22 Sep 2024
Animal Rights, Vegan Lifestyle
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The Humble Hero Everyone Needs to Know: Fiona Oakes

Fiona Oakes vegan

I had planned to give myself a break from writing this week, but here I am, having just returned from the UK and feeling too inspired NOT to share one of my experiences with you today – visiting Tower Hill Stables Animal Sanctuary (with my boyfriend, Quinn).

Fiona Oakes and Ella Magers vegansIt’s hard for me to even begin to put into words how much it meant for me to meet Fiona Oakes in person at her sanctuary (Tower Hill Stables), where she and Martin Morgan dedicate their entire lives to providing a forever home to around 450 rescued farm animals.

Fiona is the most humble hero I’ve ever met… A true champion for animals who has a story so extraordinary that they made a documentary about her called Running for Good that I HIGHLY recommend watching for a full-body-chills viewing experience! Fiona Oakes and Percy bear(That’s Percy bear in the picture, by the way, who you get to know when you watch the movie.)

Fiona, with her extreme authenticity and altruism, combined with her super-human athletic abilities, deserves a global spotlight… not for the purpose of fame, which she gives zero shits about, but rather to support her mission of amplifying the voices of farmed animals and funding her sanctuary.

That said, from what I’ve learned, she’s been let down time and time again, like when she was cut out of the Game Changers movie at the last minute without an explanation, and when Rich Roll trashed an episode they recorded without offering to re-record (and for some reason refusing to follow her or the sanctuary on social media).

Martin, Fiona’s partner in running the sanctuary, generously put Quinn and I up for the night in his home, gave us the grand tour of the sanctuary letting us help out where we could, shared his food with us, and gave us the inside scoop about the struggles they face.

The operating cost of the sanctuary is around $30,000 UK pounds per month. Martin’s salary used to cover a lot of that cost, but now that he’s retired they rely more heavily on donations which have been declining each year. Tower Hill Stables Animal Sanctuary Goat

Martin, Fiona’s partner in running the sanctuary, generously put Quinn and I up for the night in his home, gave us the grand tour and let us help where we could, shared his food with us, and gave us the inside scoop about the struggles they face.

The operating cost of the sanctuary is around $30,000 UK pounds per month. Martin’s salary used to cover a lot of that cost, but now that he’s retired they rely more heavily on donations which have been declining each year.

Tower Hill Stables Animal Sanctuary Ella Magers turkeysAnd by the way, Martin hasn’t had more than ONE day away from the sanctuary in over 20 YEARS, and he only mentioned it because I asked (he wasn’t complaining).

If you haven’t listened to the interview I did with Fiona for the Rise & Thrive podcast, it’s my all-time favorite interview. Check out the podcast episode here and watch the Running for Good documentary here.

Follow Fiona and Tower Hill Stables on Instagram, subscribe to Fiona’s inspirational Patreon account here for as little as $1/month (for just $5 you’ll be buying a stack of carrots for the animals each month), and/or donate directly to the sanctuary here if you can.

Every little bit helps!

19 Jul 2024
Vegan Recipes
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High Protein Kale, Beet, and Roasted Chickpea Salad: A Sexy, Satisfying Go-To Meal!

kale beet roasted chickpea salad

If you find salads boring or unsatisfying, I invite you to prepare your mind to be blown and taste buds to be tantalized with the recipe I’m sharing with you in this post!

 

INTRODUCTION

I’ve been eating salad as my first meal of the day for years now, which, I know for many people sounds unappealing and maybe even slightly crazy.

I’m here to show you, however, just how sexy and satisfying salads can be, AND how easy it is to pack plant-protein into your salads to support your strength training efforts!

You likely know by now that I’m all about thinking outside the box (in other words, thinking beyond our societal programming).

Having my first meal be jam-packed with micronutrients, as well as whole foods-based plant protein, energizing complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats has been a game-changer for me and many clients.

I’m also someone who appreciates efficiency in the kitchen (cooking does not spark joy for me, though maybe this will one day change!). So any meal I can create with healthy whole foods in under 15 minutes, is a meal I feel called to share (I’ve got plenty of them).

 

MY MORNING ROUTINE

For the last 9 months I’ve been eating my first full meal of the day following my 9:00 AM training session.

My day typically starts at 4:44 AM. After setting my intentions for the day while cuddling with Fiona, I scrape my tongue (an Ayurvedic practice), brush my teeth, and then drink 32 ounces of water.

When I’m ready, I enjoy some organic mushroom coffee with steamed soy milk (which has 9 g of plant protein per cup), and if my body is telling me it needs more fuel in preparation for my upcoming training session (learn about my “intuitive eating model” in episode 55 of the Vegan Life Coach Podcast), I will consume a pre-workout snack around 7 AM.

This is sometimes a serving of FYTA protein, dissolved into hot water with a little nut milk, while other times it’s a mango, or apple slices with nut butter. I listen to my body and determine what it needs to be energized for the upcoming workout instead of following a diet plan or “rules.”

