A celebrity fitness trainer, John “JP” Pierre, most famously known as Ellen Degeneres’ fitness trainer, visited the University to inform the public about lifelong wellness in the “Super Simple Super Nutrition” event hosted by The Monmouth Area Vegetarian Society (MAVS) in mid-October in Magill Commons.
The event was free and open to the public, which brought in about 25 – 30 people, both from the University and outside towns.
Aside from Pierre’s presentation, the event also was a vegan potluck. All attendees brought in vegan entrees and desserts, with recipe cards so guests knew the ingredients in each of the foods
“Veganism is when you don’t consume any animal products and it is not just a diet, it’s also a lifestyle… like we won’t wear fur and we won’t wear leather,” said Mary Harris, a certified Holistic Health Coach and specialist professor of communication.
John Pierre was accompanied by Dr. Kerrie Saunders, also known as Dr. Food, and R.N. Susie Krandel. The three of them presented their diverse expertise on the matter of healthy living. Pierre, who has worked with people of all ages promoting the benefits of a plant-based diet, stress reduction and physical fitness, informed the crowd representing his adamancy for veganism with a t-shirt that said “Save Lives” with pictures of sheep paired with track pants to finish off his laid back look.
He began, “Sitting is the new smoking,” and immediately went into sharing his knowledge on the importance of moving your body throughout the day and the long term effects of healthy eating. He was soon accompanied by Dr. Saunders who backed up his advice with facts and results from the medical world.
The two vegans shared food and exercise advice and informed the audience about harmful toxins that can be found in certain meats. “If you still choose to eat meat after this, at least try and incorporate these foods into your diet,” Saunders said about food groups they mentioned that ranged from typical fruits and vegetables to beans and Quinoa.
After the two specialists finished speaking, R.N. and new vegan, Susie Krandel went in front of the crowd to share her story about how she believes switching her diet ended her 15 year battle with rheumatoid arthritis.
Krandel said that she was on ten different medications, one of which was a cancer medication, and nothing was working. She decided to do her own research and stumbled upon the plant-based diet. Within a few years, she explained that she was off every medication and was completely cured of the arthritis.
“I never realized that dairy was so negative on someone’s body,” Sarah Coff, a junior communication major admitted after the event was finished.
“Are you fuelling yourself or are you fooling yourself?” asked Pierre.
