Welcome to the Vegan Squad Pod, the #1 podcast for people who want to thrive on a vegan lifestyle—mind, body, and purpose! Hosted by the team at Vegan Squad Coaching, this show is dedicated to help & inspire you to find your voice, speak up for animals, and rise as a leader in the movement for animal liberation. Whether you're vegan-curious, newly vegan, or have been living this lifestyle for years, this podcast is your space to deepen your conviction and create real impact for animals, people, and the planet.
Charlie Ziegler: Vegan Bodybuilding, Animal Activism & Becoming an OCB Pro
Can vegan bodybuilding be a powerful form of animal activism?
On this episode of the Vegan Squad Pod, we’re joined by Charlie Ziegler, aka @chucktheveganlifter (https://www.instagram.com/chucktheveganlifter/), an OCB Pro natural bodybuilder who made headlines after winning the overall bodybuilding title at the 2026 Midwest OCB Spring Naturals, alongside fellow vegan athlete Joey Bilotich, who won the overall classic physique title.
After a decade of dedication to bodybuilding, Charlie earned his Pro Card and gained attention for showing what’s possible when you combine a vegan lifestyle with competitive bodybuilding.
We dive into Charlie’s vegan origin story, his journey in natural bodybuilding, and how he uses his physique and social media presence to advocate for animals and challenge misconceptions about plant-based nutrition.
We also explore different approaches to vegan activism, how to reach people who aren't vegan, and how athletes can use their platforms to inspire change and make a difference for animals.
Whether you're interested in vegan bodybuilding, building muscle on a plant-based diet, natural bodybuilding competitions, or finding effective ways to advocate for animals, this conversation offers a look at how fitness can become a powerful tool for compassion and change.
Stay connected with us on Instagram!
🌱 https://www.instagram.com/chucktheveganlifter/
🌱 https://www.instagram.com/thebodybuildingvegan (https://www.instagram.com/thebodybuildingvegan)
🌱 https://www.instagram.com/yourveganmentor1/ (https://www.instagram.com/yourveganmentor1/)
Stay up to date on Vegan Squad!
🌱 https://www.instagram.com/vegansquadcoaching/ (https://www.instagram.com/vegansquadcoaching/)
🌱 https://www.instagram.com/vegansquadactivism/ (https://www.instagram.com/vegansquadactivism/)
🌱 https://www.instagram.com/vegansquadretreats/ (https://www.instagram.com/vegansquadretreats/)
🌱 https://www.instagram.com/vegansquadyoga/ (https://www.instagram.com/vegansquadyoga/)
🌱 https://www.instagram.com/vegansquadparents/ (https://www.instagram.com/vegansquadparents/)
Join us for a 4 day Vegan retreat!!
👉 https://vegansquadcoaching.com/retreat (https://vegansquadcoaching.com/retreat)
Subscribe to our YouTube!
🌱 Find LIVE recordings of our episodes! (https://www.youtube.com/@vegansquad/?sub_confirmation=1)
Book a free consult call to unlock your vegan potential with the support of an expert Vegan Squad Coach!
👉 https://vegansquadcoaching.com/apply (https://vegansquadcoaching.com/apply)
Check out our free resources!
👉 https://vegansquadcoaching.com/resources (https://vegansquadcoaching.com/resources)
30 Sept 2026
Can Vegan Options Change the World? Raquel Little on Restaurant Activism
Can changing what restaurants put on their menus help change the world?
On today's episode, we are joined by Raquel Little (@MyVeganLady (https://www.instagram.com/myveganlady)), to explore a unique approach to vegan activism: using restaurants, food, and community to make veganism more accessible.
Raquel takes us behind the scenes of the Vegan Chef Challenge, a month-long plant-based dining event where restaurants compete to create the best vegan dishes, communities vote for their favorites, and participating chefs have the opportunity to reach new customers and discover just how much demand exists for great vegan food.
But the goal goes far beyond a competition. Raquel explains how encouraging non-vegan restaurants to add and improve their vegan options can create lasting change - sometimes resulting in restaurants keeping new vegan dishes on their menus permanently.
We discuss whether making vegan food more mainstream and accessible could be one of the most effective ways to reach people who aren't vegan, the role of supply and demand in expanding vegan options, and how removing the stigma around the word “vegan” can make these conversations more productive.
