Vegan Life Coaching 101: Coaching vs. Therapy (EP 46: The Vegan Life Coach Podcast)

Since you’re listening to The Vegan Life Coach Podcast, it’s more than likely you’re actively seeking the tools you need to adapt, or at least move in the direction of a healthy vegan lifestyle.

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*Links mentioned in the episode are at the bottom of this page.


You’re probably invested in exploring the best ways to become empowered, tackle the limiting beliefs and obstacles standing in the way of becoming the best version of yourself. 

In this important episode, Stephanie & I discuss the differences between coaching, therapy, and counseling. With a better understanding, you can get clarity about the direction you may want to go when seeking professional guidance.

In a nutshell…

Therapy: Focused on taking care of underlying issues that drive dysfunction.

Counseling: Often a part of therapy, counseling focuses on specific life issues that arise. Therapy is more of an umbrella under which counseling can be a part.

Coaching: Future-oriented. Coaching can involve acknowledging the past in order to address unresolved issues that keep popping up, but it’s focused on mastering the tools you need to move forward powerfully in your life. It’s about helping you go from just functioning to thriving… An ordinary life, to an extraordinary life!

At the Vegan Life Coach Academy, we come from the perspective that, while it may be helpful to acknowledge your past, it is not helpful to focus on it. Understanding your core beliefs about who you are, what you are capable of can help you understand dysfunctional behavior, and from there, begin the “reprogramming” process. 

Check out the email I received from one of our 6-Week Intuitive Food & Fitness Coaching Program Clients:

I’m listening to the abundance part of the training and I just have to tell you how moved I am with your story. I can’t begin to tell you how grateful I am that you took that leap to do what you are doing to transform people’s lives! When I joined this program, I never imagined that my life would be transforming in the way it is. I  kind of realized but didn’t fully realize what an impact all the past hurts and resentments were doing on my life and spiraling me out of control to not take care of myself. I didn’t feel worthy. I could not get a hold of this crazy eating, binging, restricting, beating upcycle. 

I know there is a long way to go and a lot of work to be done, but you are so right, this was an investment of a lifetime and really made me put in the work and dedication that I wasn’t giving it before. I feel empowered beyond belief and owe it all to you ( and Stephanie too!) And it is spilling over into other aspects of my life, thinking about a future Reiki business with my sister, decluttering the house that I haven’t been able to do for years….You are so insightful,  inspiring, and knowledgeable, and should be so proud of the tremendous work you do! 

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for welcoming me into this program and I look forward to a long friendship from here!


MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Vegan Life Coach Academy

 


CONNECT WITH US!

Take Our New Going Vegan Quiz HERE!  

Grab the valuable gift we have for you HERE.

Have a question you’d like us to answer, or feedback you’d like to give us (we love hearing from you!)? Leave us a voice (or written) message HERE.

Interested in receiving a free coaching session to air on an upcoming episode? Apply HERE.

Hogs & Kisses Farm Sanctuary Website

To Get Sh*t Done Like a Boss Lady, Let Go of THIS! (EP 45: The Vegan Life Coach Podcast)

If you want to get sh*t done like a boss lady you’ve got to let go of perfectionism!

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*Links mentioned in the episode are at the bottom of this page.


We start this episode with a personal celebration… I share my story of the negative thoughts and emotions that were triggered when I found out I had to wear a brace on my wrist for 6 weeks and wouldn’t be able to workout normally. I talk about how I used the Self-Empowerment Coaching System to turn those thoughts around, and what I discovered about my body as a result.

We also share some laughs with another edition of our new segment, “Lovin’ on the Haters” where we have some fun sharing the comments of our “haters!”

We then dive into the main topic of the episode…. Perfectionism.

We cover:

  • What it REALLY means to be a perfectionist (I’m a “recovering perfectionist” myself).
  • My personal journey getting unstuck by letting go of perfectionism and how I was able to build a six-figure business as a result.
  • Stephanie’s powerful strategies to help you let go of perfectionism and go from surviving to thriving!

