31 Jul 2018
Animal Rights, Environmentalism, Going Vegan Tips, Holistic Health, Wellness Business
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Why I Chose “Sexy Fit Vegan®”

I’ve been getting some push-back on the name of my brand recently. With comments on my Facebook posts like, “Why sexy?” and “Your a fraud, just trying to use sex to make money!”

I’d like to take a moment to address this criticism…

Many of you already aware that I knew from the age of 7 that my purpose in life is to save animals by spreading awareness about the cruelty that takes place behind the closed doors of factory farms. As a child, I thought, “If only people knew, they would surely quit eating animals!” I soon realized that it was, unfortunately, a bit more complicated than that.

I started to understand that people have been conditioned from birth to believe dogs are worthy of our love, while pigs are meant to be tortured, killed and consumed. Cats are worthy of sleeping in bed with us, while cows deserve to have their throats slit so we can eat their flesh. Dolphins are beautiful, to be ooh-ed and ah-ed at, while tuna are meant to be captured, canned, and consumed.

I also came to understand that many people do not WANT to know. Why? “Ignorance is bliss” right? Once you know you can’t not know. You no longer have the “excuse” of ignorance and must take responsibility for your choices. 

I created my brand, Sexy Fit Vegan®, in 2013, when the truth about animal agriculture (both the ethical and health aspects) started being covered in the mainstream media. The information I had been sharing with people for years, was finally being exposed in ways that could not be ignored.

The mission of my brand was clear. Bring veganism into the mainstream. So yes, my thought was, “What can I name my brand that will get people’s attention?”

The word “sexy” catches people’s eye. It does draw people’s attention, probably more than any other word in the English language. Given that catching people’s attention was my goal… Sexy Fit Vegan® it was! I was beyond excited to start building my life and work around what I’m most passionate about… veganism.

I did think about what the word “sexy” meant to me before choosing it. I’ve always considered myself a feminist. I had a mom who taught me that I could do anything I put my mind to. I’m grateful that my parents gave me the space and support I needed to figure out what was important to me.

When choosing my brand name, I thought, “What happens when I’m older? Will I no longer be a sexy fit vegan?” I quickly answered myself, “Hell yeah, I’ll be a sexy fit vegan until the day I die!” Here’s why…

True sexiness is a matter of how you feel in your own skin. It has nothing to do with other people’s opinions about your appearance. Feeling sexy starts from within.

I thought about how amazing it feels to align your actions with your true values. I considered how powerful it feels to move through the world fight for what you believe in. For me, that was a fight for the end of animal exploitation. Now THAT feels sexy to me!

Not to mention the fact that we’re human beings, and sex is a part of life. It’s part of our identity. Sex is not something to feel shameful about. So why is the word “sexy” sexist? It’s not! There is nothing wrong with striving to feel sexy!

I love what my friend and Plant-Empowered Coach, Stephanie said as we were discussing this topic. “I think it’s time that women embrace that their sexual energy is a part of their wholeness. It’s time to own the fact that being an empowered female is inherently sexual.” Males are certainly proud of their sexual energy… Why should females not be proud of theirs?

Feeling sexy is not only okay, it’s liberating!

That being said (full disclosure here), my immediate reaction to those who criticized me for using the word “sexy” in my brand, without bothering to get to know me and what I’m all about, was “F**k you!  I’ve been vegan for 24 years and have worked my whole life to make a positive impact in this world.

I use a tool I teach in the Plant-Empowered Coaching Program we call “the power of the pause” to take a step back, observe that F-You thought, and recognize that it will not contribute to my cause in any positive or productive way. Hence why I’m writing and sharing this instead!

I’ve learned that part of being a leader is having critics (a.k.a haters), and part of being a good leader is accepting that some people simply aren’t going to “get it,” and that’s okay!

My entire life is focused on empowering women with the tools they need to love themselves, overcome shame, live according to their values, and build a meaningful life, through my 6-Month Plant-Empowered Coaching Program.

A meaningful life involves using your strengths and skills to make a positive impact in this world, and there is nothing sexier than that!

08 Dec 2016
Vegan-Related Books & Documentaries, Vegan-Related Current Events, Wellness Business
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How to Build Your Own Successful Wellness Business

Building a Profitable Wellness Business

Is it really possible to turn your passion for wellness into a successful, profitable business? 

The answer… Yes!

There is one hurdle that needs to be addressed first though…

The Money Taboowellness business

There seems to be a sense of reluctance for people in the “helping industries” to talk about profiting from their business.

Why? I believe many of us who are devoted to helping others feel a sense of guilt when it comes to making money in the process. There is this idea that profiting somehow lessons our good will. I have certainly felt this way, and even to this day, I have to continue consciously replacing those types of thoughts with new ones that allow me to feel thrilled to help others AND make a great living doing what I love.

The truth is, if you’re not able to work toward your own goals in life, how can you be truly effective at helping others reach theirs?

I have always seen money as something I want not because it buys “nice things”, but because it gives you choices in life. There is nothing more liberating then to be able to make decisions based not on how much money something costs, but on how important something is to you.

For me, I could care less about fancy cars (I gave up my car for a scooter and uber recently), or expensive clothes, or spending time at the spa. What I want is to travel and see as much of the world as possible. I want to hire awesome muay thai instructors to train me. I want to be able to buy gifts “just because” for my family and friends. These are the things that I want that money can buy.

So, the saying, “Money doesn’t buy happiness” is one hundred percent accurate. So is the saying, “Money buys choices.”

Additionally, I have discovered first hand that the more a person spends on my wellness coaching services, the more they get out of our work together.

Why? Because the more a person invests, the more value they place on the challenging process of replacing old unhealthy habits, with new healthy ones. The more a person invests, the more of a priority they make doing what it takes to transition to a lifestyle that will serve them in countless ways for the rest of their lives. 

So, that all being said, I have decided to put the money taboo to the side and tell it like it is!

Burpees and Benjamins

I recently gave a talk at the Seed Summit (part of the Seed Food and Wine Festival 2016) on building a profitable wellness business. I recorded the presentation, and it was a hit, so I wanted to share it with all of you.

In the talk I shoot from the hip and talk about how I finally was able to turn my passion for conscious eating and healthy living into a highly profitable business in a matter of months. Even with all the success I had building a brand, with awesome exposure, recognition, publishing a book, etc. I worked tirelessly for years without monetizing my business beyond scraping by month-to-month (with credit card debt weighing heavily on me as well).

I finally said enough was enough and did the research, gained the business tools I needed, and found the support necessary to put together a solid plan of action. Once I did that, it was only a matter of a couple months before my business exploded! It was such an amazing feeling to be making a difference in the lives of people and animals all over the world AND earning the money I had dreamed of for years. 

I knew immediately that my next step in my career path was sharing what I learned with anyone and everyone who is passionate about wellness who is also stuck in the place I was just a year ago. So, I created a program to do just that…. The 8-Week Empower Consulting Program. 

I can’t tell you how incredibly exhilarating it is to see people through the process of taking their businesses to the next level, because I have been there. I get it!

So, if you are in the same boat of working your ass off and feeling frustrated that you’re not able to reach more people and make the income you deserve, check out the 8-Week Empower Consulting Program and book a one-on-one strategy session with me HERE.

I look forward to speaking with you!