February wouldn’t close right if I didn’t introduce a man who has taught me so much. Not only my mentor but a very close friend. He has broken so many records that still stand today and has broken barriers for individuals of color like myself to expand into many other platforms. This interview is from times I spent with him before his passing. Please help us welcome the legend Jim Morris to the BAV family!

Name:  Jim Morris

Where do you live and where are you from?  In our hearts

Age?   Imortal… Unfortunately Jim is no longer here on earth but his legacy lives on 

What do you do for a living/profession? Retired professional bodybuilder, fitness trainer

What do you like to do for fun? Spend time with my dogs, motivate others and enjoy life.    

How long have you been vegan? Around 15 years

.

Why did you become vegan?   The change was for moral reasons. I knew that the way I was eating (eating animals) did not align with my moral compass. If I were to eat meat I would have to change my whole way of life. I also know that it is heatlthier to not ingest animals

How was your transition?  My transition was easy because it was all a state of mind. If someone doesn’t want to eat meat, they just don’t eat meat. Too many times we get caught up in what is tradition and what is the norm but the most horrible thing that holds us up from being our best is that we get caught up in what others will think of us. Luckily I don’t care what others think.

What is the funniest misconception(s) that you have heard about vegans?    That someone can’t live a healthy life as a vegan.

One of my favorite things that Jim told me about misconceptions of being a vegan was that people said that being a vegan and male meant you were gay… he told me “John, the only problem was I have been gay my whole life and I’ve only been vegan for 10 years” (10 years when he told me that)

What is your Favorite thing(s) about being a vegan?

I am in alignment with how I feel life should be about. Humans don’t kill animals out of necessity, we kill them out of ego and entitlement. And no matter how somine truies to justify killing an animal on purpose, it is invalid unless someone is defending their life… and lets be honest, how many life or death situations are humans in with animals?

What Do you think makes a BadAss Vegan?   I think that a BadAss Vegan is anyone and absolutely every vegan.

.What is the best vegan dish that you make in your kitchen?   

While Jim wasn’t really big on cooking exotic dishes one thing he taught me was the importance of eating as much unprocessed as possible. He would always make melodies of different fruits and veggies. For instance, one dish Ill never forget is the banana salad he introduced me too… it was literally a bed of spring miss lettuce with sliced bananas on top. It was so basic yet amazing and satisfying

What is the best Vegan Restaurant you have ever had the pleasure of eating at?   I know for a fact that his favorite restaurant was Cafe Gratitude. Whenever I was in town we always wanted to go there.

What advice do you have for those that are thinking of transitioning to a vegan lifestyle?   I will go with a piece of advice that he gave me that always stuck… “You control You” And he is so right, no matter what others fo around us or to us, they don’t control how we react. Thank you for everything Jim, Your legacy will forever live on.

BADASSVEGAN OF THE MONTH is brought to you by:
@livevegansmart