Enjoy!


MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Episode on the Self-Empowerment Coaching System

Hogs & Kisses Farm Sanctuary Website


CONNECT WITH US!

Subscribe to Ella’s Soul-Aligned Sunday Newsletter HERE.

Take the NEW FREE Self-Assessment to explore your relationship with food, exercise, and your body, and receive valuable, personalized insights and resources from Ella herself!

Check out Ella’s website HERE and learn about current coaching opportunities HERE.

What’s Love Got to Do With It (EP 44: The Vegan Life Coach Podcast)

Let me share exactly how we came to decide the topic of “What’s Love Got to Do With It” for our latest The Vegan Life Coach Podcast episode (this is my text conversation with Stephanie)…

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*Links mentioned in the episode are at the bottom of this page.


Ella: The episode will be 5 days from Valentine’s Day… in case anything comes to mind related to Vday…

Stephanie: V-day is a made up holiday designed by Hallmark and Russell Stovers to make us spend money and eat candy?

E: Totally😆- so should we ignore it or challenge it?

S: Well, will we seem like the valentine equivalent of grinches or Scrooges if we challenge?

E: If we aren’t organized with our thoughts probably!

S: Maybe we could share alternative ways to celebrate…

Whether you think “Valentine’s Day is a made-up holiday designed by Hallmark and Russell Stovers to make us spend money and eat candy,” or not, most of us can agree that love is something we all want and need in our lives.

The holiday can be a source of joy or a source of stress and grief for different people at different points in their lives. If you’re single and don’t want to be, or you’ve recently had a tough break-up for example. 

The holiday can also cause strife between partners when they have different expectations for each other in terms of how it should be celebrated.

In this episode, we encourage you to try an alternative way to celebrate Valentine’s Day that could spread love to yourself and the world in more meaningful ways that bring you a deeper sense of fulfillment. Things like…

  • Donate/volunteer (e.g. Hogs & Kisses Farm Sanctuary)
  • Make a list of 10 things you love about yourself (or write a love letter to yourself)
  • Random acts of kindness

Sending you all lots of love!


MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Episode on the Self-Empowerment Coaching System

Hogs & Kisses Farm Sanctuary Website

Take Our New Going Vegan Quiz HERE!  


CONNECT WITH US!

Grab the valuable gift we have for you HERE.

Have a question you’d like us to answer, or feedback you’d like to give us (we love hearing from you!)? Leave us a voice (or written) message HERE.

Interested in receiving a free coaching session to air on an upcoming episode? Apply HERE.

Creating Unity Among Vegans (EP 43: The Vegan Life Coach Podcast)

In this special episode, guest co-host Anne Molina (founder of Hogs & Kisses Farm Sanctuary) and I discuss our mission to create healthy conversation around controversial vegan-related topics.

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*Links mentioned in the episode are at the bottom of this page.


As Anne was doing research and networking with other animal-lovers in Facebook groups, she witnessed turmoil within many of these communities. The discussions all too often seemed to end up as unproductive arguments driven by ridicule and harsh judgment. 

Anne and I decided to produce a series of roundtable discussions to address tough topics in productive ways. We’re calling it, “Beet Around the Barn,” and the first episode will be coming out on our Hogs & Kisses YouTube Channel within the next month. We’ll be covering subjects like, “What exactly is a vegan?” “Should vegans adopt cats?” “What about dating as a vegan?” and so much more.

Stay tuned!

 


MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Hogs & Kisses YouTube Channel

Hogs & Kisses Farm Sanctuary Website

Take Our New Going Vegan Quiz HERE!  


CONNECT WITH US!

Grab the valuable gift we have for you HERE.

Have a question you’d like us to answer, or feedback you’d like to give us (we love hearing from you!)? Leave us a voice (or written) message HERE.

Interested in receiving a free coaching session to air on an upcoming episode? Apply HERE.

