:40 - Tips for successful bulk/mass gain phase, are tracking calories/macros essential?
40:45 - Training practices for building muscle while bulking, any differences in training for bulking/cutting phases?
43:30 - Tips to gain weight on a plant based diet, our favorite vegan bulking foods
48:30 - Some of our favorite plant based protein sources
52:15 - Bulking hack foods - quick and easy on the go vegan options to gain weight
58:15 - Where can Julien be found on social media?
58:45 - Podcast outro

-

COACHING: http://aethixfitness.com

MERCH: http://www.aethixfitness.com/shop

TRAINING PROGRAMS: http://www.aethixfitness.com/training

TRUE NUTRITION - My absolute favorite, affordable, customizable vegan protein powder! Use code "AETHIX" at checkout for 5% off anything you order! Using the code helps support me! http://www.truenutrition.com/

JACK AND FRIENDS VEGAN JERKY - Super tasty jackfruit based jerky and a great small business to support! Use code "AETHIX" at checkout for 10% off anything you order! https://www.jackandfriendsjerky.com/

SOCIAL:
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/aethixfitness
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/tofustrong
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/aethixfitness
Twitter: https://twitter.com/aethixf
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beeflessbros

PODCAST:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0...
Audible: https://www.amazon.com/The-Aethix-App...
Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/the-aet...

In this episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with Zachary Belknap, a natural WNBF pro vegan bodybuilder and NASM certified personal trainer. Zack placed first in his pro-debut bodybuilding show and despite it not being his direct pursui, also has some impressive strength numbers under his belt with a 495 lb squat, 345 lb bench press and 520 lb deadlift. Zack went vegan in 2015 mainly for environmental purposes but he quickly found himself drawn to the moral aspects above all else. Switching to a vegan lifestyle was a big motivator for him to push his bodybuilding pursuits to the next level. The myth of plant based diets being inadequate for building muscle is still a pervasive theory in the general population, and Zack uses that to drive his ambitions in the sport. Zack is an extremely impressive natural bodybuilder, reaching up to a massive 220 lbs in his off-season at 5’10”, and one of the best examples of what can be achieved without PED’s on a plant based diet. His fellow competitors are almost always in shock to hear about his diet after seeing what he has achieved which is great activism in itself. Zack can be found on Instagram at @boldbodyfitnessllc which is also the name of his personal training business and you can find info on that there. Thanks again to Zack for taking the time to come on the podcast and I hope you enjoy the episode as much as I enjoyed our chat!

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Intro to Podcast
00:45 - Intro to Zack
2:00 - Zack introduces himself
3:15 - How and why did Zack go vegan?
4:40 - When did Zack get into lifting?
6:00 - Zack is huge
8:15 - Zack trains heavy, has he ever competed in powerlifting?
10:00 - What drew Zack to competing?
12:00 - Zack's competition history
14:00 - Zack promoting veganism through bodybuilding, using science to support plant based diets
17:00 - What does being a pro bodybuilder entail? What divisions can Zack compete in?
19:00 - What's Zack's training look like? Bodybuilding coaches
21:00 - Pushing to failure, progressive overload, the mistakes we made as novice lifters
25:00 - Off-season bulks, pushing bodyweight PR's
26:00 - Progressing after years of natural bodybuilding, Alberto Nunez, seeing bodybuilding shows in person
29:00 - Was Zack worried about losing progress when he first went vegan? How did his diet change?
32:15 - Does Zack count calories/macros? Appetite changes during bulk/cut
34:15 - Bodybuilding is inherently extreme, potentially unhealthy, drugs in bodybuilding
38:00 - Four pillars of veganism, why Zack went vegan and why others should be interested in going vegan
39:15 - Zack used to be a hunter
42:00 - Animal agriculture is extremely impractical and wasteful compared to just eating plants
44:30 - Whole Food Plant Based diet can reverse atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in arteries)
46:30 - Going vegan isn't always easy at first but it's the right thing to do
48:00 - Antibiotic resistance due to animal agriculture and zoonotic diseases
50:00 - Different diets can result in benefits but veganism has a bigger purpose morally and environmentally
52:15 - The impracticality of free range, grass-fed meat
53:00 - Lab grown meat, would we eat it? The ethics of it
58:15 - How do other bodybuilders react to finding out Zack is vegan?
1:00:00 - What is the key to success in bodybuilding nutritionally? Plant based diet vs omnivorous diet for bodybuilding
1:05:00 - Plant based protein, being vegan is easy nowaways
1:07:30 - Transitioning from omnivorous to vegan diet for lifters
1:10:00 - Zack's closing statement, things are getting better!
1:11:45 - Where can people find Zack and his personal training services on social media?
1:13:00 - Podcast outro

-

COACHING: http://aethixfitness.com

MERCH: http://www.aethixfitness.com/shop

TRAINING PROGRAMS: http://www.aethixfitness.com/training

TRUE NUTRITION - My absolute favorite, affordable, customizable vegan protein powder! Use code "AETHIX" at checkout for 5% off anything you order! Using the code helps support me! http://www.truenutrition.com/

JACK AND FRIENDS VEGAN JERKY - Super tasty jackfruit based jerky and a great small business to support! Use code "AETHIX" at checkout for 10% off anything you order! https://www.jackandfriendsjerky.com/

SOCIAL:
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/aethixfitness
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/tofustrong
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/aethixfitness
Twitter: https://twitter.com/aethixf
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beeflessbros

PODCAST:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0...
Audible: https://www.amazon.com/The-Aethix-App...
Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/the-aet...

