I ended up studying and receiving certifications in hypnotherapy, personal training, lifestyle and weight-management consulting, and basic nutrition. I used these tools to help myself quit smoking, lose a little weight, and manage stress. I also wanted to help others make the same positive changes so I started working as a coach.

 

Shortly into this new career, my father was diagnosed with a rare form of lung cancer. He was given a 10% chance to live 2 years and a 2-3% chance to live 5 years by his first oncologist. My father’s grim diagnosis put me on a quest to dive full-time into researching alternative and integrative health therapies. Through the research, we found an Integrative Oncologist who combined both conventional treatments and a nutrition-based protocol.

 

Fascinated by the field of natural healing, I continued my search, interviewing over a half a dozen MDs and PhDs specializing in alternative cancer therapies. In addition, I had the good fortune to meet and interview “terminal” alternative cancer survivors who were alive a decade plus after their diagnosis. These interviews, in combination with months of in-depth research, opened my eyes to a whole new understanding of healing. I knew that I wanted to share what I learned and someday help to spread this information far and wide. And my father? He is still kicking 6 ½ years later! Although we have no way of knowing the role the more holistic nutrition based protocol had on my father’s full recovery, something allowed him to beat the odds.

Once my father was back on track, a personal burnout settled in. I ended up traveling extensively on and off for a few years through Thailand, India, and Central America to continue my meditation and self-enquiry practice. There were many moments of deep peace throughout these years; however, living a semi-monk-like life didn’t seem to be addressing the external environmental, health, and human rights issues. There was a piece of me that was unsettled by solely focusing on inner growth but not taking action externally in the world.

 

About six months back, I rewatched the documentary What the Health, which ignited a spark in me and made me want to clean up my eating to more of a whole food plant-based diet. I also rewatched Cowspiracy, which brought back to mind the extraordinary impact animal agriculture was having on human rights, the rainforest, species extinction, climate change, ocean dead zones, and more.

 

Refueled by these documentaries, I signed up for a vegan fest in January of 2018 in Tulum, Mexico. This event had vegan-fitness professionals speaking, including Nimai Delgado, Dominick Thompson, and Torre Washington. They were the perfect examples of “being the change you want to see in the world” and promoting a lifestyle that was not only impacting lives, but creating a revolution that is impacting the environmental and human rights issues.

This was my “aha” moment. I decided to also become the change I wanted to see in the world and dedicate my time and career to promoting a vegan diet, for the people, the planet, and the animals. 

I then went through a 90 Day transformation going from 18% body fat down to 10% body when I was 44 years old, back in 2018. I wanted to show people it was possible to THRIVE on a plant-based diet. I also wanted to see what was possible and be more comfortable in my own skin.

I can do advanced calisthenics including front levers, human flags, handstand pushups, and more. Mostly, I’ve transformed on a plant-based diet without any animal products. 

This transformation is what launched me on Instagram. Since then, I’ve been stronger and leaner than ever at the current age of 46. 

My main motivation is that showing that plant-based living is about health and healing, with many clients reversing conditions and feeling the best they have in years. Also, living this lifestyle is better for the environment and minimizes harm to animals.