I thought, “Well, I could talk to you for four hours, Ella, about a carrot… every bit of nutrition, it's energetic quality, all of it. And then you leave me and you still don't know how to cook that carrot. I gave you nothing. But if I could do both, then I'm doing something.” - Christina Pirello

Get ready for a super fun and inspiring episode, because today we’re cooking up some serious compassion with the fabulous Christina Pirello! Christina is not only the Emmy award winning host of 'Christina Cooks' vegan activist, bestselling author, gym rat and food lover, environmental activist and educator about wellness.

Christina is not just any chef though — she’s a culinary wizard from Philly, and she’s a total firecracker both in and out of the kitchen!

We dive into her wild vegan culinary adventures across the globe and get all the juicy details about her plant-based cooking course. Spoiler alert: no butter, eggs, or white flour allowed! Christina shares some seriously inspiring stories, like one of her students who totally rocked the vegan cooking game while embracing Chinese medicine principles.

But that’s not all—meet a couple who are living proof that love and global sustainability go hand in hand. Their journey is a rollercoaster, from kicking cancer to the curb at a young age to getting real about climate change. And if you think recycling is boring, wait till you hear how the Italian system turned it into a lifestyle!

We also chat about handling those tricky convos about climate change with humor and empathy, plus why Qigong and meditation might just be your new best friends. And oh, the difference between American and Italian lifestyles? Let’s just say the Italians know how to live it up and keep it balanced.

We wrap up with a heartwarming reminder that life is short, so let’s spread positivity, support each other, and savor every moment. So, what are you waiting for? Hit play and let’s get cooking with compassion!

VIEW THE FULL SHOW NOTES AND GUEST BIO & LINKS HERE

LET'S CONNECT! 💝You can also support my mission of making this world a healthier, more compassionate place for all living beings by TAKING ADVANTAGE OF ANY OF THE FOLLOWING…

Take THIS FREE SELF-ASSESSMENT to uplevel your relationship with food, exercise, and your body.

Subscribe to the Sexy Fit Vegan YouTube Channel HERE

Subscribe to THE SEXY FIT VEGAN Soul-Aligned Newsletter HERE (free!): Get Ella's Top Updates, Badass Discoveries, Insights, and Explorations (Books, Podcasts, Food, Workouts, Gadgets, & More) Delivered to Your

Follow Sexy Fit Vegan/Ella on Instagram HERE

Follow Sexy Fit Vegan on Facebook HERE

Connect with Ella on LinkedIn HERE

Check out the Sexy Fit Vegan Website HERE

Check out our sister show, The Vegan Life Coach Podcast, HERE

Check out our coaching client testimonials HERE.

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I thought, “You know, I need another adventure,” and I was worried it was going to ruin my career. But it turned out to actually be very good for my acting career. Because after you come off a series like Baywatch, everyone thinks you're just incompetent and dumb and I don't know, they just don't give you any credit for anything. And then you go do an Ironman. -Alexandra Paul

In today’s encore episode, we dive deep into the life and mission of Alexandra Paul, beyond the accolades, discovering who actress Alexandra Paul is at her core and what drives her.

Alexandra shares her incredible story of deciding in 6th grade to remain child-free by choice and how that decision has shaped her activism, including her TEDx talk on overpopulation—a topic she passionately believes needs more attention.

We discuss her transformation to vegetarianism at 14, inspired by Diet for a Small Planet, and how a year between high school and college sparked her love for acting, leading to a career where she stood firm in her ethics, refusing to wear fur or use makeup tested on animals.

She also opens up about her battle with an eating disorder during her teens and early 20s, her fears around restricting dairy, and the profound moment at 47 when she went vegan and her heart “cracked open,” seeing the injustices of the world more clearly.

We touch on her direct action activism, where Alexandra literally takes a stand—physically—for her beliefs, having been arrested over 25 times. She discusses the privileges that allow her to engage in civil disobedience, her training in it, and some of the experiences that have stood out, including moments of fear and claustrophobia.

This conversation is rich with reflections on activism, personal growth, and the ongoing journey of recovery from bulimia.

