Discover how plant-based nutrition and strength training help women thrive during menopause, featuring Dr. Brooke Bussard, author of Outsmarting Menopause.

In this episode of Thrive on Plants, Dr. Daphne Bascom sits down with Dr. Brooke Bussard, author of Outsmarting Menopause, to uncover the science (and soul) behind thriving in midlife. Together, they decode how hormones, metabolism, muscle, and bone health intersect and why plant-based nutrition and smart strength training can change the trajectory of women’s health after 40.

📌 What You’ll Learn:
▪︎ Why midlife feels different and what’s really happening to your metabolism
▪︎ How estrogen influences fat distribution, insulin sensitivity, and muscle strength
▪︎ The science behind sarcopenia and osteoporosis and how to rebuild from the inside out
▪︎ How to use resistance training and protein to combat “anabolic resistance”
▪︎ What your bone and body composition scans (DEXA or REMS) can tell you about longevity
▪︎ How to create sustainable, plant-based habits that protect your bones, muscles, and mood

About Dr. Brooke Bussard
Dr. Bussard is a physician turned lifestyle medicine expert, fitness coach, and author of Outsmarting Menopause. Through her work with Plants Over Animals, her Quick Cooks! app, and her online course Eat and Feel Good!, she empowers women to transform their health through plant-based nutrition, movement, and mindset.

Website: drbrookebussard.com
Plants Over Animals: plantsoveranimals.com
Quick Cooks! App – Available on App Store & Google Play

Connect with Dr. Daphne Bascom & Thrive on Plants
Join our community - Thrive on Plants Community: www.ThriveOnPlantsLife.com
Follow on Instagram: @drdaphnebascom

Additional resources to help you thrive on plants:

🌱 Join our free Thrive on Plants community: Join Here

🌱 Access the free Plant-Powered Body course: Access Here

🌱 Take the free health assessment for women 40+: Start Here

🌱 Watch every episode on YouTube

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In this episode of Thrive on Plants, Dr. Daphne Bascom sits down with award-winning nutritionist, researcher, and menopause advocate Andrea Donsky, co-founder of Morphus, to explore what it really means to thrive through perimenopause and menopause.

Andrea shares her deeply personal journey, from a surprise first hot flash in her late 40s to becoming a leading voice in women's health. Together, we dig into the 103+ symptoms of menopause, what most women don't know about this transition, and how mindset, lifestyle, and community can radically transform your experience.

💥 What You’ll Learn:

• Why menopause is more than just hot flashes (and why they're not the #1 symptom!)
• The importance of collecting and analyzing data from real women—over 5,000 surveyed!
• How Andrea built Morphus to offer both research-based education and effective, safe supplements
• The role mindset plays in healing and empowerment at midlife
• Why Gen X women are changing the menopause narrative—for good

Whether you're in your 30s or 70s, Andrea’s wisdom offers a roadmap for women ready to reclaim agency over their health, hormones, and hope for the future.

🌿 This is menopause... reimagined.

🔗 Resources Mentioned

 📍 Andrea Donsky: https://andreadonsky.com

 📍 Morphus: https://wearemorphus.com

 📍 Menopause Symptom Tracker: https://wearemorphus.com/pages/learn

 📍 Follow Andrea on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearemorphus

 📍 Podcast + Research: https://wearemorphus.com/pages/menopause-reimagined-podcast-with-andrea-donsky

#Menopause #Perimenopause #PlantBasedWomen #AndreaDonsky #ThriveOnPlants #HormoneHealth #MindsetMatters #Morphus #MenopauseSupport #WomenOver40 #MenopauseReimagined #MidlifeWellness 

Additional resources to help you thrive on plants:

🌱 Join our free Thrive on Plants community: Join Here

🌱 Access the free Plant-Powered Body course: Access Here

🌱 Take the free health assessment for women 40+: Start Here

🌱 Watch every episode on YouTube

⭐️ If you loved this episode, please leave a review! ⭐️

Here’s how to do it on Apple Podcasts:

Go to the Thrive on Plants Podcast page: Click here

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In this episode of Thrive on Plants, Dr. Daphne sits down with legendary ultramarathoner and plant-based athlete Harvey Lewis. Harvey shares the mindset, lifestyle, and nutrition habits that have fueled his success and longevity in one of the world’s most demanding sports.

