Vedge Your Best, Vegan Ideas for Everyone At Any Age

258: The Road to Hell – Why Your Plant-Based or Vegan Intentions Aren’t Working

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Aug 12, 2025

Feeling overwhelmed by your plant-based intentions? This discussion navigates the chasm between good intentions and actionable plans. It highlights how rules differ from strategies and why old habits resurface under stress. Plus, learn tips for handling unexpected food offers from friends. It’s not just about diet—these insights apply to decluttering, boundary-setting, and any meaningful behavior change. Remember, intentions alone won’t cut it; you need a roadmap to transform them into reality!

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INSIGHT

Intentions Aren't Plans

Good intentions alone don't change behavior without a plan.
Michele Olender explains intentions feel like plans but act as rules that fail under pressure.

ANECDOTE

Excusitarian Phase Story

Michele Olender describes her

ADVICE

Make Concrete Plans Not Rules

Do create specific, actionable plans rather than vague rules like "not eating animal products today."
Prepare scripts and alternatives so your brain can follow them when pressured.

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You wake up with the best intentions.

Today’s the day. You’re going to eat fully plant-based, limit animal products, skip the leather belt or bag, and speak your truth. But by dinner? Things may have unraveled. Again.

If that sounds familiar, you’re not broken. You’re human.

In this episode of Vedge Your Best, we explore the gap between good intentions and actual change—and why it’s not about willpower, discipline, or moral failure. The old saying goes, “The road to hell is paved with good intentions,” and when it comes to going vegan or making any major life shift, that expression can hit home.

What we cover in this episode:

Why your intention isn’t the same as a plan
The difference between rules and strategies
Why your brain defaults to old habits under pressure
What to do when a friend offers you food you didn’t plan for
The truth about people who “seem” to go vegan overnight
How vague commitments lead to shame, not success

This isn’t just about food. This episode is for you if you're:

Trying to eat more plants
Decluttering your home
Spending less
Setting boundaries
Or starting any behavior change that matters

Listener Takeaway: Intentions matter—but they’re only the invitation. Without a plan, your good intentions might be setting you up for self-doubt and shame. Let’s fix that.

Mentioned in this episode:

The “V” in the V-E-G-A-N Method = Vision

My free Substack: How You Go Vegan is How You Do Everything → Follow along as I write a first draft of my book in 30 days. → Comment and share where you’re stuck

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For more information, to submit a question or topic, or to book a free 30 minute Coaching session visit ⁠⁠⁠veganatanyage.com⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠or email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠info@micheleolendercoaching.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music, Production, and Editing by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Charlie Weinshank⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. For inquiries email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠charliewe97@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Virtual Support Services: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://proadminme.com/⁠