Russell Simmons – Sexy Fit Vegan of the Month

Russell-Simmons-with-Al-ROker-Today-Show-on-Vegan

This month I want to recognize the incredibly talented, insightful, and seemingly tireless Russell Simmons as Sexy Fit Vegan® of the Month for October 2015!

Hip-hop star-maker, fashion mogul, philanthropist and social activist Russell Simmons has been a vegan for 17 years, adopting the lifestyle as it first became known in the US. “It started with my yoga practice and, you know, the practice of non-harming – ‘ahimsa.’ So I became a vegan because of compassion for the animals. The vegan diet was being discussed around me all the time, so finally, I just made the choice,” Simmons told Today Show correspondent Al Roker in July.

Simmons, now 57 (and looking great!) added that “the first thing I did was lose 20 pounds and I haven’t put that back on. Do I feel better than I felt 15, 17 years ago? Yeah, I think so. I think I’m in pretty good shape.”russell simmons with al roker on Today Show

These days, Simmons is all about finding happiness. He embraces yoga and meditation as a healthy way to find focus and happiness, and says these practices complement his dietary choices. “You do all kinds of twisting poses to clean your liver and cleanse your intestines, so when you think about what adds to your practice, what will nourish you, you know that you don’t want to put animal products in you,” he told Vegetarian Times magazine.Russell Simmons The Happy Vegan

He expanded on this idea during an interview with CNN. “You want to be healthy, you want to feel light,” he said. “I’m a person who comes from a lot of drugs – for 25 years. All the drugs. All kinds of highs. Now, I find food as a drug. It’s become more subtle. Food is a drug. It makes you tired, lethargic or awake and clear. It’s inflammatory food or it’s anti-inflammatory food. You start to look at your body differently. You try to become more in your body.”

Now Simmons also has a new book out, “The Happy Vegan,” that offers an inspiring guide to the benefits of conscious eating and veganism.

The star is encouraged to see more and more people choosing veganism as a way of life. “Everybody around me seems to be going vegan. I’m watching the whole world transform in front of me. I don’t know if it’s my diet… my book being a best seller… These subjects were not subjects that were selling 15 years ago,” he told Vegetarian Times.

In an essay written for CBS news, Simmons summed up why he’s a perfect candidate for Sexy Fit Vegan® of the Month: “If you take some of your daily effort and direct it toward eating a vegan diet, your heart’s going to see an amazing return on your investment,” he said. We couldn’t agree more!

 

 

Real Men Eat Plants, Not Meat

Real Men Eat Plants

I am certainly someone who has been breaking the vegan stereotypes since I was young, and I think the mold is quickly transforming when it comes to women going vegan… now it’s time for the men to catch up!

Vegan Club Brad PittI’m into “manly” men. They are my “type” and I’m telling you right now, a guy who fits the mold of a macho man in most ways (is a sports fan, tattoos, beer-drinker, knows how to fix things, lifts weights, etc.) AND eats plants instead of meat wins the title of REAL MAN by a long shot!

Meat and machismo have always gone hand in hand… no more! There’s nothing manlier to me than a man eating Gardein wings while he watches football and drinks a beer. And a guy putting Beyond Meat‘s Beast Burger in his shopping cart… that’s what I call sexy. Just look at some of the male celebs who are vegan, some of whom have been plant-based for 10+ years (click on each for some current info):

I have lived in Miami Beach the majority of my adult life and I will be the first to admit the dating scene here can be rough, and a successful relationship can be tough. I will say that I have been fortunate enough to have found guys that I was able to have long-term relationships with in part because they fully respected my vegan lifestyle, even though they were not vegan themselves. Respect is a requirement, along with an open mind and a desire to make moves in the direction of a healthier, more compassionate and conscious diet and lifestyle. Dating a non-vegan is not easy for me, just as dating a vegan is not easy for non-vegans. 

