Vegan Boss Radio

What does it take to build a successful vegan sports nutrition brand?

In this episode, I'm joined by Edan Wolk, co-founder and CEO of VEGAIN and co-owner of The Grind Cafe in Vancouver, to talk about entrepreneurship, plant-based sports nutrition, and the future of vegan protein.

Edan shares his journey to a plant-based lifestyle, the story behind launching VEGAIN, why the company's first product was a vegan mass gainer, and the inspiration for their innovative clear protein, which is a protein powder that fully dissolves in water and drinks more like an electrolyte beverage than a traditional protein shake.

We also discuss some of the most common questions and misconceptions surrounding vegan protein, what it's like running a vegan café, and which plant-based milks coffee drinkers tend to enjoy most when transitioning from dairy.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Edan's journey to a plant-based lifestyle

About Edan

Edan Wolk is a serial entrepreneur and longtime vegan who co-founded VEGAIN to challenge the status quo in sports nutrition. With a prior CPG exit and deep expertise in brand building, he has helped shape VEGAIN into a bold, performance-driven brand. As CEO, he leads operations, supply chain, and commercialization, scaling innovation from concept to market.

Learn more about VEGAIN and The Grind Cafe on their website vegain.ca and Instagrams @vegain.ca and @thegrindvancouver.

Interested in learning more about plant-based nutrition?

This September, I'll be teaching my 15-hour Plant-Based Nutrition course through Pacific Rim College. Although it's an elective within the Holistic Nutrition program, it's open to everyone. If you enjoy diving into the science behind plant-based nutrition, this course is designed like a traditional college class with lectures, quizzes, activities, and plenty of opportunities to deepen your understanding.

Registration isn't open just yet, but if you'd like to be notified when it is, feel free to email me and I'll add you to the notification list.

____________________________________________________________________

Work With Me:

___________________________________________________________________

Vegan Boss Resources:

____________________________________________________________________

About Your Host:

***

A Note from Steven

Shortly after recording this episode, Steven learned that he has a tumour and is currently raising funds to help cover his medical expenses during this time.

If you enjoyed this conversation and would like to support him, you can contribute here:

Support Steven: http://spot.fund/4hm85wlsc 

***

Can laughter be a gateway to conversations about veganism?

In this episode, I'm joined by Steven Marcus Releford, stand-up comedian and founder of Plant-Based Comedy, to explore how humour can open the door to conversations about veganism, compassion, and animal advocacy.

Steven shares his journey into both veganism and stand-up comedy, how he ended up performing at vegan restaurants and animal sanctuaries, and why he believes laughter can be a powerful way to connect with people.

We also discuss what happens when non-vegans make jokes about vegans, whether comedy can help reduce defensiveness around the topic of veganism, and whether vegans sometimes take themselves too seriously.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Steven's journey into veganism and stand-up comedy

Connect with Steven on his website plantbasedcomedy.com and his Instagram @stevenmarcusreleford.

Enjoy the episode!

____________________________________________________________________

Work With Me:

___________________________________________________________________

Vegan Boss Resources:

____________________________________________________________________

About Your Host:

What if one of the biggest barriers to eating healthier isn't knowing what to eat but knowing how to prepare it?

In this episode, I’m joined by Catherine Connally, a clinical nutritionist, culinary medicine educator, and creator of Flavour with Benefits®.

Catherine shares her plant-based journey and the experiences that led her to this lifestyle. We discuss why culinary medicine is becoming an increasingly important part of healthcare, and how learning even basic kitchen skills can help people incorporate more plant foods into their daily lives.

Whether you're new to plant-based eating or looking for fresh inspiration in the kitchen, this episode is packed with practical insights and encouragement.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Catherine's plant-based journey

About Catherine Connally:

Catherine Connally holds a Master of Science in Applied Clinical Nutrition, is DipACLM (Board Certified by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine) and Blue Zones certified. She is licensed as a dietitian/nutritionist in Connecticut and specializes in identifying root causes of health issues, including nutrient deficiencies, drug–nutrient interactions to guide personalized, evidence-based interventions. She has been an avid vegan since 2019 after receiving a certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition from eCornell.

