Can you believe we’re halfway through December and counting down the days to the new year already?!
I want to wish you, from the bottom of my heart, an abundance of peace, love, and joy as we move through the holidays and wrap up another orbit around the sun.
The holidays are all about connection, reflection, and gratitude for me, and I’m incredibly grateful that we are connected.
The brand I created, Sexy Fit Vegan, turned 10 years old this year🥳, but the mission on which it was founded dates back to 1987 when I was just seven years old and discovered my life’s purpose… to be a voice for animals and an advocate for compassionate, plant-powered living.
I’d like to take this opportunity to share some reflections about 2023, share about what’s ahead, how you can be involved, and ways you can show support so that we can work together to make a positive impact on this world!
Reflection: Professional
We launched the Rise and Thrive Podcast on February 14th, 2023 with the fabulous Olympic Medalist Dotsie Bausch kicking off the first episode with me… A powerful force for good whom I admire SO much, and whom I am now fortunate enough to call a friend. We published 41 incredible episodes this year and I am bat-shit passionate about hosting the show! I love being able to provide this free resource for the vegan-curious and the curious vegan on their path to holistic health.
I had the pleasure of doing lots of volunteering in 2023, including speaking at a PCRM (Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine) Let’s Beat Breast Cancer rally, helping out at several SoFlo Vegan events, volunteering at Rowdy Girl Sanctuary, and in addition to the regular board member duties, I got to spend quite a bit of time at Hogs & Kisses Farm Sanctuary in Virginia, helping out and loving on the beautiful souls whom make up our fur family there.
In addition to being interviewed on many podcasts (including Switch4Good and Real Men Eat Plants), and appearing on Chef AJ’s YouTube show multiple time, I had the honor of speaking at two large-scale in-person events. I was on a game-changing panel for a session titled, Powered by Plants: How World-Class Athletes Are Changing the Way We Eat at the Organic Produce Summit in Monterey, California. I also gave a 50-minute talk to an audience of over 500 at the Healthy for a Lifetime Conference in Omaha.
My 22Reboot challenge​ changed the lives of hundreds of people this year. 22Reboot is a 22-day total lifestyle transformation system that helps you disrupt harmful patterns, adopt healthy habits, and create a healthy, plant-based lifestyle for maximum performance, embodying inner peace, compassion, and freedom. (It’s a PERFECT way to kick off the new year too!)
I had the pleasure of re-launching the Plant-Empowered Coaching Program and seeing many amazing souls through the body/mind/life-transforming process. I also took on a handful of 1:1 clients which felt truly magical to be able to work so intimately with people on an individual level, helping them build a healthy relationship with food, their bodies, and themselves so that they can move through life healthfully and with more joy, love, and freedom.
I also participated in several plant-based bundles, which I see as one of the best ways to collaborate with other plant-based and vegan leaders to provide a huge number of resources to people at a very affordable price.
Reflection: Personal
2023 was marked by both an extraordinary birth (of a relationship) and a devastating death.
In July, I connected with the human who has become “my person” (aka significant other, partner), Quinn!
It honestly still feels surreal that I found someone who is so secure in his masculinity that he can move through the world with the philosophy, “love wins.”
We share the intriguing “how we met” story on THIS episode​ of the podcast.
Then, on November 10th, the light of my life, my 17 year old rescue (vegan) chihuahua, Shye, fell suddenly ill, and after rushing her to the vet, then the neurologist, and finally the ER, I had to say goodbye that same night.
My whole world revolved around her extraordinary, spunky self. She was my significant other for 15 years. She was the light of my life. She was my +1. She was my teacher, my coach, and my best friend who gave me so much love and brought me so much comfort.
And now I am figuring out how to navigate life without her… To bear the unbearable pain of loss that hits us when we have the courage to love as deeply as I loved Shye. Â
I feel incredibly grateful for my amazing friends, my incredible family, my partner Quinn (who was right there with me at the end), and my compassionate community for all the kindness and support you’ve shown me through this challenging time.
