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If you care deeply about animals, the planet, and your health—yet going vegan still feels overwhelming or, it’s just not sticking—this episode is for you.
Although I went vegan overnight – I had 23 years of figuring out how not to do a vegetarian lifestyle, before I made the change! And even then, I still made plenty of mistakes.
I made it harder than I needed too because I was terrified I’d “get it wrong” and make the lifestyle look unhealthy to all my non-vegan clients and colleagues.
Now 9+ years vegan, making this lifestyle stick feels as natural as breathing and utterly non-negotiable. I am fuelled by freedom and alignment, never restriction or fear.
This year it’s been my pleasure to start coaching clients who are vegan-at-heart and not yet, completely aligned in their daily actions.
In this episode I’m going to unpack Why this lifestyle change aligned with your heart – with so many benefits – can feel so impossibly tough and, How to swap struggle-street for simple, sustainable and joyfully aligned with YOU.
Whether you’re a family, focused foodie and you feel awkward about committing 100% and the impact this will have on your relationships, like my client Nathan.
Or whether you’ve been disappointed in expensive cookie-cutter vegan health coaching programs before that don’t take into account your specific food preference’s or exercise requirements, like Geetha.
Or if you’re used to putting everyone else’s needs before yours and can’t imagine how you might magic up more time – and energy – for a fairly daunting sounding lifestyle change, like Susan and Yessica…
My promise: If you love the sound of thriving eating plants – having the energy and confidence – feeling the certainty in your choices, and letting go of the heaviness of incongruence that weighs on us, when we love animals and eat animals… if that is something that feels right in your heart – I am 100% committed to helping you get there.
Let’s speak to the top three struggles most vegans-at-heart face.
One: Overwhelm from conflicting information.
If you’ve tried a vegan lifestyle before… and you got stuck in confusing nutrition advice, that is completely understandable. In fact, i would say it’s the conscious tactic of Big Meat, Big Dairy, Big Eggs and all the other behemoths who follow in the foot-steps of the Smoking industries campaign of confusion.
I’d been a personal trainer for 10 years before I became vegan. It was my job to stay fit and healthy, and yet I still believed the myth that soy would mimic estrogen and make my hips and thighs flabby. I also feared the carbs in lentils and inflicted low-carb vegan on myself for the first year.
Confusing nutrition advice aside, I want you to know: Veganism isn’t about being perfect—it’s about alignment, and one step at a time will get you there without the overwhelm. The first step? We’ll get to it soon! First, the second struggle most vegans-at-heart face….
Two: Social discomfort.
You don’t want to be the odd one out. Or cause unnecessary hassle for others. Potentially you have some really special family traditions – that centre around food – that you don’t want to break.
Completely understandable. Food is how humans connect. It’s one of the ways we show love. Some of my best memories revolve around food and stories shared with people I love. I imagine it’s the same for you?
Here’s the elephant in the room. If you’ve fearful of social discomfort as a vegan – you should be. I won’t lie to you.
Although, “anything can be vegan” and leading with deliciousness is perhaps the most effective way to advocate for the lifestyle. As I found when I “masterminded a vegan family Christmas” at my mums request around 7 years ago and that, was the tipping point for mum trying (then adopting!) the lifestyle….
For the loved one with an open heart, and an open mind – you might win them over with food. And yet for most people? It takes a patience, a compassion, a willingness to meet them where they are at, that continues to be the only hard part of this lifestyle for me.
If I’m hunting for the good? The conflict I’ve experienced and to a large degree overcome in relationships with non-vegan loved one, means I have an overflowing tool-box of effective strategies to share with you! We’ll get to a couple soon…
The third struggle most vegans-at-heart face,
Three: Fear of failure or doing it “wrong.”
As mentioned, I struggled with this the first year or so. I didn’t want to make the lifestyle look bad, because I was in it for the animals. Equally, if you’re making a lifestyle change for your health – or for the health of someone you love?
That could be huge pressure to, “do it right!”
Then, there’s the “vegan police.” You might dabble in eating more plant-based yet resist that “V” label because WOW, the backlash ex-vegans face is heavy and genuinely one of the things we really get wrong as a movement.
To address the fear? You can’t fail in my books. If your heart is open to trying a more vegan lifestyle, I’m on your team. I respect your choice to go against what is sadly normal in today’s society.
Equally, my first business taught me that vegan-cheesy old saying: “There’s no failure only feedback!” is true! Each attempt at something important to you, leaves you better prepared for the next attempt.
You learn what works for YOU. Also what doesn’t! Failure only happens when you give up on something that is important to you.
And with the right support, with the help of someone who’s on a mission to create a healthy, compassionate vegan world – there’s no reason to ever feel like giving up!
Let’s move from struggle to solution, with my 3-step Thrive with Plants framework. What I’ve seen work again and again, with any big lifestyle change – from my first ten years as a personal trainer to the past nine years as a vegan health coach – transformation is not about willpower or discipline or restriction—it’s about a simple, sustainable system built around Clarity, Confidence, and Consistency.
Let me walk you through it…
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CLARITY — Why you’re doing it, aligned with your values and your beliefs.
Beyond your Why, I’m talking huge emotionally intensity surrounding the life you’re looking to create and the positive impact it’ll have on you, the people you love, the animals and the planet.
Next we ensure alignment between that huge Why and your most important Values. The states you are naturally drawn to.
We must also ensure alignment with your Identity Beliefs. That’s anything that follow’s “I am…” and it is powerful.
This is what I call the, Stop Fighting You part of the process.
It is the foundation for your future ongoing success. It pulls you through on those struggle street days we all get. With time it’s what makes the lifestyle feel natural and sustainable. It just happens without effort or sacrifice.
