Ethan Brown: The Truth About Beyond Meat from the Man Who Built It — Rebuilding the Broken Food System

In this eye-opening episode of the SuperLife podcast, Darin sits down with Ethan Brown, the founder and CEO of Beyond Meat, to dismantle the myths surrounding meat consumption, plant-based diets, and our broken food system. From the shocking history of antibiotics in livestock to the biochemical impact of processed meat on our health, this conversation goes far beyond nutrition.

Ethan reveals the origin story of Beyond Meat, the real science behind their plant-based protein innovation, and how industrial meat production has warped our connection to nature and sustainability. If you’ve ever questioned what’s on your plate—or why it matters—this is the episode that will shift your entire perspective.

 

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What You’ll Learn

00:00 – The shocking truth about modern meat production
03:40 – How antibiotics revolutionized (and broke) the livestock industry
07:25 – Why the idea of “natural” meat is a dangerous illusion
11:50 – The environmental cost of factory farming
16:30 – Ethan’s mission: bringing meat back to its roots—without animals
21:15 – How Beyond Meat was built using muscle structure science
26:10 – The protein lie: what you’re really getting in meat
31:45 – Why this isn’t just about health—it’s about national security
36:30 – Can plants really replace meat? The biochemical breakdown
41:05 – The emotional and political resistance to changing food systems
46:00 – What we get wrong about taste, texture, and satisfaction
51:30 – The ethics of food, farming, and our treatment of animals
55:45 – Ethan’s vision for the future of food
59:50 – How consumers are the key to real change
01:02:10 – The one shift you can make right now
01:04:00 – Final thoughts from Ethan: “This is about returning to nature—not replacing it.”

 

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Thank You to Our Sponsor:

• Therasage: Go to www.therasage.com and use code DARIN at checkout for 15% off

• Our Place: Toxic-free, durable cookware that supports healthy cooking. Use code DARIN for 10% off at fromourplace.com.

 

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Find More From Ethan Brown:

• Website: https://beyondmeat.com

• Instagram: @beyondmeat

• Learn More: Beyond Meat’s Mission
  
  

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Find More from Darin Olien:

• Website: https://superlife.com

• Instagram: @darinolien

• Podcast: SuperLife

• Book: Fatal Conveniences
  
  

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Key Takeaway

“This isn’t about replacing meat—it’s about restoring nature. The closer we eat to the source, the more we support not just our bodies, but the entire planet.” – Ethan Brown