As an animal lover and guardian, my deepest, dearest, and most heartfelt wish is to see a world free of suffering and pain for all animals. But before entering PETA’s Sexiest Vegan Over 50 (SV050) contest, my effort in behalf of animals was not nearly what it is today.
Although I’ve spent years volunteering in animal shelters, donating money, writing letters to politicians and companies, signing petitions, etc., I felt more like I was a participant from the sidelines, never doing or saying enough in support of the animals I cared so much about. I knew I could do more for them but was at a loss as to how to do it.
When the e-mail from PETA arrived, inviting me to enter the 2011 SV050 contest, something inside of me said, “YES, do it!” Back in 2011, the contest included vegetarians, which I was at the time. But the moment that I signed the entry form, I embraced being vegan and never looked back. Something unexplainable seemed to be driving me. I asked everyone I met to vote for me, including the repair guy who came to fix my sister’s washing machine when I was visiting her.
Winning the contest was exciting, but I didn’t realize that it would lead to a much more rewarding gift. It didn’t come in a wrapped box or delivered by FedEx: It came when a reporter from the San Francisco Chronicle asked me for an interview. Although the idea was intimidating, again, I heard the voice in my head say, “YES, do it!” From that moment on, a domino effect began, as if it had been waiting for me all along to tip the first piece.
In addition to speaking to the media, I became certified in plant-based nutrition at the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies as well as becoming a spokesperson for a campaign to promote the humane treatment of animal companions. Oddly enough, perhaps the most difficult step that I took was to declare my kitchen a plant-based-only zone to visitors and nonvegan family members. I think they all saw it coming, and everyone has generously obliged. I’m lucky to have a compassionate, caring, and wonderful husband, an SV060, who embraces this lifestyle choice with me.
Perhaps the biggest domino that has fallen to date is my upcoming book, which combines my love for animals with my passion for health: Dog as My Doctor, Cat as My Nurse: An Animal Lover’s Guide to Living a Healthier, Happier and More Extraordinary Life. There is nothing like writing a book to put you out into the world with a message that says, “This is who I am, this is what I believe, and this is what I care about.”
Since winning the contest, my friends still kid me about being an SV050. But when so many women and men in their fifties, like the ones I see in my acupuncture and plant-based nutrition practice, are struggling with preventable health issues like high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity, their kidding is a reminder that my good health and vitality have something to do with an SV050 contest for which I made the decision to go vegan. There is power in finding your voice. I’m grateful to PETA for offering this contest and helping me find mine. Please vote for your favorite finalist, and let’s find it within ourselves to celebrate each other and our wonderful vegan movement that helps all the animals we care so deeply about.
Carlyn Montes De Oca is the winner of PETA’s 2011 SV050 contest and the owner of Modern Alchemy Acupuncture & Nutritional Consulting. Please visit Carlyn @ www.ModernAlchemyAcupuncture.com or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/modernalchemyacupuncture.