Picking Your Battles (EP 42: The Vegan Life Coach Podcast)

One of the most common challenges we tackle at Vegan Life Coach Academy is how to handle the people in your life who don’t “get it” when it comes to your decision to go/be vegan.

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*Links mentioned in the episode are at the bottom of this page.


Vegan newbies are particularly vulnerable to being criticized and made fun of by the people in their lives who may feel threatened by the person’s lifestyle changes.

In this important episode, after having some fun with our “Lovin’ on the Haters” segment, we dive deep into the tools you need to navigate the critics powerfully and with grace.

After all, the best way to be an effective influencer is to inspire. And the more you can focus on your own growth, the sooner you can inspire other people as you radiate the love, strength, compassion, and confidence everyone strives for!


MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Vegan Life Coach Academy (Doors opening soon – for 48 hours only so get on the waitlist HERE!)

Episode #7: Reprogramming Your Mind

Take Our New Going Vegan Quiz HERE!  

Hogs & Kisses Farm Sanctuary

Live Ultimate (the supplement I mention in the intro)


CONNECT WITH US!

Grab the valuable gift we have for you HERE.

Have a question you’d like us to answer, or feedback you’d like to give us (we love hearing from you!)? Leave us a voice (or written) message HERE.

Interested in receiving a free coaching session to air on an upcoming episode? Apply HERE.

Veganuary-Inspired Q&A (EP 41: The Vegan Life Coach Podcast)

It’s Veganuary!  Veganuary began in 2014 by a UK nonprofit organization and is an annual challenge that promotes and educates people about veganism by encouraging them to follow a vegan lifestyle for the month of January.

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*Links mentioned in the episode are at the bottom of this page.


Participation in Veganuary has more than doubled each year since 2014.  Now, it is a worldwide event inviting people to explore vegan life for the month of January.

With the worldwide reach, we always get some really great questions during the month of January.  These days you can go just about anywhere and get vegan recipe ideas or suggestions about staying true to your commitment to eating plant-based, but where can you go to get your embarrassing questions answered? 

HERE!  No topic is off-limits on The Vegan Life Coach Podcast!

In this light-hearted episode, we answer a few of those hard-to-ask questions that are common among vegan newbies.

Question 1 

I’m on day 11 of Veganuary, and I am really GASSY!!  HELP!  Is this going to regulate or do I just need to accept that this is the new me?

Answer:  

  1. The short answer is that as your body adjusts, you are sure to experience less gas. Right now, you are likely getting a lot more fiber than you are used to, and eating foods that are new or in larger quantities, can mean you body needs some time to adjust. This is your gut making the way for a healthier microbiome, so even though being gassy can be uncomfortable or even embarrassing, it’s a sign that your body’s digestive system is working hard to make the shift.
  2. A few things that can help:
    1. Introduce new foods slowly so your gut bacteria has time to adjust.
    2. Hydration!  Make sure you are drinking plenty of water.  
    3. Chew your food thoroughly (I’m talking about chewing your food to a paste before swallowing… 20-30 chews!).  
    4. Rinse your beans very well and/or use a pressure cooker.
    5. Ginger and peppermint help soothe the digestive system.
    6. A probiotic can help, but getting some prebiotic and probiotic foods will help more.  Up your intake of fermented foods like kimchi, miso, sauerkraut, pickles.

Question 2: 

What’s the deal with soy? Am I really going to grow man boobs if I start eating tofu?

Answer: 

We don’t find plastic surgeons telling women who want to augment their breasts to eat more tofu, right?  This confusion is a case of wild rumors being blown out of proportion.  

  1. Read THIS Sexy Fit Vegan blog post to discover the truth about soy.
  2. The phytoestrogens found in plant foods like tofu are not the same as the hormone estrogen. The risk for consuming high amounts of estrogen comes with the territory when consuming animals products and biproducts, particularly dairy.
  3. Speaking specifically of man boobs, the medical term for this is gynocastomia, and this condition is linked to any kind of hormone imbalance.  The truth is that soy has not been linked to gynocastomia. You see this condition a lot in bodybuilders who take steroids, NOT those who eat tofu!

