I'm John Cawley. I've lived with prostatitis and IBS for more than thirty years, and I've eaten plant-based for almost 13 years. After coaching hundreds of people, I've narrowed my focus: helping men reclaim their gut and prostate health through real food, real movement, and real conversation. At Plant Based Life we're still here to help all people transition to a plant-based lifestyle — I coach many female clients and always will — but our primary focus now is men's health, and specifically prostate health.
John Cawley started Plant Based Life in 2015 with the focus of helping all people transition to a healthier lifestyle, and we are still here for that purpose — but our primary aim now is men's health. Over the years we have helped many people. John has decided to focus primarily on men's health due to his own journey with Prostatitis and Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and from seeing the instances of Prostate Cancer and Bowel Cancer increase. We will still help all people transition to a plant-based lifestyle, and a lot of the information we provide helps women too — especially those dealing with gut issues, Cystitis or similar urinary tract problems.
1 in 8 men get Prostatitis symptoms, and it is the most common prostate disorder in men under 50 worldwide. The lifestyle changes that we suggest can help men with any prostate disorder including Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (enlarged prostate), Prostatitis and Prostate Cancer. The information in regard to IBS can also help with other gut issues like Crohn's, Celiac or Ulcerative Colitis.
Prostatitis, IBS, the digestive stuff nobody mentions — it's everywhere, and almost nobody talks about it. Plant Based Life now exists with one primary focus: helping men get honest about the body they're walking around in, and giving them a path back to feeling well.
Most men come to me for one and discover they need to address both. The gut and the prostate are neighbours — and they talk to each other constantly.
Men will experience Prostatitis symptoms in their lifetime — the most common prostate disorder in men under 50 worldwide. Most never speak about it. After three decades managing my own, I've built a quiet, practical playbook around food, movement, breath, and stress that helps men get their life back — and supports prevention and recovery for prostate cancer.
Explore men's health →The gut isn't a separate problem from prostate health — it's the foundation. IBS, bloating, food sensitivities, the whole murky world of digestion. I work with men who've tried every elimination diet and supplement going and just want a sustainable, well-fed life.
Explore gut health →
I was diagnosed with prostatitis and IBS in my twenties. For years I did the rounds — specialists, medications, endless rounds of antibiotics — and stayed unwell. For a long time I drank alcohol as a way to escape. Then I went whole-food plant-based, gave up alcohol 12.5 years ago, and started living a healthier life. As a Pilates and Fitness Instructor I've found Pilates especially helpful — slowly I stopped being a patient and started being a person again.
Plant Based Life began as a way to share what worked. After hundreds of clients across workshops, programs and one-to-one coaching, I'm narrowing it down: men, prostates, guts, real lives.
Read the full storyNo supplements to sell. No miracle protocols. Just the four things that actually moved the needle for me, and for the men I've coached.
Built around what your gut and prostate actually want — not the latest fad. Sustainable, satisfying, evidence-based.
Pelvic floor, core, mobility. The quiet, foundational work that transforms how men feel, day after day.
The piece almost everyone skips. A quick way to lower inflammation and stop a flare-up before it starts.
Sleep, stress, alcohol, screens. The boring stuff that decides whether the other three pillars actually stick.
A free chat to see if we're a fit, a self-paced PDF program, or ongoing monthly coaching. No big upfront commitments.
A genuine conversation, no sales pitch. We figure out whether I'm the right person for what you're dealing with.
Ongoing, personal coaching. The full plant-based men's health stack: food, movement, breath, lifestyle.
A self-paced guide and reference with all the info you need — what to eat, what to do, what to expect, plus plenty of detail on what specifically helped me with prostatitis. Built for men who want to start without committing to coaching yet.
Best trainer I have come across. John is dedicated and puts a lot of work into each client. Takes time to explain diet myths and steadily improve on health as well as body.
Will highly recommend it to anyone.
I would just like to express my thanks and gratitude for your immense support and knowledge during my transition into a more plant based lifestyle. While I know I could have plunged feet-first into the lifestyle it has been thanks to John and the PBL team that I have worked on a sustainable and actionable transition which I know is creating lasting changes which I can stick to for permanent results.
I highly recommend for others who like myself are curious yet overwhelmed to reach out to John – you will find not only support but someone who is relatable, transparent and totally non-judgemental of where you are at and where you want to be. Again thank you John and your support team I look forward to working with you on my next phase of health shortly!!