We also dive into ethical veganism, different approaches to animal activism, communicating without blame, avoiding infighting within the movement, navigating grief, and why patience, community, collaboration, and measurable impact are so important for creating meaningful change.
This conversation offers a look at vegan restaurant activism and the idea that sometimes changing the menu can be a powerful way to change minds—and ultimately create a more compassionate world.
Stay connected with us on Instagram!
🌱 https://www.instagram.com/myveganlady (https://www.instagram.com/myveganlady)
🌱 https://www.instagram.com/thebodybuildingvegan (https://www.instagram.com/thebodybuildingvegan)
🌱 https://www.instagram.com/yourveganmentor1/ (https://www.instagram.com/yourveganmentor1/)
🌱 https://www.instagram.com/vegansquadcoaching/ (https://www.instagram.com/vegansquadcoaching/)
🌱 https://www.instagram.com/vegansquadactivism/ (https://www.instagram.com/vegansquadactivism/)
🌱 https://www.instagram.com/vegansquadretreats/ (https://www.instagram.com/vegansquadretreats/)
🌱 https://www.instagram.com/vegansquadyoga/ (https://www.instagram.com/vegansquadyoga/)
🌱 https://www.instagram.com/vegansquadparents/ (https://www.instagram.com/vegansquadparents/)
Join us for a 4 day Vegan retreat!!
👉 https://vegansquadcoaching.com/retreat
Subscribe to our YouTube!
🌱 Find LIVE recordings of our episodes! (https://www.youtube.com/@vegansquad/?sub_confirmation=1)
Book a free consult call to unlock your vegan potential with the support of an expert Vegan Squad Coach!
👉 https://vegansquadcoaching.com/apply (https://vegansquadcoaching.com/apply)
Check out our free resources!
👉 https://vegansquadcoaching.com/resources (https://vegansquadcoaching.com/resources)
28 Aug 2026
Activism Through Yoga with David Baylie: Ahimsa, Veganism, & Nonviolence
Is yoga inherently vegan? And can it improve your activism?
In this episode of the Vegan Squad Pod, we’re joined by David Baylie, a certified vegan personal trainer, yoga instructor, and science of stretching coach who leads the Vegan Squad Yoga community.
David explains why yoga is vegan and how the ancient yogic principle of ahimsa (non-violence) connects the practice of yoga with veganism, compassion, and animal activism.
Drawing from Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, we explore how the ethical principles behind yoga extend beyond the mat and into the way we interact with animals, other people, and the world around us. David shares why becoming more aware of our actions can naturally lead us toward greater compassion and more conscious living.
Beyond the physical practice, we dive into some of the biggest challenges facing the vegan movement. Including social pressure, fear of judgment, and how we communicate veganism without blame or shame. We discuss how yoga and mindfulness communities can create an opening for conversations about veganism, compassion, and animal rights.
Join David for a free, live yoga class on Sunday, August 30th from 10:00-11:30 AM Eastern!
https://vegansquadcoaching.com/yoga (https://vegansquadcoaching.com/yoga)
Learn more about the Vegan Squad Yoga community, where David leads live yoga classes and helps members build strength, flexibility, balance, and confidence while connecting with a global vegan community!
https://www.skool.com/vegansquadyoga/about (https://www.skool.com/vegansquadyoga/about)
Stay connected with us on Instagram!
🌱 https://www.instagram.com/vegansquadyoga/ (https://www.instagram.com/vegansquadyoga/)
🌱 https://www.instagram.com/davidbaylie/ (https://www.instagram.com/davidbaylie/)
🌱 https://www.instagram.com/thebodybuildingvegan (https://www.instagram.com/thebodybuildingvegan)
🌱 https://www.instagram.com/yourveganmentor1/ (https://www.instagram.com/yourveganmentor1/)
Subscribe to our YouTube!
🌱 Find LIVE recordings of our episodes! (https://www.youtube.com/@vegansquad/?sub_confirmation=1)
Book a free consult call to unlock your vegan potential with the support of an expert Vegan Squad Coach!
👉 https://vegansquadcoaching.com/apply (https://vegansquadcoaching.com/apply)
Check out our free resources!
👉 https://vegansquadcoaching.com/resources (https://vegansquadcoaching.com/resources)
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6 ratings
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