#21: BIRTH FATHER MEMORIAL EPISODE (THE BRAND-NEW VEGAN)
As we shared last season, Michelle was adopted as a baby and had been on a decade long journey searching for her biological father. Thanks to the phenomenon of accessible genetic testing, she found him early last year.
The journey has been unbelievable to witness as Michelle and her B'pa (birth'pa) Greg Hicks formed a soulful, inseparable connection and became best friends. Soon after getting to know each other, while Michelle and I were filming our 7 Days Documentary, Greg decided to try going vegan for a few weeks...which turned into a month...which turned into a year...which turned into forever. We brought him on this podcast as a "Brand-New Vegan" when he was just a few months in.
It's with extremely heavy hearts that we now share that Greg passed away suddenly and unexpectedly this month.
In his honor and his memory, in this very raw episode we share an update about his vegan journey and remember the legacy of positive change Greg left behind.
Greg celebrated his one-year "Veganniversary" in May of this year, he veganized several favorite family recipes (such as Grandma's famous cookies and meatball subs—recipe links below), attended the Fancy Food Show and Natural Products Expo West with us both to scope out the latest and greatest vegan products, started a vegan Instagram account called @EmpowerVegans, began working with Michelle on WorldofVegan.com, recipe tested for our upcoming vegan cookbook, and so, so much more.
Our hearts are broken to lose such an incredible friend, partner, mentor, and b'father. We know this episode is different—emotional, uncensored, and expressed through tears—but wehope you find much inspiration within.
If nothing else, please remember to hold your loved ones close as life truly is a gift, and is never long enough.
SHOW NOTES
- Michelle's Adoption Story
- Michelle’s Adoption Video
- B'pa Memorial Video
- Our Skydiving Video
- Vegan Cheddar Cheese Face-Off Video With Greg + Michelle
- World's Best Cookies—Veganized By Greg
- Greg's Vegan Meatball Subs
- Greg's Meat Lovers Beefy Vegan Tacos
- Greg's Video On Finding Out He Had A Daughter
- Colleen Patrick-Goudreau
- What the Health
- Plant-Based on a Budget
- Dominion (documentary)
- Shark Water (documentary)
- Black Fish (documentary)
- The Cove (documentary)
- Super Bowl Snacks Video
B'PA'S 1 YEAR VEGANNIVERSARY INSTAGRAM POST:
"Better than a birthday cake... VEGANniversary avacado toast and a mango/banana smoothie! 😋
OMG 1 year without meat & dairy and I'm still alive! I guess you really can live w/o protein! 😲
All kiddin aside... I'm truly grateful for being inspired by my daughter to step in a direction I would have never imagined possible. I started concerned about my health and volunteering as a subject for a 2 week project and here I am a whole year later embracing plant-powered eating and all that it stands for... health, sustainability of our planet, and compassion for all eartlings.🌱💪🏊♂️ 🚵♂️🏋️♂️🏌️♂️🌎🐮🐷🐔😁
You don't know what you dont know. I just opened up and was willing to learn outside of the resistive forces to broaden my knowledge and awareness. Sadly, we've been conditioned down a path of ill health, inhumane practices and acceptance of the destruction of our precious planet and its resources.
Anyway, on my VEGANniversary, I simply want to humbly express my gratitude to my family & friends (old and new), that have been supportive (and curious) along my path. I feel blessed and happy to be on this journey... Thank You! 🙏😊
Cheers to all the doctors, scientists and many other advocates who are working to educate about the power of plants for health, sustainability and compassion. 🎉🙏
Be the Exception... Live well and be kind in doing so! 😎"
A Message To You, B'pa
B'pa,
I've never in my life felt more deeply and soulfully connected to another human being.
You are so much more than my b'pa. You quickly became my partner in life, in work, in learning, in adventures, in being kind (and a little bit crazy), in always finding the good, in making the most of every moment, in bettering ourselves (and our world), in our morning routines, in cooking, in running, in driving, in walking Chance, in being productive, and in doing nothing at all. There was not a moment wasted since finding each other and no opportunities were missed to seize the day, make each other smile, and share love.
In exploring the depths of our way-too-similar brains, our dreams, our goals, our fears, our struggles, our weaknesses, and all the parts of our lives, we both got the greatest gift—being deeply and completely known. Before we ever met I was a piece of you, but now you have become woven and embedded in all the pieces of me.
Thank you for always being there, believing in me, guiding me, being my greatest advocate, and giving me the courage to believe I can get through anything, achieve anything, and even become a mom. It's all going to be so much harder without you by my side, but I will cling onto the strength you've given me always.
My heart cracks a little bit every time I look down at my belly and feel your little grandson Tigger-bouncing inside of me, although I'm sure you'd say those cracks will only let more light in. I can't wait to discover all the little pieces of you in him.
To the moon and back, through all the stars and galaxies, I love you forever. I know sleep never came easy, but now you can rest peacefully, my soul mate, and I will do my best to keep living life to the fullest and making people smile for you.
♡ Me'da
P.S. Your grandson isn't even born yet and you've already taken him skydiving. Of course.
CONNECT WITH GREG HICKS
CONNECT WITH TONI OKAMOTO:
CONNECT WITH MICHELLE CEHN:
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