Side note: I’m still also continuing to drink LiveUltimate’s Ultimate Elixer daily as my “greens insurance” which always gives me a huge boost of energy and helps keep me from getting sick (check out my “Magical Morning Mud” concoction here.

 

MY LATEST SALAD CREATION

high protein plant-based recipe kale beet chickpea saladNow back to this sexy salad I’m sharing with you today!

If you haven’t seen my YouTube video sharing about my infamous Noochy Licious Kale and White Bean Salad yet, I invite you to check it out HERE, as it’s a great “base” recipe that you can then tweak to make your own and mix things up as needed. 

My latest version is a recipe I’m calling, “Noochy Licious Kale, Beet, & Roasted Chickpea Salad,” and it packs a POWERFUL punch of micronutrients and around 39 grams of protein. Plus it’s surprisingly satisfying and incredibly delicious!

Did you know that beets contain nitrates, which the body converts into nitric oxide, a signaling molecule that helps blood vessels relax? This allows more oxygen and nutrients to reach the heart and muscles, which can help with stamina and performance. This is why beet juice is all the rage these days as a pre-workout fuel.

I encourage you to give it a shot, and if you like it, make it a “go-to” meal in your household, while experimenting with adding or eliminating ingredients based on your likes, what your body is telling you it needs,, and what you have in your fridge at the time.

 

NOOCHY LICIOUS KALE, BEET, & ROASTED CHICKPEA SALAD (a quick, easy, healthy vegan recipe)

Makes 1 full meal (for most) or several side salads.

Ingredients (use organic whenever possible, and keep in mind the measurements are simply there to give you an idea of where to start… adjust to your liking):

  • 3+ cups destemmed, shredded or chopped kale of choice (I usually use lacinato)
  • ¾-1 cup sliced/chopped roasted beets*
  • ⅓ cup chopped cucumber
  • ⅓ cup cooked quinoa (I cook a big batch that lasts all week)
  • ⅓ cup spiced roasted chickpeas**
  • 2 Tbsp pumpkin seeds (raw or toasted)
  • ¼ cup Noochy Licious nutritional yeast (I buy in bulk, 10 bags at a time as it’s an incredible deal and by far the BEST tasting nooch I’ve ever tried!)
  • ¼ tsp Slap Ya Mama Cajun seasoning (or seasoning of choice) to taste
  • 2 Tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil (optional)
  • ½ of a small avocado, sliced (optional)

Instructions:

  • Place the chopped kale into a large bowl.
  • Add the lemon juice and optional olive oil and massage the kale until it becomes soft.
  • Add the Noochy Licious and some Slap Yo Mama (or seasoning of choice) and mix thoroughly.
  • Add the quinoa and mix again.
  • Place this mix onto a large salad plate.
  • Place the beets on top.
  • Sprinkle the roasted chickpeas on top next, followed by the slices of avocado and finally the pumpkin seeds.

* I have admittedly not been roasting my own beets lately, though that would be ideal! I’ve been buying ready-to-eat organic cooked beets from Whole Foods. You could also use raw, boiled, or pickled beets.

**I roast my own chickpeas by simply rinsing, draining, and patting dry the chickpeas from a can, removing any loose skins, tossing with a tiny spray of olive oil and Slap Yo Mama seasoning, and then air-frying at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes. I like them crispy on the outside but still a bit mushy on the inside. There are also tons of great roasted chickpea recipes out there you can experiment with!

I can’t wait for you to give this a shot.

If you like it, simply keep these staples stocked and you can throw it together in a matter of about 12 minutes as long as you batch cook the quinoa once a week… a quick and easy healthy, whole foods vegan recipe that you can feel great about eating throughout the week!

REMEMBER to eat MINDFULLY, being present with your food, chewing each bit thoroughly before swallowing, and connecting with gratitude (for the compassion you’re showing yourself, animals, and the planet by choosing to eat nourishing whole plant foods)!

17 Jul 2024
Vegan Fitness
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Follow-Along Tabata Workouts… Feel the Burn!

vegan fitness push-up

If you’re ready to uplevel your fitness and are bored of doing the same old exercises and workout routines…

Check out my brand new playlist on YouTube!

It’s a follow-along “Mix ‘n Match Tabata Series,” meaning you can combine any number of the videos in this playlist, depending on how much time you have and what muscle groups you want to target, to create your own awesome workout!

The exercises you’ll find in this playlist will help you take your fitness to the next level in unique and creative ways, build a stronger body in functional ways, and improve your mobility.

I designed it to BOTH help you get in kick-ass shape and build a muscular, lean physique, AND set you up to be strong, capable, and active into old age.

I was inspired to create these videos in the weeks leading up to my recent ACL reconstructive surgery, which I share about in this recent blog post.

My strength coach (every great coach has their own incredible coaches) could hardly believe how well I could perform so many exercises with a fully torn ACL.

