My Mission

Empowering people with the tools they need to bring out their inner bad ass, develop a healthy relationship with food, and build a PLANT-strong body for LIFE!

My Philosophy

Eating should be an enjoyable way to fuel your body and ignite your taste buds. So many people obsess over counting calories and macros, or are stuck in a debilitating cycle of restricting and binging. I was one of those people! Learning to love myself, and develop a healthy relationship with food and fitness, was an empowering process that made me PLANT-strong in body, mind, and spirit.

There are so many resources out there for people who simply need a vegan meal plan to follow, or ideas for plant-based recipes. For some, that’s all it will take to transition to a fit vegan lifestyle. But for many, there are deep-seeded issues that need to be addressed in order to create a kick-ass vegan lifestyle.

So… if you’re veg-curious, want to explore how to go vegan, develop a healthy relationship with food and your body, and/or connect with a community of like-minded people, you’re in the right place!

Now I will share my story in a nut shell…

My Story

My journey started with an “aha” moment in third grade when I connected the food on my plate to the animal that it was. I was horrified! I immediately vowed never to eat meat again. My deep sense of compassion for all living creatures soon led me to transition to a fully vegan lifestyle and ultimately become a passionate vegan coach.

My other great passion, fitness, began with the numerous sports I participated in since age five. After earning my Bachelors Degree in Social Work, I jumped on an opportunity in the fitness industry that took me from my beautiful home state of North Carolina to hot, sexy Miami Beach where I have called home ever since.

During my young adulthood I went through a dark period where I struggled with a poor body image rooted in a lack of love and acceptance for myself. I became obsessed with having a super lean, toned, strong body. When I looked in the mirror I saw all my “faults.” I saw fat that was barely there and I soon dropped to a dangerously low weight. I started measuring my portions and counting macros. I found myself falling into a cycle of restricting and binging that caused me to suffer greatly behind closed doors.

During this challenging time in my life, I was fortunate enough to happen upon Muay Thai and started practicing religiously. Discovering my love of Thai Boxing was a catalyst for me to start doing the work necessary to find unconditional love and acceptance for myself.

My journey also involved unlearning the fear of carbs and obsession with protein (plant protein of course) that, to this day, is ingrained in the fitness community’s culture. My own struggles fueled my desire to combine my passion for vegan fitness with a career helping people become strong and healthy through exercise, nutrition, and a positive mindset.

I have been a vegan fitness and wellness professional for 12+ years now, with my certifications in Personal Training from the National Academy of Sports Medicine and Wellness Coaching from the University of Miami.  I obtained my Masters Degree in Social Work to gain additional skills in counseling people work through their hardships, gain success, and be happy, healthy individuals both physically and mentally.

In 2007 I decided I would check “fitness competition” off my bucket list. Without measuring portions or counting macros I met my goal by winning the FAME Fitness World Championships, taking first in the Bikini category and second in the Fitness and Fitness Model categories.

In September, 2013, I was privileged to be featured with a spread in BodyBuilding.com, as Personal Trainer of the Month. I was honored to be named in Shape Magazine’s Top 50 Trainers in America, 2014. I enjoy speaking and leading workshops to help people learn how to go vegan the healthy, fit fun way. I was recently invited by the Sheraton in Macau, China where I traveled to lead a workshop for their Fitness Connection month. I am also fortunate enough to be a presenter at my favorite vegan event each year, the Seed Food and Wine Festival.

In 2016 I launched my 6-Week Plant-Empowered Coaching Program which help people make the transition to a healthy, active, plant-based lifestyle in a SUSTAINABLE (key word) way. Helping people gain tools to not only fuel their bodies with plants, but also to have a healthy relationship with food and their bodies. No counting calories or macros. No cookie-cutter vegan meal plans. It’s all guiding people through a structured process of replacing old, unhealthy habits and mindsets with new healthy ones in order to create a fit vegan lifestyle that they love!

I also have 2 ebooks available on my website, the How To Go Vegan Beginner’s Guide and the How To Make Your Own Superfood Shakes. My book, the Six Weeks to Sexy Abs Meal Plan. includes a 6-week meal plan with over 100 awesome, simple yet satisfying plant-based recipes to go with it.

Looking forward to connecting with you all here and on social media!

– Ella