Question 3 

I’m embarrassed to ask this question, because I think I should know, but what’s the difference between vegetarian, vegan, and plant based?  Are they just synonyms or what?

Answer: 

Being vegan is a way of life based on the idea that all living beings deserve to be respected and loved, and not exploited for any reason. Vegans do their best to avoid contributing to the suffering of animals. This means avoiding leather, products tested on animals, etc.

Plant-based is simply a diet that consists of mostly plants. And vegetarian is a diet free from animal flesh, but can include animal biproducts such as milk, cheese, eggs, and honey.

Question 4  

Do vegans really taste better?

Answer: 

OH YES!!

😉


MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Take Our New Going Vegan Quiz HERE!  

Vegan Life Coach Academy (Doors opening soon – for 48 hours only so get on the waitlist HERE!)

Dr. Michael Klaper (Plant-Based Telehealth)

@alan_the_vegan_chef

Hogs & Kisses Farm Sanctuary

Live Ultimate (the supplement I mention in the intro)


CONNECT WITH US!

Grab the valuable gift we have for you HERE.

Have a question you’d like us to answer, or feedback you’d like to give us (we love hearing from you!)? Leave us a voice (or written) message HERE.

Interested in receiving a free coaching session to air on an upcoming episode? Apply HERE.

Vegan Tri Guys on Veganism, Chronic Fatigue, & Following Your Passion (EP 40: The Vegan Life Coach Podcast)

In this intriguing episode I sit down with James Aubry, aka @VeganTriGuys and we chat it up about a number of topics that a ton of our listeners will relate to.

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*Links mentioned in the episode are at the bottom of this page.


James is a plant-powered cyclist and triathlete with an inspirational story of resilience. We talk about his battle with chronic fatigue, his journey into veganism, and the courageous step he took away from the corporate world to follow his passion.

Here’s a little bit about James, in his words…

In James’s own words:

I’m James, from London, England. I have been into endurance sport my entire life, it runs through my veins. It’s been a rollercoaster ride though in terms of health. After getting onto the British Cycling Youth Development Programme at 16 years old, I was on my way to fulfilling my dream of becoming a pro cyclist.

At the age of 17 however, I was struck by chronic fatigue, which plagued me on and off for 12 years. I eventually discovered veganism which helped me manage these symptoms, which haven’t returned since.

Veganism wasn’t without it’s challenges though, I learned first hand that a vegan diet isn’t necessary healthy if you eat a lot of refined/processed food, and you cannot out-exercise an unhealthy diet.

Coming from a history of disordered eating, I overcame food-restricting patterns by adopting a whole food, plant based diet, which is what I eat and recommend.

I have recently quit my engineering job in the corporate world to start Humble Hedgehog Productions and pursue my passion for videography. My mission is to use my talent to create content that will motivate and inspire people to make a positive impact on the Planet.


MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Take Our New Going Vegan Quiz HERE!  (Plus an opportunity to book a Discovery Session with Ella!)

@VeganTriGuys on Instagram

Vegan Tri Guys on Facebook

Humble Hedgehog Productions on Facebook

Hogs & Kisses Farm Sanctuary

Gary Yourofsky‘s Talk

Live Ultimate (the supplement I mention in the intro)


CONNECT WITH US!

Grab the valuable gift we have for you HERE.

Have a question you’d like us to answer, or feedback you’d like to give us (we love hearing from you!)? Leave us a voice (or written) message HERE.

Interested in receiving a free coaching session to air on an upcoming episode? Apply HERE.

Hacking Your Happy Chemicals (EP 39: The Vegan Life Coach Podcast)

Think you can’t hack happiness? Think again!

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*Links mentioned in the episode are at the bottom of this page.


Dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin and endorphins are neurotransmitters in our brain that are responsible for our happiness. 

We have the power to activate these neurotransmitters in order to access happiness… We simply have to get intentional about it.

