Apr 3, 2020
In this episode, host Celeste Rains-Turk interviews competitive
surfer turned plant-based chef, gym owner, posing coach, and IFBB
Pro Natalie Matthews. Often known as her online persona
FitVeganChef, Natalie has graced not only the professional
bodybuilding stage but started her own YouTube channel allowing
viewers to see her delicious vegan dishes. Natalie is determined to
show the world the power of building muscle and staying competitive
with a plant-based lifestyle.
Celeste kicks off this week’s episode by asking Natalie
listener-requested questions. Natalie begins with her journey of
becoming vegan and gives insight on her favorite vegan high protein
recipes. She speaks to listeners who are nervous for show day and
how to overcome the struggle with lower-carb plant options.
She also explains her health issues and how her vegan diet cured
her hypoglycemia and other health ailments. Finally, Natalie gives
recommendations on how to meet your micronutrient requirements and
supplementing appropriately in caloric deficits.
Natalie opens up about her shoulder injuries and how she believes
being vegan has helped her recovery process. She explains how her
and coach, Paul Revelia, have worked together to find a
maintainable prep diet and how she continues to show physique
athletes that being vegan is possible during a low-carb fat loss
phase.
Natalie talks about how finding her creative outlet in being a
certified raw vegan pastry chef and becoming a top cake decorator
guided her to finding recipes that were healthy and delicious.
Celeste asks Natalie about her business endeavors with her Active
Duty husband of ten years. Natalie gives credit to her
husband for introducing her to a plant-based bodybuilding
lifestyle. She explains about what goes into filming videos for
YouTube and how establishing their gym has brought them even
closer. Natalie walks us through her regular working day starting
at 5am with classes at her gym, Forward Functional Fitness, to 7pm
where she works with her posing clients.
Natalie gives credit to her competitive surfing years to her
success as a professional bodybuilder. She explains that having a
great foundation, discipline, patience, and taking recovering
seriously is how she gracefully transitioned between the sports.
Natalie tells viewers to not be afraid to step off stage to build
muscle, eating more, and focusing on quality training sessions in
order to bring a fuller package on stage.
Finally, Natalie and Celeste discuss sticking with goals during
travel and the importance of planning, writing down your dreams,
and being organized for success. She explains that her online
personal, FitVeganChef, is a concoction of her proudest life
accomplishments.
Natalie’s inspiring story is proof of the American Dream coming
true!
CONNECT WITH NATALIE:
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDdocnbyUNzVMJ_LcNWtXZw
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fitveganchef/
WEBSITE: https://fitveganchef.com/
CONNECT WITH CELESTE:
WEBSITE: www.celestial.fit
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/celestial_fit/
Episode Time Stamps:
[2:12] Stage Ritual
[3:32] Natalie’s views on creatine and supplement cycling
[5:50] Natalie’s favorite vegan protein sources and recipes
[11:08] Thoughts on soy products, dealing with lower macros,
weighing tofu
[16:26] Natalie’s vegan journey, transformation, and dealing with
critics
[20:31] Recommendation on meeting nutrient needs/vitamins on vegan
diet
[23:00] Natalie’s favorite shoulder, glute, and hamstring
exercises
[26:40] Benefits of being a vegan as a physique athlete
[31:20] Finding your best tan, hair, makeup, and suit for show
day
[34:42] Working with your husband/Filming videos for YouTube,
owning a gym
[40:53] How Natalie met her husband/moving from Puerto Rico
[42:44] Transition from competitive surfer to professional
bodybuilder/taking time off stage
[47:55] Staying on top of goals during traveling
[50:01] Setting realistic goals
[51:38] Natalie’s cook book/favorite recipes
[54:04] Being a certified raw vegan pastry chef/finding creative
outlets
[58:31] Natalie’s best advice to amateur and future pro
competitors