I’m excited. I’m chasing a dream, and getting closer. I’ve decided this year is the year to expand from blogging into freelance writing and speaking about the benefits of plant-based nutrition. I finished my certification in plant-based nutrition in July, and dove headfirst into figuring out how I can share that information with the world.
My Goal: Share the Health & Environmental Benefits A Whole Foods, Plant-Based diet: Anyone who has seen Forks Over Knives is probably aware of the health and environmental benefits of eating a whole foods, plant-based diet – and the lessening of cruelty to animals is a pretty obvious plus. But there are many people out there who don’t know that a whole foods, plant-based diet can prevent and reverse many chronic diseases. There are people who want to keep our oceans cleaner and healthier, people who shut the faucet off whenever they’re brushing their teeth, who probably don’t realize that it takes 1,248 gallons of water to produce a pound of beef. By eating meatless meals even half the time, they could drastically reduce their water consumption.
Food Choices Are Personal, But They Should Be Informed: I want people to have the information that could save their lives, improve their health, and help them drastically reduce their environmental impact just by making different food choices. What people chose to do is up to them. I know there are people who would choose, as we have, to eat differently if they had this information. I want to share this knowledge with them, because it could prevent them from suffering and even dying from major health problems. Knowing that animal cruelty isn’t necessary, or even healthy, to feed ourselves is something every person should know.
My Master Plan: I plan to become a free guest lecturer to high school audiences about the benefits of a plant-based diet. I have a master’s degree in education from Harvard and am a former high school teacher. I believe that the earlier people know about the health and environmental benefits of a whole foods plant-based diet, the easier it will be for them to change. High school students are a great audience, because they’ll be leaving their homes soon and making their own food choices. I can tailor my presentations for classes in either health or science, offer a high quality presentation, and even give their teachers a day free from the need to lesson plan. (Can you tell I used to be a teacher?) I’ll also be expanding my guest writing and blogging.
Progress: I found a top quality graphic and web designer who is working on my logo and website redesign. Greg, who is a photography enthusiast, took a fabulous headshot for me to use in my freelance and professional work. I have an upcoming article in the Nov. edition of Definition Fitness Magazine. I’ve commenced work on my lectures, and plan to start networking with former teacher friends in the future.
I Am Still Running This: I’ll still be here, running half marathons and helping people stay motivated to live their best running lives. This blog has been such a gift, and I love the e-mails from fellow runners, the chance to connect, and the outlet for all my running thoughts. In fact, I’m planning to expand and offer a newsletter with running motivation delivered straight to your inbox this fall! So stay tuned, and stay with me.
You keep me going 🙂
I am so excited to be following this dream. If I impact even one person, that will be enough… because when I think of the people I know who have been lost to cancer, I’d do all of this for any one of them.
-Kelly
I am so impressed and inspired by you! Your plan to reach high school students is so important, teenagers these days are trying to break away and find something for themselves and what greater way to do this than by changing their eating habits. You will inspire them to run, to eat differently and your legacy will be saving lives.
Congrats!
Thanks Debi! I agree wholeheartedly with what you said about teenagers. When I taught high school I was amazed by what incredible people they are. They’re at such a fabulous life stage – we are sometimes more more frank, forgiving, optimistic, and open-minded as teenagers than adults. I think it’s one of the best times in life to give people information that can shape their future health and environmental impact, and your encouragement is so appreciated 🙂
Kelly! Congrats!! So many things to love about this post and your updates. You are inspiring and I’m really excited about your new plan. Keep chasing dreams and changing lives!
Thanks Molly, you too! I’m pleased to know someone like you who is also so dedicated to helping people live better lives. (Molly runs lovewell-livewell.com and is a Wellness Coach as well as someone I’m lucky enough to have as a friend!)