Plant Proof - Plant Based Nutrition & Inspirational Stories

In Episode #73, I sat down with Brian Turner (aka Brock Lee) to talk about his experience with acne. We delve into the reasons why he is grateful to acne, how his acne improved with dietary changes, bullying, body building, eating a pound of tofu a day for a month, and so much more. I’ve got to say, I have a real soft spot for Brian, and there’s a fair chance that after this episode you will too. His energy is contagious, and he really is an absolute breath of fresh air, bringing light moments to an often very dark and negative conversation to spread his message of compassion for all.   Enjoy, friends.   Simon Want to support the show?  The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out, and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also show your support by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and/or sharing your favourite episodes with your friends and family. Simon Hill, Msc, Bsc (Hons)  Creator of theproof.com and host of T

In Episode #72, I sat down with plant-based yogi Sjana Earp to chat about yoga, healing, transformation, and living with purpose. This is a different exchange to the more scientific episodes on this show, yet equally as informative and thought provoking in its own unique way.   Sjana shares her struggles with mental health – bullying, anxiety, and depression – and her strategies for overcoming negative feelings. We also discussed what yoga means to her, her relationship with food, and why she transitioned to a plant-based lifestyle. We cover a lot of topics in this conversation, including social media, what purpose is, breaking the stigma associated with mental health issues, and sustainability and looking after our planet.    Enjoy, friends.   Simon Want to support the show?  The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out, and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also show your support by leaving a review on the Apple Podca

In Episode #71, I sat down with one of the pioneers of lifestyle medicine, Dr Dean Ornish. Dr Ornish is best known for the randomised controlled trial ‘the Lifestyle Heart Trial’, where he was able to demonstrate that cardiovascular disease could not only be halted in its tracks but, in many cases, actually be reversed. In this exchange, we talked about why we see such a high rate of chronic disease in Western populations and the steps that you can take to genuinely take control of your health.   We discussed the Lifestyle Heart Trial and what we can learn from the intervention and results, as well as what’s causing cardiovascular disease in the first place and why some people refute the findings that associate saturated fat and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol with cardiovascular disease. Dr Ornish also shares his thoughts on the Atkins, keto, and paleo diets and what various approaches fail to address when it comes to healthy eating habits. You’ll also find out what he uses clinically and believes

In Episode #70, I sat down with gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz to talk about those who’ve quit their plant-based lifestyles and the gut-health issues they have described. This episode was inspired by a number of plant-based influencers who bailed on plant-based eating recently and reintroduced animal products back into their diet. I listened to all of their stories and noted many similar patterns, including that none of them were qualified in medicine, nutrition, or dietetics, and that many people in the comments were second-guessing their own diets. I don’t think everyone needs a degree to talk about a subject; however, we need to be careful how certain information is shared and who we, as individuals, go to for qualified information. So with that in mind, I thought it was really important for me to get a world-leading gastroenterologist on the show to make sense of what’s going on here.   The case study we discuss in this episode is 100% hypothetical. It’s the typical journey spoken about by these in

In Episode #69, I sat down with Red Bull athlete Patrick Seabase, who cycles over mountain passes involving gruelling climbs and steep descents on a bike that has one gear and no brakes, often reaching speeds close to 100 km/hr (62 mph). Yes – mind blowing! This is the first time Patrick has told his story on a podcast, so I was very honoured to have him on the show and am incredibly grateful to have this platform to share our conversation with you.   In this episode, we covered Patrick’s early years, being kicked out of home, and how he discovered his passion for cycling. He shares the type of bike he rides, what’s unique about it, and the concentration required to ride this bike and finding the ‘flow state’. We also talked about how his diet has changed over the years and why he was inspired to remove animal products from his plate.    Enjoy, friends.   Simon Want to support the show?  The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out, and enjoy

In Episode #68, I sat down with gastroenterologist Dr Sarina Pasricha to break down irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), an incredibly common condition that approximately 10–20% of adults suffer from.   Specifically, we cover the different types of IBS, how they present clinically, and how they’re diagnosed. Dr Pasricha also discusses the difference between healing and managing symptoms and shares her evidence-based approach for reducing IBS symptoms and the results she’s seen clinically. Of course, we talk about the low FODMAP diet, how it’s used incorrectly, and why it’s not Dr Pasricha’s first line of treatment for patients with IBS.    Enjoy, friends.   Simon Want to support the show?  The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out, and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also show your support by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and/or sharing your favourite episodes with your friends and family. Simon Hill, Msc,

In Episode #66, I sat down with Adam Sud, a tremendously brave young man who turned his life around from the lowest of lows by discovering his ‘true why’ and mastering the practice of self-love. From disordered eating and being overweight to rehabilitation, recovery, and self-love, he’s been on a remarkable journey.   Adam’s story is tremendously powerful, and one that I feel incredibly privileged to be able to share with you. Today, Adam is helping save people’s lives across the world through his work with Whole Foods Market, his public speaking, his role as a diabetes and food addiction coach, and his upcoming clinical trial, the INFINITE Study – exploring the effects of a nutrient-dense diet and nutrition education in early addiction recovery. I have no doubt in my mind that by the end of this conversation you are going to absolutely fall in love with Adam; it’s impossible not to. I am incredibly grateful to call him a friend.    Enjoy, friends.   Simon Want to support the show?  The best way to support t