Whether you're training for a marathon or just trying to stay motivated, this conversation will inspire you to challenge your limits, embrace recovery, and lead with purpose.

In this episode we discuss:

☑️ What it takes to mentally and physically prepare for a 450-mile race

☑️ How Harvey uses plant-based nutrition for endurance and recovery

☑️ His mindset approach to pain, setbacks, and finding joy in hard moments

☑️ Tips for everyday runners on recovery, longevity, and training smarter

☑️ How purpose, community, and teaching fuel his performance and peace

This is more than a running episode, it’s a masterclass in mental strength, compassion, and thriving against all odds.

Harvey's Socials:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/harveylewisultrarunner/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harveylewisultrarunner/

UltraSignup: https://ultrasignup.com/results_participant.aspx?fname=Harvey&lname=Lewis

Additional resources to help you thrive on plants:

🌱 Join our free Thrive on Plants community: Join Here

🌱 Access the free Plant-Powered Body course: Access Here

🌱 Take the free health assessment for women 40+: Start Here

🌱 Watch every episode on YouTube

⭐️ If you loved this episode, please leave a review! ⭐️

Here’s how to do it on Apple Podcasts:

Go to the Thrive on Plants Podcast page: Click here

Scroll down to the ‘Ratings & Reviews’ section. Tap ‘Write a Review’

(you may be prompted to log in with your Apple ID).

Thank you for your support!

When board-certified oncology dietitian Alison Tierney told patients "food is medicine," she believed it, but she never expected to test that belief against her own breast cancer diagnosis.

Having witnessed cancer's impact in her own family, Alison dedicated her career to helping patients heal through nutrition. Her personal journey led her to plant-based eating, which unexpectedly helped her overcome infertility. But when she faced her own breast cancer diagnosis, everything she'd studied and taught collided with the raw reality of being the patient, not the practitioner.

In this candid conversation, Alison shares how she merged evidence-based nutrition, strategic fasting during chemotherapy, and unwavering faith to navigate treatment and reclaim her life. She doesn't sugarcoat the fear or the uncertainty; instead, she offers something better: practical wisdom on "controlling the controllables" and finding purpose in the midst of crisis.

In this episode:

• How plant-based nutrition supports prevention, treatment, and recovery from cancer
• The science and safety of fasting during chemotherapy (and who it's right for)
• Shifting from oncology expert to cancer patient: what changed and what didn't
• Managing the mental weight of recurrence fear and survivorship
• Actionable lifestyle strategies for long-term resilience and wellbeing

Whether you're facing a diagnosis, supporting someone who is, or want to live with more intention, Alison's story proves that healing isn't just physical; it's a daily practice of mind, body, and spirit.

WAVS Study: Barnard ND, Kahleova H, Holtz DN, Del Aguila F, Neola M, Crosby LM, Holubkov R. The Women's Study for the Alleviation of Vasomotor Symptoms (WAVS): a randomized, controlled trial of a plant-based diet and whole soybeans for postmenopausal women. Menopause. 2021 Jul 12;28(10):1150-1156. doi: 10.1097/GME.0000000000001812. PMID: 34260478; PMCID: PMC8462449.

Fighting Hot Flashes with Diet: https://www.pcrm.org/clinical-research/fighting-hot-flashes-with-diet

Additional resources to help you thrive on plants:

🌱 Join our free Thrive on Plants community: Join Here

🌱 Access the free Plant-Powered Body course: Access Here

🌱 Take the free health assessment for women 40+: Start Here

🌱 Watch every episode on YouTube

⭐️ If you loved this episode, please leave a review! ⭐️

Here’s how to do it on Apple Podcasts:

Go to the Thrive on Plants Podcast page: Click here

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Cardiovascular disease is the #1 killer in the United States, but it doesn’t have to be your destiny. In This Episode of Thrive on Plants join Dr. Daphne Bascom and Coach Marc Hayes as they sit down with Rick Kelly, a devoted father, athlete, and Vegan Superhero Academy client,  who shares his extraordinary journey of reversing high blood pressure, improving cholesterol, and reclaiming his health using whole food, plant-based nutrition and lifestyle medicine.

