Why do healthy habits feel so hard to stick to, even when you really want to change?

In this episode of The Vegan Gym Podcast, we break down why willpower and motivation are the wrong tools for long-term health, and why most people fall off track despite their best intentions.

You’ll learn how human nature, delayed rewards, and daily friction quietly sabotage consistency, and how to replace “trying harder” with a simple framework that makes healthy habits feel easier, more enjoyable, and sustainable in real life.

If you’ve ever felt disciplined one week and completely off track the next, this episode will change how you think about nutrition, health, and habit-building.

👉 Apply for a free month of 1-on-1 health and fitness coaching: https://www.vegansuperheroacademy.com/free-month?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=organic%2C-description%2C-podcast&utm_campaign=06-feb-2026-audio&utm_content=tvg-podcast-episode-3

In this episode, we cover:

▹ Why willpower is not the real problem
▹ How human nature works against healthy habits
▹ What food noise and decision fatigue are really doing to you
▹ How to build win win habits that feel good now and later
▹ How to make healthy choices easier with simple systems

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If you're new to my channel, my name is Leif Arnesen. I’m an engineer turned nutrition nerd and the founder of The Vegan Gym.

In 2014, a rare cancer diagnosis forced me to completely rethink my life. I adopted a whole-food, plant-based diet, and a few months later, after watching Earthlings, I went vegan overnight — not just for my health, but for the animals.

At first, I struggled to lose fat and get fit as a vegan. But after diving deep into the science, I built a system that transformed my body and my life. That journey led me to start a blog in 2017, which eventually became The Vegan Gym.

Now, our team is on a mission to help 1,000,000 vegans get into the best shape of their lives because we believe that the more healthy, fit vegans there are in the world, the faster veganism will spread.

Let’s work together to inspire change, spread compassion, and thrive on plants! 💪🌱

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevegangym

Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thevegangympage

DISCLOSURE

The information shared here is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your diet, exercise routine, or lifestyle.

Music Credit:
MB01VBQWSONPOBJ

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In this episode, we dive deep into why your health must become your top priority — not someday, but today. I share the story of my cancer diagnosis at age 21, the mental and emotional toll it took, and how it completely reshaped the way I live my life. Erin and I talk honestly about the difference between being “healthy enough” and truly optimizing your health, and why waiting for a wake-up call is the worst strategy.

We also discuss how to build sustainable health systems without obsessing, how small daily habits compound into massive long-term results, and what your 85-year-old self will thank you for. If you’ve been putting your health on the back burner, this is your invitation to shift your mindset — and your future.

👉 Apply for a free month of coaching:

https://vegangym.co/free-month-podcast-2

In this episode, we cover:

▹ What cancer taught me about living with urgency
▹ Why most people wait too long to care about their health
▹ The difference between discipline and obsession
▹ How to build simple health systems into your life
▹ What your future self will regret if you don’t act now

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If you're new to my channel, my name is Leif Arnesen. I’m an engineer turned nutrition nerd and the founder of The Vegan Gym.

In 2014, a rare cancer diagnosis forced me to completely rethink my life. I adopted a whole-food, plant-based diet, and a few months later, after watching Earthlings, I went vegan overnight — not just for my health, but for the animals.

At first, I struggled to lose fat and get fit as a vegan. But after diving deep into the science, I built a system that transformed my body and my life. That journey led me to start a blog in 2017, which eventually became The Vegan Gym.

Now, our team is on a mission to help 1,000,000 vegans get into the best shape of their lives because we believe that the more healthy, fit vegans there are in the world, the faster veganism will spread.

Let’s work together to inspire change, spread compassion, and thrive on plants! 💪🌱

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevegangym

Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thevegangympage

DISCLOSURE

The information shared here is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your diet, exercise routine, or lifestyle.

Music Credit:
MB01VBQWSONPOBJ

Support the show

After a long break, The Vegan Gym Podcast is officially back. And instead of jumping straight into training and nutrition, I wanted to share a life and health update.

In this relaunch episode, I talk about getting married, rebuilding consistency after falling off with my health and fitness routine, and introducing my new podcast co-host, my wife, Erin. We share how we met through The Vegan Gym community, how our relationship developed, what it was like planning a fully vegan wedding, and why restarting the podcast now feels right.