Alexandra’s story is not just about overcoming challenges—it’s a powerful reminder of how our choices, big and small, can shape a better world. You won’t want to miss this one!

VIEW THE FULL SHOW NOTES AND GUEST BIO & LINKS HERE

LET'S CONNECT! 💝You can also support my mission of making this world a healthier, more compassionate place for all living beings by TAKING ADVANTAGE OF ANY OF THE FOLLOWING…

Take THIS FREE SELF-ASSESSMENT to uplevel your relationship with food, exercise, and your body.

Subscribe to the Sexy Fit Vegan YouTube Channel HERE

Subscribe to THE SEXY FIT VEGAN Soul-Aligned Newsletter HERE (free!): Get Ella's Top Updates, Badass Discoveries, Insights, and Explorations (Books, Podcasts, Food, Workouts, Gadgets, & More) Delivered to Your

Follow Sexy Fit Vegan/Ella on Instagram HERE

Follow Sexy Fit Vegan on Facebook HERE

Connect with Ella on LinkedIn HERE

Check out the Sexy Fit Vegan Website HERE

Check out our sister show, The Vegan Life Coach Podcast, HERE

Check out our coaching client testimonials HERE.

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When I was pronounced dead, I knew it, not because they said it, but because all of those emotions were gone. I only felt peace, I had a deeper understanding and I was so hyper aware and it was like that's me, but I'm me and I'm just an energy, I'm just a presence. - Elayna Fernandez

Have you experienced the transformative power of pain?

Today’s episode is extra special… The extraordinary experience that my guest, Elayna Fernandez shares, from her upbringing in the slums of the Dominican Republic, to being kidnapped and assaulted, to literally dying in a terrible accident, to her incredible rise to the top as a world-renowned speaker, coach, and entrepreneur, are insanely inspiring.

As a 4x TEDx Speaker, TEDx Organizer, and Certified Speaker Coach, Elayna is a bestselling author, international keynote speaker, and award-winning storyteller who was named one of the 125 Top Impactful Leaders to Know worldwide by SUCCESS Magazine and has been sponsored by over 500 brands.

I personally stumbled upon Elayna, who also happens to be vegan, when I was seeking support to take my own professional speaking career to the next level, and I hired her as a coach, which was one of the best decisions I've ever made.

In this episode, Elayna guides us through the philosophy of harnessing pain as a catalyst for growth, sharing her own remarkable journey to highlight how adversity can lead to profound positivity.

In a heartfelt narrative, we explore the significance of compassion, the alchemy of transforming pain into possibility, and the importance of setting bold visions for a future filled with love and abundance.

Elayna's story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, from her early struggles to her current influence as a global thought leader.

Wrapping up this inspiring conversation, we reflect on how personal tragedies can redefine our sense of self-worth and purpose. Through the creation of the Positive Mom brand and the values Elayna strives to impart to my children, she underscores the importance of embracing our painful experiences to forge a path of growth for ourselves and for future generations.

>> VIEW THE FULL SHOW NOTES AND GUEST BIO & LINKS HERE <<

LET'S CONNECT! 💝You can also support my mission of making this world a healthier, more compassionate place for all living beings by TAKING ADVANTAGE OF ANY OF THE FOLLOWING…

Take THIS FREE SELF-ASSESSMENT to uplevel your relationship with food, exercise, and your body.

Subscribe to the Sexy Fit Vegan YouTube Channel HERE

Subscribe to THE SEXY FIT VEGAN Soul-Aligned Newsletter HERE (free!): Get Ella's Top Updates, Badass Discoveries, Insights, and Explorations (Books, Podcasts, Food, Workouts, Gadgets, & More) Delivered to Your

Follow Sexy Fit Vegan/Ella on Instagram HERE

Follow Sexy Fit Vegan on Facebook HERE

Connect with Ella on LinkedIn HERE

Check out the Sexy Fit Vegan Website HERE

Check out our sister show, The Vegan Life Coach Podcast, HERE

Check out our coaching client testimonials HERE.

Take on ...