Around 1992, my journey toward a plant-based lifestyle began with a series of heartfelt decisions. It all started with my decision to abstain from consuming certain animals, a choice driven by personal connections and stories.

My first step was to bid farewell to sea animals and pigs. The moment of clarity that led me to eliminate pigs from my diet was when my mom explained what baby back ribs were. It was a revelation that struck me deeply; I couldn’t fathom the idea of eating baby pigs. These ribs had been one of my favorite treats at the annual Spokane Interstate Fair. Little did I know back then that my true love was for the delectable BBQ sauce that accompanied them, but at the time, I was blissfully unaware. So, one by one, I decided to give up consuming animals that held a personal connection.

In the summer of 1995, just before I entered the 7th grade, I made a seemingly random decision. As my mom and I indulged in our regular Whoppers at a drive-through, I matter-of-factly declared that this would be my last one, and it indeed was.

As my 7th-grade year began, we were assigned a research report, and I chose the topic of factory farming. Back then, information was not as readily available as it is today, with the internet still in its infancy. I scoured my school library and the Spokane public library to gather insights. What I discovered during my research was both painful and shocking. When I presented my findings to the class, I revealed that I had given up my final animal, chicken.

After 18 years of contentedly leading a vegetarian lifestyle, the universe bestowed upon me a partner who introduced me to a profound shift. It all began with her decision to watch the first 20 minutes of a documentary called Earthlings. As she sat in the other room, tears streaming down her face, I felt the intensity of her emotions, and it was almost too much to bear. Many years ago, I had played a role in helping her transition to a vegetarian diet, and now, she had led me on the path to becoming vegan.