Ms. Connally is the creator of Flavour with Benefits®, a gourmet nutrition approach to better health focused on plant-based health-optimized recipes. Her work includes over 110 recipes published in two Amazon bestselling, multi-award-winning books: Flavour with Benefits: France (2021) and Flavour with Benefits: Sicily & Calabria (2023). She also delivers education on culinary nutrition via clinics, events such as the 2023 T. Colin Campbell Retreat (Rochester, NY) and delivering plant based cooking instruction in partnership with Aroga Lifestyle Medicine Clinics, Ontario & British Columbia, Canada.

Connect with Catherine on her website: flavourwithbenefits.com and Instagram @flavourwithbenefits.

Enjoy the episode!

____________________________________________________________________

Work With Me:

___________________________________________________________________

Vegan Boss Resources:

____________________________________________________________________

About Your Host:

Finding vegan food while traveling has come a long way over the past decade, but it can still sometimes be difficult to find the places that are worth visiting. 

In this episode, I’m joined by Audrey-Josephine Addo, founder of Lost & Vegan, a platform designed to help people discover vegan restaurants and plant-based dining options while exploring new cities.

AJ shares her vegan story, including the health challenges that led her to adopt a plant-based lifestyle eight years ago. We discuss how her background in computer science and graphic design inspired her to create Lost & Vegan, the gaps she noticed in existing restaurant-finding tools, and how she set out to build a resource specifically for the vegan community.

We also talk about the evolution of vegan travel, the importance of representation and community, and what inspired AJ to expand Lost & Vegan beyond an app and into a magazine. 

Whether you're a frequent traveler, someone who enjoys exploring new vegan restaurants, or simply interested in the people building innovative tools for the vegan community, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration.

In this episode, we discuss:

• AJ's vegan journey and health transformation

About Audrey-Josephine Addo:

Connect with AJ and Lost & Vegan on her website lostandvegan.com and Instagram @lostandvegan. 

____________________________________________________________________

Work With Me:

___________________________________________________________________

Vegan Boss Resources:

____________________________________________________________________

About Your Host:

In this solo mini episode, I talk about creatine. What it is, who may benefit from taking it, if vegans are deficient, and the emerging research on brain health, mood, and cognition for women in perimenopause and menopause.

This mini solo episode covers:

Whether you lift weights, you're navigating perimenopause, or you're just curious about a supplement that keeps coming up, this episode gives you the full picture without the hype.

References:

The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, particularly if you have an existing health condition or are taking medication.

____________________________________________________________________

Work With Me:

___________________________________________________________________

Vegan Boss Resources:

____________________________________________________________________

About Your Host:

Interested in hiking through the jungles of Costa Rica and ending the day with homemade vegan ice cream? Then I think you’re going to love this episode.

In today's episode, I’m joined by Emma Fry, founder of Vegan Adventure Holidays.

Emma is a UK-born adventurer now based in Guatemala, where she spends her time leading vegan hiking trips up volcanoes and through jungles and remote trails across Central America. She created Vegan Adventure Holidays for active vegan travellers who want more than just a holiday: incredible vegan food, meaningful connection, and the confidence that comes from tackling spicy hills in beautiful places! Usually fuelled by strong coffee and happiest with a dog nearby, Emma believes adventure should feel supportive, empowering, and just a little bit wild.

In this conversation, we talk about her vegan journey, how and why she started Vegan Adventure Holidays, what goes into creating vegan travel experiences, and some of the realities of navigating veganism while travelling in places that don't always have a lot of options.

Emma also shares some behind-the-scenes insight into collaborating with local families, restaurants, and cooks to create satisfying vegan meals for travellers while still respecting local food culture and traditions.

Whether you’re vegan, curious about plant-based travel, or just love hearing stories about people building creative businesses around their values, I think you’ll really enjoy this episode.

You can find Emma and Vegan Adventure Holidays online at veganadventureholidays.com and Instagram at @veganadventureholidays.

