minimalistica Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 ... a swift kick into reality. I'm a former vegan, now vegetarian and also a former martial artist turned couch potato. My goal from this point and beforehand is to become vegan again and take up my old training routine as well as become more healthy in mind, body and spirit. When I began the vegan journey at the age of 14, I never imagined how it would impact my life. My friends grew increasingly turned off at the way I as so obsessive over every minute detail. By the time I was 18 and living in Santa Cruz, CA with two roommates, I had become the master at creating concoctions that were not necessarily good for me but at least good for the planet and all the creatures in it. However, I was not truly healthy. I lived on stir fried tofu and vegan lasagna (my special masterpiece from vegweb.org). I began to degenerate in the year directly following the 9/11 attack in New York City. Perhaps it was the heightened strangeness of the world at that time or a combination of factors, but it turned out that I had an acute breakdown which lead to a discovery of an irreversibly devistating realization: I had a mental health disorder. At first, I was diagnosed schizophrenic, then after years of battling uphill with mental health authorities, I was finally given a more accurate diagnosis of Bipolar I: the acutely extreme version of manic depression. Now I'm on medications that may or may not be considered vegan, but I take them to survive. I cannot save the world if I cannot save myself. My goal now that I'm stable is to make myself into a more compassionate and healthy person. As it turns out, people with bipolar disorder are more likely than other populations to develop heart disease, diabetes and other risky diseases. It's not understood why this occurs, but it would be a good idea to nip it in the bud before it becomes a major health concern. For this and other reasons, I feel it's important to institute my old regimin. So, from this moment forward, I am eliminating all animal foods from my diet. Gradually, I will move away from animal products in clothing and finally as I become more fit and confident, I will take up my sport of choice: martial arts, of any form possible. Thanks for listening if you read through that autobiography. Now come on with the support! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loveliberate Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 Hello & Welcome! We have a great crew of folks here that can definitely offer you support & advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 Welcome to our group and thanks for the great introduction! We're happy to have you here and we're confident you'll find the information and resources you'll need to continue as a vegan athlete. We do have a very supportive group, one of the best around in that department for sure. I've made a lot of friends here, I've had a lot of people listen when I was feeling down or frustrated and I've learned a lot and received a lot of helpful advice. Please explore the forum and visit us anytime. All the best and welcome aboard! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finbarrio Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 Welcome and best of luck on your journey! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lelle Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 hey welcome to the forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xdarthveganx Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 Welcome. We all fall of the horse at some point right? you just gotta make sure you get back on again. Best of luck to ya! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cubby2112 Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 Welcome and good luck getting back on the horse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 Welcome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minimalistica Posted February 7, 2007 Author Share Posted February 7, 2007 Yes, and let's make sure that horse gets fed properly and treated with the greatest respect, eh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odidnetne Posted February 8, 2007 Share Posted February 8, 2007 Welcome to the forums. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minimalistica Posted February 8, 2007 Author Share Posted February 8, 2007 Hmm. Neat Ninja Turtle there. That used to be one of my favorite cartoons as a kid. What's he holding anyway? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigress Posted February 8, 2007 Share Posted February 8, 2007 Hello and welcome from me .. thats a very cute fish avator you have Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trev Posted February 8, 2007 Share Posted February 8, 2007 Welcome, you've found the right place! Less than a year ago, I returned to martial arts after an absence of several years, then became vegan. Since then, the rest of my life has fallen into place to an extent that I didn't think possible, let alone in a few short months. This forum will no doubt provide you with many of the answers you're seeking - it did for me! And it's a cool bunch of people! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minimalistica Posted February 8, 2007 Author Share Posted February 8, 2007 Thank you all for the encouraging words! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gabrieldj Posted February 8, 2007 Share Posted February 8, 2007 Welcome, and good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
offense74 Posted February 8, 2007 Share Posted February 8, 2007 Welcome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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