From the health aspect alone, when I see my man eating animal products it’s had not to think about the damage the food is doing to his health, just as it would be to see your partner smoking a cigarette. It’s a completely valid concern when it comes to the person you love. Then, when it comes to animals and the environment, it’s hard to understand how my man can put the animal cruelty and environmental destruction factors aside and continue to put dead flesh in his mouth. That being said, everyone is different in how they process information and emotions. I believe the best way to promote the vegan lifestyle I believe so strongly in, is to continue to do what I’m doing… leading by example, educating, and inspiring as many people as I possibly can in a positive, sexy way!

I may not have turned boyfriends vegan, but I can happily and truthfully say I have made a huge positive impact on the eating habits of all my boyfriends past. I look forward to meeting more and more real men who step up their game by embracing a macho vegan lifestyle in the near future if they haven’t already!

 

 

John Salley
Sexy Fit Vegan Celebrity of the Month August, 2015

john-salley-vegan-champion

August’s Sexy Fit Vegan® Celebrity of the Month goes to 4-time NBA champion, talk show host, wellness advocate, and 8-year vegan John Salley

John has been successful in the countless ventures he has taken on, both on and off the court, and I’m also fortunate enough to call him Ella Magers with John Salley at Seed Food and Wine Festivala friend! As it states on his website:

“Most can achieve a goal and be pleasantly satisfied with their results but to continually create new tasks to accomplish and to reinvent yourself is the mark of a versatile and motivated individual.  It is the definition of father, athlete, actor, entrepreneur, talk show host, philanthropist, wellness advocate, vegan and champion: John Salley.”

I first met John at the 2014 Seed Food and Wine Festival. His charisma and wit make him fun to listen to as a public speaker, and easy to talk to as an individual. He has the ability to captivate his audience, which makes him an effective healthy vegan lifestyle advocate. In one of my favorite interview clips, John is asked what he misses about eating meat… his answer is clever and so true! Check it out HERE

A few of John’s John Salley Vegan Vine Winecurrent projects are of particular interest to me. First, he took an ownership role with Vegan Vine wine, a family-owned company that produces vegan wine. Many people don’t realize that many wines are not vegan-friendly because they are often processed using animal products and bi-products (such as fish bladder and casein, a milk protein). John’s goal partnering with Vegan Vine was to educate the vegan and wine drinking community about these non-vegan processing methods of wine production.

Another one of John’s current wellness-related projects is his “Betta Life Challenge,” where he challenges you to take on 22 days of a vegan-detoxing diet. Participants are also offered the opportunity to order a 7, 14 or 21 day plant-based meal delivery service to make the detox easier to tackle at home. The meals are not only vegan, they are also gluten free, nut free, and organic. Betta Life Challenge Meal Delivery

John Salley has many more projects in the works, including producing more vegan-related video content, so be on the lookout!

Last, I would like to express my gratitude to John for his support of Sexy Fit Vegan®. He authored the forward for my new book, “Six Weeks to Sexy Abs Meal Plan” which comes out December 15th (currently available for pre-sale). Thanks John!!!

Connect with John via twitter (@thejohnsalley), Facebook, (/theJohnSalley), and Instagram (@johnsalley).

 

Ellie Goulding
Sexy Fit Vegan of the Month July 2015

Ellie Goulding Sexy Fit Vegan of the Month July 2015

The Amazing Ellie Goulding Named Sexy Fit Vegan of the Month!

July’s Sexy Fit Vegan of the month is one of my favorite artists from the music industry, my girl Ellie Goulding, who became a vegan at the beginning of 2014. I fell in love with Ellie over four years ago when I first heard her song Guns & Horses. There is just something about her music that I truly connect with. Her lyrics are honest and raw and while they are deep, mostly dealing with the ups and down of love, there is always a positive vibe to them. In a way, it’s almost like her songs represent how dramatic and insane us girls can be when we are in love and while they can make you cry, they also make you laugh at yourself. Her songs have been a HUGE inspiration for me and I am such a big fan! Learning more about her as a person, only solidified this fact as she is truly awesome all around! So here are the reasons why I chose Ellie…

1. She gives back. Ellie constantly partners and contributes to multiple charities including, Free The Children, Band Aid 30 and the British Heart Foundation. She not only donates her money, but also her time which can be even more valuable sometimes.

