Plant Proof - Plant Based Nutrition & Inspirational Stories

In Episode #100, I sat down with Drew Harrisberg to talk about the first 100 episodes of this show and some of the most important takeaways for me so far, particularly in regard to human and planetary health. We also delve into the current circumstances that we all find ourselves in and reflect on our personal experiences and learnings thus far. While this free-flowing chat between two mates is exactly as I imagined and the perfect summary for the first 100 episodes, the unplanned nature of it does mean that we jump around a little bit. But for those willing to look past that, I think there is some thought-provoking material inside for everyone.   Thank you for all your support. I really do appreciate all of you, and I look forward to bringing you another 100 episodes!    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

In Episode 99 I sit down for a second time with ultra athlete Rich Roll to talk about the humble beginnings of his show, which is now one of the world's leading podcasts in the education and wellness space, and what it feels like to have now released over 500 episodes into the wild. We cover a bunch of other topics too, including overcoming adversity and seeking out new challenges, that I think you will also find interesting. Of course anyone who know's Rich will be familiar with how beautifully he's able to articulate his experiences, thoughts and learnings for us all to benefit from. A craft of his that no doubt comes with decades of introspection and self work, and years behind the microphone conversing with a diverse range of interesting guests. Please also note, as mentioned in the introduction this was recorded before LA went into social isolation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. So if you see videos of us online from this episode, they were shot well and truly before there was any advice to prac

In Episode #98, I sat down with Harvard professor Dr David Sinclair, PhD, to discuss the information theory of ageing, and in particular how we can slow down and perhaps even reverse the ageing process. In this conversation, we discussed chronological versus biological age, the role of genetics versus epigenetics in the ageing process, how long he thinks we may be able to live for, how our nutrition and other lifestyle factors affect the ageing process, and more.   This is a deep dive into the underlying mechanisms that take place on a cellular level as we age. It’s an exchange that I thoroughly enjoyed, and I hope you do too. Of course, in two hours it’s hard to cover the topic of ageing in its entirety, so I look forward to having David back on the podcast to dive even deeper in the future. You can also grab a copy of his book Lifespan online or in most book stores – it’s a fascinating read. Connect with David on Instagram or Twitter.    Enjoy, friends.   Simon Want to support the show?  The best way to su

In Episode #97, I sat back down with Drs Dean and Ayesha Sherzai to talk about strokes – we discussed the different types of strokes (ischemic and haemorrhagic), the prevalence of strokes, risk factors for strokes, eating to lower your stroke risk, and much more. I love these guys; they are absolutely brilliant, and I am sure you will think so too.    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 The Proof with Simon Hill  Author of The Proof is in the Plants  Watch the episodes on YouTube, or Listen on Apple/Spotify  Connect with me on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook  Download my complimentary two week meal plan and high protein pla

In Episode #96, I sat down for a catch up with plant-based pro bodybuilder Nimai Delgado. Having recently been in Los Angeles for almost 3 weeks, it was great to catch up with Nimai and hear how things have been with him since our previous episodes. This one’s quite a casual conversation with no real direction, as I already covered his story back in Episode #3. But if you know of Nimai, you’ll be well aware of what a breath of fresh air his humble and gracious personality is. I certainly love catching up with him and am grateful to have him as a good friend.   Some of the things we cover in this relatively shorter episode are bits and pieces about The Game Changers, his current training programme, paying the rent with cardio, his business interests, his daily rituals, training Lewis Hamilton, and 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 o

In Episode #95, I sat down with Whitney English, registered dietician, to talk about plant-based nutrition during pregnancy, infancy, and breastfeeding (lactation). Whitney, along with her partner Alex (also a registered dietician), are the founders of Plant-Based Juniors – an online resource that brings evidence-based nutrition information specific to these stages of life to the public.   In this episode, we covered the benefits of a plant-based diet during pregnancy and infancy; specific nutrients of focus during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and infancy, including recommendations for supplementation; and breast milk versus formula and different formula options. We also discussed introducing solids, picky eaters, and much more. This is an episode I have wanted to do for a couple of years now. It’s quite a comprehensive conversation, so if this is a topic that’s relevant to you, I highly recommend grabbing a pen and paper and listening in a quiet, comfortable space free from distractions. For more insights and

In Episode #94, I sat down with Cyrus Khambatta, PhD, and Robby Barbaro, MPH, for a second episode – this time for a deep dive into the plant-based ketogenic diet and whether or not it’s a good option for people with insulin resistance and diabetes. We talked about why a low-carb diet is popular for diabetics and frequently recommended by doctors, and Cyrus and Robby shared the philosophy of the high-carb Mastering Diabetes program.   We also discussed a new 2019 study looking at a traditional ketogenic diet, whether a ketogenic diet can truly reverse diabetes, who may be suited to a plant-based ketogenic diet, and much more. Whether you have diabetes or not, I think you will still find this episode interesting. Plus, with the rates of diabetes skyrocketing (particularly prediabetes and type 2 diabetes) it’s highly likely that most people listening will know someone who is affected by this disease. Stick around until the end for my summary where I bring together the take-home messages. For more insights and

