Plant Proof - Plant Based Nutrition & Inspirational Stories

In Episode #18, I sat down with Zanna Van Dijk (@zannavandijk) to talk about leading a conscious life to leave the world in a better place than we found it. Zanna is an extraordinary example of a modern-day plant-based woman who is leading by example to make the world and herself happier and healthier. As you’ll find out, Zanna leads a very busy life and does an amazing job of inspiring people through so many different channels. I had a real ‘hoot’ recording this light-hearted conversation with her in Wimbledon, and it throws up many themes that I hope will provoke further thought by all who listen.   Listen to the episode to hear about Zanna’s early life and her time at university studying speech pathology. We also talked about when and why she started her Instagram; her role as ambassador for Adidas; the #girlgains movement co-created by Zanna; the Fit & Fearless podcast on BBC, which Zanna co-hosts; her brand Stay Wild, which produces swimwear from recycled ocean plastic; and much more.    Enjoy, friends.

In Episode #17, I chatted to the gut health MD Dr William Bulsiewicz about how to cultivate a healthy gut microbiome and what this actually means. Dr B, as he prefers to be called, has a fun and agenda-free way of bringing the latest in gut health science to his clinical practice, website, and social media (@theguthealthmd) for us all to benefit from. Dr B’s résumé speaks for itself: he’s a qualified MD, board-certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology, a Master of Science in Clinical Investigation, and was chief gastroenterology fellow at UNC. He has also published more than twenty scientific articles and given more than forty presentations at national meetings. On top of this, Dr B continues to practice clinically. In this episode, we discussed what the microbiome is and how it can be disrupted, what pre- and probiotics are and what role they play, and how to cultivate a healthy microbiome on a plant-based diet. This episode includes lots of practical information to implement in your own lifestyle.

In Episode #16, I spoke to Fiona Oakes about her path to becoming a marathon runner with three world records despite losing her kneecap (patella) to an illness when she was 17. For me, the really fascinating thing about Fiona’s story is that, despite growing up in a nonvegetarian family, she chose to eat a vegetarian diet at 3 years old and a completely plant-based diet by age 6 due to her love for all animals. After finishing school and working in an office job in London, she eventually started up an animal sanctuary in Essex that still exists today and provides a loving home to over 400 animals.   Fiona is passionate about raising awareness of animal cruelty and showing the world that veganism is both a compassionate and a healthy way to live that can fuel amazing athletic performance. In this episode, we covered Fiona’s conscious decision not to eat animal products at such an early age and how she was ‘different’ to many of her peers growing up. We also discussed her early career in London, how the animal

In Episode #15 of The Proof podcast, I spoke with vegan Derek Sarno about his journey to choosing a life of compassion. Derek Sarno is one of the world’s best-known vegan chefs. One half of the Wicked Healthy team, Derek heads up plant-based product innovation for British grocery giant Tesco. While visiting London, I caught up with Derek and saw firsthand how much love and energy he puts into the food that he creates – just take one look at his Instagram and you will see what I mean! This guy is seriously creative, seriously compassionate, and seriously switched on when it comes to changing the landscape of healthy grocery food.   In this episode, we discussed Derek’s story, from his early years and his diet as a child to becoming a chef and his role at Tesco. Listen to discover how Derek found his way out of grief and substance abuse to adopt a plant-based lifestyle defined by compassion. Connect with Derek, his brother, and Wicked Healthy on Instagram or their website (@DerekSarno, @ChadSarno, @Wickedhealth

In Episode #14, I talked with Matt Cama, an animal activist and weight loss coach from Australia, to ask him to shed some light on what’s happening in factory farms. The cool thing about Matt is that he’s not your typical old-school animal activist – he doesn’t approach things with anger or aggression. His motto is ‘compassion above all else’, and he uses this approach to effectively communicate his message to people from all walks of life, including those with different opinions and belief systems.   In this episode, we chatted about Matt’s upbringing, why he was inspired to change to a plant-based diet and become an animal activist, and how he effectively communicates his message. We also talked about his first-hand experiences at factory farms, and he shared some tips for educating children on where animal products come from. Connect with Matt on Instagram.    Enjoy, friends.   Simon Want to support the show?  The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To

In Episode #13 of The Proof podcast, Max La Manna shares his story of how to live a no-waste life. Max is the perfect example of a typical American kid who grew up in the 80s and 90s thinking that an Italian American diet, full of meat and cheese, was normal and healthy. Despite having always been slightly more environmentally conscious than his peers, which he credits to the way he was raised, there was a pivotal moment in Max’s life where this consciousness was raised to a new level. To an extent, this moment redefined who he was and helped him work out his true purpose. Today, Max is a passionate vegan, an advocate for living a no-waste life, and an all-round great guy.   Listen to the episode to hear about Max’s personal story and his transition to a plant-based lifestyle, why he cares about the environment, how he lives a no-waste life, and how you can reduce waste in your own life. Connect with Max on Instagram – @maxlamanna – or on his own website.    Enjoy, friends.   Simon Want to support the show? 

