Blackness, body image, masculinity, and plant-based Powerlifting with Ndem Nkem

Content warning!   In this episode Ndem and I talk a lot about crash/yo-yo dieting and body image. Weight loss *is* mentioned, and I suggest you do whatever feels best for you given that information. If you'd prefer not to hear about weight loss or body building practices, skip this bad boy and we'll be here for ya next week!   --   Welcome to Flex Your Heart Radio! This podcast is about body, fat and gender positivity, fitness, feminism, recovery, risk, and crushing it at life. 

On this episode, we talk to NDem Nkem of Hot Chocolate Fitness and Team Plantbuilt!

Ndem is a powerlifter on team plantbuilt, a motivational speaker, a foodie, and a constant traveller. If there's a veg fest he'll probably be there! Growing up, he thought eating animals was weird and decided he wanted to make a change. later in life, he learned you don't need to eat animals to survive. In 2007 he became a vegetarian and 2012 he became a vegan, which he credits as the best decision of his life and the most ethical thing he can do for the animals & planet. Now he works to show others how you be an athlete, have muscle, be a positive thinker, and be strong on a plant based diet!

 In this podcast we discuss:

- Veganism and powerlifting: how Ndem survives and thrives eating a vegan diet 

- Transitioning out of a diet mindset and into a more intuitive eating practice

- Emotional eating and working through binge eating and body image issues 

- Black male masculinity, as it relates to powerlifting, veganism, and body image

 and so much more!   ---   You can find NDem at his website, on Instagram and on YouTube!   ---

A very special thank you to our 10$ and 25$ level Patreon Patrons: The Shiners, Jen, Mickey Boille, Julia Gibson, Jordan Faulds, Andi Olsen, Aja Vines, Bianca Phillips, Sky Chari and Kelly Knight! I love you all.

If you like the podcast:

Support our Patreon! Leave us an iTunes review! Join our facebook group! Email us at [email protected]!    ----   And now for me!   I wrote a graphic novel with my partner and it's on pre-order NOW. If you've ever wanted to read about my recovery from anorexia, bulimia, and compulsive overexercise, this is your chance. Buy today, get stoked, share with your friends! 

You can follow me on Instagram

You can visit my blog

You can check out my amazing body, fat, and gender positive gym, soon to be open in Portland, Oregon 

You can email me with podcast questions or inquiries about coaching (olympic lifting, power lifting, interval training, etc.) at [email protected]. I currently have space for private, semi-private and group class clients.     ----   Intro/outro song: outta me by Bikini Kill    Keywords! Body Positivity, Vegan, Powerlifting, Binge Eating Disorder, Recovery