Switch4good

"People have such a negative connotation around cardio. At the end of the day, you can have the flattest stomach, the nicest glutes, and the best biceps in the world but if your heart gives out, you still die. You can have a great body and still die. You need a strong heart to actually enjoy a high quality of life." If you've ever started a fitness plan with motivation, only to burn out, fall off, and start over again, you're not alone. In this episode, Maxime Sigouin returns to break down why most fitness approaches fail and what actually works for building a strong, lean, resilient body for life. Drawing on years of experience as a fitness coach, model, and Ironman triathlete, Maxime shares insights from his new book, Forever Fit. He explains how to build muscle, lose fat, improve metabolic health, and stay consistent without extremes, restriction, or burnout. You'll learn how to rethink protein, cardio, and recovery, and gain actionable guidance from Maxime that you can start applying today to transform y

"You're bombarded with all these messages. Try to think of the one that means the most to you. Is it your kid's health? Is it your health? Is it the environment? Is it nutrition? What resonates with you, and helps you make a shift you feel good about?" The Dietary Guidelines for Americans shape how a nation eats, but the science, politics, and industry forces behind them are rarely discussed. In this can't-miss episode, renowned nutrition scientist Dr. Christopher Gardner, Professor of Medicine at Stanford University and lead researcher of the Netflix Twin Experiment, pulls back the curtain on the latest update: how it was crafted, what's shifted, and where it diverges from the evidence. Dr. Gardner helps us separate fact from manipulation and noise, and offers practical, realistic takeaways for building a balanced, sustainable way of eating. What we discuss in this episode:  Dr. Gardner's experience working on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. What the dietary guidelines would look like if they stric

Microplastics are everywhere. They're in our oceans, our soil, and even inside the human body. For years, the narrative has been bleak. This is unavoidable. But what if that isn't the whole story? In this episode, we sit down with Max Pennington, a chemical engineer, entrepreneur, and Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree who decided to take on one of the most overlooked sources of microplastic pollution: our laundry. What started as an experiment in a fraternity basement grew into a patented filtration technology that captures more than 90% of microplastics from washing machine wastewater. Max shares how curiosity turned into conviction and what it really takes to transform an environmental problem into a scalable solution. We also talk about the hidden ways microplastics enter our lives, what can actually be done to reduce exposure, and why there's real reason to be optimistic about stopping pollution at the source. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by environmental issues but still hopeful that smart solutions exist, t

" The sun is not our enemy. It never has been. Most popular sunscreens, they will compromise your skin and actually lead to skin cancer. If we're lathering on or ingesting toxic chemicals, we're going to be compromised." Today, we're joined by Cheryl Mothes, a Certified Holistic Nutritionist with nearly 30 years dedicated to studying healing with whole foods, helping people of all ages improve well-being and reduce disease risk through diet and lifestyle changes. She's a graduate of the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, holds a certification from Penn Foster, and was the co-founder and former chef of the first organic, plant-based café in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Cheryl brings a rare, big-picture lens to health, connecting the dots between food, stress, environmental exposures, and the everyday habits that quietly influence how we feel. Her approach is practical and grounded. You'll come away with eye-opening realizations and actionable takeaways that stay with you long after the conversation. What we disc

 "I would rather have a shorter life with cigarettes than a longer life without.  Well, that's addictive thinking. You see the dominance of the addictive brain cells in that line of reasoning. That's not frontal lobe dominance. That's the addicted brain cells. And that's why addictions are lethal." No matter what your relationship to food is, we all live in a world manipulated by an addiction business model. We're constantly confronted with ads for foods that have been designed to make us want more, and it began when the tobacco industry started buying up brands like Nabisco and Kraft Foods. Joan Ifland is an expert in processed food addiction, and her research is both eye-opening and appalling. This is a gripping conversation about the intersections of human behavior, evolution, and modern day consumer habits.  What we discuss in this episode: The how the addiction business model applies to food How we get addicted to foods The overlap between tobacco and food  How to tell if you are addicted to cert

