This Is My Story
From living to eat to eating to live
In 2006, I made the decision to become vegan, not for my health, but for the animals.
After reading Skinny Bitch, I realized that consuming animal products wasn't necessary and that I could meet all of my nutritional needs from plants. As someone who has always loved animals, that realization changed everything. Choosing a vegan lifestyle was one of the easiest (and most meaningful) decisions I've ever made.
As the years passed, the availability of vegan products exploded. From burgers and cheeses to frozen meals and desserts, I was thrilled to see compassionate options becoming more accessible. Like many people, I enthusiastically embraced them.
The problem wasn't that I was vegan.
The problem was that I was relying heavily on highly processed convenience foods instead of building my meals around whole plant foods.
By the time I reached 235 pounds on my 5'3" frame, I was living with high blood pressure, prediabetes, acid reflux, poor sleep, and low energy. My experience taught me an important lesson:
A vegan diet can absolutely support excellent health, but like any way of eating, the quality of the foods we choose matters.
That realization changed everything.
That realization marked the beginning of a new chapter. My ethical reasons for being vegan hadn't changed, but my approach to food did. For more than a decade, my food choices reflected my compassion for animals. Now it was time to learn how those same choices could also support the healthiest version of myself.
I immersed myself in the science of whole food, plant-based nutrition and began making choices that supported not only my values, but my long-term health as well. That journey ultimately became the foundation for Plant Powered Initiative.
The Mission Continues
The greatest transformation wasn't physical. It was discovering that small, intentional changes can lead to remarkable improvements in health and quality of life.
That realization inspired me to create Plant Powered Initiative, a place where evidence based education, practical skills, and compassionate support come together to help people build healthier lives.
Whether I'm leading a Food for Life class, coaching a client, teaching a cooking workshop, speaking to an organization, or hosting a wellness retreat, my goal is always the same. I want people to feel empowered to make meaningful, sustainable lifestyle changes rooted in science.
I don't believe in perfection, quick fixes, or one size fits all solutions. I believe every person deserves access to credible information, practical tools, and compassionate support that meets them exactly where they are.
If my journey has taught me anything, it's that meaningful change doesn't happen overnight. It happens one choice, one habit, and one day at a time.
If you're ready to begin your own journey toward better health, I'd be honored to walk alongside you.
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