People tend to latch on to my vegan diet as if it’s the sole reasoning for this healthier me. People who knew the left me, and have recently seen the right me, immediately want to know what I’ve been doing. With glee, I call off a list: I now eat a vegan diet, I meditate often and spend time with myself, I keep my spirit in check, I have a cleaning service, and I work at FedEx, so I move quite a bit. People rarely find fascination in the workout part, but believe me, I could have achieved this transformation sans vegan foods.

My transformation is a result of several factors. The most impactful being that I no longer live a sedentary life. I traded my desk job for cleaning houses and moving boxes. It was not an easy transition, but it was necessary! The desk was killing me. Now, I can’t even picture me at anybody’s desk, but my own, when I’m making jewelry.

Do I want to move and/or workout everyday? No. But there are days and even weeks where I crave the gym, or I seek a sunny walking trail, or I long to get in some type of sweaty workout. I aim for 10,000 steps, daily!

All this to say, don’t get caught up in my diet. I talk about it often and stand proud in it, and will continue to do so because it’s a challenge that I navigate and overcome daily as a Black southerner living in the foodie capital of the south.

From this point on, though, I’ll shortly entertain questions about my vegan diet, then I’ll quickly tilt the focus towards the exercise and movement component. That’s going to be the most accessible point of entry to a healthier you. Cause if you can’t fix your mind around the idea of walking around the block, or driving to the nearest park to walk the trail, or going to a community center with a free indoor walking track, or even walking in place or dancing in your own home, then you’ll have an even tougher time navigating as a vegan in Memphis, TN.

Get ya mind right if you want to live a healthier lifestyle. It ain’t all sunshine and rainbows, and that’s even for those of us who have cars, money and access to options. Imagine the tough road for individuals and families who don’t have access!

You wanna be healthier in Memphis, TN? Buckle up, buttercup. It’s gonna be one hell of a ride❤️And it can be done!