My vegan journey began in St. Louis, Missouri, but a visit to my great-grandparents' farm at age nine planted the seed. Witnessing a chicken being killed made me realize the connection between animals and the food we eat, a moment that stayed with me for years.

Fast forward to adulthood, my health struggles—high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and digestive issues—forced me to reassess my lifestyle. A scare with Crohn’s disease in 2003 led me to embrace plant-based eating for better health. But what started as a health-driven choice soon evolved into a deeper understanding of veganism as a compassionate, ethical, and sustainable way of living.

Today, veganism is more than a diet for me; it’s a way to align my values with my actions, creating positive change for animals, the planet, and my own well-being.