The Glen Merzer Show

Is going vegan really about perfection or is it about compassion and progress 🌱

In this episode of The Glen Merzer Show, Glen Merzer speaks with pianist, educator, and author Joanne Kong, co-author of Vegan Made Easy, about making plant-based living approachable, realistic, and rooted in kindness.

They explore why most people struggle with change, how social conditioning shapes our food choices, and why compassion for animals often deepens once people understand animal sentience. Joanne also shares practical strategies for navigating social situations, family gatherings, and restaurant dining without conflict or judgment.

This conversation is ideal for vegans, plant-curious listeners, and anyone interested in health, ethics, and sustainable lifestyle change.

🔑 Key Topics Covered

🌱 How to transition to plant-based eating without pressure

🧠 Social conditioning and food habits

🐔 Animal sentience and compassion

🍽 Navigating restaurants and family gatherings

🤝 Leading by example without judgment

📘 Making veganism accessible for everyone

Visit Joanne websites here:

www.vegansmakeadifference.com

www.joannekongmusic.com

Enter coupon code Glen10 to get $10 off healthy Indian food: https://firstseedfoods.com/

Visit our website: https://www.theglenmerzershow.com

Get my new book, 'America Goes Vegan!' here: https://shorturl.at/dgrLQ

Get "Live Your Healthiest Life" here: https://shorturl.at/bitDE

To order Sweet Indulgence Sweet Indulgence by Chef AJ and me, the healthiest and most beautiful dessert cookbook ever!: https://www.amazon.com/Chef-AJs-Sweet-Indulgence-Guilt-Free/dp/1570674248

DISCLAIMER: This podcast does not provide medical advice. The content of this podcast is provided for informational or educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health issue without consulting your doctor. Always seek medical advice before making any lifestyle changes.

In this episode, Glen Merzer interviews Maxime Sigouin, founder of Mavy Wellness, who shares his journey from a fitness coach to an entrepreneur focused on promoting whole food plant-based eating. Maxime discusses the rebranding of his business from Fit Vegan Coaching to Mavy Wellness, emphasizing the mission to help people reduce their risk of chronic illness and improve their health. He explains how the name change was influenced by the need to appeal to a broader audience, moving beyond the term 'vegan' to attract those interested in plant-based diets without the stigma associated with veganism.

Maxime also reflects on his personal experiences with health and fitness, including his transition from a bodybuilder to a wellness advocate. He highlights the importance of mindset in achieving health goals and the necessity of adapting fitness and nutrition plans to fit individual lifestyles. The conversation touches on the significance of community support, the role of coaches and doctors in his program, and the insights from his new book, "Forever Fit," which aims to inspire and educate readers on maintaining a healthy lifestyle through plant-based nutrition and consistent exercise.

Pre-order your "Forever Fit" book here: https://foreverfitbook.com/home?

Get to know more about Mavy Wellness here https://mavywellness.com/

Takeaways

"I just want to help people eat plant-based."

"Success comes from consistency, comes from small, imperfect actions."

"Fitness builds the body, nutrition reveals it."

"You can't compound zero percent."

"Slow is smooth and smooth is fast."

"Living a life where you have a fit and healthy body, there's certain lessons you have to learn."

"Goals mean more than timelines."

"You want to protect your body for the long run."

"Eating whole food plant-based can improve your body composition."

"You can be strong and be vegan."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Mavy Wellness

01:41 The Mission Behind Mavy Wellness

03:27 Targeting Clients Over 50

04:49 Building a Team for Comprehensive Health

07:00 The Launch of Forever Fit

09:10 Inspiration and Staying Motivated

11:16 Addressing Skepticism Towards Plant-Based Diets

17:45 Understanding Protein Needs

22:57 The Role of Macronutrients in Energy Production

23:57 From Farm Boy to Bodybuilder: Glen's Early Years

28:22 The Modeling Industry: A Double-Edged Sword

29:12 Mindset: The Foundation of Health and Fitness

33:41 Adapting Fitness Plans to Life's Challenges

34:08 The Philosophy of Goals and Timelines

36:44 Lessons from the Journey: Slow and Steady Wins the Race

38:36 Discovering Veganism: A New Perspective on Nutrition

40:40 Family Dynamics and Dietary Changes

42:31 Final Thoughts: Embracing a Balanced Lifestyle

Enter coupon code Glen10 to get $10 off healthy Indian food: https://firstseedfoods.com/