Our guest today is living proof that anyone can change their life. Alishea Basson was a mom of four and creeping into dangerous territory in regards to her health by the time she was 30 years old. Severely overweight and plagued with seizures and high blood pressure, Alishea decided she couldn't live with her emotional eating self any longer. She educated herself on how to eat healthfully and exercise, eventually adopting a whole foods, plant-based diet. While her family didn't support this choice, Alishea stuck with it. Now 125 pounds lighter and full of energy, Alishea is an inspiration to anyone who thinks they can't. Listen in to learn how this everyday hero made the switch for good, and how you can, too.  What we discuss in this episode:  Alishea's journey to her rock bottom How binge eating stretches your stomach How to deal with feelings without food Learning what foods are actually healthy Transitioning to a plant-based diet How to not feel deprived on a whole food, plant-based diet Disc

"When I was doing keto, a salad would spike my blood glucose. And this is because of the fat. There was so much saturated fat that my glucose tolerance was diminished. I went from keto to the opposite, the most opposite diet you could ever have: a plant-based diet. My insulin requirements started to come down very fast. I got down to an all-time low." Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death. It causes kidney failure, lower-limb amputations, and blindness in severe cases. As a person with diabetes, keeping your blood sugar levels within the range recommended by your doctor can be exasperating. That's because many things make your blood sugar levels fluctuate, sometimes unexpectedly. So how does someone with diabetes live a joyful and purposeful life? Let's find out from today's guest, Drew Harrisberg. Drew is an exercise physiologist, diabetes educator, sports scientist, and most importantly – a happy and healthy guy thriving with type 1 diabetes. His background as a health professional and his triumph

When the loudest voices in health are selling confusion, fear, and the next quick fix, it's hard to know what — or who — to trust. That's exactly why conversations like this one matter. Dr. David Katz has spent decades cutting through the chaos with uncommon clarity. A renowned physician, bestselling author, and one of the most influential thinkers in nutrition and preventive medicine, his work has helped millions rethink the very basics of how we eat and how we live. In this very special episode, he unpacks what determines human health, what real nourishment looks like, and why choosing it now is more radical — and more necessary — than ever. If you've ever wondered what's true, what's marketing, and what actually moves the needle on well-being, this is a must-listen conversation. What we discuss in this episode: The nutrition pattern humans are biologically built for. Why fiber is non-negotiable for long-term health. Why smart regulations save lives — and what happens when they're missing. How Big F

"Organic produce isn't necessarily not sprayed with pesticides. There's different types of pesticides. They just aren't allowed to use synthetic pesticides. Sometimes they can be even more toxic. Sometimes they have to use larger amounts because they're less effective especially given the cost difference between organic and non-organic, I don't see that it's really warranted for something" - Dr. Matthew Nagra Many people still believe that what they eat, how they live, their experiences, and even who they share their life with has no impact on their physical health. Today's guest is out to dispel that. Dr. Matthew Nagra is a Naturopathic Physician, and in case you're wondering if a Naturopathic Physician is a real doctor, Dr. Matthew Nagra is a health practitioner who treats people holistically. He follows a scientific and evidence-based approach to treating ailments.  Dr. Matthew Nagra practices Integrated Health in Vancouver, BC. He has a BSc in Microbiology from the University of Victoria and completed his

“Their cup of coffee, that delightful delicious cup that's helping them start their day and fuel these wonderful moments with their friends and family, almost certainly has either slavery, child labor, and deforestation in it. How has this industry gotten away with the plastic, with the cups, the milk, the human rights abuses, the deforestation? Scientists tell us this is the 11th hour. We are running out of time.” What would drive someone to take on some of the most powerful industries on Earth? This episode dives deep with Etelle Higonnet, a lawyer turned fearless activist who has dedicated her life to exposing the hidden abuses behind the products we use every day. From cocoa and palm oil to rubber and now coffee, she has fought to rebuild broken systems from the inside out. As the founder of Coffee Watch, Etelle is leading a global effort to transform one of humanity’s favorite and most destructive commodities into a model of sustainability and fairness. We explore how she has held corporations accountabl