In Episode #12 I sat down with Ben Handsaker (better known as Abstacker), an Australian champion fitness model, cover model, international motivational speaker, and top performing coach. At the 2014 Musclemania Australian championship, Ben won first place in men’s physique and first place overall. He has since landed four covers in large global fitness magazines and has appeared in fifty fitness magazines around the world.   Despite all this success, Ben’s journey has not been without insecurity, failure, and adversity. Ben was once an overweight party boy who had little regard for his health and wellness. In this episode, learn how Ben was able to turn his life around. We also discussed his morning rituals, how he maintains a positive mindset and handles stress, and his top tips for weight loss and building rock hard abs. Ben is hands down the most motivational and inspiring guy I’ve met, and I recommend this episode for anyone wanting to improve their mindset, become a more positive person, and get better r

In Episode #11, I connected with Sam Webb to find out about his experiences with mental health. We talked about Sam’s personal mental health battles and how he dealt with the suicide of his best mate. He shared the inspiration behind Livin, the non-profit mental health organisation that Sam co-founded, and some tips for handling your own mental health issues or helping a friend with mental health issues.   Connect with Sam on Instagram or check out the Livin website for more information about the organisation and what they offer.   Enjoy, friends.   Simon Want to support the show?  The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out, and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends.  Simon Hill, Msc, Bsc (Hons)  Creator of theproof.com and host of The Proof with Simon Hill  Author of The Proof is in the Plants  Watch the episodes on YouTube, or Listen on Apple/Spotify  Connect with me on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook  Download my complimentary

In Episode #10, I was joined by Ellie Bullen, one of the best-known health and wellness influencers online. Listen to the episode to find out about her upbringing, including her relationship with her twin sister Lauren (gypsea_lust) and her time in the army. Learn about why Ellie moved to a plant-based diet, her top tips for transitioning to a plant-based diet, and how she grew her online social community on Instagram (@elsas_wholesomelife). We also discussed her website and cookbook.   Enjoy, friends.  Simon Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out, and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends.  Simon Hill, Msc, Bsc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com and host of The Proof with Simon Hill  Author of The Proof is in the Plants  Watch the episodes on YouTube, or Listen on Apple/Spotify  Connect with me on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook  Download my complimentary two week meal plan and high protein plant perfo

In Episode #9 of The Proof podcast, I talked to Dr Padma Garvey about her story and how she uses plant-based nutrition in her medical practice. We covered Padma and her family’s personal transition to a plant-based lifestyle, as well as diving into how she uses plant-based nutrition clinically and explains it to her patients.  Some specific topics that we touch on are how the number of menstruation cycles over a woman’s life can be affected by animal products, particularly high-fat animal products; tips for cooking with oil; and changes in the Indian diet. Padma also shares some great tips for anyone transitioning to a plant-based lifestyle. If you enjoy the episode and want to hear more from Padma, you can jump over to her podcast: the Doctor Mom’s Podcast by Dr Padma Garvey on iTunes. Enjoy, friends. Simon Want to support the show?  The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out, and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends.  Simon

In Episode #8, I spoke to Jermaine Jones, professional soccer player and plant-based. He grew up in Germany, where he began his professional soccer career. He then represented Germany before moving to Los Angeles and playing for the USA. Jermaine now resides in Malibu, California, and his wife and five children all live a plant-based lifestyle. In this episode, Jermaine shares his story from his youth all the way up to today, including the magical goal he scored against Portugal in the 2014 World Cup. Enjoy, friends. Simon Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out, and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends.  Simon Hill, Msc, Bsc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com and host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Watch the episodes on YouTube, or Listen on Apple/Spotify. Connect with me on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Download my complimentary two week meal plan and high protein p