____________________________________________________________________

Work With Me

If you want to transition to a plant-based lifestyle but feel overwhelmed by nutrition science, protein, or meal planning, let’s chat! I offer private consultations to help you thrive with personalized, evidence-based guidance.

👉 Book your complimentary 15-minute discovery call at synergynutrition.ca

Vegan Boss Resources

🛒 Supplements: Visit my Online Store for 100% vegan, carefully curated supplements. Ships across Canada + 10% off everything, always.

👕 Apparel: Wear the message. Check out Vegan Boss Apparel and follow @veganbossapparel.

🎧 Support the Show: Subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review if this episode resonated with you!

About Your Host

Shawna Barker is a nutritionist with a B.Sc. in Nutrition, vegan since 2002. With over 12 years of experience, she shares evidence-based insights to help you master plant-based living.

📩 Connect: DM me anytime @vegan_boss!

When Billie Eilish recently stated that you cannot claim to love all animals while simultaneously eating them, the internet imploded. From accusations of "vegan privilege" to debates over Indigenous rights and MCAS-friendly diets, the backlash was a masterclass in cognitive dissonance.

This mini solo episode discusses:

The Contradiction: Why Billie’s statement triggered so many people and the psychology of why we "love" some animals but consume others.

The Health Debunk: Addressing the claims that plant proteins are "hard to digest" or incompatible with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS).

The Science of "Fake" Meats: A 2024 meta-analysis shows that plant-based meat alternatives actually lead to better cardiometabolic outcomes (lower LDL, cholesterol, and weight) when replacing animal meat.

The "Anti-Indigenous" Shield: Why using Indigenous survival as an excuse to buy factory-farmed meat is a form of tokenism that erases Indigenous vegans and those following a plant-based diet (including my own Métis family). 

The "Vegan Police": My take on the internal community backlash regarding Billie riding horses and why we need to prioritize progress over perfection.

Mentioned in this episode:

Quote by @hiilanilily on Indigenous sovereignty and veganism.

Cardiometabolic health meta-analysis on plant-based meat alternatives.

Previous episode: Métis and Plant-Based with my Mother.

Work With Me

If you want to transition to a plant-based lifestyle but feel overwhelmed by nutrition science, histamines, or meal planning, let’s chat! I offer private consultations to help you thrive with personalized, evidence-based guidance.

👉 Book your complimentary 15-minute discovery call at synergynutrition.ca

Vegan Boss Resources

🛒 Supplements: Visit my Online Store for 100% vegan, carefully curated supplements. Ships across Canada + 10% off everything, always.

👕 Apparel: Wear the message. Check out Vegan Boss Apparel and follow @veganbossapparel.

🎧 Support the Show: Subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review if this episode resonated with you!

About Your Host

Shawna Barker is a nutritionist with a B.Sc. in Nutrition, vegan since 2002. With over 12 years of experience, she shares evidence-based insights to help you master plant-based living.

📩 Connect: DM me anytime @vegan_boss!

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Tejal Raju to discuss chronic pain, inflammation, joint pain, and the role that plant-based nutrition can play in supporting overall health and pain management.

Dr. Raju is a double board-certified interventional pain physician in Anesthesiology and Pain Management who has been serving rural Southwest Virginia for over 14 years. In addition to her clinical work, she teaches medical, physician assistant, and resident trainees through her academic appointments at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine and Radford University Carilion.

For over a decade, Dr. Raju has followed a plant-based lifestyle and is passionate about the role of nutrition in reducing inflammation and supporting long-term health. She also shares evidence-based nutrition and lifestyle content through her Instagram platform, Fork Over the Pain.

In this conversation, we discuss:

Connect with Dr. Raju on her website tejalrajumd.com and her Instagram @forkoverthepain.

____________________________________________________________________

Work With Me

If you want to transition to a plant-based lifestyle but feel overwhelmed by nutrition science, histamines, or meal planning, let’s chat! I offer private consultations to help you thrive with personalized, evidence-based guidance.