I knew it was because of all the years I’ve spent doing the types of exercises I share in the playlist (in addition to nourishing my body with a whole foods plant-based vegan diet). So of course I wanted to share these exercises with you.

It was about 2 years ago that I started trying out the Tabata style of training for at least one of my workout sessions each week, which means doing 20 seconds of maximum effort work, followed by 10 seconds of rest, for eight rounds. I fell in love with the challenge it presented my body and the results I got from it.

If you’re interested in the origin of and science behind Tabata style training, named after Izumi Tabata, this article gives a short summary.

Although not all the exercises I show you feel intense the very first round, if you give it a few rounds, you will feel the burn!

I guide you through these mini-workouts myself (they are follow-along), so you won’t be alone and can get some valuable inspiration as you challenge your body and mind.

Most of the exercises can also be modified to meet almost any fitness level.

I recommend starting with the joint activation and wrist mobility routines (also part of the playlist) before diving into your first Tabata.

The joint activation routine is also a great way to start ANY workout.

And of course I recommend eating a whole foods plant-based vegan diet to help speed your recovery, fight inflammation, prevent disease, and help you feel energized for the rest of your life!

Need guidance? Check out my client testimonials page HERE.

Let’s do this!

-Ella

29 Jun 2024
Vegan Fitness
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ACL Injury: The Initial Blow

ACL tear blog post featured image

Have you ever had an accident minor enough that your past does not flash before your eyes, but major enough that your future does?

Two weeks ago I decided I was up for a Muay Thai sparring session, and headed to a local MMA gym where they hold sparring classes. I went four rounds with relatively young guys, feeling great, holding my own in the ring.

During round five however, I went for a kick and my bottom knee twisted and I heard a loud “pop.” Down I went in excruciating pain.

There were so many thoughts that went through my mind in that moment.

I am an extremely optimistic person, yet I think I knew intuitively, based on the “pop,” and the amount of pain, that it was a serious injury.

Within 10 minutes I was able to get up and walk, so I put my optimistic hat back on and hoped for the best.

A few days later an MRI proved my intuition right… A full tear of the ACL.

The orthopedic surgeon laid out my options, which included

  1. Opting out of surgery and going through the rest of my life without an intact ACL (which comes with a relatively high risk of damage to other parts of the knee with my activity level)
  2. Getting the more traditional reconstructive surgery (he recommended choosing to use a tendon from a human cadaver rather than a tendon taken from my own quadricep for a number of reasons), or
  3. Getting a new type of surgery. Upon asking him about the new surgery, I learned they use cells that come from a pig, so of course for me, as a vegan fitness pro committed to doing the most good and least harm to all living beings, that was out.

After careful consideration, I decided to go the route of reconstructive surgery, which has been scheduled for July 10th, 2024with a full recovery expected in 9-12 months.

As difficult as this situation is, it has already given me the chance to prove just how powerful all the work I’ve done on myself the last decade has been, building resilience and the ability to coach myself through tough circumstances, and healing my relationship with my body and food.

My thoughts very quickly went to, “Here starts a new chapter in my life!” and “How can I use this opportunity to grow and help others?”

Sure, I’m super bummed that, for quite some time, I won’t get to take Fiona on runs, and that I won’t be able to practice Muay Thai or perform many of the movements I’ve been loving incorporating into my training routine, AND….

The goal is not to feel better, it’s to get better at feeling.

AND…

I now get to learn about how to navigate a full ACL tear, including preparing for and recovering from ACL reconstruction surgery.

AND…

I get to learn how to use plant-based nutrition, physical therapy, plant medicine, and other modes of healing to help my body recover as efficiently as possible.

AND…

I get to experience the tough emotions that come up for anyone who gets injured, and more specifically for anyone who gets injured and has a history of disordered eating, over-exercising, and body image issues, and/or who identifies as an athlete.

AND…

I get to share this journey with you!

29 Jun 2024
Vegan Recipes
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Smokylicious Vegan Mac ‘n Cheese

vegan mac and cheese

If you’re like me, you crave vegan comfort food from time to time… And mac ‘n cheese is often at the top of my list for a meal to satisfy such a craving!

Speaking of cravings, we did a fabulously fun and actionable episode about cravings on the Vegan Life Coach Podcast (episode 13) in case you feel powerless over your food cravings and could use some guidance.Smokylicious

I just got my hands on this new product from the makers of Noochy Licious (my nutritional yeast of choice that I buy in bulk HERE) called Smokylicious.

I was a bit skeptical at first, as I’m not a big fan of flavors that try to mimic meat, and “No Bacon Flavor” is written on the bag, so I just wasn’t sure.

I decided to give it a shot however, and use it in place of the original flavor in the vegan mac ‘n cheese recipe I often use when I’m craving comfort food.

BOOM! It turned out so well that I feel called to share it with you!

This is adopted from a recipe called “Best Mac & Cheese” from VegNews, and vegan meal for human and dogI’m calling it Smokylicious Mac ‘n Cheese. I like to roast broccoli as the side dish, and save a bit of the cheese sauce to drizzle over the broccoli as well.

