Like most people, I wasn't born a vegan. This had to be brought to my awareness, and it started at 10 years old. My best friend came over, I was going to (and did) eat a hamburger, and she told me that if I eat that hamburger, I'm killing a cow. First, I got really angry. Angry at her for mentioning it, Angry at my parents for saying that it's normal, Angry at myself for not already thinking that maybe I shouldn't be eating a cow. Over the next three to four months, I slowly removed different animals out of my diet and became vegetarian at 10 years old. At that time, I thought that was it. About three years later, I'm on the ride to middle school with my mom, and I'm reading a PETA magazine, and I'm realizing that the factory farming done for hens, for cows, is just as bad, if not worse, than the meat industry. On that day, I decided I would try going vegan for one week. And now, it’s coming up on 21 years. At 15 years old, I started bodybuilding, and again, I didn't really see the intersection between veganism and bodybuilding being exclusive until everybody told me you can't do this, and so I've spent the last 18 years or so trying to prove to people that you can. Thank you for being a part of this community, this Vegan Squad, for being vegan and for making the world a better place. If anyone feels open to sharing their stories below I would love to hear. And to learn more about activism as a whole and how the world is changing check out the modules created by our very own Jessica Nieves located here: https://www.skool.com/vegan-squad/classroom/53ea7316?md=eae772c60df14956b28bfc34736ee5c8

Though I’ve been a vegan and plant based for 14 years, I’ve struggled with digestion and GI issues due to a long recovery journey from eating disorders. Because of that, I’ve been scared to eat certain foods as they caused extreme discomfort and intestinal distress. One of the biggest culprits and feared foods was FRUIT! I love fruit and wanted to enjoy it. I knew how healthy it is for our microbiome, our skin health, natural hydration, energy etc… but my body seemed to think otherwise 😞. It caused bloating and stomach aches, which was incredibly frustrating as my goal was to find a place for ALL healthy plant based foods without restrictions. When I joined the vegan squad I was inspired to grow in strength as well as nutrition… and I was ready to make a change! I started out with gentle fruits like berries, bananas and kiwis…. I did NOT combine fruits with other fruits or foods because the BIGGEST issue with fruit is that it digests at a very different rate (faster) and it confuses the system a bit. I began incorporating more and more fruits and eventually was determined to make a fun game out of trying new ones! I often go to ethnic markets to find interesting fruits to try and it makes the whole experience enjoyable rather than a goal I “must” achieve. I’ve noticed increased energy, better skin, better overall digestion and just better quality of life! So here’s me and my big ass papaya I got from the local Hispanic market! They were so kind and I had the opportunity to practice my Spanish as well! I hope this post encourages others to try new things, stay determined, find joy in recovery, and sit through a bit of discomfort in order to feel YOUR BEST! Remember, fruits are tricky. Not all should be combined together (citrus should be alone, bananas should not be combined with citrus or apple or stone fruit, melons should never be combined with anything else! This all causes fermentation in the gut and an imbalance. ) Thankfully we are not eating dairy or meats because every time I see some fleshy charcuterie with melon, cheese and prosciutto, I can just feel the tummy ache looming!

What's everyone's thoughts on coffee/caffeine? I love my morning coffee but I'm not sure if it's serving me...

Hello, I’m Sam (Samantha) Gullo but I go by Sam I’m from Alabama, a Christian, vegan and metal head, and a fur mom to a beautiful little pup named Georgia. I love to watch Netflix or tv (Psych is my favorite) I love to be in nature and I love music and shopping and travel. and of course advocate and volunteer at my local animal shelter. I also love to cuss like a sailor on leave.

Hi everyone! I wanted to check in here. My partner and I are dealing with an extremely stressful & uncertain situation (I hope to feel safe sharing more about this at some point!) and I have abandoned social media for a bit. Mostly it is due to needing to lay low until the situation gets more manageable or goes away. But also because the current state of things has not allowed me any time to even THINK about or care about posting or engaging. I DO, however, feel safe here and felt I owed everyone a hello because yall are my people! Does any of this have to do with veganism? I think, yes! Honestly, what my bf and I have been through could only be worse if we didn’t share the perspective we do of life. Vegan is who we are and practicing veganism is simply our daily lifestyle. Throughout this, our values have only strengthened and our dedication to the livelihood, health, and care for our children (who happen to also be animals) and our own bodies has only been reinforced. In addition, my nutrition and strength building program has been steady; it’s been my fuel; my routine that makes ME feel like NOTHING can keep me down! So here’s your reminder that LIFE can be hard - that we face trials & tribulations and suffering that seems UNFAIR… BUT! When our character and foundation is strong; when we live with meaning and intention; when we value our bodies; when we recognize that our presence on social media platforms and all the other bullshit doesn’t fuel our tank or fuel our hearts; when we face a time where we are stripped of the amenities and left with the essence of our spirits & souls to understand… We come face to face with the only things that matter. Remember, we are Vegan not because it’s a fad or a diet, but because it’s RIGHT. And at the end of the day, when the world seems so wrong, we STILL are Vegan. Much love everyone. I’ll be trying to get involved in the next few weeks if I am able to🫶💚