Name: John “BAV” Lewis
Where do you live and where are you from? I live in Fort Lauderdale/Miami but I was born in Little Rock, Arkansas and raised in St. Louis.
Age? 36
What do you do for a living/profession? I wish I could just narrow that down to one thing but I have my hands in a lot of pots right now. I would say that my main occupation is Health Education… but I also dabble in Acting, Modeling, Fitness, Public Speaking.
What do you like to do for fun? I am very easy to please so it can be as simple as studying (I know studying is not usually fun for most people). I love to learn and I love to know what the hell I am talking about since I talk to so many people about health. I love to workout, well actually sometimes I hate it… but I do love the results!
How long have you been vegan? I have not had meat since Halloween of 2004 and I have been completely vegan since 2007. So I guess about 6 years.
Why did you become vegan? I first became vegan in 2007. At the time I had already been living a vegetarian lifestyle and but I felt that something was missing. Also my mother suffered from colon cancer, which led me to do more research in the causes of the lethal disease. It sparked me to do more research in what we put into our bodies. It enabled me to see that animal protein didn’t only lead to colon cancer, but many disorders within the human body. While I started this process for health reasons, it didn’t take me long to understand that compassion for all of the animals on the planet was just as important as my own health.
How was your transition? My transition was so easy. I pretty much just woke up one day and said… “That’s it, time to be vegan” I didn’t plan it out or Say next year or month I am going to do it. I just made up my mind that it was time. It is so mental that once we decide to do it, nothing can break that.
What is the funniest misconception(s) that you have heard about vegans? Oh man, lets see… everything from Vegans have bad sex to we are weak and not strong and that we will end up in the hospital with some mythical sickness. LOL there are so many. Once of the best ones was that a person that does not eat meat can’t be trusted, lol.
What is your Favorite thing(s) about being a vegan? I love the fact that not only am I making myself healthier with every bite but that I am also making the planet a healthier place. I am not harming any animals and that really makes me feel great. I don’t even wear leather nor do I have it in my house. It is just a feeling of peace that I think everyone should be able to have in such a twisted world. Why not do something that can improve the world with every bite that you take?
What do you think makes a Sexy Bad Ass Vegan? Someone who knows and respects the world. Sure it's cool to be a vegan for your own health but do you really do it for you or for all the living souls on the planet?
What is the best vegan dish that you make in your kitchen? I have a dish that I call a Bad Ass Beautiful mess that I love to make because it is so easy and good!
Bad Ass Beautiful Mess1 cup of steamed quinoa
1 serving of guacamole
It is so easy and so damn tasty… I think I will be making some tonight, lol.
What is the best Vegan Restaurant you have ever had the pleasure of eating at? I would have to say that I love Choices Cafe in Miami, Green Wave in Fort Lauderdale and also I am in love with Green Bar & Kitchen in Fort Lauderdale as well. Sublime is nice and there is also Darbsters in West Palm as well as Christopher’s kitchen. Damn as you can see I love to eat, lol. But I am a fan of anyones vegan spot and love to travel and try out new places to enjoy great cruelty free food!
What advice do you have for those that are thinking of transitioning to a vegan lifestyle? Just do it, you will not regret it. You will have a ton of people telling you that you are crazy and that you are going to get sick… all the while the person giving you that advice is most likely in a horrible situation health wise.
Do you have a website to share with us? Yes! Check me out at
BadAssVegan.com :)
But you can also check me out on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
