Jericho Fine

Name: Jericho Fine
Year of Birth: 05/21/1988
Height: 5'03''
Weight: 160lbs
Birthplace: Miami, FL
Current Residence: Orlando, FL
Sports: Strength and endurance training, NPC Men's Physique Competitor.

Tell us a little about yourself, what you do for a living, what hobbies / interests / passions you have.
I am currently finishing up my college degree. After a couple of years in L.A. on an acting endeavor, I had become behind in school. I am also working on getting certified as a Personal Trainer through ACE. Aside from that, I spend my days at the gym, reading fantasy novels (A Game of Thrones, at the moment), reading comic books, drawing, painting model-kits, watching anime, playing strategy board games and card games, and PLAYING VIDEO GAMES . I am the definition of "NERD." A fit, vegan nerd.

Why did you become vegan?
I have always been a person who loved animals. I have always been the one to think ill of people who could harm them. I ate meat, but thought it was sad. For most of my life, I didn't know any other way of life. Then, I started getting into fitness and nutrition. I started eating healthier and training correctly. One day, in a speech class I was taking at my community college, one of my classmates gave a persuasive speech on why we shouldn't eat chickens (or any other animal flesh, but was only going to focus on the chickens). He covered the process and what goes on in the industry, and I was disgusted. I am sad to say that I had always been a person that was afraid to research about it. Afraid to find out about the misery and death I had inadvertently caused the animals I cared about. That day, 4 years ago, I dropped meat, all-together. My understanding of nutrition made it that much easier, as well. He definitely persuaded someone that day. A year ago, after researching about the dairy and egg industry, analyzing my food journal, and realizing I scarcely ate dairy or eggs anyway, I gave that up too. No easing into it; I was just done. And I will never look back. Life is that much sweeter, and I feel good about my relationship with animals.



When and why did you become interested in fitness?
I think I had always wanted a muscular physique since I was a child. Even as a child, I read a lot of comic books, just as much as I do now. My favorite comic was, and still is, Spawn. I had always admired the muscles drawn in comic books, and I always though it looked awesome! I started strength training in high school (like every guy -- haha!), but didn't really do it correctly, nor did I eat healthily. Regardless, I still built a fitness foundation that I would then take to greater levels a few years after high school. And now, I really enjoy endurance training. I am not focused on lifting ridiculous weights. I don't focus on maxes and whatnot. I just want to be strong and healthy, overall.

How would you describe your nutrition program?
I like to eat VERY clean. I stay away from vegan junk-food, like the processed meat substitutes -- however, I will eat them as a treat -- but, only once in a while. One of my all time favorite foods is mung bean. It is a great bean with high protein, great carbohydrates and FANTASTIC fiber. My breakfasts usually consist of scrambled tofu with kale and bell peppers, with a slice of toasted Ezekiel bread, smothered with natural peanut or almond butter, drizzled with agave and topped with cinnamon. On top of that, I have a bowl of berries that I top with stevia --- washing it all down with a glass of soy or almond milk. Delightful. I take in about 2500 - 3000 calories a day, and carbohydrates make up the majority of my calories.

How would you describe your training program?
I workout 5 to 6 days a week with an opposing muscle group split routine. Chest/back, biceps/triceps, shoulders/legs. All of my exercises are done with minimal resting time, and I am super-setting almost all of it. I also do moderate weight with more reps. I then end the session with 10-20 minutes of HIIT cardio on either the elliptical or the bike. I don't like high impact cardio (jogging).

What are some common misconceptions about veganism?
I think we all know them here. "Where do you get your protein?" I can't tell you how many times I get that question. All of us ALWAYS get that question. Not one person I have ever met, that I have ever told I was vegan, was not completely shocked at the fact that I am vegan. They are always surprised when I tell them, and they cannot believe the results I have achieved on a vegan diet. Another misconception that bothers me is the one where people seem to think that you "still eat fish." You tell them you are vegan, and they respond, "but, you eat fish, right?" I always respond with, "what tree does a fish grow on?" It may come off as rude, but at that point, I am usually bothered at the ignorance and lack of basic knowledge.

What advice do you have for people who are just starting out with veganism or training?
Research the living HECK out of nutrition. If you have never been much of a nutritionist, NOW is the time. Utilize the free information database that is the internet, read books, educate yourself on essential nutrients and what foods carry them. It isn't hard; it just takes effort. And if you really want to make a difference for animal-kind, and you want to make a healthier choice for the rest of your life, the effort is worth it. Because the life and well-being of an animal is always worth it. Go Vegan!