2. She’s super active. Like myself, she loves running and her goal is run at least 6mi a day and she runs several charity races throughout the year. She’s pretty fast too! She would definitely give me a run for my money as she finished a half-marathon recently in 1:41…I think my best time is 1:45  so she’s got me beat! She also practices yoga and trains with professional boxers which is so sick!

3. She’s got amazing style. Ellie is always dressed to kill even when she’s in chill mode. She’s effortlessly cool and has her own look that she owns! I always love seeing what she’s wearing on the red carpet but also when she’s on stage. She’s not afraid to show off her amazing bod but does it in a way that comes across as sexy and confident.

4. She’s down to earth. While Ellie has accomplished so many amazing things in her short career including performing at the reception of Prince William, she maintains a quirkiness, realness, and friendliness that makes her seem like she’s just like the rest of us. She comes across as being very approachable and seems like she would be so much fun to hang out with, which is why I believe her fans are so loyal.

Ellie Goulding Nike

 

 

 

 

 

Natalie Portman
Sexy Fit Vegan of the Month – June 2015

Natalie Portman Sexy Fit Vegan of the Month June 2015

Introducing the first Sexy Fit Vegan of the month, Natalie Portman!

Introducing our new feature, Sexy Fit Vegan of the Month! There are so many amazing women out there that deserve the recognition for being awesome and to kick things off, I instantly thought of one of my favorite celebrities. June’s Sexy Fit Vegan of the month goes to Natalie Portman, who just happens to be one of my favorite actresses of all time, and who’s birthday is June 9th, the same as Ella’s! Natalie became a vegetarian at 8 years old and fully vegan in 2009. My love of Natalie goes all the way back to a movie she made when she was only 10 years old called, The Professional and then of course the long list of awesome films she’s been in including The Black Swan which is one of my very favorites, which as you probably know she won an Oscar for along with every other award out there in 2010. Clearly she is an amazing actress but I’ve always had so much respect for her and the way she carries herself. She has managed to stay out of the Hollywood BS and lead a successful life. She has an Audrey Hepburn type of style and even though she may not be the most talked about on the red carpet, she ALWAYS nails it.

Here are the reasons why I chose Natalie:

1. She 100% vegan. She’s not only just eats a plant-based diet, she’s an animal activist and doesn’t wear anything “fur, feather or leather”. She has said that all of her shoes come from Target and Stella McCartney and in 2007 she even launched her own vegan footwear brand. 

2. She gives back. Natalie is involved with several different organizations focused on ending child hunger and for years she has traveled all over the world speaking to people and lending her support. She gets involved with the issues she is passionate about and uses her fame in a positive way to encourage our generation to make powerful changes and I love her for that! 

3. She’s incredibly intelligent. Unlike many Hollywood actresses, Natalie has always placed an emphasis on education. She graduated from Harvard in 2003 and continued to study in Israel following. She’s said many times that being smart is more important to her than being an actress, which is another reason she is such a great role model.  

4. She has substance. In interviews and on the red carpet, Natalie always comes across as having an appreciation for her life and a confidence in who she is. She’s carries herself like like a lady, is incredibly sexy and isn’t afraid to smile. While her beauty is undeniable, that’s not the only thing you notice about her. She is not just an actress, she is an inspiring, caring and intriguing human being who is one of the few who uses her celebrity to make a difference in this world. We need more like her out there!! 

natalie portman marie claire

The 22-Day Revolution Hits Shelves… Congrats to Marco Borges!

Beyonce and 22-Days Nutrition

I want to congratulate my friend Marco Borges for the release of his new vegan diet plan book, The 22 Day Revolution, the forward of which was written by Beyonce!

22-Day Revolution Book by Marco Borges

There was a great article written in the New York Times the other day about 22 Days Nutrition, the company owned by Marco, Beyonce, and Jay Z. This is just one of many awesome articles published recently praising Marco, who has been the trainer and wellness coach of Beyonce and Jay Z for over 10 years. Once Beyonce got on board the plant-based diet train it was on… she teamed with Marco to launch a top-notch, nation-wide vegan meal delivery program. Marco’s passion for healthy plant-based eating shines through every move he makes, from his vegan snack bars and protein powder, to his meal delivery program, to his book and beyond. He is an inspiration and I am honored to have his support in my ventures as well. Check out these awesome articles highlighting 22 Days, Marco, Beyonce, and Jay Z, and buy his book!