Let's see how heated people will get over some clickbait hahahah

-

COACHING: http://aethixfitness.com

MERCH: http://www.aethixfitness.com/shop

TRAINING PROGRAMS: http://www.aethixfitness.com/training

TRUE NUTRITION - My absolute favorite, affordable, customizable vegan protein powder! Use code "AETHIX" at checkout for 5% off anything you order! Using the code helps support me! http://www.truenutrition.com/

JACK AND FRIENDS VEGAN JERKY - Super tasty jackfruit based jerky and a great small business to support! Use code "AETHIX" at checkout for 10% off anything you order! https://www.jackandfriendsjerky.com/

SOCIAL:
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/tofustrong
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/aethixfitness
Twitter: https://twitter.com/aethixf
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beeflessbros

PODCAST:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0...
Audible: https://www.amazon.com/The-Aethix-App...
Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/the-aet...

In today’s episode, I speak with Leah DeCesare, a 47kg or 103lb weight class powerlifter who’s competed at the Arnold and in several national powerlifting meets with great success. Leah’s been vegan for well over 15 years and built all of her incredible strength and muscle on a fully plant based diet. In competition, Leah’s hit a 275.5 lb squat, a 176.3 lb bench press and a 308.6 lb deadlift at only 103 lbs bodyweight, giving her a DOTS score of 448.28. Leah has always had an interesting approach to nutrition for an elite powerlifter of her status. She’s always leaned towards a more lax, intuitive approach towards nutrition and has never really been much for tracking calories or macros. This was a topic I found to be very interesting to discuss with her about and I think highlights the importance of diet sustainability as well as other factors that may be more influential for strength and muscle accrual. We also got into the details of Leah’s training history, what has worked well for her to skyrocket her numbers, her reasons for going vegan, and much more. You can find her on Instagram at @leahrayex - Thanks again to Leah, for taking the time to come on the podcast and I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I enjoyed our chat!

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Podcast intro
00:40 - Leah intro
2:15 - Podcast with Leah start
3:15 - What drew Leah into fitness and eventually powerlifting?
9:00 - Leah's first competition and first meets in general
16:30 - Getting more serious with powerlifting, gyms in NYC, finding a gym
25:00 - Powerlifting programming, Reactive Training Systems Project Momentum, more competitions
31:15 - Powerlifting as a super strong girl in commercial gyms
36:00 - Going to the Arnold Powerlifting Competition, seguing out of Powerlifting, injuries
45:00 - Future competition?, other interests?, WWF, Eric Bugenhagen
49:30 - Going vegan, being vegan 15 years ago vs now
56:30 - Leah's approach to her diet and how other people often treat their diet, what Leah eats often
1:07:45 - Closing, where can you find Leah?

-

COACHING: http://aethixfitness.com

MERCH: http://www.aethixfitness.com/shop

TRAINING PROGRAMS: http://www.aethixfitness.com/training

TRUE NUTRITION - My absolute favorite, affordable, customizable vegan protein powder! Use code "AETHIX" at checkout for 5% off anything you order! Using the code helps support me! http://www.truenutrition.com/

JACK AND FRIENDS VEGAN JERKY - Super tasty jackfruit based jerky and a great small business to support! Use code "AETHIX" at checkout for 10% off anything you order! https://www.jackandfriendsjerky.com/

SOCIAL:
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/tofustrong
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/aethixfitness
Twitter: https://twitter.com/aethixf
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beeflessbros

PODCAST:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0...
Audible: https://www.amazon.com/The-Aethix-App...
Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/the-aet...

Nothing to lose, everything to gain. Go Vegan!!

-

COACHING: http://aethixfitness.com

MERCH: http://www.aethixfitness.com/shop

TRAINING PROGRAMS: http://www.aethixfitness.com/training

TRUE NUTRITION - My absolute favorite, affordable, customizable vegan protein powder! Use code "AETHIX" at checkout for 5% off anything you order! Using the code helps support me! http://www.truenutrition.com/

JACK AND FRIENDS VEGAN JERKY - Super tasty jackfruit based jerky and a great small business to support! Use code "AETHIX" at checkout for 10% off anything you order!
https://www.jackandfriendsjerky.com/

SOCIAL:
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/tofustrong

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/aethixfitness

Twitter: https://twitter.com/aethixf

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beeflessbros

PODCAST:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0...

Audible: https://www.amazon.com/The-Aethix-App...

Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/the-aet...