Please note that while this is a fairly healthy vegan macaroni and cheese recipe compared to many others, it is not oil-free, as it contains some vegan butter. I have not tried to make this dish without the butter, or with a substitute for the butter YET.

I love using ORGANIC legume-based pasta (e.g. Chickapea Organic Chickpea Pasta) because it is higher in protein, and, with the Smokylicious, which contains 3 g protein per Tablespoons, we end up with plant protein-packed meal (which, in combination with a consistent strength training routine like the one I’ve been doing, is aligned with the goal of building/maintaining a strong, lean, physique).

*Time and energy-saving tip: I sometimes make a double portion of the vegan cheese sauce, and freeze it in large ice cube trays, giving me the option to take a single serving out of the freezer to thaw as needed to add to a baked potato for example.

Smokylicious Mac ‘n Cheese (Vegan)

Cook al dente, drain, and rinse with cold water:

  • 1 package (8 oz) organic legume pasta or pasta of choice

Simmer in saucepan about 20 minutes until tender:

  • 2 Tablespoon shallots, peeled and chopped
  • 1 cup potatoes, peeled and chopped
  • 1/4 cup carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 1/3 cup onion, chopped
  • 1/4 cup Smokylicious nutritional yeast
  • 1 cup water

Blend:

  • 1/4 cup cashes, soaked 1+ hours, rinsed, and drained
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 2 Tablespoons melted vegan butter (e.g. Miyoko’s)
  • 2 Tablespoons unsweetened flax milk or plant-milk of choice

Add cooked veggies and cooking water and blend until smooth.

In a large saucepan, toss pasta and about 3/4 of the cheese sauce and heat on medium, stirring regularly until hot.

Use the rest of the cheese sauce to drizzle over roasted broccoli as a side dish, or save in the fridge or freezer to use later (great for a loaded baked potato as well).

Eat mindfully and enjoy the hell out of every bite of this delicious vegan mac and cheese!!

22 Jun 2024
Vegan Lifestyle
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Strength Training Inspiration

vegan fitness strength training

This is a special fitness edition post, where I’m sharing the strength training routine that I’ve been following for the past 6 months… So If you could use some inspiration when it comes to working out, this is for you.

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Resistance training is instrumental for our overall health and longevity.

According to the National Academy of Sports Medicine (the organization from whom I hold my personal training certification), some of the benefits include…

  • Improved cardiovascular efficiency
  • Improved endocrine (hormone) and cholesterol adaptations
  • Increased muscular hypertrophy (larger muscles)
  • Increased bone density (reduced risk of osteoporosis)
  • Increased metabolism
  • Decreased body fat
  • Increased neuromuscular control (coordination)
  • Increased connective tissue (tendons, ligaments) strength
  • Increased muscular endurance
  • Increased muscular strength
  • Increased power

My Resistance Training RegimenElla Magers Vegan Fitness Strength

I’ve not only seen fantastic physical results from the strength training routine I’ve been committed to for the past 6 months, but I’ve also been enjoying the hell out of it.

This is in part due to the nature of the programming, and in part because I’m training at a studio with awesome energy called V3Perform in Miami, owned by master trainer Michael Mitchel. I’m a boxing teacher and trainer there as well.

The environment and social aspect of training is not to be overlooked, especially when it comes to setting yourself up to be CONSISTENT!

According to the National Academy of Sports Medicine, the regimen style I’m using is called “undulating periodization” and it offers a dynamic approach to training, varying intensity and volume more frequently than linear periodization — sometimes even session to session as in my case.

One of the benefits is that this method keeps training challenging and engaging (helping prevent boredom). That said, it caters best to intermediate and advanced fitness enthusiasts who have surpassed the foundational phase.

Please note that my goal is to be strong, healthy and fit for the LONG RUN. If my number one priority was to maximize muscle hypertrophy (growth), I would choose a different program.

My current strength schedule is doing a full body strength training session on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

In case you’re curious, I’ve also been doing 30 minutes of yoga and/or mobility 6 mornings and a 60-minute hot yoga class each week, 30-60 minutes of walk/sprint intervals with Fiona 3+ times a week, and boxing/kickboxing once a week.

Monday is heavy lifting day, performing only 6 repetitions per set for 5 sets. There are 2-3 exercises per block, and 3 blocks per session. For example:

Block A:

  • Landmine squats
  • Pull-ups
  • Weighted push-ups (plate on back)

Block B

  • Kettlebell Romanian Deadlifts
  • Single Arm dumbbell push-press

Block C

  • Barbell glute bridge on bench
  • Cable plank row

Wednesday is all about mobility and corrective exercises, with a focus on functional and integrative fitness. This often looks like 2-3 blocks of 3-4 exercises at 12-20 repetitions per set for 3 sets each with minimal rest. For example:

Block A:

  • Bulgarian split squat holding a dumbbell in the hand opposite the front foot
  • Turkish get-ups (kettlebell)
  • Kettlebell halos

Block B:

Fridays are considered a metabolic strength workout because it sets you up for  particularly high post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC), also known as the “afterburn effect” or oxygen debt. EPOC is the increase in oxygen and calories your body uses after you stop exercising. It’s a measure of how many calories your body burns as it cools down and returns to its normal resting metabolic function. EPOC can last for several hours and can increase your overall calorie consumption by 6–15%.

