10 Questions: Vegan Rockstar with Alex Ciccone

Long gone are the days when “vegan” was synonymous with “weakling” to the public mind. Thanks to some excellent examples who are creating new associations to veganism, such as accomplished ultra-endurance competitor Rich Roll to yogini and activist Seane Corn, famed strongman Patrik Baboumian to award-winning senior runner and coach Ellen Jaffe Jones, illusions are shattering left and right that you cannot be a vegan and a star athlete. One such individual who is helping to create new associations with veganism from the fitness realm is Alex Ciccone of Ciccone Fitness. A fitness coach and strength trainer based in Toronto, Alex is a first generation Canadian (his parents are from Italy) and will be featured in the March-April edition of Vegan Health and Fitness magazine. As a vegan activist, Alex uses his platform as a fitness expert to help bust myths about “the scrawny vegan” while educating people about the often hidden reality of animal agribusiness. You can find Alex on Instagram and Twitter and you can subscribe to Ciccone Fitness via the website to receive fitness tips, recipes, training pointers and more. I am proud to feature Alex Ciccone as this week’s Vegan Rockstar.   

1. First of all, we’d love to hear your “vegan evolution” story. How did you start out? Did you have any early influences or experiences as a young person that in retrospect helped to pave your path?

I was born in Canada to Italian immigrants, and due to cultural “norms” I would have to say that I was definitely the furthest thing from veganism at birth. Yep, you know Italian staples like veal, fish, lamb, lasagna, pizza – the list goes on and on. Looking back I think yikesss!, but it was the reality of the situation. Vegetarianism nor veganism didn’t seriously cross my mind until I was well into my early 20s. However, I do believe it was the small, but impactful influences throughout my life that amounted and lead me to realize that going vegan was the right and absolute only choice for me.

I personally feel the very first glimpse of my future in becoming vegan started under the age of 10 with my refusal of the traditional Italian meal of rabbit. I just couldn’t wrap my head around eating a cute fluffy bunny. Every time the dish would be prepared I would tell my parents “No! A bunny is not food!”

My bond with pets has been a very strong one for as long as I can remember. Growing up we had birds, dogs, fish, even lizards. Although today I disagree with the domestication of certain species of animals, these experiences throughout my childhood were invaluable. These were loyal, intelligent, unconditional loving creatures that I cared for very much and learnt many life lessons from. This coupled with a love for Disney and other animated movies starring animals such as, 101 Dalmatians, Lion King, Rescuers, All Dogs Go To Heaven, Land Before Time – I think it’s safe to say these were significant moments and a major part of the foundation for my transition to veganism down the road.

I was also a provincial level soccer player growing up, so my love for physical activity began at a young age. Strength training ended up becoming an absolute passion of mine and led to a career as a personal training specialist. In order to meet nutritional goals to support my training, particularly protein, I did rely heavily on animal based products. Let’s just say the amount of meat and dairy I was consuming during my first few years of training was absurd and finally struck a nerve. It got me thinking a bit more about the process and where my food was actually coming from. I turned to those typical misnomers… is it healthy, organic, “humanely” raised/slaughtered? Once I started digging, there was no turning back. The disconnect was no longer and the horrors that I was seeing and hearing just did not sit right. It was a slow and steady process making the decision to go vegetarian first and then onto veganism (now going on 3+ years).

Unfortunately protein over the years has become synonymous with animal flesh or certain animal products such as dairy and eggs. Billions of animals are at the mercy of these suggestions every year and suffer a fate that no one would even wish on their worst enemy. Once getting into the fitness space as a vegan I would constantly hear the common misconception that vegans are weak and malnourished (particularly protein deficient). Wanting to break these grossly incorrect statements of not being able to get adequate protein intake or supporting training, it has long been my goal to show how a vegan diet can actually allow you to get bigger, leaner and stronger. Along the way showing that living a vegan lifestyle really comes at no sacrifice. There are plenty of products and activities that are cruelty-free – and it is through cruelty-free that you can truly transcend and enjoy life to the fullest, knowing that you celebrate life and cherish it by not contributing to the unnecessary pain and torture animal agriculture creates.

2. Imagine that you are pre-vegan again: how could someone have talked to you and what could they have said or shown you that could have been the most effective way to have a positive influence on you moving toward veganism?

Although I understand the intention of this question, it is through the many exact experiences I went through that has allowed me to embrace the vegan lifestyle the way that I have today and I wouldn’t change a thing. In saying that I literally experienced it all throughout my transition…whether it was extremely aggressive radical veganism or more unassuming, positive and non-judgmental support. At the end of the day it all boiled down to my own self-awareness and knowing who I was – that’s what mattered most. Whether the message was distributed to me in a more negative tone or more positive tone, I knew I personally wanted to change and I just simply gravitated towards the message distribution I felt gave the most value at the time. So in saying that, for those of you who have yet to make the switch and may be contemplating veganism, I encourage you to practice self-awareness, find those values and messages that matter most uniquely to you and allow them to help facilitate the change.

