Sylvia is a Personal Trainer from Christchurch, New Zealand. Her passion lies in Bodybuilding and is also an ex Marathon runner. She’s been a Coach for almost 9 years and vegan for 11. She shares her vegan journey in this article!
Remember your why and remember it’s all hard work and the only difference between you and the people that have what you want is they are CONSISTENT with their training & nutrition.
Sylvia Downing
They make it a top priority
Hey, thanks for having me! I’m Sylvie a Personal Trainer / Online Coach from Christchurch, New Zealand.
I have been Vegan for 11 years now. When I first decided to go vegan I was vegetarian from age 12 with a short break in to “pescatarianism” when I was 18-19 as, like many people I was told by people older than me and thought I had to eat meat to build muscle.
I could never eat red meat though it just grossed me out and switched to full vegan at 20, at first, it was a 30 day experiment to see how my body would respond and I honeslty felt so amazing that I never went back!
About 3 weeks in to the “trial” I watched a couple of vegan documentaries on YouTube and after seeing the cruelty that goes in to the meat and dairy industry I could never go back. So, in the beginning it was an experiment for health and by the end it was for the animals. I could never go back.
I feel amazing! I love it and I’m constantly learning more about it as the years go by.
Sylvia Downing
Well working I the fitness industry for many years, literally EVERYONE thinks the only was to make gains is to eat meat. I myself have competed on a bodybuilding stage and am coaching another vegan athlete to the stage this year. I want to prove to the industry and to the world that you don’t need to eat death to make gains. You can thrive, grow and help the planet all by eating plants. I wish to inspire change through positive influence and sharing my journey.
What are the challenges of finding vegan food when dining out with friends, and how can you overcome them?
These days, it’s really easy. Most restaurants have vegan options and my family are plant based, my husband too so it’s easy. 10 years ago, not so much – I had to eat before I went or just have sides and not a full meal.
How would you encourage someone who isn’t vegan to try meatless food?
I would get them to try my TVP Bolognaise, it’s one of my favourites and actually recently I got someone who eats meat to try it and they thought it tasted great! My husband used to have a vegan food truck and we made these incredible burgers which sold out everytime! We had a typical “Cheese burger” style, a “Filet NO fish” and a “KFV” burger. Anyone that had these at the time LOVED them!
It’s important to love what you’re eating in a dieting phase otherwise you won’t stick to it. Unsure how? Let me help you
Sylvia Downing
Good places for food would be in Christchurch where I live – Indo Tempeh (literally my fave), Dice & Slice Pizza as they do an amazing vegan pepperoni pizza! Paradise Cookies to the most amazing Brownie Cookie Slice. Greater goods have a range of vegan Roasts, deli style meats and cheeses and their Tofu Burger is so good. The Vegan Markete is a local market that is held once a month and they have a bunch of stall of all vegan food. It’s my favourite thing to go to!
What are some common misconceptions about being vegan?
To get the best you have to bring your best and show up as the strongest version of you
Sylvia Downing
That we are weak, skinny, low in iron and B12 and unhealthy. We are none of these things and I and my husband are living proof! My husband when I met him ate meat, he decided to trial being plant based for 2 weeks in the early days and never went back, he is a typical gym bro with great muscle mass and still has all his gains 6 years in, he hasn’t wasted away.
Your vibe attracts your tribe and those who want more will naturally gravitate towards you.
Sylvia Downing
Just try it! Trial it out for 2-4 weeks, make the commitment and see how you feel. Educate yourself and watch some vegan documentaries to help in the early days. It’s never been easier you can literally make anything you like normal vegan these days. You are not missing out, instead you are saving animals lives by not contributing to the animal agriculture industry.
The grass is greener where you water it 🌱
Sylvia Downing
I’ve been ripped out a lot over the years and now I just get in early with the jokes on myself. I’ve heard every vegan joke you can imagine. It is what it is people can think what they like I know my path and purpose so it’s easy to march forward!
No matter what your goal is, weightloss, muscle gain, body recomp, to feel your best. This lifestyle delivers and much more. Just try it for yourself and find out!
Sylvia Downing
Fitness Trainer
@sylviefit_coaching Online Coach/ PT📲
@hypasports SYlVIAD
@clubathletica SYLVIE10
📩 sylviefit.coaching@gmail.com
NZ 🇳🇿 Vegan 🌿 BD 🖤 Sky 🐾
all images courtesy of Sylvia Downing