photo courtesy of Go Kaleo
I started my blog Go Kaleo a few years ago to chronicle my journey from illness back to health. It began with a commitment to being more active and improving my diet by eating less processed and animal foods and more fruits and vegetables.
I was far more successful than I’d dreamed possible, losing close to 90 pounds, reversing metabolic syndrome and several other nagging medical issues, and dramatically changing both my appearance and my health. As my life changed, so did my blog. Now I’m a personal trainer with a growing local and virtual clientele, and my blog has become the main way I communicate with and support them.
Although my focus is fitness first and foremost, I’m quite open about my plant-based lifestyle and am always ready to support others in their desire to reduce their consumption of animal products. I don’t use my blog to promote veganism so much as to dispel some of the more pervasive cultural myths about it. I try to serve as a counterpoint to the myth that vegans are weak. One look at my before and after pictures will prove that strength comes from hard work, not meat.
Not all my clients are vegan, but most of them change their perceptions of vegans, and veganism, after working with me. Many have incorporated more meatless meals into their lifestyles, and have begun making more mindful decisions about their consumption habits. I think that’s fantastic! Small changes in behavior can lead to big changes in our world, and I’m so grateful that I have the opportunity to inspire people to make those changes!
* Amber is a 39-year old mother of two living in the Bay Area, CA. After adopting a plant-based diet 3 years ago, she lost almost 90 pounds and reversed several health issues. She has since become a Certified Personal Trainer and Weight Loss Coach.
**Weekend Blog Reads is a weekly column where we feature great vegan blogs to help spread the word about people doing great things for the vegan movement. Do you have a vegan blog to share? Email editor@veganmainstream.com.