In Episode #65, I sat down with Drs Ayesha and Dean Sherzai, or Team Sherzai, who are neurologists from California. They are experts in the prevention of neurological degenerative disorders and authors of the well-known book The Alzheimer’s Solution.   In this conversation, we discussed why talking about lifestyle and degenerative neurological conditions is so important, what the science tells us about degenerative neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, and the underlying mechanisms and physiological risk factors that contribute to the development of these conditions. Dean and Ayesha shared the science they’re publishing and the work they’re doing at a community level, as well as the foods we should eat to reduce the chances of developing these conditions. To hear more from Drs Dean and Ayesha Sherzai, check out episodes #78, #97, #117, #126, #188, and #226.   Enjoy, friends.   Simon. Want to support the show?  The best way to support the show is to use the products and ser

In Episode #64, I sat down with Kieran De Visser, founder of the not-for-profit organisation Endurothon Oz, which aims to stop plastic pollution at its source. Kieran will be cycling, kayaking, and running 25,000 km across Australia to raise awareness for this campaign and raise $1 million to clean our oceans. What a goal that is!   What I find really interesting about Kieran’s story is not only his desire to help the planet, but the fact that the source of his inspiration came from a time in his life where he could have easily put his own best interests first. Listen to the episode to find out about Kieran’s backstory, how he became inspired to raise awareness about plastic pollution, and a whole lot more. I love celebrating stories of young people doing inspirational things to help better our home – and that’s what this episode is all about.    Enjoy, friends.   Simon Want to support the show?  The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out,

In Episode #63, I sat down with Australian athlete, media personality, podcaster, and health advocate Katie Williams to chat about social media and controlling our environment to stay present, live in reality, and essentially optimise our life for happiness.   As well as discussing Katie’s own experiences with social media and how she creates boundaries and healthy habits, we also discuss big topics and questions – such as whether social media is an addiction, impressionable age groups and social media, and the pros and cons of social media. I hope you enjoy this episode, friends. It’s a little different to previous ones, but so relevant to the world that we find ourselves in.    Enjoy, friends.   Simon Want to support the show?  The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out, and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also show your support by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and/or sharing your favourite episodes wi

In Episode #62, I sat down with exercise physiologist, and lover of all things health and wellness, Drew Harrisberg. We discussed Drew’s journey with type 1 diabetes and how various dietary frameworks – paleo, keto, and low-fat, plant-based diets – have affected his blood sugar, insulin requirements, and overall well-being.   Among many other things, we discussed why sugar shouldn’t be blamed for type 2 diabetes, myths and misconceptions about the keto diet, and the importance of keeping healthy carbohydrates like unrefined grains and legumes in the diet. This episode is for absolutely everyone, not just folks with diabetes. Drew is a wealth of knowledge and, through his regular blood-glucose monitoring, has so much objective insight into how food affects our bodies at the cellular level each and every day. Above all, he’s a super honest and articulate fella who just wants to help people realise true health. For more insights and reflections, visit The Proof website for the full show notes.    Enjoy, friends

In Episode #61, I sat down with founder of the Paddison Program, Clint Paddison, to chat about his journey with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and how he was able to completely reverse his symptoms and regain full mobility in his joints.   In this episode, we cover acne, antibiotics, and Clint’s development of RA; what RA is, including the definition of auto-immune diseases; typical drugs and prognosis for RA; and the lifestyle changes he made and how that affected his pain and mobility. We also talked about why this lifestyle information isn’t being shared by most rheumatologists, and what results he’s seeing from his work in the Paddison Program. He shared some specific food recommendations too! Follow the Paddison Program on Instagram.    Enjoy, friends.   Simon Want to support the show?  The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out, and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also show your support by leaving a review on the A

In Episode #60, I sat down with fellow Australian and ocean lover Ziggy Alberts (@ziggyalberts). At just 24 years of age, Ziggy has quickly forged his way to recognition as one of Australia’s leading young artists in the music industry. The coolest thing? Ziggy’s voice is just as powerful, if not more so, off the stage, where he shares his love and passion for protecting the environment and being a positive role model for the youth of today. In this episode, we chatted about Ziggy’s journey from busking up and down the East Coast of Australia to selling out thirty-four shows, including one for 5000 people at Festival Hall in Melbourne, as well as his passion for the environment, particularly the ocean. Friends, this conversation is a little different to previous episodes of The Proof podcast, with a real focus on how Ziggy has forged his career and why he is passionate about protecting the environment. For more insights and reflections, visit The Proof website for the full show notes.    Enjoy, friends.   Sim