Here’s an example of this type of session…

1 minute work/20 seconds rest; 3 sets: 60 seconds rest between sets:

  • Rotational kettlebell swings
  • Kettlebell right arm bottom-up march
  • Kettlebell left arm bottom-up march
  • Plyometric push-ups
  • Kettlebell ballistic rows, alternating
  • Kettlebell figure 8
  • Kick-throughs, alternating
  • Kettlebell clean, right  hand to side lunge left
  • Kettlebell clean, left hand to side lunge right

All training sessions begin with foam rolling (self-myofascial release) and stretching of overactive muscles, and a dynamic mobility warm-up, and end with foam rolling and static stretching.

It’s important to mention that, when working with clients, I start with assessments that determine the best starting place and routine to follow.

This often means beginning with training that focuses on the foundations of functional human movement, correcting muscle imbalances, and developing core stability before moving to more advanced movements and exercises that stimulate muscle growth (hypertrophy).

I invite you to subscribe to the Sexy Fit Vegan YouTube Channel now, as I’m adding beginning to add more fitness content that may help you on your path.

If you’re ready to take your body to the next level and are ready to invest in the coaching you need to do so, check out THIS PAGE of client testimonials, and send an email to [email protected] to learn about the most current opportunities available to work with me.

09 Jun 2024
Vegan Lifestyle
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Powerful Life Lessons: A Birthday Reflection

It’s my 44th birthday today.

As I reflect on my life and prepare for my 45th trip around the sun, I’d like to share a few of the most powerful lessons I’ve learned… lessons that have helped me get to a place where I can embrace life as an adventure that I’m navigating with curiosity and compassion.

Sometimes I flow through the matrix gracefully, while other times it’s pretty damn messy. And I realize that it’s the discomfort of the mess that sprouts the opportunities for discovery and growth. So instead of resisting, the practice of leaning into the discomfort, and finding peace in the midst of it, is the most powerful practice of all.

Prioritize Curiosity

My number one mantra, for both myself and my clients, is “I approach myself and the world with curiosity and compassion.”

When we prioritize being curious over being right, and when we ask more questions than voice answers, we put ourselves up on the fast track for discovery, growth, and set ourselves up for a life filled with awe and wonder.

I find that the more I learn, the more I know I don’t know. And the more I know I don’t know, the more I want to discover, which makes life a hell of a lot more interesting!

We Are Human BEINGS First & Foremost

I was a human DOING for much of my life, basing my worth on what I accomplished, and believing that fulfilling my life’s purpose (to reduce the human-caused suffering of animals) was based solely on what I did. 

The spiritual path I have been on for the last many years led me to the understanding that by realizing my inherent worth, as a soul inhabiting this human body, and then focusing on being present, connecting with my “higher self,” I can more through the world with much more peace and ease. And the more peaceful and at ease I am, the more my actions (doing) are aligned with my purpose, and the greater impact I can make.

The Goal is Not to Feel Better…

“The goal is not to feel better – it’s to get better at feeling,” is a concept that I was introduced to by Michael Brown while reading (and following the protocol in) The Presence Process. 

The result of adopting this mantra is that we get to stop constantly looking for ways to numb, hide, or distract ourselves from negative emotions in unhealthy, self-sabotaging ways (e.g.  eating junk, endlessly scrolling through Instagram, over-working, over-eating).

We get to step into our power and live life fully, because we don’t get to experience happiness without knowing sadness, and the more we can embrace loss, the deeper we get to experience love. That’s the nature of this adventure we call life.

Mindfulness is foundational for Holistic Health & Wellness

The only way to gain awareness about the unhealthy habits, patterns, and programs that keep us from becoming the best version of ourselves is through mindfulness. 

Yoga has been instrumental in helping me practice mindfulness, which is the foundation for the self-coaching I use and teach, and that helped me overcome the depression and disordered eating that plagued me for a decade in my early adulthood.

Mastering mindful eating, specifically, has been a game changer for me and countless clients, both for upleveling overall health and longevity, AND for losing excess body fat and keeping it off without stressing over calories and macros. 

Love Wins

By embodying love and compassion for ALL beings on earth, and making decisions from a place of love instead of fear (as those are our two options), is a win-win-win-win. There are no downsides. 

For me, veganism is all about love and compassion. It’s about moving through the world with the intention of doing the most good and the least harm. 

Love wins. Period.