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CONFIDENCE — The How: so far as food, mindset, social skills... and perhaps most importantly, a certainty of self and confidence in YOU.
My Thrive with Plants framework brings the same dedication, positivity, and personalised focus that fuelled my 19-year personal training career — now in the form of powerful, one-on-one online vegan health coaching.
While this short podcast can give you a little taste, I’m beyond excited to share that the beta version of my Thrive with Plants: 30-Day Transformation is now live.
This is personal. Just you and me.
Together, we’ll uncover what’s been keeping you stuck, build lasting clarity and confidence, and create sustainable habits that nourish you — body, mind, and soul.
You’ll learn how to build delicious, nutrient-rich plant-based meals tailored to your preferences, goals, time, budget, and lifestyle. We’ll dive into the mindset and habits that make this way of living feel sustainable and joyful.
We’ll also build the confidence to live in full alignment with your values, while maintaining harmony in relationships with non-vegan loved ones. Maybe that means a total food diary reset, a new workout routine (gym or home), or a deep focus on self-belief and connection. Likely, it’ll be a mix of all that — and more.
The beauty of a beta program? I meet you where you most need me.
And the beauty of working with me? I lead with laser focus and relentless passion for helping create a kinder, more compassionate vegan world.
Your success is part of that.
Wherever you are on your plant-based journey, I’ll meet you there — and walk with you, step by step, at your pace. With a total commitment to helping you thrive.
Once we’ve created Clarity and Confidence… the final piece is —
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CONSISTENCY — Support, accountability, and building systems that make your healthy vegan lifestyle feel natural — like second nature.
Consistency is where the magic happens — and it’s also where most people struggle.
Now, I’ll be honest: I’m a consistency queen… almost to a fault! I love structure, routines, and systems — and I can’t wait to share the strategies that have helped me and so many others stay on track without burning out.
In fact, I created a dedicated Consistency Framework just for this program.
We’ll walk through:
How to create and maintain an environment that sets you up for success.
How to condition your mindset so that consistency becomes easier over time.
Your unique Personal Success Formula — so you always know what works for you.
And your Back on Track Strategy — because life will throw curveballs, and we’re planning for that too.
One of the biggest surprises since launching Thrive with Plants?
The response to the 30-day WhatsApp support has been amazing.
So many of us already know what to do — but having someone there, daily, who’s genuinely in your corner? That changes everything.
Whether it’s sending me your food pics (seriously, these make my day!), celebrating a win, or needing support after a tricky conversation — I’m right there, in your pocket, when you need someone who just gets it.
It might not scale forever, but right now, I’m deeply grateful to be that person for my Thrive with Plants clients.
Before I break down exactly what’s included in the program, I want to share something beautiful from Nathan, who completed the 30-Day Transformation recently. And yes — he gave me full permission to share this.
To be totally transparent, Nathan was hesitant at first. He worried that working with someone as passionate (and all in) on veganism as I am, might mean judgment or pressure.
That couldn’t be further from the truth.
I have deep respect for the trust my clients place in me — and for their willingness to question what society has long considered normal. To me, that’s real strength.
Here’s what Nathan shared:
“This experience has been transformative for me. Your program has not only guided me to adopt a more mindful, plant-based lifestyle but has also reshaped how I view myself and my values. Every aspect of the program — from our engaging sessions to the tools and accountability — made me feel more empowered and supported every step of the way.”
“This program has already profoundly changed my life for the better by giving me the push I needed, and I am so grateful for your guidance and passion.”
Reading that brought tears to my eyes.
This is why I created Thrive with Plants.
You can’t get a vegan lifestyle “wrong.” But you can make it harder than it needs to be.
And you absolutely don’t need to figure it out alone.
Wherever you’re at right now — that’s where we begin. And from there, we build a lifestyle that feels aligned, nourishing, and true to you.
Thrive with Plants Includes:
- Three 1-hour, one-on-one coaching calls with me, tailored to your unique goals and challenges.
- 30 days of daily WhatsApp accountability and support, so you’re never alone in this journey.
- A complete food diary makeover and exercise program overhaul, designed to fit your lifestyle—because thriving shouldn’t mean forcing yourself into a plan that doesn’t work for you.
- The complete Plant Positive Journal (Version 2!) Fillable PDF, your personal guide to clarity, confidence, and consistency.
- A roadmap to thriving as a happy, healthy vegan—in a way that feels effortless, empowering, and sustainable for life.
- Hard-earned strategies for maintaining loving relationships, while standing strong in your values and making a real impact
This isn’t just the what to do — it’s the how to actually do it, with me by your side to guide, support and troubleshoot along the way.
You’re not meant to figure this out alone. And you definitely don’t need more noise or pressure — you need a plan that works for you, and someone in your corner while you make it happen.
That’s what Thrive with Plants is all about.
Of course, I only have a few spots each month — this is personal coaching, and I’m all in.
✨ If this opportunity speaks to you, head to strongbodygreenplanet.com or click the link in the show notes.
✨ Or just DM me the word ‘Thrive’ on Instagram @strongbodygreenplanet and I’ll send you all the info.
✨ Got questions? Email me directly: kate@strongbodygreenplanet.com — I’d love to hear from you.
Let’s take the hard out of going vegan — and make it feel aligned, joyful and so incredibly worth it. I’d be honoured to walk this path with you.
Learn More About THRIVE with PLANTS:
That’s it for this week in Healthification.
Plant Positive Journal Version 2 (printed and fillable PDF)
This journal and daily planner follows a twelve month format however is not dated so it is perfect to use at ANY time of the year.
Connect with Kate across the socials: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
With love and gratitude plant friends.
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