In Episode #205, I sit down with Dr Andrew Huberman to discuss the nervous system and how lifestyle choices impact your brain. As a neuroscientist and tenured professor at Stanford University, Dr Huberman has made numerous significant contributions to the field of brain development, brain function, and neural plasticity. In this episode, we break down the basics before moving on to the impact of specific lifestyle decisions and behaviours. We cover what neuroscience is and why it’s important, co...
May 09, 2022•3 hr 37 min•Season 1Ep. 206
In Episode #204, I’m joined by leading researchers Dr Emily Manoogian and Dr Courtney Peterson. Drs Emily and Courtney both research the way food timing interacts with the body, focusing on time-restricted eating (TRE). In this episode, we approach the topic with a key question: is there any advantage of time-restricted eating other than helping people eat fewer calories to achieve a healthy body weight? You’ll learn the specifics of what TRE is, the purported benefits, what we know, and what we...
May 04, 2022•2 hr 18 min•Season 1Ep. 205
In Episode #203, I welcome Drew Harrisberg back to the show for another episode to discuss a variety of topics, from the Hadza tribe and their diet to the importance of movement throughout the day. There’s a lot to learn in Episode #203. We discuss red meat consumption and associated health outcomes, sleep and insulin resistance, and the dietary pattern of the Hadza tribe. We also cover the importance of maintaining activity levels throughout the day and tips to incorporate movement in environme...
May 02, 2022•3 hr 41 min•Season 1Ep. 204
In Episode #202, I’m joined by Drs Erica and Justin Sonnenburg to learn more about microbes and the gut microbiome. This episode, we recap (or introduce for new listeners) what microbes are and what the microbiome is. Then we dive into a more in-depth conversation about evolution and the microbiome, the impacts of industrialisation on the gut, and what inflammation really means for human health. You’ll learn about probiotics; microbiome diversity; the relationship between microbiota and disease;...
Apr 25, 2022•2 hr 57 min•Season 1Ep. 203
In Episode #201, I welcome Dr Jed Fahey to The Proof to discuss phytochemicals and their impacts on human health. As a nutritional biochemist with an impressive resume, Dr Fahey is well positioned to educate on this incredibly interesting topic. In this episode, we really dig into phytochemicals (also called phytonutrients). As well as hearing about Dr Fahey’s background, you’ll learn more about what phytochemicals are, what we know and don’t know about them, and to what extent they form an impo...
Apr 18, 2022•2 hr 50 min•Season 1Ep. 202
In Episode #200, Drew Harrisberg joins me for the first episode of a new era: The Proof. On this episode, we discuss blood glucose, CGMs, meat and longevity, evolving the podcast, and more. Drew will be a regular guest on The Proof, sitting down with me every month or so. Specifically, we cover: Caffeine & blood glucose (0:39) CGMs for managing diabetes (9:29) Interpreting data from CGMs (19:09) Evolving the Plant Proof Podcast (40:09) Claims that meat extends lifespan (1:08:22) The fructose con...
Apr 11, 2022•2 hr 20 min•Season 1Ep. 201
Join me in Episode #199, the last episode of Plant Proof and the start of a new chapter. Listen to my learnings from the past years with Plant Proof, why it’s time for this change and find out about exciting things on the horizon, for me and you. Specifically, I talk about: An in person event I’m hosting May 30th – June 5th 3 of the my favourite highlights from the last 4 years of Plant Proof The silliest nutrition topic I see people fussing over The new show name and what to expect of the new s...
Apr 08, 2022•29 min•Season 1Ep. 200
In Episode #198, Dr Nagra returns for part two of our deep dive into soy and its impact on human health. In this episode we investigate more of the evidence, exploring soy’s relationship to cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, Type 2 diabetes, bone health, muscle, and strength. Specifically, we cover: How soy foods effect biomarkers of disease (11:15) Cardiovascular factors and why soy may have favourable health outcomes (23:00) Soy, insulin resistance, and Type 2 diabetes (30:00) Soy and...
Mar 29, 2022•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 199
In Episode #197, Dr Matthew Nagra shares his evidence-based knowledge on soy and its relationship to cancer and hormones. Soy’s health benefits are hotly contested online, from claims that soy causes cancer to accounts of men experiencing feminisation. There is an array of misinformation and poorly interpreted studies that slander soy, and today Dr Nagra helps clear the confusion on this highly debated topic. Specifically, we cover: What soy is What phytoestrogens are and their effects on hormon...