I take solace in my belief that Shye and I are quantumly entangled forever, that her soul lives on, and that I will be with her again one day.Â
I wrote all about Shye in THIS blog post, which I’ve dedicated to everyone who has dared to love an animal with their full, open heart, knowing the inevitable pain that we experience when they pass.
In addition to traveling for speaking appearances, to Hogs & Kisses, and to visit Quinn in his hometown of Austin, by the time you read this, Quinn and I will be in Guatemala. We will spend 6 days hiking volcanoes, exploring sacred Mayan sites, swimming, doing yoga, experiencing culture, while staying true to my values and eating exclusively plants… That’s right… A true vacation. Yay!
The other things I put a lot of my energy into this year were improving my mobility through functional, primal, and animal-inspired movements, as well as getting stronger with calisthenics, using boxing as a moving meditation and way to move energy through my body, and hot yoga to improve my flexibility, connect with present moment awareness, and detoxify my body.
When it comes to food, I’ve enjoyed eating mindfully and consciously from a place of compassion for myself, animals, and the planet. Embracing the healthy relationship I’ve built with food, my body, and myself is something I celebrate every day.
What’s Ahead in 2024
Podcast
I’m committed to providing you with free inspiration by continuing to deliver weekly episodes of the Rise and Thrive Podcast. We have some EPIC episodes for you starting in January! We plan to add sponsorships to the show to cover costs, and you can support the show by subscribing, leaving a rating and review, and taking advantage of the offers we share. I promise that I will only accept sponsors from companies whose values align with my own (compassionate, healthy, and sustainable)!
22Reboot
If you haven’t taken on the 22Reboot challenge yet, I encourage you to take the leap. Although I created it with entrepreneurs and professionals in mind, if you need a jump start to kick unhealthy habits and adopt a healthy LIFESTYLE that includes whole foods plant-based eating, quality sleep, consistent exercise, and mindfulness, then you can count on 22Reboot to provide you with a proven system to get you there, all for only $197. Plus, you can book an execution call with me, personally, when you purchase, to help set yourself up for success.
Hogs & Kisses
At Hogs & Kisses, we are beyond excited to be preparing to welcome three TURKEYS to the sanctuary where they’ll get to live out their lives feeling loved, safe, and free to be themselves. This was made possible thanks to all the donations we received throughout the year, and particularly during our Giving Tuesday fundraiser. THANK YOU to everyone who donated. Every little bit helps. And keep in mind we have a Bed and Breakfast on the property! Learn more on our website.
Public Speaking
I’ll be doing quite a bit of public speaking in 2024, the first two appearances being in Toronto and Seattle (March and April), at the Planted Expo. I hope you can join me for one of those, as these are incredible events!
Bundles
I’m participating in several more bundles, which I encourage you to invest in. The price is insanely low for the incredible number of resources you receive.
Coaching
I plan to work with just a few 1:1 clients in 2024. If you’re interested in individual coaching, you can email me directly ([email protected]).
I am considering launching a brand new group coaching program, challenge/support groups, and/or a holistic wellness-forward compassionate community. I will keep you posted through my email newsletter, so make sure you’re on my email list HERE!
Stay Connected/Follow Me
Subscribe to my YouTube Channel HERE
Subscribe to THE WAY WEDNESDAY Monthly Newsletter HERE
Follow me on Instagram HERE
Follow me on Facebook HERE
Connect with me on LinkedIn HERE
Check out my new(ish) Website HERE
Check out The Vegan Life Coach Podcast, HERE
With So Much Love and Gratitude,
Ella
Ella Magers, MSW
Latest posts by Ella Magers, MSW (see all)
- The Evolution of Sexy Fit Vegan: 2024 - February 10, 2024
- Magic Mushroom Diaries: Celebrating 2 Years Antidepressant Medication-Free - January 31, 2024
- Veganuary Special Recipe! Purple Sweet Potato: Loaded with Love - January 6, 2024
- 2023 Year’s End: Connection, Reflection, and Gratitude - December 14, 2023
- My Shye - December 14, 2023