"That is one of my core values—to try to live a life of non-violence and not contribute to anyone’s suffering in any way, because we’re all suffering in our own way, and we’re all fighting a battle that everybody knows nothing about. Something as simple as eating can be an act of compassion or an act of violence, and you get to decide" It’s not often you come across a person who has graced the front cover of Men's Fitness magazine, and it’s even rarer when that exceptionally chiseled person happens to be vegan. In fact, today’s guest, Nimai Delgado, is the only one. Nimai is a former IFBB Pro in the Men’s Physique category, but there’s more to him than just muscles. Raised in a Hari Krishna farming community in the South until he was eight years old, Nimai is insightful, compassionate, and surprisingly relatable. He’s garnered nearly one million followers through his multiple Instagram accounts and uses his fame to teach others about the health benefits of a vegan diet. If it can power his kind of mass, it c

“Human potential really is infinite. Along the way, we created a whole bunch of concepts in fear-based thinking that got in the way of us turning the fire on that everyone of us has inside us. But sadly, if all we do is we sit on the couch and watch Netflix, you don’t unlock it. You’ve got to do something. You are not here to live the life everyone’s telling you to live. The world wants you to be who you are. I don’t think that what we should be doing is taking input from the world. We should build ourselves first. It’s never too late. It doesn’t matter if you start when you’re 57, you’re 29, whatever age it is.” -Joe Gagnon What if the limits you believe in are just illusions? In this episode, Joe Gagnon — CEO, high-performance coach, ultra-endurance athlete, and author of Living Intentionally — challenges us to rethink what’s possible when we trade autopilot for intentional living. From Ironman races to ultramarathons to six marathons on six continents in six days, Joe’s jaw-dropping yet deeply human stor

Imagine a future where the sharpness of memory, the ease of movement, and the very sense of self feel out of reach. Ageing can feel like losing parts of yourself you thought were permanent, but what if we could not only hold on, but thrive as we grow older? In this episode, Dr. Claire Steves, a renowned expert on the science of ageing, shares groundbreaking insights into how our genes, environment, lifestyle, and even our microbiome shape the way we age. As a Professor of Ageing and Health at King’s College London and Consultant Geriatrician at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, Dr. Steves is at the forefront of understanding cognitive decline and resilience. Tune in to discover how to make the later years of life richer, clearer, and more vibrant. What we discuss in this episode: Heavy metals and their potential impact on brain health. The growing evidence linking air pollution to dementia. The influence of genetics on dementia risk. How inflammation and infections may contribute to cognitive

According to the CDC, about 659,000 people in the United States die from heart disease each year. That’s 1 in every 4 deaths. A staggering 100 BILLION dollars were spent several years ago on stents and bypasses. But how effective are those dangerous, invasive, and costly procedures in improving the patients' quality of life? Is there an alternative? Today's guest is Dr. Dean Ornish, the founder and president of the nonprofit Preventive Medicine Research Institute. He is a clinical professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, and the author of seven books, all national bestsellers. Dr. Dean Ornish has directed revolutionary research proving that lifestyle changes can often reverse or undo the progression of many of the most common and costly chronic diseases and even begin reversing aging at a cellular level. He documented his findings in his landmark book UnDo It! Dr. Dean Ornish studied medicine under Dr. Michael DeBakey, an American vascular surgeon and cardiac surgeon, scientist an

“We would never dream of taking a Ferrari and putting water and sugar and cow feces in the tank and expect it to run. And we wouldn't do that yet. We do it to our bodies every single day of the week. And we expect our bodies to work well, not just to work well, but to perform like race cars. ” Marco Borges brings inspiration and passion to the podcast as he tells us about his own personal healthy habits, practices, and philosophies while encouraging us to create our own. Based in Miami with his wife and four kids, Marco leads a life of example and follows a plant-based diet and lifestyle. Ove the past twenty years, Marco has worked with some of the world’s more well-known celebrities, guiding them to live plant-based as well. Having studied physiology and biology, he is a well-balanced nutritionist, personal trainer, and coach. He created the groundbreaking “22 Greenprint Laws” which teaches folks how to eat, exercise, and live in a way that is sustainable for them and the planet.  On today’s show we learned