Mar 21, 2022•1 hr 23 min•Season 1Ep. 198
In Episode #196 I’m joined by Dr Nitu Bajekal to discuss PCOS and how to manage it. Hormonal health is an area that is often underdiagnosed, undertreated, and stigmatised. Dr Nitu Bajekal has dedicated her career to helping people manage their hormonal and reproductive health, and in this episode we deep dive into her wealth of knowledge on PCOS. Specifically, we cover: What PCOS is and its prevalence (7:15) Diagnosis criteria and symptoms (24:45) Defining and approaching insulin resistance (41:...
Mar 14, 2022•2 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 197
There are a myriad of defining factors linking the way we eat to the way we experience health. Regulating blood sugar and hunger hormones help form these, and Kelly LeVeque uses her platform to educate and inform people on how to eat to feel fuelled and grounded. Kelly is a holistic nutritionist, wellness expert, celebrity health coach, and bestselling author of Body Love and Body Love Every Day. With a background in cancer and genetics research, Kelly returned to study a postgraduate degree in ...
Mar 07, 2022•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 196
In Episode #194, I had the great pleasure of sitting down with Professors David Raubenheimer and Stephen J. Simpson. For over thirty years, David and Stephen, leading researchers from the University of Sydney, have been studying how nature can teach us about the science of healthy eating: how and why we eat, how appetites are fed and regulated, and how, in the end, it all comes back to five appetites. Topics covered include how Steve and David’s ‘Eat Like the Animals’ project came about, the fin...
Feb 27, 2022•1 hr 24 min•Season 1Ep. 195
In Episode #193, I sat down with registered dietitian Taylor Wolfram to talk about diet culture, intuitive eating, and ways to build a healthier relationship with food. We discussed Taylor’s journey to discovering a passion for nutrition and plant-based eating, her approach for achieving the best health outcomes for her patients, and what it means to have a healthy relationship with food. Our conversation covered disordered eating, diet culture, intuitive eating, the perception of a plant-based ...
Feb 21, 2022•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 194
In Episode #192, I sat down with Carleigh Bodrug, author of the new plant-based cook book Plant You, to talk about simple ways to eat more plants for a healthier and happier life. Carleigh shared how she manages her busy life, her experience during the pandemic, why and how her family changed their diet, and her recommendations for transitioning to a plant-based diet. You’ll also find out about the toughest meal to turn plant-based, the cost of eating plant-based, how to cover nutritional needs ...
Feb 14, 2022•1 hr 22 min•Season 1Ep. 193
In Episode #191, I sat down with Stanford University Professors Dr Christopher Gardner and Dr Justin Sonnenburg to talk about fermented foods, fibre, gut health, and immunity. This conversation was organised following the results of their latest randomised controlled trial, ‘gut-microbiota-targeted diets modulate human immune status’, which was published in Cell Press in 2021. Listen to this episode to find out about what defines a healthy microbiome, what we can learn from studying the microbio...
Feb 07, 2022•2 hr 38 min•Season 1Ep. 192
In Episode #190, I sat down with Professor Stuart Phillips to discuss the importance of exercise, nutrition, and recovery in building muscle and improving strength: a pursuit that’s important not only to bodybuilders and athletes but to all of us wishing to maintain a high quality of life as we age. In this episode, we covered the importance of fitness and resistance training for healthy ageing, what happens at the cellular level during resistance training and muscle growth, and the key aspects ...
Jan 31, 2022•2 hr 41 min•Season 1Ep. 191
In Episode #189, I sat down with Gemma Newman, MD, to talk about all things menopause. This episode covers what menopause is, its stages, why it occurs, its common symptoms and associated symptoms (such as bone mineral density loss and cardiovascular disease), and lifestyle changes that can help with menopause symptoms. For example, we discussed how to reduce symptoms with diet; the importance of healthy fats, fibre, and protein; iron and iodine needs during menopause; supplement recommendations...
Jan 23, 2022•2 hr 44 min•Season 1Ep. 190
In Episode #188, a throwback to previous episodes, we hear from neurologists Dean and Ayesha Sherzai on building a lifestyle that promotes brain health. Topics covered include the optimal daily routine for brain health, nutrition for brain health, healthy fats and the ketogenic diet, depression and the importance of a lifestyle approach, and tips for reducing stress and creating clarity for your mind. To hear more from Drs Dean and Ayesha Sherzai, check out episodes #65, #78, #97, #117, #126, an...
Jan 20, 2022•33 min•Season 1Ep. 189
In Episode #187, I sat down with Megan Lee to talk about food and mental health. Megan is a career researcher, scientist, and academic at Bond University on the Gold Coast here in Australia. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychological science (with honours) and her PhD in nutritional psychiatry is currently under examination. She has published research on food and mood, body image, disordered eating, dietary patterns, mental health, and occupational stress in academia. Following some back-and-f...