Marco-Borges

Elle 

Marie Claire

Time Magazine

In Style

Vogue

Photo: Hanging at the 2014 Seed Food and Wine Festival in Miami just before the launch of the 22 Days vegan meal delivery program… Marco, myself, and vegan chef and owner of Miami’s newest vegan restaurant Plant TheorySheryn Abalos.

Mixologist Throwdown! Miami’s Badass Vegan Festival Kicks Off!

Vegan Seed Food and Wine Festival Miami

Ask anyone who went to the Vegan “Mixologist Throwdown” what they did and they will all agree with me… We ATE. DRANK. ENJOYED!

Seed Food and Wine Miami is an incredible 5-day experience for guests who want to sip, savor, and learn about conscious plant-based living. Nightly events, as well as the full-day festival itself consists of so many experiences to be had, from cooking demonstrations, wine, beer and spirits tastings, to body care, workshops, yoga, urban gardening and more. Everything served during the festival is VEGAN and whenever possible organic and non-gmo. What’s so cool about this festival is that it’s appealing to almost everyone. The events are of the same (or better) caliber as the top food and wine festivals in the world… it just happens to be 100% plant-based!

Last night I was a host at the THRIVE Magazine VIP Cocktail party and it was a huge success so I wanted to share! Guests walked the ‘green’ carpet, casted their votes for “Best Cocktail Creation” at the ‘Mixologist Thowdown’, enjoyed delectable bites created by the hottest local and national farm-to-table chefs, and bid on art, travel, dinner and theatre tickets in a silent auction, and walked away with a seriously cool vip gift bag!

Brendan Brazier (Owner of Vega brand supplements), John Salley (NBA Champion, TV Host, & Wellness Advocate, Maranda Lambert (Origins Magazine also hosted the event. Sponsors included some dear friends of mine including Marco Borges (22 Days Nutrition) and John Lewis (Bad Ass Vegan).

Celebrity Chefs included Jamie DeRosa {Tongue & Cheek}, Todd Erickson {Haven}, Nicolas Torrent {Juice Lab}, Robyn Aldomovar {Food Network}, Mark Zeitouni {The Standard}, Nicola and Fabrizio Carro {Via Verdi}, and Robbie Errichetti . There was such a rush of attendees, beyond what anyone expected, and the succulent dish samples quickly ran out… People couldn’t get enough!

Mixologist competed from Tongue and Cheek, Haven, Finka Table and Tap, and Blackbird Ordinary. My vote for the best drink went to Finka Table and Tap… they made a tequila drink (if you don’t know, I’m a tequila girl!) with some amazing ingredients that included fresh beet juice and hibiscus. Incredibly creative and delish!

So there you have it. I just wanted to send out a quick post because I’m so excited to be participating in such a world-class event that emulates compassionate, healthy living… my forte!!!

Marco-Sheryn-Ella-SeedFW

Marco Borges (owner of 22 Days Nutrition), Sheryn Abalos (Celebrity Vegan Chef), me 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vegan John Salley Thrive Cocktail Party Miami 2014-10-17 08.30.47John Salley (NBA Champion, TV Host, Wellness Advocate) and me
 

 

 

 
Vegan Thrive Cocktail Party Green Carpet

 

 

 

 

My Girls! Sheryn Abalos (Celebrity Vegan Chef), Diana Perez (Jewelry Designer, BluLua), me, Silva Valderrama (Sisley Paris)

 

 

 

 

Life of a Fighter Presents “The Sexy Vegan Lifestyle: Ella Magers”

Vegan-Fighter Ella Magers

Hi everyone! I want to share with you the feature interview that was posted on the Life of a Fighter website December 6, 2013.

