Lauren Goebel

Name: Lauren Goebel
Year of Birth: 1991 Height: 5'2
Birthplace: Cleveland, Ohio
Current Residence: Cleveland, Ohio
Sports: Running, Triathlons, Strength Training
Blog: http://livelikelu.wordpress.com/

Tell us a little about yourself, what you do for a living, what hobbies / interests / passions you have
I am a senior at Florida Gulf Coast University majoring in exercise physiology. I am very passionate about health and fitness. I love helping others and becoming an a Naturopathic Doctor will allow me to do that for the rest of my life. Since becoming a vegan, I really enjoy cooking and trying out new recipes.

Why did you become vegan?
I became vegan the day after I watched Forks Over Knives. I could not ignore the facts and I knew there was no looking back after that day. I could not be happier about making the change!

When and why did you become interested in fitness?
I have been interested in fitness since a very young age. Growing up, I played about every sport imaginable. My brothers were all division 1 hockey players and my family currently owns a fitness facility. I have been around fitness my whole life and have seen all the great benefits of being fit. My freshmen year in college, I completed my first triathlon and finished another one a year later. I have completed one half marathon and am currently training for my next half in November.

How would you describe your nutrition program?
I have gone back and forth cutting out certain items from my diet. The hardest was sugar, (including all fruits) but it was also one of the best things I ever did. At first it was awful but after a few weeks I felt better than ever! I ALWAYS try to avoid processed foods. I eat steel cuts oats every morning with almond milk, blueberries, and almond butter. YUM! Besides breakfast, I don't really have a set day-to-day diet I just try to eat my vegetables, especially dark leafy greens. I usually have 1-2 protein drinks a day mixed with almond milk.

How would you describe your training program?
I exercise 6-7 days per week. I am currently training for a half marathon, which involves running more than I usually do, about 25-30 miles per week. I have several different running variations to mix it up — sprints, tempo, hills. I also love the Stairmaster! I do weight training 4-5 days per week. Occasionally, I will throw in a spinning, boot camp, or yoga class.

What kind of supplements do you use if any, and why?
I use a B12 supplements and also a probiotic.

What are some common misconceptions about veganism?
We do not get enough protein and can't build muscle.

Have you had success in promoting veganism / vegetarianism to others? If so, how did you go about it?
I think I have had tremendous success with promoting veganism to others. Not only has my intermediate family come a long way with their health by eating a more plant-based diet but so has my extended family. I am constantly passing out Forks Over Knives to others along with many others books supporting veganism. Whenever I have the chance to teach someone about veganism, I take it!

What advice do you have for people who are thinking of becoming vegan?
DO IT! If you need to take baby steps and slowly make the change then by all means do that. There are many alternatives now, you will hardly be missing favorite foods. I suggest Exploring with new recipes and have fun with it. It will impact your life in such a positive way and your body will thank you for it! 

What do you think of veganbodybuilding.com? Has it helped or inspired you?
I think this site is exactly what vegan athletes need. There is so much support on the site throughout the forums, it's really incredible.