We also talk honestly about what it looks like to lose momentum with your fitness, how I rebuilt a daily movement habit, and why consistency matters more than perfection. This episode sets the stage for the next chapter of the podcast and what you can expect moving forward.

If you have followed The Vegan Gym for a while, this episode will give you more context behind the scenes. And if you are new here, welcome. We are glad you are here. 😊

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/fdBp5PL3VUI

Listen to more podcast episodes: https://thevegangym.com/podcast

Listen to Dr. Daphne's Thrive on Plants podcast: https://thriveonplants.buzzsprout.com/

Check out Dr. Daphne's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@drdaphnebascom/videos

Topics covered in this episode include:
▹ A personal life update and podcast relaunch
▹ How Erin went vegan and found The Vegan Gym
▹ How we met, dated long distance, and got engaged
▹ Planning and hosting a fully vegan wedding
▹ Falling off track with fitness and rebuilding consistency
▹ The future direction of The Vegan Gym Podcast

Subscribe to The Vegan Gym Podcast:

Website: https://thevegangym.com/podcast

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-vegan-gym-podcast/id1358557895?mt=2

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5BXJKchXPkdatgfS0W1Xkn

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In this episode of The Vegan Gym Podcast, Leif and Daphne dive into the Plant-Powered Blueprint, a holistic framework designed to help you optimize your health and thrive on a plant-based lifestyle. Leif breaks down the seven key elements of the blueprint. Discover how this framework simplifies health and fitness, making it both sustainable and achievable. Tune in to learn how you can apply these strategies to look, feel, and perform at your best.

Daphne also interviews Leif about an exciting project he has been developing for years, a free vegan nutrition course called The Plant-Powered Body. This comprehensive resource is designed to help you master the essentials of plant-based nutrition and take control of your health. Whether you're new to plant-based nutrition or looking to refine your approach, The Plant-Powered Body course offers the tools and knowledge you need to thrive.

CONNECT WITH THE VEGAN GYM:
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NEW TO THE VEGAN GYM?
We're on a mission to help 1,000,000 vegans get into the best shape of their lives because we believe that the more healthy, fit vegans there are in the world, the faster veganism will spread. Let’s work together to inspire change, spread compassion, and challenge the status quo.

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Olympic weightlifting legend and long-time vegan, Kendrick Farris, shares his extraordinary journey from the Olympic stage to embracing a plant-based lifestyle. He discusses his competitive mindset, camaraderie in the weightlifting community, and the transition to veganism.

Kendrick opens up about the challenges he faced when he made the switch in 2014, revealing how he fueled his body, overcame criticism, and stayed mentally strong. With captivating insights on performance, mindset, and plant-based living, Kendrick shares how he's continued to thrive as an athlete, husband and father, while staying true to his values. Tune in for a compelling discussion on vegan power, resilience, and personal growth.

CONNECT WITH THE VEGAN GYM:
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NEW TO THE VEGAN GYM?
We're on a mission to help 1,000,000 vegans get into the best shape of their lives because we believe that the more healthy, fit vegans there are in the world, the faster veganism will spread. Let’s work together to inspire change, spread compassion, and challenge the status quo.

Support the show

In this inspiring episode of The Vegan Gym Podcast, recorded at the 2024 Vegan Superhero Academy Retreat, Leif sits down with Coach Marc and his client Elyssa to discuss her transformative weight loss journey. Elyssa shares how, before joining VSA, she struggled to find a sustainable approach that worked for her long-term. It wasn’t until she teamed up with Marc that she began to shift her mindset and develop a healthy relationship with food and exercise.

Marc and Elyssa dive into the process of creating a personalized weight loss plan that fits into Elyssa’s life and focuses on building habits that would last. Their conversation highlights the power of mindset, consistency, and learning to love the process, factors that have helped Elyssa achieve lasting fat loss and intuitive eating.

CONNECT WITH THE VEGAN GYM:
Website
Instagram
Facebook
YouTube

NEW TO THE VEGAN GYM?
We're on a mission to help 1,000,000 vegans get into the best shape of their lives because we believe that the more healthy, fit vegans there are in the world, the faster veganism will spread. Let’s work together to inspire change, spread compassion, and challenge the status quo.