What would it take for you to risk everything for what you believe in? Today’s guest has done exactly that and more. Gary Yourofsky is one of the most influential and unflinching voices in the fight for animal liberation. His viral speech “The Best Speech You Will Ever Hear” has inspired millions and sparked global debate. He’s been arrested, banned from countries, and never backed down from telling the truth, even when it cost him. Tune in to hear this legendary activist share what drives him, what works in the fight for animals, and what’s pulling him back into the arena now. What we discuss in this episode: How and why Gary first became an activist. What led Gary to step away from activism, and why he chose to return now. The toughest audience Gary has ever faced, the hardest demographic to reach, and the unlikely group that surprised him with their openness. Why you can make a difference, and what actually moves the needle. The shared dietary habits making both vegans and carnivores sick. Gary

Have you ever felt like it’s too late to rewrite your story? Dr. Akil Taherbhai is living proof that it’s not. After decades of unhealthy habits and a coronary artery disease diagnosis that led to open-heart surgery, he made a bold choice, not just to recover, but to transform. Within months, he ran his first half marathon. In the years since, he's scaled Kilimanjaro, completed marathons and triathlons, and fully embraced a plant-powered lifestyle. Now in his 70s, Dr. Taherbhai is thriving and inspiring others to do the same. Tune in for a powerful conversation about resilience, reinvention, and the healing potential of food, movement, and mindset. What we discuss in this episode: Dr. Taherbhai’s first life-threatening medical scare and how it became a turning point. The chronic health issues he faced from a diet high in meat and low in fiber. What led him to adopt a plant-based diet. The moment he knew this new way of eating was transforming his health for good. Common and dangerous myths surroundi

“Mushrooms are so crazy. That’s why I love them. It’s healing. Some can kill you. Some can heal you. Some are just delicious. There’s just so many different ways mushrooms are used. A lot of people struggling with PTSD, you kind of just have that calming effect, where you can now kind of go out in the real world and you’re just not ambushed by all of these different emotions and other things that has happened to you. You just re-homeostasis.” —Kaitlyn Kuehn “Is there any evidence showing that mushrooms can slow down cognitive decline?” —Jason Wrobel “Reishi mushroom is the oldest studied mushroom and used for so many different things, like detoxing to inflammation, diabetes, cognitive benefits, nerve healing, digestion health. There’s so many different medicinal aspects to different mushrooms and they do have overlapping benefits.” —Kaitlyn Kuehn “I have such a deep love as a chef for using mushrooms in recipes for their medicinal benefits. The texture. The flavor.” —Jason Wrobel “All mushrooms help lower inf

“The morning, up until around lunch, is the best time of day to eat most of our calories. And in fact, there’s been really great research. Even if you don't change the timing of your meals, if you make breakfast and lunch the largest meals of the day and dinner the smallest meal of the day, you lose more weight. And not only do you lose more weight, you're actually less hungry.” -Dr. Courtney Peterson  “Talk about these time intervals. Why is 14 a magic number?” -Jason Wrobel  “Typically, it takes the body about 12 to 14 hours to burn through a lot of its glycogen stores. Initially after a meal, your body's gonna be burning a lot of carbohydrates—so, glucose. It's gonna burn through a lot of the actual food in the meal, then it'll store some, burn others.” -Dr. Courtney Peterson  “Are there any scientifically reported benefits for hormone health, or managing cancer, with TRE?” -Jason Wrobel  “The area of cancer is super fascinating. Valter Longo does a lot of work in both the realms of aging and longevity, an

What if going vegan isn’t just about food, but about freeing your mind, healing your heart, and reclaiming your power? In this episode, psychologist Dr. Angela Crawford, author of The Vegan Transformation, unpacks the deeper emotional and psychological shifts that happen when we stop consuming animals. We explore how culture and conditioning shape our choices, why some people break through and others don’t, and what it means to live in alignment with our values. Drawing on 25 years of clinical experience, Dr. Crawford reveals seven core transformations that can lead to greater clarity, balance, and connection. This isn’t just about health—it’s about awakening. What we discuss in this episode: Understanding the mental gap between awareness and action. Examining upbringing, personality, and the courage to defy norms. Are we hardwired for compassion? What evolution tells us about empathy. The #1 reason people revert after going vegan. The seven psychological changes that occur during the transition to