It all started when I was at my first Barnum and Bailey Ringling Brothers Circus demonstration in 2012. I was there to protest the cruel treatment of circus animals. My partner and I had discussed becoming vegetarian in order to change our eating habit to a healthier one, but we hadn’t yet made the leap.
While I was at the circus demo, I met many vegans and I mentioned to them that I was considering going vegetarian, but at the moment I was still eating fish, some dairy and certified “humane” chicken. I thought I was being more humane towards animals with my diet, but they started talking about the hidden truth of what certified humane meat is and the horrors of the dairy industry. I listened to all of the information, but deep down, I was a nervous about becoming vegan. I thought, “Wow, that’s a hard thing to do.”
On the second day of the protest as I was holding a sign showing a chained elephant, a few circus-goers walked by me and said, “I bet you still eat meat!” It felt like a big slap in my face. I was ashamed. Here I was telling people to be more humane to animals while I was going home to eat a dead animal that had suffered. That was my wake up call. I went straight over to the vegans that had been telling me about veganism the day before, and I asked them to give me more information on what I can eat and what to do. We talked for two hours. I received the information I needed, and I was ready.
I ordered leaflets form PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and MFA (Mercy for Animals) about veganism that included recipes. And I continued to meet more amazing helpful vegans from the animal rights organizations that I had become involved in.
That night as I was walking home from the demonstration, I assimilated all the information. As soon I walked in the front door, I noticed my partner in the dining room, and he asked, “What are we going to eat for dinner?” I said, “I don’t know, but I’m going vegan now.” He looked at me as if I was crazy. I went straight to the freezer and tossed out whatever dead animals were in there. Then he said, “Okay, I’ll go vegetarian because veganism is more difficult.”
I was scared because I didn't know exactly what I would be eating that night or the next day at work or any day after, but I was also excited about my new journey. After a few days of my new veganism, my partner said to me, “You know what, I will do the same. If you want to be vegan, so can I.” We bought our first book called Vegan for Life and everything changed for us for the better. Also, I would be amiss if I didn’t mention the help I received from many of my new vegan friends.
From that fateful day at the circus, it has been an amazing two years. My life has changed completely. I went from 249 lbs to 210 lbs (without exercise!) and I feel more energetic and clean. My doctor was extremely happy when he saw the results of my vegan lifestyle and he said, "I have never seen a drop in weight like this. You are doing an excellent job. Keep it up! And just remember to take your vitamins." My life is now in harmony with nature and all sentient beings, and it shows.
JC Rodriguez, Los Angeles, CA
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