In Episode #59, I sat down with Dr Renae Thomas, MD, a physician working in Loma Linda, California, one of the ‘Blue Zone’ areas that display incredible longevity and high quality of life. This is a really important podcast; sometimes in nutritional science, we can become too reductionist and zoom in on potential mechanisms without appreciating the complexities of human beings. Observational data from people displaying longevity, happiness, and a high quality of life serve as a reminder that sometimes we need to zoom out and look to those who are living proof of what it means to be healthy. For more insights and reflections, visit The Proof website for the full show notes.    Enjoy, friends.   Simon Want to support the show?  The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out, and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also show your support by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and/or sharing your favourite episodes with

In Episode #58, I sat down with one of the pioneers of lifestyle medicine, Dr Neal Barnard, to break down the process by which people become insulin resistant and how we can eat to avoid or even reverse type 2 diabetes. Neal covers his clinical experience with type 2 diabetes, the clinical trials on type 2 diabetes and nutrition he has run and published, how Atkins/ketogenic/low-carb diets can affect type 2 diabetes, and – importantly – the idea of reversing type 2 diabetes   We also cover plenty of other interesting topics, such as cheese and disease, carbohydrates and sugar (thermic effect), intramyocellular lipids, coconut and palm oil, calcium as an important nutrient, and much more! For more insights and reflections, visit The Proof website for the full show notes.    Enjoy, friends.   Simon Want to support the show?  The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out, and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also show you

In Episode #57, I sat down with Carly Taylor and James Aspey to talk about animal activism and the importance of being patient, kind, and understanding when communicating the plant-based message. For those of you who may be more interested in the health aspects of a plant-based lifestyle, or perhaps see people following a plant-based lifestyle as extreme, I urge you to listen to this conversation – I think it just may give you a different view.   In this 2.5-hour episode, we cover strategies for talking to others about the ethics of a plant-based lifestyle; human rights, mental health, animal health and rights, and planetary health; the idea of ‘humane’ slaughter* – organic, free-range, cage-free, etc.; and the packaging and marketing of animal products. Listen for tips and inspiration on fuelling yourself with plants this year, with options for everyone (junk food versus whole food), and a plethora of resources to refer to for more information and inspiration.   *NOTE: Although this episode doesn’t go into a

In Episode #56, I sat down with gastroenterologist Dr Alan Desmond to talk about restoring and maintaining good digestive health with healthy eating habits. With digestive health issues such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), coeliac disease, and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) on the rise globally, understanding how to take control of your own gut health is enormously important.   This episode is full of scientific evidence to support health eating habits, including specific studies on IBD and a whole-food, plant-based diet. Find out what foods Alan recommends his patients and the general population eat more and less of, and how the typical western diet compares to the optimal diet for good gut health. We discussed a whole host of topics, including various mainstream eating trends (such as paleo and keto), lectins and the ‘Plant Paradox’, probiotics and prebiotics, and much more. It’s a jam-packed episode, friends, and I recommend listening with a notepad on han

In Episode #55, I sat down with superstar Adidas trainer Tanya Poppett to talk about her journey into the world of health and fitness. In particular, we discussed her relationship with food and exercise in her teenage years, when she felt a lot of pressure about her appearance. She shared how her challenges with body image as a teenager spurred her on to become the woman she is today.   Listen to find out what Tanya thought about people following a plant-based lifestyle before making changes to her own plate, and how her change in diet was received by her partner and family. Tanya also shares her philosophy on exercise, training, and creating healthy habits, and the importance of being open minded when it comes to the way we live our lives.    Enjoy, friends.   Simon Want to support the show?  The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out, and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also show your support by leaving a review o

In Episode #54, I sat down with Erin Ireland to talk about why she personally transitioned to a plant-based lifestyle and how this affected her business. This was a fascinating discussion about why Erin eventually changed the foods on her plate, how it’s been for her talking to friends and family about the benefits of plant-based foods, and how her personal lifestyle changes have influenced those around her.   One of the big changes for Erin was to her baking business, and she shared the biggest hurdles she faced during her personal and business transition. In this episode, expect to hear tips for transitioning to plant-based foods and for being an advocate of a plant-based lifestyle, as well as the common questions Erin gets about Roen’s diet, including supplements, foods, breastfeeding, etc. For more insights and reflections, visit The Proof website for the full show notes.    Enjoy, friends.   Simon Want to support the show?  The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by

In Episode #53, I sat down with Torre Washington to talk about his journey, how he got into bodybuilding, and what it’s like being a plant-based bodybuilder. We intended to record this episode in the USA; however, our worlds collided a little earlier than planned, so we recorded it in Byron Bay. As well as discussing some of the places we ate during our time in Byron Bay, we dove into Torre’s childhood years, his bloodlines, and what the Rastafari culture means to him. We talked about his journey to becoming a pro bodybuilder; his diet, past and present (and yes, I asked the infamous question about protein); and coexisting with people who don’t follow plant-based diets.    Enjoy, friends.   Simon Want to support the show?  The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out, and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also show your support by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and/or sharing your favourite episodes with you