In this fun and empowering episode we help you discover the ways you can dial into your happy chemicals on a daily basis. A little effort can produce a lot of joy… We show you the way and give you plenty of personal examples!

Dopamine: Reward 

Dopamine is a motivator that gives us positive reinforcement when we achieve goals and meet our needs.

We can activate dopamine by things like…

  • Checking off an item on your to-do list (breaking big goals into smaller manageable goals is therefore helpful)
  • Self-care
  • Celebrating a win (the reason we do so much celebrating at Vegan Life Coach Academy!)
  • Feel-good music
  • Exercise

Serotonin: Mood 

Serotonin flows when you feel valued and worthy. Depression is a side effect of low serotonin production.

We can activate serotonin by things like…

  • Meditation
  • Visualization exercises (Our brain doesn’t distinguish what’s real versus imagined, so it produces serotonin in both cases)
  • Gratitude practice
  • Sunshine
  • A walk in nature
  • A massage
  • Exercise

Oxytocin: Love 

Oxytocin facilitates intimacy and helps builds healthy relationships. 

We can activate oxytocin by things like…

  • Being compassionate (living a vegan lifestyle!)
  • Playing with a dog
  • Interacting with rescued farm animals
  • Cuddling
  • Having an intimate conversation with a close friend
  • Giving a gift
  • Sex

Endorphins: > Painkiller 

Endorphins decrease pain and boost pleasure by acting on the opiate receptors in our brains.

We can activate oxytocin by things like…

  • Uncontrollable laughter 
  • Donating to a good cause
  • Exercise
  • Watching comedy
  • Dark chocolate
  • Sex

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Take Our New Going Vegan Quiz HERE!  (Plus an opportunity to book a Discovery Session with Ella!)


CONNECT WITH US!

Grab the valuable gift we have for you HERE.

Have a question you’d like us to answer, or feedback you’d like to give us (we love hearing from you!)? Leave us a voice (or written) message HERE.

Interested in receiving a free coaching session to air on an upcoming episode? Apply HERE.

A Refreshing Take on New Year’s Resolutions (EP 38: The Vegan Life Coach Podcast)

Here we go again… The New Year is right around the corner and it’s time to consider resolutions… How will you go about deciding on one?

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*Links mentioned in the episode are at the bottom of this page.


Are you fed up with making resolutions that you don’t keep? Maybe you see the tradition as pointless and you’ve given up on making one all together. You might even see resolutions as a great way to set yourself up to fail, yet again.

I get it! I haven’t made a New Year’s resolution in as long as I can remember. That doesn’t mean, however, that I don’t move into each new year with goals and dreams. In this episode Stephanie and I offer you an alternative to resolutions that will help you put a fresh spin on the yearly tradition right here, right now.

Alternative

Instead of one overwhelming resolution, let’s look at making simple, manageable commitments to yourself that will lead to replacing dis-empowering thought patterns and limiting beliefs with empowering ones. In order to do this, you’ll need to start by identifying the obstacles preventing you from stepping into your power.

Instead of weight loss as a resolution for example, I encourage you to first look at the reasons you want to lose the weight. Is your reasoning based on health and longevity because you love yourself and you want to be active into old age? Or is it because you hate your body, can’t stand to be in pictures, and avoid the mirror at all costs? If your reason is the latter, there are some deeper concerns to address.

The majority of our clients come into our Coaching Programs wanting to lose weight and change the shape of their bodies. What they must accept though, is the process for changing your body starts with your mindset. Loving, accepting, and respecting yourSELF AND your body as it is right now is the prerequisite for changing it.

We’re not talking about a quick fix here. We’re talking about doing the mental and emotional work it takes to get to a place where you make decisions out of pure love for yourself… Only then does will power no longer matter… Only then can you feel confident that you will continue to make the choices that will serve you best for the rest of your life (creating a sustainable lifestyle you love).

Using weight loss as the example, a commitment you may want to make to yourself in 2021 is to look in the mirror and say, “I am perfectly imperfect and I love, accept, and respect myself as I am right now,” every day (or whatever mantra hits home).

