Ever since I was a teenager, I’ve had 3 big wishes: to visit the States, to become vegetarian and to help others. Now, at the age of 35, I am on my way to fulfill all my dreams and one of them is coming true right now: I am about to participate in the Physicians Committee For Responsible Medicine’s Food For Life Training. PCRM was founded by Dr. Neal Barnard and recruits individuals with professional experience and passion to help people live a healthier and happier life through eating wholesome, plant-based food.

I first submitted my application for the Food For Life training 2 years ago, and, although I wasn’t accepted, I didn’t give up! I worked my way up to meet PCRM’s requirements and to become a better vegan chef and culinary instructor. I gained experience in a high-profile vegan restaurant, then opened my own, licensed vegan home restaurant where I hold cooking workshops & dinners.

At the end of May, after the recruitment process, I got the invitation to attend the FFL training in Washington DC. I will meet many inspiring people, doctors, registered dietitians, nurses & participate in a few cooking class modules, designed by doctors & dietitians. Each module was designed with a different health issue in mind: cancer, diabetes, weight management, employee wellness, and kids health. They are meant to prevent, heal and even reverse these conditions and through these cooking classes, anybody can learn how to do so in an easy and accessible way.

Over 4 years ago, when I became vegan, I also quit my job at the corporation I had been working for and decided to build myself from scratch as a vegan chef, to discover who I truly am and what I want to bring to this world. I had no idea where this decision would take me. Through tough times of uncertainty, doubts and skeptical questions about how I could quit a stable job at the age of 30 to follow my dreams, I only had faith and trust that this is my true path. Today I feel grateful & touched by everything the universe has brought to me: people, situations and places and I have a feeling that this is only the beginning of a beautiful adventure.