Visit our website: https://www.theglenmerzershow.com

Get my new book, 'America Goes Vegan!' here: https://shorturl.at/dgrLQ

Get "Live Your Healthiest Life" here: https://shorturl.at/bitDE

To order Sweet Indulgence Sweet Indulgence by Chef AJ and me, the healthiest and most beautiful dessert cookbook ever!: https://www.amazon.com/Chef-AJs-Sweet-Indulgence-Guilt-Free/dp/1570674248

DISCLAIMER: This podcast does not provide medical advice. The content of this podcast is provided for informational or educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health issue without consulting your doctor. Always seek medical advice before making any lifestyle changes.

Sarina Farb returns to host the rebranded Vibrant Vegan Fest in 2026! Get your tickets early at the link below!

Visit Sarina's websites:

https://www.vibrantveganfest.com/

https:/www.bornvegan.org

Visit our website: https://www.theglenmerzershow.com

Get my new book, 'America Goes Vegan!' here: https://shorturl.at/dgrLQ

Get "Live Your Healthiest Life" here: https://shorturl.at/bitDE

To order Sweet Indulgence Sweet Indulgence by Chef AJ and me, the healthiest and most beautiful dessert cookbook ever!: https://www.amazon.com/Chef-AJs-Sweet-Indulgence-Guilt-Free/dp/1570674248

DISCLAIMER: This podcast does not provide medical advice. The content of this podcast is provided for informational or educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health issue without consulting your doctor. Always seek medical advice before making any lifestyle changes.

The Avatar of Optimism, Dr. Sailesh Rao, has returned from Belem, Brazil, where he attended COP 30. He breaks down for us the fallacies in the old paradigm of combating climate change, and presents us with our last, best hope.

Visit Dr. Sailesh Rao's website: www.climatehealers.org

Visit our website: https://www.theglenmerzershow.com

Get my new book, 'America Goes Vegan!' here: https://shorturl.at/dgrLQ

Get "Live Your Healthiest Life" here: https://shorturl.at/bitDE

To order Sweet Indulgence Sweet Indulgence by Chef AJ and me, the healthiest and most beautiful dessert cookbook ever!: https://www.amazon.com/Chef-AJs-Sweet-Indulgence-Guilt-Free/dp/1570674248

DISCLAIMER: This podcast does not provide medical advice. The content of this podcast is provided for informational or educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health issue without consulting your doctor. Always seek medical advice before making any lifestyle changes.

Concert pianist and healthy-eating expert Dr. Gustavo Tolosa, co-author with Shayda Soleymani of Live Your Healthiest Life!, demonstrates a recipe from the book that will enliven your holiday table!

Visit Dr. Tolosa's website: www.plantemus.com

Subscribe to his channel: https://www.youtube.com/@plantemus

Visit our website: https://www.theglenmerzershow.com

Get my new book, 'America Goes Vegan!' here: https://shorturl.at/dgrLQ

Get "Live Your Healthiest Life" here: https://shorturl.at/bitDE

To order Sweet Indulgence Sweet Indulgence by Chef AJ and me, the healthiest and most beautiful dessert cookbook ever!: https://www.amazon.com/Chef-AJs-Sweet-Indulgence-Guilt-Free/dp/1570674248

DISCLAIMER: This podcast does not provide medical advice. The content of this podcast is provided for informational or educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health issue without consulting your doctor. Always seek medical advice before making any lifestyle changes.

Gary Yourofsky may have created more vegans with his lecture "The Best Speech You'll Ever Hear" than anyone has with a book or a movie. After burning out on the lecture circuit for more than a decade, he's back advocating for the animals.

Please consider donating to Sasha Farm: www.sashafarm.org

Follow Gary's Instagram https://www.instagram.com/realgaryyourofsky

Watch Gary's "Best Speech You'll Ever Hear": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5hGQDLprA8

Visit our website: https://www.theglenmerzershow.com

Get my new book, 'America Goes Vegan!' here: https://shorturl.at/dgrLQ

Get "Live Your Healthiest Life" here: https://shorturl.at/bitDE

To order Sweet Indulgence Sweet Indulgence by Chef AJ and me, the healthiest and most beautiful dessert cookbook ever!: https://www.amazon.com/Chef-AJs-Sweet-Indulgence-Guilt-Free/dp/1570674248

DISCLAIMER: This podcast does not provide medical advice. The content of this podcast is provided for informational or educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health issue without consulting your doctor. Always seek medical advice before making any lifestyle changes.

