In 2012 I decided to take part in a fitness model competition at a local expo. To do this I decided I would need two things; a book and ethics. I found Vegan Bodybuilding and Fitness by Robert Cheeke. In those pages I found inspiration to GO VEGAN and never look back. My journey began as an eleven year old child that chose to be a vegetarian since I wanted to be just like my big sister. I spent most of my life as an ethical vegetarian. I refrained from using leather and products tested on animals whenever possible. Admittedly I was not perfect and often I would find horrible products in my possession! When I was 20 I met the first ever ‘vegan’. I didn’t understand the difference between vegan and vegetarian. And while she attempted to educate me I was not at all ready to take on any new lifestyle. From the ages of 20-29 I lived as a ‘flexitarian’. Sometimes I was a strict vegetarian, other times I would eat some animals. I was all over the show, paying more attention to being a young adult than my ethics. In 2008 I met another friend. She transitioned from lifetime vegetarian to vegan. She insisted that I do it too! I gave up dairy happily, but my home had chickens and I continued to eat their eggs. But in 2009 when I moved to New Zealand I vowed to go vegan! And I did for about 18 months. I only did because I felt like it was an opportunity to try the lifestyle. It was easy and I was happy. But then I met a man. So for another year or so I ate like an omnivore! But that all changed when I decided to be a vegan bodybuilder! Vegan bodybuilding has kept me focused and committed to veganism like never before. Being a strong compassionate person keeps me inspired and focused every day! The community of vegan bodybuilders is passionate and exciting! Vegan gains that I have made via a vegan fitness lifestyle keep me wanting more, and feeling empowered and happy every workout and every meal! Vegan bodybuilding provides a platform (even a stage) to promote veganism in a community that has very little experience with vegans. Flexing my muscles I say loud and proud “these muscles are plant built!” As my vegan ‘journey’ continues I remain dedicated to my fitness goals using my physique to promote the vegan lifestyle. I am aware that Veganism is more than a hot bod, but health vegans become ethical vegans and I reach out to them as I find them the easiest to promote veganism to – at least that’s my strength. Vegan. Feminist. Food Justice. Human Rights. Anti- Capitalist. Anti- Racist. Activist. VEGAN says all this and much much more!  

---

If you have a story you’d like to tell, we’d love to hear it!
Send submissions (including at least one photo or image you’d like us to use and an optional bio with social media links) to [email protected]. Anonymous submissions are totally ok, and images do not have to be of you (they could be of your cat, or a picture you drew, or a flower you like, anything!) We want you to feel safe telling your story and are happy to accommodate requests for privacy.