Vegan Powered Athlete

27/02/2026

Black Canyon Ultra 100K

This one was different.

On paper, the goal was simple: sub-17 hours for the Western States lottery ticket.

But the real battle wasn’t the clock.

The first three hours were heavy. Not physically. Mentally. I kept asking myself, why am I here? Do I still want this? Is this worth it?

Those questions felt louder than the desert.

Without crew this year, aid stations felt lonely. Mixing bottles, figuring out fuel, standing there longer than I should have. It added time, yes. But more than that, it added doubt.

Even though I was in better shape than last year. Even with the ongoing herniated disc. Even knowing I had done this before.

My ankles and heels hurt early. The halfway point felt like it would never arrive. The mind kept drifting toward comfort.

At some point I realized I wasn’t fighting the course. I was fighting myself.

So I shifted.

I stopped asking why and started asking, what if I just stay in it? What if I just keep moving forward?

Around mile 43 something cracked open. A quiet surge. Not hype. Not adrenaline. Just resolve.

The final hours were intentional. Every step mattered. I knew the margin would be small.

16:57:01.

Two minutes and fifty-nine seconds under the cutoff.

Close enough to feel fragile. Close enough to matter.

The rocks took my toenails again. The desert humbled me again. But I left proud.

Not because of the time.

Because I stayed.

Through the doubt.
Through the heat.
Through the questioning.

Sometimes the win isn’t dominance.

Sometimes it’s refusing to quit on yourself.

And yes… vegan chili still hits different after 100K.







.bikes .co

13/02/2026

Training with purpose isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing what matters consistently.

Over the years I’ve learned that fitness isn’t built in heroic weeks. It’s built in the quiet ones. The ones where you show up tired. The ones where you adjust instead of forcing. The ones where you protect your body so you can keep moving forward.

Consistency without burnout is real.

I’ve quietly been training for Black Canyon 100k. And honestly, I’m just excited to make it to the start line. That alone feels like a gift.

After a year of health challenges and ongoing complications from herniated discs, nothing is guaranteed. So lining up healthy (semi) is something I don’t take lightly anymore.

No crew. No big expectations. Just gratitude. Just curiosity. Just seeing what unfolds out there.

Sometimes the win isn’t the finish time.
Sometimes it’s simply getting to start.

Grateful to be here. Let’s gooo!!

04/01/2026

There’s something about dirt under your feet and quiet miles that makes everything feel right.

Black Canyon 100k is only six weeks away, and the focus is simple. Keep showing up, keep moving, and enjoy the process.

Grateful for every step out here.

01/01/2026

As we step into 2026, I would be remiss without taking a moment to recognize and truly appreciate Renee and Stephanie .

Both of them have an enormous impact on Team VPA .vpa, often behind the scenes. They generously sacrifice their time to help manage team social media, offer thoughtful feedback, and serve as trusted sounding boards for ideas and direction. Their support, care, and belief in what this team stands for help shape the culture of Team VPA every single day. Quite honestly, this team would not be what it is today without them.

Beyond the logistics, they both deeply embody the mission of Team VPA.

Renee shares:
“What started out as going plant based for health soon turned into ethical and environmental reasons as well. Spreading the message of not just what you can achieve on a plant based diet, but also the importance of fighting for the animals and the environment is extremely important to me.”

Stephanie adds:
“I went plant based in 2019 after facing my 3rd foot surgery. It helped with recovery and I just kept going. I then faced the knowledge about animal rights as well as environmental impact and will never go back. This team has also helped me garner great friendships and I am happy to be back!”

Team VPA is stronger, more grounded, and more impactful because of you both. Thank you for everything you do, seen and unseen. Here’s to continuing to grow, support, and spread this message together in 2026. 🌱💚

01/01/2026

We all have teaching moments, but 2025 was a full on teaching year.

It started on a high note with my first 100k and getting under the 17 hour Western States raffle qualifier. No WS entry this time, but still a big milestone. In March, I paced Sarah at her 200 miler, which ended early due to a stress fracture. Watching her work through that decision was heartbreaking.

April brought a major shift. Severe back and abdominal pain landed me in the ER with more questions than answers. I trained when I could, but that stretch ended with my first DNF at Ironman 70.3 St George, one of my favorite races. Two days before the race, a strange bulge appeared where the pain had been. I started anyway, taking it one segment at a time. The swim felt great, the bike felt good until halfway through. Just before the run, Kyle stopped me and asked how I was. That pause mattered. I was shaking, hadn’t been able to p*e since before the swim, and it was 98 degrees. Walking away was the right call. I was back in the ER the next day after nearly nine hours without relief.

May and June were spent mostly flat on my back, the only pain-free position. Swimming became my escape and turned into a 63 day swim streak. Travel plans fell apart. In July, I had bladder surgery, but the relief was brief. The pain returned two days later. The abdominal pain remains a mystery, while an MRI showed three thoracic disc bulges likely causing the back pain.

I kept training when I could and moved forward with Coldwater Trail 50k to chase a Leadville slot. Alabama delivered memories we will never forget. I didn’t get the slot, but Sarah did, and watching her run with joy again was priceless.

I also went forward with Ironman Cozumel in November. Despite barely riding my tri bike since May, I showed up ready for number nine, only to wake up race morning sick for 11 hours. Still, it was an amazing trip with great people and a race I would love to return to.

Through all of this, my belief has only been reinforced. Movement is medicine. I fight through pain every day, and while it can be frustrating, I feel better when I move.