In this conversation with Glen Merzer and Shayda Soleymani, co-author of Live Your Healthiest Life they discuss the profound impact of nutrition on health, particularly during stressful times while making Family Harvest Salad. She references historical studies from World War II that illustrate how dietary choices can influence heart disease rates. Shayda emphasizes the importance of maintaining a healthy diet to manage stress effectively.

Enjoy this conversation and recipe!

Visit Shayda's website: www.healthycookingwithShayda.com

Subscribe to Shayda's channel https://www.youtube.com/@healthycookingwithshayda

Visit our website: https://www.theglenmerzershow.com

Get my new book, 'America Goes Vegan!' here: https://shorturl.at/dgrLQ

Get "Live Your Healthiest Life" here: https://shorturl.at/bitDE

To order Sweet Indulgence Sweet Indulgence by Chef AJ and me, the healthiest and most beautiful dessert cookbook ever!: https://www.amazon.com/Chef-AJs-Sweet-Indulgence-Guilt-Free/dp/1570674248

DISCLAIMER: This podcast does not provide medical advice. The content of this podcast is provided for informational or educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health issue without consulting your doctor. Always seek medical advice before making any lifestyle changes.

Mike Young, who is making progress towards his projected lifespan of 150 years, takes on the equally daunting task of creating sustainable vegan communities.

Visit Mike's website: www.aplantbaseddiet.org

Visit our website: https://www.theglenmerzershow.com

Get my new book, 'America Goes Vegan!' here: https://shorturl.at/dgrLQ

Get "Live Your Healthiest Life" here: https://shorturl.at/bitDE

To order Sweet Indulgence Sweet Indulgence by Chef AJ and me, the healthiest and most beautiful dessert cookbook ever!: https://www.amazon.com/Chef-AJs-Sweet-Indulgence-Guilt-Free/dp/1570674248

DISCLAIMER: This podcast does not provide medical advice. The content of this podcast is provided for informational or educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health issue without consulting your doctor. Always seek medical advice before making any lifestyle changes.

Meet Aajay Shah, who lost 65 pounds and turned his own health around with a diet of whole plant foods. He now works to help his heart patients see those same benefits.

Subscribe to Dr. Sha's channel https://www.youtube.com/@healthylivingwithdr.aajays5976

Visit our website: https://www.theglenmerzershow.com

Get my new book, 'America Goes Vegan!' here: https://shorturl.at/dgrLQ

Get "Live Your Healthiest Life" here: https://shorturl.at/bitDE

To order Sweet Indulgence Sweet Indulgence by Chef AJ and me, the healthiest and most beautiful dessert cookbook ever!: https://www.amazon.com/Chef-AJs-Sweet-Indulgence-Guilt-Free/dp/1570674248

DISCLAIMER: This podcast does not provide medical advice. The content of this podcast is provided for informational or educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health issue without consulting your doctor. Always seek medical advice before making any lifestyle changes.

Maui-based, internationally acclaimed yoga instructor, wellness consultant, and author Angel Honig explains all the reasons for a vegan transformation.

Check out her website and her book The Soulution at www.angelyoga.com

Please check out the sponsor of our show: https://firstseedfoods.com/

Healthy, plant-based Indian food without the oil, butter, or ghee. Gluten-free, optionally salt-free, and always delicious! Enter code GLEN10 at checkout for $10 off your first order.

Visit our website: https://www.theglenmerzershow.com

Get my new book, 'America Goes Vegan!' here: https://shorturl.at/dgrLQ

Get "Live Your Healthiest Life" here: https://shorturl.at/bitDE

To order Sweet Indulgence Sweet Indulgence by Chef AJ and me, the healthiest and most beautiful dessert cookbook ever!: https://www.amazon.com/Chef-AJs-Sweet-Indulgence-Guilt-Free/dp/1570674248

DISCLAIMER: This podcast does not provide medical advice. The content of this podcast is provided for informational or educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health issue without consulting your doctor. Always seek medical advice before making any lifestyle changes.