Why did you become vegan?    As I mentioned before, I have always been vegetarian because of religious beliefs. I decided to go vegan because I am a huge believer in investing in my health. This life is beautiful and we are only blessed with one. I want to enjoy it with my family and friends as long as I can. One of the first things that doctors tell you whenever you are sick or suffer from some type of disease is to structure your diet around eating more raw and unprocessed foods. The health benefits from eating natural, unprocessed foods are countless! It is funny because a lot of people already know this, but they either choose to keep eating whatever they want or they just don’t know how to change to a vegan lifestyle. I decided that I wanted to not only live the vegan lifestyle, but I also wanted to help spread awareness on how to become the best version of yourself while living this lifestyle.

How was your transition?   My transition to a vegan lifestyle from a vegetarian lifestyle was actually pretty easy. Honestly, I think the reason why It took me so long to make the transition from vegetarian to vegan was because of my love for pizza. After I realized that restaurants had the options for vegan pizzas, I was able to sleep a little easier at night! There are so many options for vegans nowadays that is not difficult to find vegan friendly items anywhere you go!

What is the funniest misconception(s) that you have heard about vegans?   Haha! Growing up in South Mississippi and Louisiana, I have definitely heard all the stereotypical comments and misconceptions about not eating meat or animal products. I think that my all time favorite thing that I’ve heard someone say was that they thought all vegans were similar to an Ace Ventura renegade who just went around and saved animals from captivity and released them back into the wild. They did not want to invite me to their house for the longest time because they owned a lot of pets and thought I would set them all free. Haha.

What is your Favorite thing(s) about being a vegan?   Man, this is a tough one! What is not to love about being vegan?! My health and physical condition is the best its ever been. I am taking a stand against the violence, suffering, and death of innocent living beings. I am helping people understand, realize, and learn that it is possible to push your body to its physical peak and compete against elite athletes while living a vegan lifestyle! I love seeing the reaction from people once I tell them that I am a vegan. They always say one of two things: “How do you get so big being a vegan” and “But where do you get your protein?”

What do you think makes a Sexy Bad Ass Vegan?   Let’s face it. Confidence is sexy. There is nothing sexier and more magnetizing than someone who stands up for what they believe is right, knows exactly they want, and what they are willing to sacrifice to get it. It takes a bad ass individual to show resilience, compassion, and dedication, qualities in which I believe all vegans have. I guess that makes all vegans Sexy Bad Asses!

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

Oh man, another tough question! My favorite vegan dish would have to be fresh avocado toast! I typically use the following ingredients:

• 1 whole haas avocado
• 2 slices of toasted ezekial bread
• 2 slices of tomato
• A dash of olive oil and balsamic vinegar
• Oregano

I usually have this for breakfast because it contains a good amount of fats and carbs which I need to give me energy for my day!

 What is the best Vegan Restaurant you have ever had the pleasure of eating at?  The best vegan restaurant I’ve ever eaten at is called The Secret Spot in Huntington Beach, CA. It is located in a small shopping mall. The inside is tiny and only has like 4 tables. The burritos, wraps, and juices are the best I’ve ever had. They are always made fresh and I guarantee you that you won’t be able to stop yourself from ordering another once you’ve finished your first one. I will go out of my way to make a pit stop at the Secret Spot every time I am within a 30 mile radius of the place!

What advice do you have for those that are thinking of transitioning to a vegan lifestyle?  I think that the best way to transition into veganism is to take it slowly. Food, just like anything else that brings pleasure, is an addiction. It can be very difficult to refrain from eating foods that you absolutely love. I suggest that you take it one step at a time and plan it out. First, give up red meat. Then, give up chicken and fish. Then, once you are vegetarian for a bit give up the dairy and egg products. If you try to give up everything at once, you are more than likely to accept defeat. I have found that giving up a little at a time is the best way to go!