20 May 2024
Standard, Vegan Lifestyle
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A Dog Adoption Story…. Meet Vegan Fiona

vegan dog Fiona

vegan dog loveJust over 6 months ago (on November 10, 2023) my fur baby, Shye (who was a vegan dog for over 15 years) crossed the rainbow bridge.

If you haven’t read the blog post I wrote about our story yet, I invite you to check it out HERE, as it’s quite entertaining and heartwarming. 

If you’ve lost a fur baby, I’m sure you can relate when I say that my heart still aches for Shye every single day. She is irreplaceable.

The hole in my heart will never be filled, but recently I could feel a beam of light shining through the hole… Light that was calling me to welcome another soul in need of a forever home into my life.

I went online looking at homeless dogs on pet adoption sites, and came across what felt like a familiar face and my gut said, “She’s the one.” 

There was zero description on her profile, so I had no idea what to expect, but was confident from my experience with Shye, a dog who took a year and a half to learn to trust me, that I am equipped with the patience and compassion to handle whatever the Universe handed me.

Adopting Fiona from Humane SocietyShe had been at the Humane Society for 6 weeks, and when I got there, it felt like she immediately adopted me.

A small but mighty being, the girl can RUN (and run, and run, and run)! Her athletic abilities inspired me so much that I decided to name her after one of the most extraordinary endurance athletes in the world… Fiona Oakes. 

Fiona Oakes is the most humble person I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. She has broken 5 marathon course records and is the fastest human to run a marathon on all 7 continents in the shortest amount of time, all without a knee cap (undergoing 17 surgeries as a teenager and being told she’d never walk properly again). 

And what’s even more remarkable is that she doesn’t run because she loves to run. She runs because it gives her a platform to be a voice for animals and raise money for her sanctuary that gives home to over 400 rescued farmed animals. 

It brought me such joy to interview Fiona Oakes on the Rise & Thrive Podcast, episode 4, and if you haven’t yet, listen HERE! It’s one of my favorite interviews to date and you’ll understand why I feel called to honor her. 

I also rewatched the documentary Keegan Kuhn produced about her called, Running for Good… It blew my mind (again!), and I have no doubt you’ll find it incredibly inspiring.

Back to my dog Fiona…

I was told she was an owner-surrender, and that’s about all I know about Fiona’s past life. She is a bundle of energy and love. And although some of her behaviors show there are signs of trauma she’s working through, it’s apparent that she is an incredibly resilient being who is ready to learn to trust again.

Fiona is already thriving on a plant-based vegan diet.  She’s loving her Evolution wet dog food, Petaluma baked dog food, V-Dog jerky and V-Dog dental “bones”, and she’s enjoying broccoli (her favorite veggie so far), chickpeas, tofu, tempeh, and cucumbers regularly as well. 

Check out my Instagram reel about her adoption HERE, and stay tuned for more!

And if you’re ready to open your heart and home to a pet, PLEASE adopt from a shelter or nonprofit rescue organization. 

According to the Humane Society, approximately 6.3 million companion animals enter U.S. animal shelters, and about 920,000 shelter animals are euthanized nationwide every year.

Not only that, the dog breeding industry is full of cruel practices (read THIS article to learn more).

That said, with the simple choice to adopt instead of shop we get to not only literally save a life, we but also take a stand against cruelty and an industry that contributes to the death of hundreds of thousands of fur legged friends each year.

10 Feb 2024
Sexy Fit Vegan
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The Evolution of Sexy Fit Vegan: 2024

Sexy Fit Vegan® exists to help vegan, vegan-curious, and vegan-friendly humans discover their blind spots, find freedom from unhealthy patterns, connect with their higher selves and become holistically healthy and fit, so they can create harmony and align their lifestyle with personal and planetary peace. 

The BIRTH OF SEXY FIT VEGAN®

The year was 2013, and it was the year my inner light, which had become dim, began to shine again… It was the year Sexy Fit Vegan® was born.

Let’s rewind so I can share my vegan origin story in a nutshell…

I discovered my life’s purpose, to be a voice of compassion for animals (especially those that typically end up on plates), when I was seven years old and connected the meat on my plate with the animal it was.

My inner light shined brightly when I was a young kid despite being deeply connected to the suffering of animals, because I was full of hope that I could make a difference. 

By the time I turned 15 I was fully vegan and had become a passionate animal activist before I could drive a car. 

I feel the need to pause here and say… Bless my parents’ hearts for their willingness to drop their kid off to do things like sit in cages on the side of the road to demonstrate the devastating conditions of farmed and lab animals!

In my young mind I thought, “If only people knew what was going on behind the closed doors of factory farms, then they would go vegan too!” I felt empowered,  believing it was as simple as spreading awareness.

Discovering that most people didn’t want to be made aware was a bitter pill for me to swallow, and my bright inner light gradually began to dim during my teenage years.

Fast forward almost two decades…

I was living in Miami, and although I had earned my Master’s degree in Social Work, I was working as a personal trainer and fitness instructor, feeling a little lost and very unfulfilled.