In Episode #7, I spoke to Maya French, the co-founder of start-up company ‘Koia’. Koia produces plant-based beverages sold across the USA in thousands of stores, including Whole Foods. In this podcast, Maya shares how the Koia brand has developed since its inception, gives insight into how to raise funds for start-ups in this space, and provides an overview of her company structure. She also gives a glimpse into what it’s like to work with a major retail giant like Whole Foods.  Anyone who is interested in start-ups and business in general will find this conversation interesting. It’s a tad shorter than my typical podcasts, but with some great take-home learnings. I hope you enjoy the listen. Enjoy, friends. Simon Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out, and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. Simon Hill, Msc, Bsc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com and host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Pr

In Episode #6, I spoke with Australian rules football champion Jobe Watson. Jobe captained Essendon Football Club for six years and won the Australian Football League (AFL) Best Captain award in 2012. Jobe’s career certainly had its highs and lows, and the most notable of those lows was no doubt the doping scandal he found himself in the middle of in 2016. In this podcast, Jobe opens up about his introduction to football, his early days at the Essendon Football Club as a youngster trying to forge his own path, the doping scandal, and the toll the entire saga took on himself, his family, and his teammates. Jobe is an incredibly down-to-earth and humble guy who speaks from the heart. He shares with us how he overcame what can only be described as an earth-shattering experience to come out the other side stronger, more motivated, and with a greater perspective on life. Enjoy, friends. Simon Want to support the show?  The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. T

In Episode #5 of The Proof podcast, I spoke with Peter Cervoni: a veteran of the food service industry with well over thirty years of proven, professional culinary experience in plant-based, health-supportive cuisine. Peter graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in 1993 and worked at some of New York City’s finest restaurants, including The River Café and La Côte Basque. Since switching to plant-based, he has worked as a chef for top plant-based restaurants in New York City, a food writer for Vegetarian Times, a food stylist, a culinary educator, and a restaurant consultant.  In this podcast, we discuss the epiphany that led Peter to switch to a plant-based diet twenty-one years ago. Since then, Peter has devoted all his talent and energy to plant-based and health-supportive cuisine, and in this episode, he shares his insights into how the plant-based food scene in New York has changed over the past two decades. He also shares some high-level information on innovative plant-based food products he’s

In Episode #4, I’m joined by Mike Rashid King. He’s a professional American boxer, body builder, and successful businessman. From an early age, Mike was surrounded by drugs and violence in Brooklyn NYC, where he grew up. He went through what can only be described as a crazy and unimaginable roller coaster ride to get to where he is today. A story of someone who shows true grit to overcome adversity. Enjoy, friends.  Simon Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out, and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also show your support by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and/or sharing your favourite episodes with your friends and family. Simon Creator of Theproof.com and host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Watch the episodes on YouTube, or Listen on Apple/Spotify Connect with me on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Download my complimentary two week m

In Episode #3, I’m joined by Nimai Delgado, a professional men’s physique bodybuilder and vegan athlete from the USA. Raised in Mississippi as a vegetarian from birth, Nimai made the move to a 100% vegan diet in 2015. That’s right, he has never eaten meat in his life. It wasn’t until Nimai won his first bodybuilding competition that he no longer suppressed his identity, began to understand who he was, and learned to own it.  Enjoy, friends.  Simon Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out, and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also show your support by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and/or sharing your favourite episodes with your friends and family. Simon Creator of Theproof.com and host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Watch the episodes on YouTube, or Listen on Apple/Spotify Connect with me on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Download m

In Episode #2, I’m joined by Dr Michelle McMacken, one of the world’s leading doctors implementing plant-based nutrition into her clinical practice. If you are interested in improving your health through better food choices and protecting yourself against chronic disease, this is a must listen. Dr McMacken is truly a wealth of knowledge. Enjoy, friends.  Simon Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out, and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also show your support by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and/or sharing your favourite episodes with your friends and family. Simon Creator of Theproof.com and host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Watch the episodes on YouTube, or Listen on Apple/Spotify Connect with me on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Download my complimentary two week meal plan and plant performance

In Episode #1, I sat down with Jake Mckeon, the founder of coconutbowls.com. Jake's story is one of both perseverance and dedication and offers insight into how you can use failed start-ups to build something truly great. From working a 9–5 office job and following a string of 'failed' or 'semi-failed' start-ups, Jake has gone on to create an astronomical business that has reclaimed and sold hundreds of thousands of Coconut Bowls in just the first two years of operating.   Enjoy, friends.  Simon Want to support the show?  The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out, and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends.  Simon Hill, Msc, Bsc (Hons)  Creator of theproof.com and host of The Proof with Simon Hill  Author of The Proof is in the Plants  Watch the episodes on YouTube, or Listen on Apple/Spotify  Connect with me on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook  Download my complimentary two week meal plan and high protein plant performance recipe