Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to John Lewis. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

John , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

My mission is to help people feel empowered and take their health into their own hands. My mother was diagnosed with Colon Cancer. My first thought was that it had to be hereditary, but after talking to the doctors and following that with my own research I came to find out that while genetics is at places with many of the diseases… what we eat feeds those genetics. The more and more research I connected the more I saw that it wasn’t just cancers but heart disease, hypertension, and many more.

John , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

At a young age of 13, John found himself at 315 pounds, but through hard work and dedication, he lost weight and excelled in football and basketball. He continued his streak of athletic excellence throughout his high school and college years with a full-ride scholarship to Harris-Stowe State College. Graduating with a Bachelors’s degree in marketing, he later went on to pursue his MBA from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
John’s education in business coupled with his love for health and fitness gave him the ability to start his venture – Bad Ass Vegan – a health and nutrition company that strives to educate individuals on plant-based nutrition. John’s love for his community brought forth the brainchild of “VeganSmart”, a plant-based protein shake company with a foundation whose mission is to prevent obesity through education, physical activity, and plant-based nutrition. As a well-renowned fitness expert, John Lewis has spent over 2 decades in the health and fitness industry and played Division I college basketball. John is highly passionate about not only his own health and fitness but that of others as well… This is evident through his motivational messages either through his international public speaking engagements or simply through his social media outlets.
Today, John has taken his passion for health and is now directing his first feature-length documentary focused on food and social justice. John has teamed up with the maker of the award-winning “What The Health” to create their joint venture “THEY’RE TRYING TO KILL US”.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I would have to say that my whole story to this point is all about resilience. I left my last job in 2012 to go into entrepreneurship and 10 years later is when I finally got my film into the Tribeca film festival. From having $12 in my bank account, to people wanting to bankrupt this film, having loved ones die during the journey I never gave up hope. I knew that the only way to get this message of empowerment out to the people was to stay focused and continue the journey.

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I always tell people that my audience was built by not only by embracing myself but also encouraging others to be their best self. There are many accounts our there that are all self absorbed and promote themselves without ever thinking of the people that are looking at their page on a daily. Sure I like to share some highlights of my life on my page but it is more about helping others realize they have highlights as well. I want people to look at my page and think ” If he can do it, why can’t I?”

People want to feel good, not insignificant.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.theyretryingtokillus.com.
• Instagram: badassvegan
• Facebook: BAD ASS Vegan
• Twitter: peace on marz
• Youtube: Badass Vegan

Image Credits
Cassie Fuertez