In this episode, you will learn:

✅ The role of visceral fat in hidden heart disease risk
✅ How Rick lost 30 pounds while eating large, satisfying plant-based meals
✅ The tools and mindset that helped Rick stay consistent
✅ Why community and coaching matter
✅ How stress, sleep, and toxin awareness affect cardiovascular health
✅ The power of discovering and living by your personal “Why”

If you’ve ever felt trapped by family history or told medication is your only option, this episode will inspire you to take back control of your health.

Additional resources to help you thrive on plants:

🌱 Join our free Thrive on Plants community: Join Here

🌱 Access the free Plant-Powered Body course: Access Here

🌱 Take the free health assessment for women 40+: Start Here

🌱 Watch every episode on YouTube

⭐️ If you loved this episode, please leave a review! ⭐️

Here’s how to do it on Apple Podcasts:

Go to the Thrive on Plants Podcast page: Click here

Scroll down to the ‘Ratings & Reviews’ section. Tap ‘Write a Review’

(you may be prompted to log in with your Apple ID).

Thank you for your support!

In this episode of Thrive on Plants, Dr. Daphne sits down with Coach Gemma Schofield, a strength and mobility expert with a rich background in biomechanics, nutrition, and competitive football. Gemma shares her inspiring journey from elite athletics to holistic coaching, where she empowers women to move out of pain, rebuild posture, and unlock their true strength through plant-based living.

Together, they explore how posture and mobility are often the missing links in women’s fitness, and why strength training is about so much more than building muscle, it’s about cultivating resilience, confidence, and freedom in your body. Gemma also opens up about her personal struggles with binge eating and perfectionism, and how self-compassion and strength training transformed her life.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

✔️ Why posture is the overlooked foundation of most fitness programs

✔️ How mobility and flexibility influence pain, strength, and long-term quality of life

✔️ Gemma’s journey from pain and perfectionism to strength and self-trust

 ✔️ Why breathing and pelvic alignment are key to powerful, sustainable movement

If you’re ready for a more intentional, effective, and empowering approach to fitness — one that helps you age with strength and confidence — this episode is for you.

Additional resources to help you thrive on plants:

🌱 Join our free Thrive on Plants community: Join Here

🌱 Access the free Plant-Powered Body course: Access Here

🌱 Take the free health assessment for women 40+: Start Here

🌱 Watch every episode on YouTube

⭐️ If you loved this episode, please leave a review! ⭐️

Here’s how to do it on Apple Podcasts:

Go to the Thrive on Plants Podcast page: Click here

Scroll down to the ‘Ratings & Reviews’ section. Tap ‘Write a Review’

(you may be prompted to log in with your Apple ID).

Thank you for your support!

In this episode of Thrive on Plants, Dr. Daphne talks with Coach Kiana Wilson, a former world-class acrobatic gymnast, certified personal trainer, and plant-based nutrition scientist. Kiana shares her journey from restrictive eating and performance-driven pressure to building a sustainable lifestyle grounded in plant-based nutrition and strength training.

They address common misconceptions about protein, the role of plant-based meats in a balanced diet, and the importance of fueling the body for long-term strength and overall well-being.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

 ✔️ Why under-eating holds women back from their health goals

 ✔️ How to meet protein needs on a plant-based diet

 ✔️ What it looks like to move from competitive athletics to sustainable fitness

 ✔️ How Kiana brings her values into her coaching and community work

This conversation offers practical insights for anyone seeking to integrate nutrition and movement with long-term health.

Additional resources to help you thrive on plants:

🌱 Join our free Thrive on Plants community: Join Here

🌱 Access the free Plant-Powered Body course: Access Here

🌱 Take the free health assessment for women 40+: Start Here

🌱 Watch every episode on YouTube

⭐️ If you loved this episode, please leave a review! ⭐️

Here’s how to do it on Apple Podcasts:

Go to the Thrive on Plants Podcast page: Click here

Scroll down to the ‘Ratings & Reviews’ section. Tap ‘Write a Review’

(you may be prompted to log in with your Apple ID).

Thank you for your support!

