Current City: Glendale Heights, IL

Age: 49

Division: Snatch 10 minutes, 16kg

Years as a Vegan: 21

Why you became a vegan: I was intrigued of a possibility of living a life solely of PLANTS! While I was enrolled at SIU, I had first learned of the actual definition of a “vegan” way back in 1999 from a long-time Veggie friend. In 2005, I had met and talked with Robert Cheeke online via Myspace. I had changed my diet within 2 weeks and I had lost 60+ pounds in the next following three months. I had made a “connection” in the next few years later while participating in Chicago area Animal Rights demonstrations; as well as assisting with Bully Breed and Animal Farm rescues.

Favorite foods/meals: Green smoothies, fruit, and pizza

Favorite exercises: Kettlebell snatches, clubs and maces