I had taken notice that finally, when I asked for vegan options at restaurants, the servers were usually able to help me (or at least they no longer looked at me like I had two heads)! 

And then one day it hit me like a ton of bricks…

It was time to stop playing small. It was time to start a vegan blog so that I could reach people all over the globe and do my part to help bring veganism into the mainstream.

I was 33, and there were still so many stereotypes about what it meant to be vegan. Vegans were still thought to be weak, or hippies, or angry up on their soapbox. 

I wanted to show the world that being vegan… that compassion… is sexy, and that you could be fit in body, mind AND spirit, and have fun as a vegan… that it wasn’t a sacrifice at all! 

And so Sexy Fit Vegan® was born.

THE SEXY FIT VEGAN: THE EARLY YEARS

I created a website and blog without a real plan for making it into a business. I just knew it was time to reconnect with my purpose to be a powerful voice for veganism again. 

The Sexy Fit Vegan brand quickly took off and gained momentum.

What I came to realize however, is that in order to truly connect with my audience and be a powerful force for the vegan movement, I needed to find the courage to be vulnerable (thanks in part to Brene Brown’s TEDx talk).

So in 2017 I found the courage to share about my own healing journey with the world. I wrote a series of blog posts titled, “From Disordered Eating to Plant-Empowered Living.”

Before long I had a book published, launched The Vegan Life Coach Podcast, and developed a coaching program to help people make the transition to a plant-based lifestyle and develop a healthy relationship with food, and their bodies. These resources have helped thousands of people uplevel their health holistically over the years.

A GROWING CONNECTION TO CONSCIOUSNESS CREATES A DISCONNECTION WITH THE BRAND

Meanwhile, my personal journey toward wholeness had taken me down an intensely spiritual path, exploring quantum mechanics (which I consider the intersection of science and spirituality), and experimenting with methods of expanding my own consciousness.

As my deep-dive into consciousness intensified, I started feeling less connected to the Sexy Fit Vegan® brand. 

My network expanded and I began working on new projects, some of which involved incredible new partners and branding that was largely disconnected from the Sexy Fit Vegan® brand. 

The thinking was in part that creating a “hook” that was less “in your face” with the word, “vegan” would make it more inclusive and attract a wider audience.

Then, in 2022, my world became intensely complicated, a story I share about in my Rise & Thrive Manifesto.

Long story short, I experienced extreme burn-out and ended up in Peru for a 12-day ayahuasca retreat at The Temple of the Way of Light. Upon returning home, my beloved cat, Bob, fell off the balcony in front of me and died in my arms on the way to the ER. 

The pain of Bob’s death felt unbearable, and yet, thanks to the discoveries I’d made with the guidance of plant, human, and animal teachers, I was able to work with the pain and allow myself to fully mourn and grieve.

I felt like I was on a fast-track of inner-evolution, living with intention and in gratitude most of the time, whether experiencing joy or sadness, pleasure or pain, which I believe are all necessary if we’re to have the full human experience.

It was from this new state of being that the Rise and Thrive podcast was born.

Months later, I connected with my amazing boyfriend, Quinn (also vegan and committed to inner-evolution), after being single for several years. 

This leads us to November 10th, 2023, when the light of my life, Shye (my senior “ride or die” rescue chihuahua), suddenly crossed the rainbow bridge. I invite you to read  THIS blog post celebrating Shye’s extraordinary story and sharing about my grieving process.

In the months following Shye’s death, in the midst of the intense grief, I committed to connecting deeply with my sense of trust in the Universe.

The Universe responded. It delivered me Elayna Fernandez, brand strategist, “student of pain,” and founder of the wildly popular brand, The Positive Mom.

SEXY FIT VEGAN IS REBORN

I shared with Elayna that I felt like I was “outgrowing” the Sexy Fit Vegan® brand, and was considering ditching it altogether. 

With her guidance, and a lot of soul-searching, I’ve instead begun the process of rebranding in a way that reconnects me with Sexy Fit Vegan and aligns the brand with my purpose and mission in life. 

I’m now super excited about the direction the brand is headed!

The way I see it, “sexy” has nothing to do with our age, gender, or appearance. Sexy is an authentic way of being, and an empowering way of moving through the world. I came up with an acronym for the word sexy.

S.E.X.Y. stands for:

      Soul-aligned

      Embracing your body

    eXploring life playfully

      You being you

I also gained clarity about the Sexy Fit Vegan mission moving forward.

Sexy Fit Vegan exists to help vegan, vegan-curious, and vegan-friendly humans discover their blind spots, find freedom from unhealthy patterns, connect with their higher selves and become holistically healthy and fit, so they can create harmony and align their lifestyle with personal and planetary peace. 

Boom – I am ALL IN!

SHARING THE REBRANDING PROCESS

It’s now been over three months since Shye passed, and thanks in large part to the love and support from my compassionate community, along with the help of a recent psilocybin journey, I feel inspired to create again.