There you have it! If you find the perspective we’ve presented here intriguing, I encourage you to learn more about how you can transform your mindset, body, and life with the 6-Week Intuitive Food & Fitness Bootcamp, starting with our new QUIZ (free) HERE.

We’d also love to see you join our Empowered Vegan Life Facebook tribe for free support as you start this incredible new chapter in your life.

I’ll end with this… Kick the excuses to the curb right here, right now. You have the power to write a new story for your life in 2019! Let’s do this!!

– Ella


MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Take Our New Going Vegan Quiz HERE!  (Plus an opportunity to book a Discovery Session with Ella!)


CONNECT WITH US!

Grab the valuable gift we have for you HERE.

Have a question you’d like us to answer, or feedback you’d like to give us (we love hearing from you!)? Leave us a voice (or written) message HERE.

Interested in receiving a free coaching session to air on an upcoming episode? Apply HERE.

Moderation… What’s That? (EP 37: The Vegan Life Coach Podcast)

Both Stephanie and I agree that the old saying, “everything in moderation,” is overrated.

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*Links mentioned in the episode are at the bottom of this page.


The idea, “everything in moderation” has its place, but there are also parts of our lives where it can hold us back… Sometimes we need to be “all in!” 

In episode 37 of The Vegan Life Coach Podcast we explore the intricacies of the idea that moderation is the ideal we should strive for. So many of our clients describe themselves as “all or nothing” type people, usually with a negative connotation. We discuss the ways in which you can harness such a quality to work to your benefit as well. 

When it comes to aligning our actions with our values, for example, I have some “hard no’s” in my life. Consuming animal products and biproducts… A hard no! Why? Because I care deeply about the wellbeing of animals and do everything in my power to avoid contributing to their suffering and death. 

In addition to eating exclusively plants, Stephanie mentions that she doesn’t let anything get in the way of spending quality time with her children, and getting in her “alone time” to recharge (we’re both introverts).

We also discussed trigger foods. Before healing my relationship with food, there were many foods that I was unable to eat in moderation. I couldn’t eat 1/4 cup (1 serving) of granola for example. One serving would turn into five (if you’ve ready my story, you know all about my granola addiction)!

For Stephanie, soda is a trigger food and she therefore chooses to avoid having so much as a sip.

The alternative to striving for moderation, is to live in the moment, be present, stay in our conscious mind, and make mindful choices, instead of allowing programming (aka habits and patterns) to dictate your actions.

The number one tool you can use to help you make a conscious choice, is the Power Pause. We’re talking about taking a step back to observe your thoughts… To approach yourself with curiosity and compassion, and ask yourself, “Why am I about to take this action?”

Let’s say you’re at a birthday party for example, and the cake has just been cut, and someone hands you a piece. Maybe, you would normally automatically accept the piece of cake and eat it without much thought.

The Power Pause strategy involves asking yourself, “Why am I choosing to eat this cake?” Maybe your answer is that you don’t want to be rude (aka succumbing to your people-pleasing programming). Well maybe now you realize that wanting to make everyone else comfortable at the expense of compromising your values of not eating animal products (cake is typically made with eggs and milk), is not a good reason to eat the cake, and so you make a different choice this time, and politely decline.

The power is in the conscious CHOICE. This is a strategy that will help you wrap up 2020 feeling in charge of your health and happiness, and better equipped to make a positive impact on other people, animals and the Planet in 2021 and beyond!

– Ella


MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Take Our New Going Vegan Quiz HERE!  (Plus an opportunity to book a Discovery Session with Ella!)

Hogs & Kisses Facebook Page

Hogs & Kisses Website (Donations Page)


CONNECT WITH US!

Grab the valuable gift we have for you HERE.

Have a question you’d like us to answer, or feedback you’d like to give us (we love hearing from you!)? Leave us a voice (or written) message HERE.

Interested in receiving a free coaching session to air on an upcoming episode? Apply HERE.