NewEthic, all vegan cross-fit gym

We were so grateful to have Holly Noll and Ed Bauer at Sanctuary Bistro. At New Ethic, Cross Fit, they encourage you to be your best self in a loving, open and encouraging way. If you have a chance to let them help you achieve your goals, I would recommend it. - Jennifer1. What has inspired you to be on this path/journey in life and brought you to this point?Ed: I went vegan in 1996 after learning about the inhumane practices that are involved in raising animals for food, as well as the health benefits of a plant-based diet. I have been a Certified Personal Trainer since 2006 because I found it to be the perfect compliment to promoting health and fitness on a plant-based diet to everyone.Holly: Wow. Now that is a question! I've definitely moved through a whole host of really great life paths that just didn't fit or feel sustainable. Mostly, though, I was a chef, from a family of really incredible chefs but that turned out to not be the life that felt right. When I got deeply into fitness all those years ago, I got into it not to get thin or to "get fit". I got into fitness because I wanted to be in a warm, bright place that made me feel strong when I had moved to a dark, cold, wet, lonely city (Seattle) and was feeling sort of down and weak. During this journey I started a cooking show called Vegan Shortcake and interviewed a man who was opening a vegan gym in Portland. All of these things combined to be the life we lead today, owning New Ethic Strength and Conditioning together and hopefully bringing those same happy, strong and empowered feels to other folks lives.2. Tell us about your company/businessEd: NewEthic Strength and Conditioning is a 1,500 square foot training facility just five blocks southeast of Lake Merritt in Oakland, with a goal oriented style, that focuses on getting leaner, stronger and better using dynamic movements and functional fitness. This can translate into improved endurance, agility, bodybuilding, powerlifting or simply looking good with less clothes on. With years of sports nutrition behind us, we advocate a plant-based lifestyle for a variety of reasons, but respect all choices without judgement. With every person that walks in our door, our community will grow, transform, and redefine any limitations that were previously perceived. We invite you to join us, share in this community and be part of this change.Holly: So I own New Ethic Strength where we do nutritional counseling, personal and group training that focuses on goals, functional fitness and mindfulness in all parts of life. I also own a Protein Waffle dry mix (just add non dairy milk!) called FitQuick that makes it fast, easy and goal friendly waffles, and soon protein doughnuts, on a daily basis. In addition to these two, I co own a remote nutrition and training company with a women named Lacy Davis called Rise and Resist Training that was born out of a podcast we co host.3. Share with us your mission, goals and accomplishments.Ed: Our mission is to create a happy healthy compassionate world through our actions and efforts. As a 20 year vegan, I have won a bodybuilding competition, I have been on the cover of Vegan Health & Fitness Magazine (with Holly), and I have owned a plant-based gym in Portland, Oregon and now Oakland for four years, and trained thousands of people to become stronger, leaner, and happier.Holly: We promote a body positive view of fitness that empowers our community towards strength and happiness in ones skin.4. Can you share some anecdotes from your business?Ed: I once trained a contestant from The Biggest Loser and helped her drop over 100 pounds. I was in the audience in Studio City for the Live Season Finale, and as soon as they announced her total weight lossed, she pointed at me, and I cried immediately. Luckily, I was hidden in the audience.Holly: FitQuick was born out of instagram #foodporn pics. I was leaning out for an upcoming fitness photoshoot and developed a high protein, low carbohydrate/sugar, high fiber, waffle recipe that I'd started posting pictures of. I started getting a lot of folks asking how to make these, but many said it was difficult to get right and I started getting messages about how much it might take to get me to send out a mix. I did a run of fifty bags that sold out almost immediately and before I could do another run I also had an international distributor. It's pretty fun when you can simply meet demand and it creates a wonderful business!5. How can we be involved? Any upcoming events?Ed: I offer one on one training, group classes, as well as a beginner's course starting the first Monday of every month. We also have Yoga and Open Gym, and do fundraisers quite often for local animal rights charities.Holly: The best way is to join the community! We do occasionally have events, and we are planning on having more in the coming year, but we'd love to have anyone interested come check out the gym and start their journey to get more strong and more stoked!6. Community and compassion are our mission. In what ways.. do you exemplify this?Ed: We are a 100% vegan business and we promote a cruelty free lifestyle to all who come here in every way we can. We push hard in our personal fitness to show others it is possible. We wish to exemplify what strength, comapassion, and determination can create.Holly:  By providing a safe, non judge-mental, super positive place for folks to come, get strong, and get stoked. We are an entirely vegan gym, this means our nutrition advice is plant based, our fitness shop has no animal products, and our equipment isn't made from anyone else's skin. This does not mean we only train vegans. Compassionate living means coming from a place of evolution and learning so we accept where everyone is in their journey and help when asked.7. What could we each do to live a more compassionate lifestyle?Ed: We can educate ourselves with relevant books and documentaries such as The China Study and Cowspiracy. We can create and attend community events to help us foster more connection in our lives. We can also surround ourselves with likeminded individuals.Holly: Extend compassion to yourself and those you love in addition to the world greater than yourself and those who are oppressed that live within it.8. Any interesting facts, life-style tips, that you could share with us?Ed: Do cardio in a fasted state to burn body fat, eat protein during every meal, and be nice to yourself. We have pressure from every direction in our lives, and if you have a fitness goal, be patient. Results take time.Holly: Do what you love, what you're truly passionate about, what you genuinely believe in, and the world will conspire to help you. I'm not sure if that's a tip. Drinking more water is a super good idea too, and as for interesting facts? I eat cereal with a fork because I never really liked milk but I really love cereal, so why water it down?9. Anything Else?Today is always a good day to start a journey.Stay connected510.332.8419Email Hollynewethic@gmail.comMediaGymWafflesPodcastPowerliftingCooking Show