In Episode #93, I sat down again with Sean Ryan to check in and see how he’s doing with his transition to a plant-based lifestyle. We picked up from where we left things in Episode #89 and reviewed his pretransition baseline blood work, and then spent the majority of the episode talking through cholesterol and how we can use diet to affect our cholesterol levels. At the end, we also touched on meal prep, handling social conversations, and a few other questions that Sean had since our last episode together.   Whether you are thinking about transitioning to a plant-based diet, are currently transitioning, or already eat a plant-based diet, I think you will take something away from both today’s episode and Episode #89. 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/f

In Episode #92, I sat down with Australian environmentalist James Stanton Cooke, or ‘Jimmy Halfcut’, to talk about the role that our rainforests play in keeping our climate cool. I met James a few months ago at a charity night in Bondi, and with the fires currently burning across Australia, I couldn’t help but think this was the perfect time to sit down and talk about mother nature.   Listen to hear Jimmy and I discuss the importance of rainforest preservation, as well as Australian wildfires, controlled burning, hazard reduction, circulation burning, regenerative agriculture, and Australia’s energy situation with regard to coal and renewables. You’ll also hear Jimmy share some practical things you can do to lower your environmental footprint. 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 s

In Episode #91, it’s you and me again for another solo episode of The Proof podcast. As usual, this episode – focused on weight loss – is about clearing confusion, breaking down the science, and giving you practical tips to hopefully allow you to lead a healthier, more sustainable, and happier lifestyle. I focus in on social media and body image, what dietary patterns are best for weight loss, and other aspects to consider when it comes to trying to lose weight.   This episode is not about obsessing over belly rolls or cellulite. My aim is to bring you the science without the fads, quick fixes, or anything else that gets you reaching for your wallet – I simply want you to understand what factors affect your body weight so you can be empowered to take control of your health. That said, I do understand that our food system is set up in a way that makes it hard to lose weight; the cheapest and most convenient foods are usually the unhealthiest. So by no means do I want you to feel any less of yourself if you are

In Episode #90, I sat down with former president of the American College of Cardiology, Dr Kim Williams, to discuss the role that our diet plays in preventing, suspending, and reversing cardiovascular disease. While many of us see heart attacks and strokes as ‘inevitable’ and a ‘normal’ part of getting old, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Many populations with different diets are significantly less likely to develop cardiovascular disease. Observational science and controlled trials both point to a predominantly or exclusively plant-based diet as the ultimate way to reduce risk of cardiovascular disease.   If you want to know what foods are causing your arteries to ‘clog’ and how to avoid this, then I highly recommend listening to this exchange. Kim is an absolute wealth of knowledge, and unlike so much of what you see on social media these days, his stance is based on hard evidence from all different levels of scientific investigation. For more insights and reflections, visit The Proof website for

In Episode #89, I sat down with a long-time friend of mine, Sean Ryan. Sean and I recently caught up for dinner, and he expressed interest in changing his lifestyle. One particular reason is that cardiovascular disease runs in his family, and he ticks quite a few of the boxes when it comes to modifiable risk factors for having a heart attack or stroke.   In fact, Sean has been contemplating and embarking on lifestyle changes for the better part of a year with mixed results. He cannot help but feel confused by all of the mixed messages across the internet and among health professionals in his community. As a result, he’s been left feeling disempowered and unsure what to do. As Sean and I got talking during our dinner, I realised how valid his questions were and suggested that we share our conversations and his journey to better health as a series on this show to hopefully inspire others. He generously agreed, and here we are – the first of a handful of episodes with Sean. It’s a slightly different format that

In Episode #88, I sat down with Seb Alex to discuss the importance of animal welfare and what life looks like through the lens of an animal activist. I understand that the topic of animal welfare is often a little uncomfortable (I totally get it), and perhaps you hold the stereotypical view of animal activists as being angry, weird, and violent. I know I used to. But Seb is anything but that, and I urge all of you, plant-based eaters or not, to listen to this conversation with an open mind. Even if you’re not interested in a plant-based lifestyle, it’s interesting to listen to what people from different walks of life have to say.   In this episode, Seb and I discuss normalising plant-based diets and what Seb thinks about the Impossible Burger and large chains like Hungry Jacks who have added plant-based burgers onto their menu. We also tackle some big questions like what counts as a sentient being, whether there are different levels of sentience, what speciesism is, and whether ‘humane slaughter’ exists. For

