Ashley Boss

Name: Ashley Boss
Age: 25
Height: 5'8”
Weight: Off-season 150 lbs; Contest weight shooting to be around 140-145
Current Residence: Baltimore, Maryland
Sports: Figure and Dance
email: [email protected]

Why did you become vegan?
I became a vegetarian when I was 12 for ethical reasons. It wasn't until years later that I realized that my consumption of milk and eggs contributed to the deaths of animals that I was against. Being vegan to me is now about not only ethics, but also my health and the environment.

How would you describe your training program?
I am currently working on putting on more muscle but am also rehabbing a surgery I had earlier this year (2011). I am currently working out 4 days per week and doing around 30 mins. of cardio at the end of each session. My program changes about every 3-4 weeks. As I prepare to compete again next year, my program will change again and my cardio will increase. Also, I eat...all.the.time!

When and why did you become interested in fitness?
I first became interested in fitness my senior year of high school. I was overweight and ate like crap (soda and a candy bar for breakfast, that's vegetarian, right?). However, it wasn't until after I had my tonsils out and subsequently lost 10 pounds that I realized I was overweight. At this time, though, I thought being fit was following stupid workout videos and that I would get a magazine shoot ready body by doing these workouts. I gave up...years later a friend re-introduced me to the gym and I was hooked. At this time my main focus was dancing and training for dancing (and fitting into my wedding dress), it wasn't until I came across this site that I contemplated competing. Allowing myself to put some weight back on in order to gain muscle has, by far, been the hardest thing for me. Damn society for saying women should be skinny...strong is the new skinny!

What do you like best about being fit?
It makes me feel like a badass! Plus, being able to live my day-to-day life easier is a huge bonus.

What motivates you to continue to be a successful vegan athlete?
Inspiring other vegans, and non-vegans, that it is completely possible to be fit and vegan.

How has the website www.veganbodybuilding.com helped or inspired you?
If it wasn't for this site I would have never have decided to compete. I have made so many good friends on the forums here that continue to inspire me.