In it I discuss what it means to be a Sexy Fit Vegan™ and address how the topic relates to the mixed martial arts community.
Life Of A Fighter Interview with Ella MagersExcerpts from the article:

As wonderful a concept as a vegan diet may be, is it enough subsistence for our readers and fighters? Magers not only says yes, but declares it’s the true wellness lifestyle. “An MMA fighter should go vegan for the same reason any athlete, or any other person should go vegan,” she says, “Whole plant food is quality fuel for our bodies. It is a choice that can result in improved performance and physical health. As a bonus, going vegan means living conscientiously, compassionately, and showing you care about life as well as the environment our descendants will inherit. In our modern day society, a vegan lifestyle is simply the healthiest, most compassionate, and ecologically sound way to live.”

As for advice for the MMA community Magers says, ” The MMA community and vegan communities have one thing in common; they are both highly stereotyped groups. It’s time to break the mold! Vegans can be sexy, strong, and athletic. MMA fighters can be conscientious, intelligent, and compassionate. Vegans can be MMA athletes and MMA athletes can be vegans. I am both. More and more people are joining me everyday. It’s a win-win-win!” 

Enjoy the rest of the article and join the discussion on the Sexy Fit Vegan™ Forum!

In Health & Happiness,

Ella

Robin Quivers Fights Off Cancer Going Vegan

Robin Quivers Adopts Vegan Diet to Fight Cancer

Robin Quivers Adopts Vegan Diet to Fight CancernRobin, long time sidekick to Howard Stern, is back in the studio after taking a year off to fight endometrial cancer by going vegan.

She attributes the strength she possessed during her stent of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation to her vegan diet plan.

In her book “The Vegucation of Robin,” Quivers wrote “My plant-based diet was helping my body heal. I couldn’t believe the difference I saw. I’d never had such a dramatic shift in my health – not when I was taking medication, not when I was wearing a neck brace, and certainly not when I was eating whatever I wanted. I no longer had to rearrange my entire life around being sick.”

It’s just so great to hear another story about the healing powers of a whole foods, plant based diet. Go Robin!!!

If you are interested in more details, see the articles from the following:
NY Daily News
Dr. Oz
Today Show via YouTube

Featured in Haute Living Magazine!

Vegan Fitness Ella Magers TKO

Check it out! Haute Living Magazine

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Meet Ella Magers – Miami’s Sexy Celebrity Trainer

If you’ve been eating a little too much mac n’ cheese at Prime One Twelve, it may be time to get a trainer and some good, ahem, dietary advice. Enter Ella Magers, who offers up lifestyle consulting and personal training sessions to Miamians with means. Aside from nutrition consultation, she’ll help you blast fat in a one-hour workout with kick-boxing moves, abdominal workouts and strength training .

Ella Magers is a personal consulting and wellness professional based in Miami Beach who has worked with professional athletes like Alex Rodriguez. She started her practice of Muay Thai 10 years ago when she worked under a world champion and now teaches Muay Thai Boot Camps at SobeKick Miami.

“The work out is so great because you work everything.  You work the lower body, and you have the kicks and elbows, so it’s the science of the 8 limbs,” says Ella of her practice of Muay Thai.

Magers isn’t just incredibly buff, she is also vegan, so in addition to personal training, Ella is also promoting her new website Sexyfitvegan.com.  The website promotes a vegan lifestyle because “it is not only healthy, but a compassionate way to live.”  Ella also does in-person consulting in Miami in order to help people transition seamlessly into a vegan lifestyle and drop pounds.

“I work with them on nutrition.  I take people from where they are and look at schedules and families.  Everybody has things going on in their lives and they need somebody to look and fit in the exercise and how to eat right, even if they’re traveling,” said Ella.  “All of those components are really important.”

Ella was also the Fame Fitness World Champion in 2007 and knows a thing or two about getting results. Following her strategies and workouts, she says clients “start to feel a difference and start to feel their clothes fitting loosely” in no time at all.

But what if you want to hit the chocolate fountain at Dylan’s?

“As long as you find a balance in which you are eating healthy, and doing mostly the rights things, you got to go and have fun too,” says Ella.  “I don’t want to be unrealistic, I want people to have fun.”

by Brittany Weiner