In Episode #87, I sat down with Marie Fe and Jake Snow, who are arguably two of the most inspiring individuals that I’ve come across in using social media to build a powerful community with purpose. It was a pleasure to sit down with them, share their story, talk about various aspects of their lives, and celebrate the positives of using social media.   Listen to hear about their backstories, how they met, how they funded their first travels, and the inspiration behind their transition to a plant-based diet. We also chatted about the evolution of their social media content and why they feel the desire to share information about important global issues.    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

In Episode #86, I sat down with AFL player Chris Mayne to talk about his transition to a plant-based diet as a professional athlete. Chris plays for the Collingwood Football Club, the largest club in Australia, and in the past few years has been able to take his game to the next level.   In this episode, we cover the ups and downs of Chris’s career, when and why he changed his diet, and the impact this had on his life and football. Chris shares his typical day of eating, some advice for other young players, and much more.    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 The Proof with Simon Hill  Author of The Proof is in the Plants

In Episode #85, I sat down with plant-based Australian track athlete Catriona Bisset, who currently holds the national record for the 800m event. If you haven’t heard of Catriona, chances are you will very soon – seemingly coming out of nowhere, she is now destined to represent Australia at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.   In this episode, we talked about Catriona’s journey from a young track athlete and the pressures she faced, through her struggles with anxiety, depression, and disordered eating, to how and why she adopted a plant-based diet. She shares the ins and outs of her diet and how she has worked on it to improve her well-being and performance. And, of course, we talk about her amazing achievement of setting the Australian national record for the 800m event and her future as an Olympic hopeful and a voice for positive change. 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

In Episode #84, it’s you and me again for another solo episode of The Proof podcast. As usual, this episode is about clearing up confusion, breaking down the science, and giving you practical tips to hopefully allow you to lead a healthier, more sustainable, and happier lifestyle.   In this episode, I cover recent headlines about the dangers of ‘fake’ or ‘mock’ meats, Formula 1 driver Romaine Grosjean’s comments about a vegan diet and endurance performance, a recent article in the Global Environmental Change journal that was covered in a somewhat misleading fashion by HuffPost, and some tips for building a healthy plant-based diet. Of course, I could talk about building a plant-based diet for hours and hours, so in this episode I focused on some of the top principles and myths about a plant-based diet that I most wanted to get across so you can set yourself up for success. For more insights and reflections, visit The Proof website for the full show notes.    Enjoy, friends.   Simon Want to support the show?

In Episode #83, a very good friend of mine, Drew Harrisberg, returned to the show to talk about hidden agendas in science and the media, with specific reference to a few somewhat dangerous trends we have noticed. In this unscripted exchange, Drew and I covered topics including the manipulation of science to produce favourable outcomes and the confusing and oversimplified messages we get from people of influence on social media.   We started by chatting about how Drew’s transition to a plant-based diet has played out since Episode 62. We then went on to discuss some specific studies and claims, such as Dr Mark Hyman’s confusing promotion of an extremely conflicted study on the ‘reversal of diabetes’ and Sarah Wilson’s claims about methane and the impact of animal agriculture on climate change. We also talked about the ‘If It Fits Your Macros’ and ‘calorie deficit’ ideologies and why these are oversimplifications – it is possible to look and feel good at the same time without needing to choose one or the other.

In Episode #82, I return from a small break and record the first ‘solo’ episode of The Proof podcast. Yes, that’s right, the first episode without a guest – just you and me.   In this episode, I explain why I took a short break from the podcast and the new direction for the show. You’ll also hear about my time in Bali and Sydney’s newest plant-based restaurant, Eden Bondi. And I discuss the recent media headlines about vegans needing to be careful about choline deficiency and about vegetarians and stroke risk. For both of these, I walk through what was reported and what the science actually says.    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

In Episode #81, I sat down with Dr Will Bulsiewicz for a second session of answering your gut health questions. All of the topics were suggestions from The Proof community – so firstly, thank you for contributing to this conversation by sending through such important questions. If you’re a regular listener and have tuned into previous episodes with Dr B (#17, #71, and #80), you’ll already know what a wealth of knowledge he is; Dr B is a board-certified gastroenterologist, having completed over 16 years of medical training to become an expert in all things gut health. So he is perfectly positioned to help us navigate tricky gut health questions and clear up some of the confusion.   In this episode, we cover a lot of really interesting gut health topics, such as the effect of the keto diet on the gut; dairy, probiotics, prebiotics (lactose), and gut health; intermittent fasting; prolonged juice or water fasting; breastfeeding and infant gut health, including the role of human oligosaccharides; antibiotics and g