Media

Hometown: Orillia, Ontario Canada
Current Residence: Fort Worth, TX
Sport(s): Triathlon
Pro/Elite since: 2003
Date of Birth: November 28th 1982

Favorite fruit: Cantaloupe
Favorite veggie: mushroom, baby carrots
Hobbies/Other sports: watching movies, reading magazines, wakeboardng, frisbee golf, secretly training to be UFC Champ

1. When and why did you choose to stop eating animal products?

Over time I elminated a lot of diary and meat out of my diet trying to stop problems with digestion and running. I didn't strictly decide to eat a vegan diet I just found I had more energy and recovered faster when I followed a plant based diet.

2. What has been your experience as a vegan athlete? Have you noticed any performance or health benefits or problems?

Yes I recover a lot faster and have more energy. For me it was trying to cut down on stomach problems when doing hard run workouts. I found with eating a plant based diet that became faster and leaner.

3. Have teammates and other athletes been supportive or critical?

I don't really get any criticism about diet from other athletes. I find most athletes are fairly unique about the type of food and timing of food. Each athlete is a little bit different. I do here a few comments about being lean every now and again!

4. A brief history of your athletic career.

I started off taking triathlon as a class in elementary school. I played a lot of sports hockey and lacrosse. I experimented with running and swimming in university and swam varsity in College. Then I started to train and race at a competitive level. I spent some time at the national training center in Victoria, B.C and learned alot from the best coachs and athletes in the country. I hope to be taking part in this great sport well into my age group years after I am done racing at the elite level.

5. Most memorable results or achievements.

• 2004- Cowichan Triathlon, Duncan B.C- first ever triathlon Win!!
• 2004- 10th Elite at Canadian Nationals
• 2006- 10th at Kelowna ITU Triathlon
• 2006- Set many course records in Ontario however coming 8th in the Muskoka Chase was special.
• 2007-11th San Andres ITU Triathlon
• 2007- 6th Elite Aquathon World Championships, ixtapa Mexico
• 2007-9th Pro at 70.3 BuffaloSprings Half Ironman in my first half going 4:15 on a challenging course.
• 2007- Being Ranked in the 200's For World ITU ranking, hoping to bring that down this season, in a few more points races.

6. Why did you join OA's PRO-Activist team?

I believe the team has a great purpose and with the struggling problems with obesity I think plant based diets are fairly important. I would like to educate people on the importance of plants and vegetables and also help get people started in the great sport of triathlon. I also believe that I can represent the team at the national and international level.