3. What have you found to be the most effective way to communicate your message as a vegan? For example, humor, passion, images, etc.?

I am a big believer in authenticity. We are all intelligent creatures that can really read through the bulls***. So when I speak about the vegan movement and veganism, I only speak from the heart because I believe that is the only true way to connect with others. Nothing replaces being genuine. Naturally, I am a very positive, supportive and loving person – so that tends to be how my message comes across. It tends to take many forms, whether it be a powerful image, a few key words or the odd meme – all depends on the creative I lean towards in that moment. At the end of the day all I want is to give back to the community that helped support me in my transition, in any way that I can and ultimately end animal cruelty, getting to a plant-based tomorrow, sooner rather than later.

4. What do you think are the biggest strengths of the vegan movement?

There are many but I would like to choose one and that is passion. Vegans are PASSIONATE. My caps button didn’t stick there, it was certainly intended. I always hear the joke… “How do you know someone is vegan… Don’t worry. They’ll tell you.” Although I do find this absolutely hilarious, the punchline is…it’s because vegans are passionate. Some may consider this incessant need to talk about veganism as a bad thing, but being the optimist I am, I think it’s the best thing for the movement. Passionate, caring and dare I say obsessive individuals. This obsession to spread the word about veganism GETS. WORK. DONE. Change will not happen unless we all put in the work to get the word out and vegans are the best in the biz! Animal agri --- we’re coming for you!

5. What do you think are our biggest hindrances to getting the word out effectively?

Censorship. Government and certain media outlets intentionally go out of their way to keep information on the down low to protect industry. Absolute bulls***. Silver lining? Social media. Each and every one of your posts, photos, videos, shares, likes, comments, follows – they all matter and count. Let’s all leverage that advantage of existing in this tech age and keep spreading the word as much as we can.

6. All of us need a “why vegan” elevator pitch. We’d love to hear yours.

Win-win-win. In no particular order.

-       Ethical Treatment of Animals

-       Environmental Health

-       Personal Health

7. Who are the people and what are the books, films, websites and organizations that have had the greatest influence on your veganism and your continuing evolution?

In all honesty, everyone – vegan or non-vegan. Each and every single person I have ever had a conversation with around veganism helps me in continuing my evolution and spreading the word. In saying that, those entrenched in the vegan community, organization or individual, who take time and energy out of their day to post, share, like, comment and follow – it all matters and counts in spreading the word and allowing everyone to level up. Together we are truly plant strong – as nerdy and cliché as that sounds.

If I can get a bit romantic with nostalgia, I do recall the exact resources that helped me when I was knee deep in my transition - Animal rights organizations like PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), documentaries like Food Inc. and plant-based supporting literature like The China Study and Vegan Bodybuilding & Fitness.

8. Burn-out is so common among vegans: what do you do to unwind, recharge and inspire yourself?

Going back to the quality of vegans being passionate. Because of that I tend to believe I have a really high threshold for burnout. I can and do pull 18-hour days eating and breathing the vegan movement. But if I had to choose a few things that allow me to unwind, recharge in order to inspire again it would be the following…

-       Spending quality time with friends and family – all the furry ones included 

-       Getting a quality workout in

-       Watching tv/movies or playing video games

9. What is the issue nearest and dearest to your heart that you would like others to know more about?

Ethical treatment of animals. The disconnect between our plates, retail stores from the animal itself is way too large. I know many individuals who are still omnivorous or purchase animal products but when asked if they love animals the answer is still undoubtedly yes. Call it naïve – I call it being optimistic…I truly believe this affinity for love of animals is the care and key to a more cruelty free and plant-based lifestyle for the entire planet.

I encourage those who are not vegan to explore social media/media and expose yourself to the "behind the scenes" of where these animal-based products come from. In getting closer to the truth and reducing the disconnect is where this affinity of love for animals can truly shine and awaken a sleeping giant within.

If you begin to feel the pressure of "there’s no way I can be vegan", don’t stress... you don’t have to be vegan overnight. It took me many years to make the full transition and there is no shame in that. The final destination is what counts. Trust in the process and do what you uniquely can do to reduce your animal based product consumption. Vote with your dollars and the system and the societal "norm" will certainly change. You as an individual do truly have the power. The good thing is, you already have a vegan community army behind you ready to fight side by side.

10. Please finish this sentence: “To me, being vegan is...”

Compassion.

The deep pain I feel for the sufferings and misfortunes of each and every animal involved in animal agriculture is what drives me day in day out.

I feel very fortunate to be part of such a passionate community doing such fantastic work. Together we are plant strong and I cannot wait to be a part of that change alongside each and every one of you!