If you have social media and if you are a vegan athlete then I am sure you have heard of this woman. She is ver vocal in the vegan fitness movement showing how you can be strong and cruelty free. As a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, she displays not only her physical strength but her mental strength. I have followed her since 2011 and I has seen her growth and I am more than happy to announce Miss March… Anne-Marie Campbell @meatfreeathlete
Name: Anne-Marie Campbell or AMC. aka. Meat Free Athlete
Where do you live and where are you from? Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Age? 34
What do you do for a living/profession? Digital Integrations, US Accounts at theScore. Also, MeatFreeAthlete.com has become a part time job fueled by my passion for veganism.
What do you like to do for fun? I’ve been a competitive athlete since I was 9, so I’ve always loved sports and being active. I’m a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, and train in MMA too. My goal right now is to earn my 2nd Degree Black Belt. I also love yoga and hockey. I enjoy sci-fi and documentaries about the universe and physical geography. I’m a huge Star Trek fan (Voyager is my favorite series, with The Next Generation a close second).
Why did you become vegan? I became aware of the cruelty behind the use and consumption of animals and I didn’t want any part of it. There is no way to humanely use, exploit, and murder any living being. As an athlete, I’ve also benefited from being vegan, so it’s like an added bonus to living a compassionate lifestyle! I have more energy to train harder and longer, and my recovery time is faster.
How was your transition? It’s all about perspective! I went into it with a positive attitude, and I believe that is key. When you decide to go vegan, it’s something you should be happy about, something that makes you feel good. It’s best to focus on what you can have, and enjoy trying new things. If you don’t like a certain non-dairy milk, oh well, no big deal! Try a new one! I started off vegetarian, and shortly after became vegan. I got used to checking labels, veganizing my favorite meals, and I quickly realized that being vegan isn’t as hard as it may sound. I realize that most people don’t become vegan over night, and that It’s a personal journey for everyone. The important thing is that you are on the journey!
What is the funniest misconception(s) that you have heard about vegans? There’s just so many misconceptions in general! So many people still believe dairy is a good source of calcium, and that meat is the source of protein. That’s all thanks to the meat and dairy industry spending millions every year on advertising and marketing campaigns. Also, a lot of people think that I must take protein powders and/or supplements because I’m an athlete, and that’s not the case. I don’t take supplements, and I rarely ever use protein powders. I have nothing against protein powders because I think they are great for convenience, but I just don’t find that I need them. I eat a good variety and quantity of nutrient rich foods and it works for me.
What is your Favorite thing(s) about being a vegan? I love being vegan because my actions match my morals, and that’s a great feeling. Being vegan literally saves lives, and I know that my money doesn’t pay for cruelty and exploitation. I feel a greater sense of appreciation for all life, and a deeper spiritual connection with myself and the world around me. I also love being a vegan athlete because I am smashing stereotypes and misconceptions about health and fitness.
What do you think makes a Sexy Bad Ass Vegan? Someone living a compassionate lifestyle, and showing respect for all life.
What is the best vegan dish that you make in your kitchen?
My vegan lasagna is my most popular dish that my whole family loves! Try it, you’ll love it, and it’s a great dish to feed non-vegan family, friends, and co-workers.
Meat Free Athlete Vegan Lasagna
*I recommend using organic ingredients when available
Ingredients
1 Box of whole wheat lasagna noodles
1 Package of Vegan cheese (I always use Follow Your Heart Mozzarella)
3 Cups of fresh spinach
3 Cups of fresh mushrooms – sliced
1 Can of spicy pasta sauce – spicy optional
2-3 Cups veggie ground
Optional – Vegan Parmesan cheese – to sprinkle on top when it’s served
Directions
– Pre-heat the oven to 350F
– Boil the pack of lasagna noodles.
– Empty the pasta sauce and ground veggie meat into a deep sauce pan and cook at medium heat.
– Grate the package of cheese, or cut in to thin slices.
– When the noodles are done, start layering and building the lasagna!
– Put a little sauce on the pan before the first layer of noodles. Then alternate layers of the ground veggie meat, sauce and cheese, then noodles and sauce, then layers of spinach, fresh mushrooms, and a little sauce and cheese, and so on.
– Cover the lasagna with foil when it’s cooking.
Cook for approximately 30-40 minutes. Check on it after 20 minutes. When the cheese is fully melted it’s ready!
Enjoy!
What is the best Vegan Restaurant you have ever had the pleasure of eating at? Some of my favorite spots are Cruzer Pizza and Veggie Grill (both in LA). In New York, Teri’s has delicious veggie meatball subs and hot chocolate. In Toronto, Loving Hut is my favorite spot! Delicious organic vegan food, and only a 5 minute walk from my office! Also, Grasslands in Toronto has an amazing brunch! There’s still so many spots I’m looking forward to trying in LA and NYC when I’m there again.
What advice do you have for those that are thinking of transitioning to a vegan lifestyle? Give it a try! A vegan lifestyle is healthy and compassionate, what’s not to like?! It’s not a diet in the sense that you can only eat one way. Eating vegan is so diverse! From pizza, pasta, desserts, to kale, quinoa, and beans, there’s something for everyone. It’s one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life, and it’s very rewarding. It’s all about perspective! Focus on what you can have, and enjoy trying new stuff. Try veganizing your favorite recipes, get used to reading food labels to avoid those pesky animal based ingredients, and get social online! There’s so many awesome vegan websites and groups online that you can join to meet other vegans and like-minded people.
I’m the founder of MeatFreeAthlete.com which is a vegan resource and blogging community. I write a blog, and also have a team of featured bloggers. There’s lots of great recipes, articles, tips, and advice. You can also join the free Meat Free Athlete online community and write your own blog or fitness journal!
Also join me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
