Aaron MacNeil

Name: Aaron MacNeil
Height: 5 foot 7 inches
Weight: 175
Birthplace: Glace Bay Nova Scotia Canada
Current Residence: Mount Hope Ontario
Sports: Bodybuilding , soccer, basketball.
Social Media: MacNeil Custom Fitness
E-mail: [email protected]

Tell us a little about yourself, what you do for a living, what hobbies / interests / passions you have.
I am a custom home carpenter/framer. I enjoy hiking and all outdoor sports with my children, we play hockey and pretty much everything that's active. There are not many days that we aren't outside doing something.

Why did you become vegan?
I became vegan for health reasons. I was always sick or tired, I never felt well and i couldn't take it anymore, I needed to make a change. The thought of my children growing up without me in their life wasn't acceptable to me, and I wanted to do everything in my power to be in their lives for as long as I could.

When and why did you become interested in fitness?
I became interested in fitness about 4 years ago when I made the switch, I have done it before but not been able to achieve much. I started to get really into it when the results came and I realized I could help a lot more people than just myself.

How would you describe your nutrition program?
I eat a lot of small meals during the day it really works well for me. I like to always be burning fat and making sure my body gets lots of fuel. I eat about 70% raw. A typical day might be:

5 am - 1/2 cup of oatmeal + stevia protein shake.
7 am - 1/2 cup of quinua + fruit + peanut butter + protein shake
10 am - 1 cup pinto beans +1 cup carrots. +apple
12 pm - Veggie burger + veggies, 1 sweet potatoe.
2:30 -1/2 cup tofu + 2 tsp cashew butter + 1 cup of veggies
5pm - 1 cup chick peas beans + 1 cup steamed carrots + 1 tsp of oil.
7pm - salad + protein shake. I also usually eat a big bowl if kale, 2 tomatoes, 1 cup of spinach, 2 carrots, 1 cup of alfalfa sprouts every night 2 hours before bed with some apple cider vinegar.

How would you describe your training program?
My training program is very intense, I do high intensity weight training in the morning for about an hour followed by interval training about 20 minutes. Then I do another 20 minutes of interval training in the evening. Heavy one week and light the next. I work out 4 days on, then 1 day off, then 3 days on, 1 day off.

What kind of supplements do you use if any, and why?
I like to take a protein shake after a workout, and also take creatine and amino acids .

How do people react when they find out you are vegan?
They ask me what I do, could I give them a nutrition plan and training program, and as always ask where I get my protein.

What are some common misconceptions about veganism?
People think you will be weak and not healthy.

Have you had success in promoting veganism / vegetarianism to others? If so, how did you go about it?
I just show people my transformation and I let the pictures do the talking. That makes a huge difference in changing someones opinion.

What do you think the most important aspect of training is?
Rest and eating properly.

What do you like best about being vegan?
Being able to do things I thought impossible before.

What do you like best about being fit?
Being able to wear out my kids.

What advice do you have for people who are just starting out with training?
The time will pass anyway, what matters is what you do with it!

What advice do you have for people who are thinking of becoming vegan?
It is awesome and the best thing I could have ever done for myself my body and my children, do it!

What motivates you in life?
My children, and being here for them.

What do you think of veganbodybuilding.com? Has it helped or inspired you?
It has inspired me greatly. I love the site, the people, the owners and everyone involved . It is awesome and I hope to one day be able to be an even more important part of this group.

Do you have any other thoughts you'd like to share?
Just to thank everyone here at veganbodybuilding.com for doing everything you do.