Thanks for Diggin' Me

I should be sleeping right now. I literally had three hours of sleep last night, frantically trying to finish my PowerPoint presentation for Veg Expo. And now here I am, post-event at 11pm and I’m just filled with such warm, fuzzy feelings. I had to write a post and share my thoughts!

Today was Vancouver’s first-ever Veg Expo and The Vegan Project and I were asked to be an event partner for it. We had no idea what to expect for this “all things vegan and vegetarian” event. But the outcome was bigger and better than any of us could’ve thought possible!

It was packed. It was packed with people from open to close. People wanting to know more about veganism. People open to changing their views and actions regarding the mistreatment of animals. Everyone was there to listen and learn about the things that mean so much to me. Veg-love coming from all angles. It was SUCH a cool feeling to be surrounded by so many like-minded people.

So many lovely people and memories from this one day like Nina, my new friend who flew all the way from Los Angeles just to meet me or Ashley, the bikini competitor, who said my presentation was so inspiring, she’ll never eat an animal again.

I sometimes question whether I’m doing the right thing by competing in these fitness competitions. I know some people think competitive bodybuilding is stupid, vain and shallow. And to a certain extent, they’re right. I’m training and dieting my ass off, spending hours upon hours of my life at the gym (or hungry in my apartment) so I can hopefully win a trophy that complete strangers have given me based on their liking of my body.

There are so many days when I want to just throw in the towel and hunker down in front of the TV with a tub of peanut butter and a bag of Medjool dates.

Then days like today happen. And I’m filled with such positive energy because I know, without a doubt, that THIS is exactly what I’m supposed to be doing. Right here, right now. Spreading the good vegan word to people who actually want to hear it 🙂

So I guess the point of this post is to say THANK YOU to all who came out today! For supporting me, The Vegan Project and the rest of the Vancouver vegan community. And most importantly, for being part of the change we NEED to see in the world. I am beyond humbled by all of your kind words and actions. Every person I spoke to, every message I’ve received and every person who’s followed me on my little vegan bodybuilding adventure.

I always say “when you do things from the heart, other people really dig that shit.” So thank you for digging my shit.

Finally, if anyone is interested in a copy of my PowerPoint, I’ll gladly email it to you. All I’m asking for is any-sized donation to the PlantBuilt team fundraiser. Just email me a copy of your receipt to samshorkey@hotmail.com and I’ll send it your way. A video of the presentation will be included shortly as well. Just waiting for it to be edited by the amazing Harry Leonard.

THANK YOU!!!!

– Sam