Jan 16, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 188
In Episode #186, a condensed throwback to Episode #15, we hear from chef Derek Sarno. Derek is the co-founder of Wicked Kitchen – a food company offering plant-based food in major grocery outlets throughout the UK, Ireland, and the USA. Wicked Kitchen also has thousands of plant-based recipes available online. 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 ...
Jan 11, 2022•27 min•Season 1Ep. 187
In Episode #185, I sat back down with Nimai Delgado to continue our ongoing conversation about training, nutrition, supplementation, and life in general. We chatted about Nimai’s current workout routine, how to choose an appropriate weight, how to train for failure, how to find the techniques that work for you, and optimal training for building muscle. We also covered the importance of protein in Nimai’s diet, his supplement routine, and his experimentation with saunas and ice baths. I hope you ...
Jan 09, 2022•1 hr 27 min•Season 1Ep. 186
In Episode #184, a condensed throwback to Episode #13 in 2018, we hear from Max La Manna on his decision to adopt a plant-based diet and why we should care about food waste. 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 episod...
Dec 26, 2021•27 min•Season 1Ep. 185
In Episode #183, I sat down with the iconic and eloquent Ed Winters, aka Earthling Ed, to chat about all things plant based. In this conversation, we covered Ed’s time holding university debates, how he stays calm in his conversations, and what he thinks about a more aggressive approach to activism. We also discussed Ed’s journey from vegetarian to plant-based eating, factory farming, our relationship with animals and the ways we devalue them, Ed’s response to the most common arguments against p...
Dec 19, 2021•2 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 184
In Episode #182, a condensed throwback to Episode #54, we hear from Erin Ireland about transitioning her business to a plant-based company. This episode covers how Erin started a successful bakery business from her apartment, why she started her plant-based lifestyle, her experience feeding her daughter, the cost of vegan food, and how to go vegan. 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 s...
Dec 16, 2021•30 min•Season 1Ep. 183
In Episode #181, I sat down with physician and lipid specialist Dr Spencer Nadolsky to talk about cholesterol, ketogenic diets, and cardiovascular disease. We discussed what lipids and lipoproteins are, what causes atherosclerosis (a condition involving the build-up of plaque within the arteries), the difference between apolipoprotein B and low-density lipoprotein, and how these proteins relate to atherosclerosis. You’ll also hear about Dr Nadolsky’s pilot study of diet-induced hypercholesterole...
Dec 13, 2021•2 hr 56 min•Season 1Ep. 182
In Episode #180, a condensed throwback to Episode #32, we hear from chef Gaz Oakley on why he changed his diet and his approach to cooking. In our conversation, Gaz shared how he found his passion for cooking and how cooking traditional food has helped him to create vegan recipes. You’ll also hear about how he was able to quit his full-time job to work on the Avant Garde Vegan Instagram and YouTube, his philosophy when it comes to social media, his recipe creation process, and his goals for the ...
Dec 07, 2021•39 min•Season 1Ep. 181
In Episode #179, I sat down with Doug Evans, serial entrepreneur and author of The Sprout Book, to chat about his journey in business – specifically his time building Organic Avenue and the rise and fall of the highly publicised Silicon Valley start-up Juicero. We also discussed how Doug discovered a passion for sprouts and cold-pressed juices, his family health issues and his diet prior to switching to a plant-based lifestyle, and what led him to a raw plant-based diet. Doug is a close friend w...
Dec 02, 2021•2 hr 25 min•Season 1Ep. 180
In Episode #178, a condensed throwback to Episode #112, we hear from Harvard-trained psychologist Dr Melanie Joy about food ideology and speciesism. This episode focuses on effectively communicating the message of following a plant-based lifestyle from a psychological perspective. Melanie shared her insights into cognitive dissonance, why people may react negatively to the plant-based message, and why the common arguments and approaches can push people in the opposite direction. If you want to k...
Nov 29, 2021•52 min•Season 1Ep. 179
In Episode #177, I sat down with filmmaker Sanjay Rawal to talk about his film Gather, which documents the growing movement among Native Americans to reclaim their spiritual, political, and cultural identities through food sovereignty. In our conversation, we covered the story behind Gather, the evolution of the food system and how it has affected indigenous communities, the exploitation of the natural environment in the United States by European settlers in the 1850s, regenerative agriculture, ...
Nov 21, 2021•2 hr 35 min•Season 1Ep. 178
In Episode #176, I sat down with world-renowned chef, agent of change, and entrepreneur Matthew Kenney to talk about his journey and how chefs are in a prime position to help the world make better food choices. I hope you enjoy the episode. 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 grea...
Nov 14, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 177