Support the show

Are you struggling with Hashimoto’s or thyroid health challenges? You’re not alone. In this inspiring episode of The Vegan Gym Podcast, Dr. Daphne Bascom sits down with Coach Sarah and Holly, a VSA athlete, to dive into the realities of living with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and how a plant-based lifestyle can transform your health. Holly shares her personal journey of overcoming fatigue, inflammation, and weight gain, and how she reclaimed her energy and confidence by embracing sustainable lifestyle changes and personalized coaching.

Coach Sarah breaks down practical strategies for managing Hashimoto’s, including reducing inflammation through plant-based nutrition, building muscle to combat fatigue, and prioritizing stress management and sleep. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, looking for natural ways to manage symptoms, or seeking hope and motivation, this episode is packed with actionable advice and heartfelt stories.

Don’t let Hashimoto’s define you. Discover how you can take charge of your health one step at a time.

CONNECT WITH THE VEGAN GYM:
Website
Instagram
Facebook
YouTube

NEW TO THE VEGAN GYM?
We're on a mission to help 1,000,000 vegans get into the best shape of their lives because we believe that the more healthy, fit vegans there are in the world, the faster veganism will spread. Let’s work together to inspire change, spread compassion, and challenge the status quo.

Support the show

In this episode of The Vegan Gym Podcast, recorded outdoors at the 2024 Coaches Retreat, Leif is joined by VSA coach and Powerlifter Arman Kehlhofer. Arman shares his inspiring journey to becoming an entirely plant-powered athlete, explaining how veganism came before weight training in his life.

Arman dives into valuable insights from his powerlifting experience, emphasizing the importance of consistency and dedication. He reflects on how success comes not from being inherently special, but from showing up day after day, until lifting weights and training became a core part of his identity. This episode explores why falling in love with the process—rather than obsessing over results—is key to long-term success, and how these lessons can be applied to anyone’s health and fitness journey.

CONNECT WITH THE VEGAN GYM:
Website
Instagram
Facebook
YouTube

NEW TO THE VEGAN GYM?
We're on a mission to help 1,000,000 vegans get into the best shape of their lives because we believe that the more healthy, fit vegans there are in the world, the faster veganism will spread. Let’s work together to inspire change, spread compassion, and challenge the status quo.

Support the show

In this episode of The Vegan Gym Podcast, recorded outdoors at the 2024 Coaches Retreat, Leif is joined by VSA Coach Nathan Perrin, who shares his inspiring story of transformation. Nathan talks about the life-changing events that propelled him into fitness coaching and how personal adversity became the driving force behind his athletic and professional success.

In this deep and candid conversation, Nathan reveals how these challenging experiences fueled his commitment to consistency and self-discipline. He also shares practical tools that have helped him and his clients build and maintain results, even when motivation is low. Tune in for an empowering discussion on how to find self-worth through adversity, stay consistent, and achieve your goals—even when life gets tough.

CONNECT WITH THE VEGAN GYM:
Website
Instagram
Facebook
YouTube

NEW TO THE VEGAN GYM?
We're on a mission to help 1,000,000 vegans get into the best shape of their lives because we believe that the more healthy, fit vegans there are in the world, the faster veganism will spread. Let’s work together to inspire change, spread compassion, and challenge the status quo.

Support the show

In this heartfelt episode of The Vegan Gym Podcast, recorded at the 2024 Coaches Retreat, Leif is joined by VSA Coach Tiana Braden for a powerful and vulnerable conversation. Tiana opens up about her deeply personal struggles with anorexia, binge eating, and disordered eating. With compassion and insight, she shares her journey to healing, offering practical advice for those facing similar battles.

Tiana discusses the mindset shift that transformed her perspective on body image and how strength training became her path to empowerment. This conversation delves into the prevalence of eating disorders, the cultural stigmas that make recovery challenging, and how to recognize the signs of disordered eating in yourself or loved ones. Whether you're struggling with food or know someone who is, this episode provides both hope and actionable strategies for reclaiming control of your health and mindset.

CONNECT WITH THE VEGAN GYM:
Website
Instagram
Facebook
YouTube

NEW TO THE VEGAN GYM?
We're on a mission to help 1,000,000 vegans get into the best shape of their lives because we believe that the more healthy, fit vegans there are in the world, the faster veganism will spread. Let’s work together to inspire change, spread compassion, and challenge the status quo.

Support the show