Onward 2026!

16/12/2025

I’ve been asked a lot over the last few weeks if I’m frustrated about Cozumel.

The honest answer is no.

After a long year of health challenges that are still not fully resolved, I found myself in Cozumel ready to take on another Ironman. Then at 2:00am, race morning, I started vomiting. It lasted a solid 15 hours, and the next 15 were… questionable at best.

And yet, I don’t feel frustrated.

I feel gratitude.
I feel acceptance.
I feel detachment.

Aside from those rough hours, the weekend was actually beautiful. I got to be there with my athletes, share the experience, laugh, support, and soak in the energy of why we do this in the first place. I truly believe the universe gives us exactly what we need, and for whatever reason, that race was not meant to be mine.

Maybe after years of setbacks, injuries, DNFs, and unexpected pivots, I’ve learned something valuable. Race day is special, but it doesn’t define me.

Endurance sports have taught me that the real gift is not the finish line. It’s the daily movement. The discipline. The connections. The community. The opportunity to challenge ourselves and to keep showing up, even when things do not go according to plan.

I miss race day and the celebration, of course. But I’m deeply grateful for the journey, for the people, and for the ability to keep moving forward.

That, to me, is the win.

11/12/2025

https://veganpoweredathlete.com/blogs/news/plant-based-living-quiet-strength-behind-every-mile

Reflection and Celebration “Year in Review: How Plant-Based Living Fueled Your Training” As the year winds down, December gives us something we rarely get during the training grind. A chance to pause, breathe, and look back at everything we have accomplished. Whether you raced your first event, ...

01/12/2025

🌱 CYBER MONDAY at Vegan Powered Athlete! 🌱

Your all-time favorite VPA tees are back — and this time, they’re pre-printed, in-stock, and 62% OFF for today only! 🙌

✔️ Printed on front + back
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✔️ Only while supplies last

🎁 CYBER MONDAY BONUS
Buy all 5 in-stock tee styles and get a FREE VPA Technical Trucker Hat (BOCO Gear).
Just add all 6 items to your cart — discount applies automatically.

Stock is very limited… grab yours before they disappear.

Hit the link in bio or visit www.veganpoweredathlete.com 🔗

22/11/2025

Gratitude. That’s the word I keep coming back to. 🙏🏻

Somehow, after a year that’s been anything but normal, I still find myself standing on the start line of Ironman Cozumel. Kidney issues, bulging discs, pain that’s been a constant life hurdle… the path here hasn’t looked anything like a typical race build.

One 5.5-hour session on the trainer and my longest outdoor ride? 4.5 hours. And I haven’t touched the tri bike since my DNF at St. George in May. So yes, the bike might be the biggest challenge of the day. And honestly… that’s okay.

Because being here, in paradise, doing what I love, even when it hurts, is a victory on its own. Movement has always been medicine for me. Even with the disc pain I still carry, I feel more alive when I’m in motion. I’ve always said the hardest part of Ironman training is actually getting to race day!

I’m incredibly grateful to be sharing this course with my . and the .vpa crew. Watching them take on this adventure and being apart of their journey means more than any finish time ever could.

I’ve never raced in such oppressive heat or humidity, so the unknowns tomorrow are exciting in their own way. And to be honest, I’m very excited to get out of the water and onto the bike without freezing for once.

Whatever happens out there, the day will be a success through the suffering. I look forward to allowing it to unfold as it may and enjoying the experience. After everything this year has thrown at me, simply being on this start line is enough.

So… can this body go 140.6 miles?
Let’s find out.

Grateful for the opportunity. Grateful for the journey. Grateful to still be here. 🌱💚🔥

03/11/2025

Email 🚨 Alert 🚨

Congratulations — you’ve officially been selected for Team VPA 2026! 🎉

We’re beyond excited to welcome you to a community of compassionate, vegan powered endurance athletes representing every discipline — triathlon, running, cycling, hyrox, and more. Together, we’re proving that compassion and performance go hand in hand.

🌿 What’s Next

✅ Select Your 2026 Team Bundle
To validate your membership and secure your spot, please select your bundle by Friday, November 15th.

🧢 Returning Members: Bundle purchase is optional but highly encouraged to show your Team VPA pride and access upgraded benefits.
🌱 New Members: A bundle selection is required to validate your membership for 2026.

✅ Bundles will ship early/mid January
✅ Private community - You will be invited into our private FaceBook group by December 1st.

We’re so grateful to have you as part of the movement. Every time you wear “VEGAN” on your gear, you spark conversations, plant seeds of compassion, and show what’s possible when fueled by plants. 🌱

Welcome to Team VPA 2026 — let’s make this our most powerful, united, and inspiring season yet. 🌍💪💚

With gratitude,
Daniel

01/11/2025

🌱 Happy World Vegan Day! 🌱

Today we celebrate compassion, connection, and the incredible power of choosing kindness, not just in what we eat, but in how we live, train, and show up for the world around us. 💚

A huge thank you to every Team VPA athletes who proudly wears VEGAN across their gear, races with purpose, and continues to inspire others through action. 🏃‍♀️🚴‍♂️🏊‍♀️

Every mile, every race, every conversation helps plant the seed that compassion and performance go hand in hand.

Here’s to all of you leading by example, proving that strength is fueled by plants, and the future is powered by kindness. 🌍✨

Today is the final day to apply to join Team VPA 2026. Don’t miss out!