Emilie TanMelbourne, VIC
Evolved Generation Co-Founder, Endurance Athlete
Emilie was born and raised in Canada and relocated to Melbourne, Australia, in 2008. She is passionate about inspiring people to reach their full physical and mental potential, while maintaining a perspective of sustainability and compassion. From a young age, sport has been a dominant part of her life. At the age of 10 Emilie decided to take up speed skating on ice. Passionate and dedicated to the sport, she had a successful skating career that spanned a decade. Her hard work and focus was rewarded by competing 3 times in the World Junior Championships with a 5th place in 2003 as her best result. Emilie also won 5 medals (3 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze) at the 2003 Canada Winter Games and was nominated that year for best up and coming female athlete at Gala Sport Quebec. Emilie also participated all throughout high school in various track meets where she placed frequently. Emilie became a vegan at the beginning of 2012 and never looked back. She credits her switch to a plant-based lifestyle for her healing from a long struggle with eating disorders. Through her own experience, Emilie wants to inspire others to gain self confidence and reconnect with their heart to find their true purpose. Her current athletic pursuit is endurance running (eg: marathons, ultramarathons, trail running).
Employing different training methodologies, I aim to get you fitter and stronger than you have been before. I believe in functional training where training techniques are relative to each individual’s goals.
Areas of Expertise: 80/10/10, Endurance, Flexible Dieting, Gluten Free, Nutrition, Raw Food, Toning, Weight Loss
Services: Consulting, Personal Training, Coaching
Credentials: Plant-based Nutrition, eCornell, Ultramarathoner
Availability: In person, Online, Phone
I first became vegan for health reasons. My digestion had been horrible for years and it was getting unbearable. After trying all the supplements money could buy, I tried giving this "vegan thing" a try. Within days from quitting meat, my digestion had improved greatly. I then watched Earthlings with my husband and it really sealed the deal for me. I never looked back.
The transition was never difficult for me. I get so many benefits from eating a vegan diet: better digestion, body composition, stronger nails and hair, increased endurance and recovery and so much more! I however found it hard at first to wave goodbye leather shoes and other fashion items... but I really do not care anymore, as I prefer admiring live animals, not wearing their skin.
Everytime I race, I always make sure to have the word "vegan" and/or "plantpower" on my clothes and/or racing bib for everyone to see. My athleticism is my main form of activism. PETA and Sea Shepherd are two of my favorite AR organizations, but there are many that I think are wonderful. When I visited Edgar's Mission, a farmed animal sanctuary, I was extremely touched by how Kyle, one of the workers, talked about each resident animal and their different personalities and quirks. It really hit home for me: animals are people, not things.
If someone asked my advice about going vegan I would encourage them to do it and please give it a real chance. Take the appropriate time to play around with your diet to find what really works for you (within the vegan spectrum, of course). Meet other vegans who share your interests (other than veganism) to create a sense of community and also get tips and support.