My name is Amber Sperling, and I’m a business professional, bikini competitor, fitness fanatic, cross fitter, green belt in karate-do and passionate about sharing the health benefits of a plant-based diet. I am driven by results, and motivated by challenges. In all factors of my life, I consistently drive myself to perform above the standard. I take great pleasure in my work, I obsess over details and I am on an endless quest for success. I condition my body with strength and endurance training, and enjoy writing in my health and wellness blog. I also train in Matsubayashi-Ryu Karate-Do, for my mind, body, and soul. My boyfriend Richard has been a large influence in my life; together we foster a healthy lifestyle. As a vegan athlete, it’s my mission to break stereotypes and be an example for others on how to build a healthy, lean, and muscular body while sustaining a plant based diet.

I’ve always been athletic, and involved in sports as a child. As my mother would say, “You were always muscle bound. Ever since you were three-years-old you were working out!” I didn’t commit to fitness until about two years ago, when I first started routinely running for exercise. I didn’t realize how out of shape I was until I jogged that first lap around the gym. I was winded out of breath, had cramps, and felt like I was going to die! I thought to myself, how could I be so winded, I haven’t even gone a full mile! Looks are deceiving, I may have looked slim, trim and fit, but I wasn’t. I guess the countless hours spent studying in college deterred me from being as active as I was in high school. Eventually I built up some stamina, and was able to run a full mile, but it didn’t happen overnight. After about six months of frequenting the gym, I realized my fitness routine had become a lifestyle; I changed my diet by weaning myself off of processed food and animal products, and eating a diet rich in plant-based protein. I built up my speed and distance and was in the routine of running the distance of a 5k, 3-5 days a week.

When I started getting tired of the routine task of running, I gradually started easing strength training into exercise plan. In February of 2013, I ran into my old college fitness instructor, Peggy Barber, at the gym, and she encouraged me to compete in a fitness competition. This was a pivotal point in my fitness regime. By putting a date on the calendar I was empowered, and motivated to work harder. I created a strict plant-based diet and exercise plan to follow. I was lucky to have such a supportive team behind me backing up my desire to maintain a plant-based diet in an industry mostly dominated by competitors over indulging on whey protein, chicken and egg whites. Although, I still remember stumbling across the people that said I couldn’t build muscle on plant-based diet.

Within twelve weeks, I was on stage for my first bikini competition, and I believe I made a statement in the fitness industry that athlete’s do not have to eat a meat based diet to obtain a muscular build. After my bikini competitions, I decided to try cross fit. My first intent was to train in cross fit for a couple of months to build my upper body. But after two weeks of intense sweat grueling, breathe taking workouts, while being cheered on by fellow gym goers’ as I tried to crank out my last set, I felt more at home than ever. After our gym dominated G.L.B.R.T. cross fit competition, and my team took 6th place of 26 teams, I am hooked, and I want to continue competing in this sport.

The best part is all of my training has been done on a plant-based diet! Since adopting a plant-based diet, I’ve felt energized, healthy, and I can’t remember the last time I was sick. Fueling your body properly, allows you to perform at your full potential. I’ve noticed a difference in my outlook on life, I feel happier, more ambitious and healthy. When you eat a clean plant-based diet you are in sync with your body, and can identify problems in your nutrition immediately. I can testify that I know longer suffer from uncomfortable side effects that food may ward such as gas, bloating, or indigestion .You don’t have to take a pill to fix these problems, rethink what you are putting in your body, eat to perform, don’t live to eat. One thing my journey has taught me is, it’s never too late to take control of your life!

I love a good challenge, every workout I do makes me nervous. I am consistently competing against myself, always working to be bigger, faster, and stronger. Working out makes me feel energized, healthy and confident.