👉 Book your complimentary 15-minute discovery call at synergynutrition.ca

Vegan Boss Resources

🛒 Supplements: Visit my Online Store for 100% vegan, carefully curated supplements. Ships across Canada + 10% off everything, always.

👕 Apparel: Wear the message. Check out Vegan Boss Apparel and follow @veganbossapparel.

🎧 Support the Show: Subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review if this episode resonated with you!

About Your Host

Shawna Barker is a nutritionist with a B.Sc. in Nutrition, vegan since 2002. With over 12 years of experience, she shares evidence-based insights to help you master plant-based living.

📩 Connect: DM me anytime @vegan_boss!

I recently watched an episode of Surrounded where one vegan sits down with 20 meat-eaters to answer questions and challenges about veganism.

And while the format is intense, the arguments themselves are actually very familiar.

In this mini solo episode, I break down some of the most common points raised and offer my perspective on each one. Including:

If you’ve ever heard these claims or found yourself unsure how to respond to them, this episode addresses these conversations around veganism from both a nutrition and ethical perspective.

____________________________________________________________________

Work With Me

If you want to transition to a plant-based lifestyle but feel overwhelmed by nutrition science, histamines, or meal planning, let’s chat! I offer private consultations to help you thrive with personalized, evidence-based guidance.

👉 Book your complimentary 15-minute discovery call at synergynutrition.ca

Vegan Boss Resources

🛒 Supplements: Visit my Online Store for 100% vegan, carefully curated supplements. Ships across Canada + 10% off everything, always.

👕 Apparel: Wear the message. Check out Vegan Boss Apparel and follow @veganbossapparel.

🎧 Support the Show: Subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review if this episode resonated with you!

About Your Host

Shawna Barker is a nutritionist with a B.Sc. in Nutrition, vegan since 2002. With over 12 years of experience, she shares evidence-based insights to help you master plant-based living.

📩 Connect: DM me anytime @vegan_boss!

Is oat milk actually bad for you, or is this just another nutrition myth going viral?

In this mini solo episode, I break down some of the most common claims circulating online about oat milk and oats, including concerns around blood sugar spikes, maltose, seed oils, and overall health impact.

You’ve probably seen posts claiming that oat milk is “basically sugar,” that it causes dangerous spikes in blood glucose, or that the oils used in some brands are harmful or inflammatory.

So what does the research actually say?

This episode is all about cutting through misinformation and looking at the totality of evidence, rather than isolating single nutrients or fear-based claims.

References:

1. Effect of Oat Consumption on Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

2. Effects of Oats (Avena sativa L.) on Inflammation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

3. The Metabolic Effects of Oats Intake in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

4. Effect of oat supplementation interventions on cardiovascular disease risk markers: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

5. Dietary linoleic acid and risk of coronary heart disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies

6. Reduction in saturated fat intake for cardiovascular disease

7. Whole grain consumption and risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and all cause and cause specific mortality: systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective studies

8. Review of human studies investigating the post-prandial blood-glucose lowering ability of oat and barley food products

9. Cholesterol-lowering effects of oat β-glucan: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

10. Consumption of oat milk for 5 weeks lowers serum cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in free-living men with moderate hypercholesterolemia

____________________________________________________________________

Work With Me

If you want to transition to a plant-based lifestyle but feel overwhelmed by nutrition science, histamines, or meal planning, let’s chat! I offer private consultations to help you thrive with personalized, evidence-based guidance.

👉 Book your complimentary 15-minute discovery call at synergynutrition.ca

Vegan Boss Resources

🛒 Supplements: Visit my Online Store for 100% vegan, carefully curated supplements. Ships across Canada + 10% off everything, always.

👕 Apparel: Wear the message. Check out Vegan Boss Apparel and follow @veganbossapparel.

🎧 Support the Show: Subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review if this episode resonated with you!

About Your Host

Shawna Barker is a nutritionist with a B.Sc. in Nutrition, vegan since 2002. With over 12 years of experience, she shares evidence-based insights to help you master plant-based living.

📩 Connect: DM me anytime @vegan_boss!