And here’s the thing… 

I don’t want to go through the creation process behind closed doors. 

I’m much more interested in SHARING as I go, and having you be involved, because, even as an introvert, I have come to understand that connection and community really is EVERYTHING!

For that reason I have started sending out a weekly Sexy Fit Vegan “Soul-Aligned Sunday” newsletter (sign up to receive these intimate updates HERE). I am also working on creating an online community where we can gather to share, support, and raise our vibrations collectively.

I’ve received hundreds of responses from the community connection questionnaire I sent out, and I love reading your submissions!

A FOCUS ON HELPING PEOPLE OVERCOME EMOTIONAL EATING FOR SUSTAINABLE WEIGHT LOSS

One of the common themes I noticed when reading your answers in the community questionnaire, is that emotional eating is a major barrier to weight loss and holistic health for so many of you. 

Given my passion for this pervasive challenge, my formal education (Master’s Degree in Social Work and Certification for working with people who experience disordered eating) and eight years experience coaching clients who struggle with emotional eating (hear from them directly HERE), I’ve decided to launch my most powerful program to date this spring. 

The program is designed to help people who are tired of feeling powerless over cravings and are ready to find freedom with food so they can release excess body fat for good and create a meaningful life they love.

There is SO much nutrition information out there these days that it can be overwhelming. It’s often not a lack of knowledge, but the difficulty people have to apply the knowledge to their lives, consistently, that trips them up and keeps them stuck in unhealthy patterns and habits. 

In the meantime, I’m also continuing to work with a select number of clients individually.

One of my recent clients, Jen Whorton, shared her incredible, inspirational story on an episode of Rise & Thrive (listen HERE).

If you’d like to explore the possibility of working with me 1:1, you can simply send an email to [email protected].

A NOTE OF GRATITUDE

I believe that we’re all here to dance through life together with loving awareness, and to raise our vibrations collectively for the benefit of humanity, animals, and the Planet. 

I wake up every morning full of gratitude for the opportunity to live my purpose and share my message of compassion through the platform I’ve created, which wouldn’t be possible without YOU.

I thank you. I appreciate you. I love you!

31 Jan 2024
psychedelics
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Magic Mushroom Diaries: Celebrating 2 Years Antidepressant Medication-Free

ayahuasca shaman peru

Since this is my first Magic Mushroom Diaries Entry (in the form of a public blog post that is), I’ll give you a little background…

On February 5th, 2024 I’ll be celebrating my 2 year anniversary for getting off antidepressant meds.

In 1996, at the age of 16, I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder. I was put on antidepressant medications, and with the exception of a few failed attempts to get off of them, I remained medicated all the way up until 2022.

Then, in January of 2022, after already having been on a healing and spiritual journey for many years, I decided that I was ready to navigate life without anti-depressants and weaned myself off. 

Once off the meds, I did a DMT trip, which was an extraordinary experience, but did not seem to have any lasting positive effects.

I found myself spiraling into severe burn-out (something that I’d felt coming for years, but kept at bay with band-aids) and depression, which I had felt confident I would be able to handle with the countless tools I’d gained over the last decade. I shared all about this in real time with a very real and raw blog post I titled, Burn-Out, Insomnia, Psychedelics & More [An Intimate Share💖].

I subsequently traveled to Peru to work with Ayahuasca in June 2022 at an incredible center called the Temple of the Way of Light, where I participated in 6 Ayahuasca ceremonies over 11 nights with 20 others in the Amazon jungle with 5 indigenous shaman and 2 incredible facilitators.

It was a psychedelic experience I have yet to blog about because it was so complex, and so out of this world, that I’m simply not sure I can express it using words! 

Just two weeks after returning from my trip to Peru however, my grandmother died, and a week later my beloved cat, Bob, fell off the balcony in front of me and died in my arms on the way to the emergency room. I share more about that in the Rise & Thrive Manifesto HERE.

A few months later I considered returning to antidepressants to take the edge off, as I just felt so heavy and uninspired… As if I was experiencing the world in greyscale despite living in bright, sunny Miami.

Instead, I decided to macrodose magic mushrooms, knowing that there is evidence to suggest that psilocybin can be effective at helping people suffering from clinical depression and anxiety.

I kayaked with a friend to a small island in Biscayne Bay (near my apartment), created a ceremonial space complete with everything needed to facilitate a transformational experience, and off we went on a trip that would change the trajectory of my life!

I walked (or paddled rather) away from that experience feeling deeply connected to not only my own spirit, but the universal consciousness that includes the energy of all creation.

The world around me presented in living color once again, and I knew in my heart of hearts that nature could provide everything I needed to navigate life without returning to prescription antidepressants.

I’ve been working with psilocybin regularly ever since, using it as-needed (usually every couple months) for a “reset,” with amazing results.

Thanks for reading this, and I look forward to continue sharing my experiences with you!

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: Psychedelics are NOT for everyone and I recommend guidance from a professional if you’re considering the possibility of working with any kind of plant-medicine.