In this conversation, recorded live at our recent Vegan Superhero Academy retreat, Dr. Daphne welcomes Coach Sarah Antonie, a longtime vegan and IFBB figure pro, to share how plant-powered training, mindset, and empathy shape her coaching.

Sarah opens up about transitioning to veganism in 2012, earning her pro card in 2019, and the real work behind sustainable physique goals. They explore building muscle for long-term health, navigating body image and food during contest prep and improvement seasons, and why open, shame-free conversations with your coach matter.

What we cover

• How women can build muscle for health, longevity, and confidence
• Body image, disordered eating awareness, and supportive coaching tools
• Training seasons, goal setting, and realistic progress expectations
• Why empathy, community, and purpose fuel lasting results

Additional resources to help you thrive on plants:

🌱 Join our free Thrive on Plants community: Join Here

🌱 Access the free Plant-Powered Body course: Access Here

🌱 Take the free health assessment for women 40+: Start Here

🌱 Watch every episode on YouTube

⭐️ If you loved this episode, please leave a review! ⭐️

Here’s how to do it on Apple Podcasts:

Go to the Thrive on Plants Podcast page: Click here

Scroll down to the ‘Ratings & Reviews’ section. Tap ‘Write a Review’

(you may be prompted to log in with your Apple ID).

Thank you for your support!

In this episode of the Thrive on Plants Podcast, Dr. Daphne Bascom sits down with Coach Nicole Mitsigeorgis, a nutrition and fitness coach at The Vegan Gym. Nicole opens up about her powerful journey from competing in Taekwondo at the international level to facing burnout, disordered eating, and RED-S, then finding healing through plant-based nutrition and mindset shifts.

Nicole shares how she transitioned from paleo to vegan, rebuilt her relationship with food, and even discovered a second athletic career in competitive cycling. Today, she helps women move past perfectionism, fuel their bodies with confidence, and thrive with strength, resilience, and self-compassion.

This episode is packed with practical takeaways on nutrition, training, mindset, sleep, and stress management. If you have ever struggled with body image, restrictive diets, or the pressure to be perfect, Nicole’s story will encourage you to focus on progress, not perfection, and to see health as empowerment.

Additional resources to help you thrive on plants:

🌱 Join our free Thrive on Plants community: Join Here

🌱 Access the free Plant-Powered Body course: Access Here

🌱 Take the free health assessment for women 40+: Start Here

🌱 Watch every episode on YouTube

⭐️ If you loved this episode, please leave a review! ⭐️

Here’s how to do it on Apple Podcasts:

Go to the Thrive on Plants Podcast page: Click here

Scroll down to the ‘Ratings & Reviews’ section. Tap ‘Write a Review’

(you may be prompted to log in with your Apple ID).

Thank you for your support!

In this episode of Thrive on Plants, Dr. Daphne Bascom welcomes world-renowned cardiologist Dr. Joel Kahn, known as “America’s Healthy Heart Doc.” Together, they unpack the critical connection between women’s health, hormones, and heart disease prevention.

You’ll learn:
✔️ How menopause impacts vascular health and cardiovascular risk
✔️ The key lab test results everyone should know for heart disease prevention
✔️ Why calcium CT scans and carotid ultrasounds can be lifesaving
✔️ The truth about lipoprotein(a) and why it matters for your future health
✔️ A cardiologist’s perspective on fasting, GLP-1 medications, and sustainable fat loss
✔️ Which supplements can truly support heart health and longevity

Dr. Kahn also shares practical strategies for thriving in midlife, from strength training and sleep to nutrition and mindset. Whether you’re in your 30s, 40s, 50s, or beyond, this conversation will give you the tools to protect your heart and extend your healthspan.

Additional resources to help you thrive on plants:

🌱 Join our free Thrive on Plants community: Join Here

🌱 Access the free Plant-Powered Body course: Access Here

🌱 Take the free health assessment for women 40+: Start Here

🌱 Watch every episode on YouTube

⭐️ If you loved this episode, please leave a review! ⭐️

Here’s how to do it on Apple Podcasts:

Go to the Thrive on Plants Podcast page: Click here

Scroll down to the ‘Ratings & Reviews’ section. Tap ‘Write a Review’

(you may be prompted to log in with your Apple ID).

Thank you for your support!