Posted April 13, 2005 by Rachelle Owen
Street Teamer and Virginia Commonwealth University student Micah Risk was selected as one of the winners for PETA’s “Sexiest Vegetarian Alive” contest. Way to go Micah! Check out this article from VCU’s student paper:
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Name: Micah E. Risk
Hometown: Charlotte, N.C.
Profile: The 20-year-old sophomore health sciences major transferred to VCU from Guilford College in Greensboro, N.C., and says her career goal is to be a nutritionist. She counts animals, sports and a passion for issues among her likes and meat, raw onions and ignorance among her dislikes. A vegan, Risk last month won PETA’s “Sexiest Female Vegetarian Alive” contest.
Louie Corbo: When did you become a vegan?
Micah Risk: Three years ago I got into it for animal rights reasons. It grew to health and environmental reasons.
LC: How did you find out about the contest?
MR: I heard about it from a friend who is active in PETA. She mentioned the website. (Goveg.com)
LC: Why did you choose to enter?
MR: I thought it would be fun. Being vegan and an animal rights activist is serious and sometimes stressful. I felt it would be fun, lighten the vegan image.
LC: Did you think you’d win?
MR: No, and I didn’t believe them when they said I won.
LC: How do you think vegans are viewed? Is their a stereotype?
MR: Some people respect it, some people think is strange. Many people think we’re radical but I don’t think we are.
LC: What would you say to people who think this vegetarian beauty contest objectifies you?
MR: I think their missing the point.
LC: What do you think the point is?
MR: The point is to show how this is a healthy lifestyle. Eating meat leads to obesity, heart disease and cancer. Lots of studies show that animal fat is hard for the body to digest. Veganism keeps you fit.
LC: Has your diet ever caused you any health problems?
MR: Nope, not at all. I’ve noticed that my immune system has actually gotten better. This is the first winter that I didn’t get any type of flu or cold virus since I’ve been alive, probably. (laughs)
LC: What is the hardest part of being a vegan?
MR: At one time eating out was difficult… but now I’m a little bit more familiar with places to eat, what to eat, and the questions to ask, so now that I know more about it overall… I don’t think there is anything hard about being vegan. It’s just frustrating not being able to go out and get soft-serve ice cream. (smiles)
LC: Does your family support your choice in dieting?
MR: Yes! My parents have been so wonderful, my mom took me shopping at the local natural foods store right away… she started incorporating tofu and other substitutes in her cooking.. and eventually went vegetarian herself!
peta2 Street Team Coordinator + lover of vegan food, cats, animal rights, Dawson's Creek, and Harry Potter.
Too long to explain here, it's long enough for a novel.
Father loves to farm, be self sustainable, loves to read, he's a antiques/vintage auctioneer, art student, and looks like mr. Rogers. My mother is a Montessori teacher and is amazing with children, all about local organic foods, loves gardening, cooking etc. my sister who is nine years older than me was into indie music and introduced me to all sorts of things at a young age. This all rubbed of on me and from that base I grew into similar things. I'm an INFJ
I'm tall, a geek, nacho - obsessed, I love sewing and Cath Kidston, also I'm vegetarian (wannabe vegan.)
Jersey girl now I'm all country.
I love animals about as much as rock, heavy metal, tea, and coffee. Hoping to make a difference and help animals through PETA!!!
Life On A Tour Bus
I am Angela. When I am not helping animals I am listening to music, reading, or playing video games. My spirit animal is a fox and I love nature. What else is there to know? Want to know anything about me, need advice or anything message me :)
Well let's just say life ain't always beautiful but it's a beautiful ride. I love all my pets and would do anything for them. I have one dog, two cats, a ferret and my babygirl shaymin,(the cutest hedgehog alive) I'm into all different kinds of music. I'm a singer myself and love art.
2959 days ago
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Cool article. Congratulations to Micah. I wish I’d entered but I was too late… Next year!!