Tampa Vegan Strength Tour: Filming Compassionate Champions at the Florida FitFest

From August 13 to August 19, 2025, I had the privilege of traveling to Tampa, Florida, to film with some of the most inspiring vegan strength athletes. The week was filled with powerful moments, from heartfelt interviews to intense training sessions, culminating in the Florida FitFest where the Vegan Strong PlantBuilt team showcased their dominance across multiple disciplines.

Filming with Alex Walch (YaBonks)

My journey began with a deeply moving interview at with Alex Walch, known online as YaBonks. Alex is a YouTuber, software engineer, entrepreneur, and passionate vegan bodybuilder. In 2021, he co-founded Karma Farm Sanctuary, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to rescuing and providing a forever home for over 30 animals, including goats, pigs, and geese.

During our conversation, Alex shared the emotional challenges of operating the sanctuary and the horrors of factory farming. It was a heavy yet enlightening discussion that underscored the profound connection between compassion and strength. We also bonded over our mutual interest in investing and cryptocurrency, adding a personal touch to our meeting.

Florida FitFest: Vegan Strong PlantBuilt Team Shines

The highlight of the week was attending the Florida FitFest, where the Vegan Strong PlantBuilt team competed across various strength disciplines, including Strongman, Powerlifting, Olympic Weightlifting, and CrossFit. The team’s performance was nothing short of historic, earning numerous medals and breaking multiple records.

Strongman

Melissa Busta (Estes, CO): A finalist at the Arnold Strongman World Championship (which I filmed earlier this year) and the 2024 Strongman Corporation National Lightweight Champion, Melissa won gold and shattered the Florida state deadlift record with a lift of 390 pounds. Her (also vegan, of course!) teammate Esther Mangeno (Los Angeles) initially set the record with a 345-pound deadlift, taking third in the event.
Wendi Wetzel (Pittsburgh, PA): A Masters heavyweight athlete and 2024 NE Regional Strongman Champion, Wendi won gold and broke a Pennsylvania state record at 395 pounds.
Joel McCafferty (Derry, Ireland): Uniquely podiumed in two weight classes, winning the men’s lightweight division and placing second in the middleweight category.
Jacob Poe (Lubbock, TX): Took second in the men’s novice class. Jacob is already a beast and just getting started!

Powerlifting

The Vegan Strong PlantBuilt Powerlifting Team broke nineteen state records and one national record, bringing home 32 total medals. Notable performances include:

Nick Squires (Sacramento, CA): Set a new national record with a deadlift of 295kg (650.3 pounds) in the 110 kg class, broke five state records, won six gold medals, and earned the title of best Submaster Lifter.
Brittany Billings (Fort Wayne, IN), Daniel Austin (Norfolk, VA), Jerry Stanley (Tulsa, OK), Holly Noll (Oakland, CA), and Vincent Crapello (Philadelphia, PA): All won gold medals in their classes and broke their state records.
Ndem Nkem (Portland, OR): Won gold for bench in his class.

Olympic Weightlifting

Ava Biesterfeld (St. Louis, MO): A rising star and Olympic hopeful, Ava won gold and was the overall winner of the Tampa Bay Open across all classes.
Holly Noll, Brian Wilbur (Oakland, CA), Lauren English (Raleigh, NC), and Annie Clark (Minneapolis, MN): All won gold medals in their classes.

CrossFit

Sarah Pennington (Vancouver, Canada): A first-time CrossFit athlete, Sarah won 3rd in her Masters 60+ age class.
Other notable vegan athletes that competed include Sicily Romano, Jon Moffitt, James Bowden and Sally Mariano. The team collectively placed top 5 in 11 events throughout the day.

Filming with John Thomas (The Bodybuilding Vegan)

On August 18, I had the pleasure of filming with John Thomas, known as The Bodybuilding Vegan. John is a vegan fitness coach passionate about activism and transforming lives through tailored nutrition and exercise programs. During our session, we filmed an interview and training session, where John shared his journey into vegan bodybuilding and the importance of compassionate living.

John’s approach to vegan activism is contagious. He’s clearly so passionate about spreading the message that he virtually embodies it. His dedication and the positive impact he’s making in the vegan fitness community inspires me deeply and we got some awesome footage that will inspire others as well.

Powerlifting at Barbell Barbell Gym with Gillian Tedeschi

The following day, August 19, I visited Barbell Barbell Gym in St. Petersburg to film with Gillian Tedeschi, a professional equipped powerlifter. Gillian has an impressive lifting resume, with personal bests including a 402.3 lbs squat, 181.8 lbs bench press, and 435.4 lbs deadlift, totaling 1,019.6 lbs in competition.

At the gym, we filmed a quick interview and a dynamic training session where Gillian hit dynamic effort squats with chains. Her focus and intensity were palpable, and it was clear that her dedication to the sport is unwavering.

Returning to NYC

After an exhilarating week of filming and connecting with these incredible athletes, I flew back to New York City with a wealth of footage and inspiration. The experiences shared and the stories told during this trip reinforced the power of compassion and strength, and I look forward to sharing these narratives with the world.

Stay tuned for the upcoming documentary, where you’ll get an inside look at the lives and achievements of these remarkable vegan athletes. Their dedication to their craft and their commitment to a compassionate lifestyle are truly inspiring.