MEET THE MODELS of our 2025 CALENDAR
Dr. Columbus Batiste Age 52
Dr. Batiste has a wonderful story of how he became an Interventional Cardiologist, and subsequently the Healthy Heart Doc here. He is now on the prevention side of the heart equation, and teaches people around the world how lifestyle choices can improve the length and QUALITY of their years.
Gary grew up on a farm in the Midwest, where beef, pork, and dairy were staples at every meal. While the realities of animal farming were unpleasant, they once seemed like a "necessary evil." However, Gary has since proven that consuming animal products is not necessary at all. In fact, he’s stronger and healthier at 65 than he’s ever been.
In his professional life, Gary works as a wealth manager and actively supports multiple non-profits and start-ups in the areas of technology, climate science, food-tech (plant-based and cultivated), animal welfare, and conservation.
Gary, age 65
Gene Baur is an American author and activist in the animal rights movement. He’s been called the "conscience of the food movement" by Time magazine, opposes factory farming, and advocates for a more just and respectful food system. Baur is the president and co-founder of Farm Sanctuary, a leading farm animal protection organization established in 1986. He has authored two books and numerous articles on animal rights and ethical eating. In 2012, he began competing in marathons and triathlons to demonstrate the power of plant-based nutrition for athletic performance. He participated in a fantastic debate on eating animals, you can see the video here: Please read more about him at his Wikipedia page or visit farmsanctuary.org
Gene Baur, age 62
Roger Wolfson, age 50’s
Roger Wolfson is a professional television and film writer who has written for five network TV series, sold twelve pilots of his own, and recently sold his first feature film. He has been staff for four U.S. Senators, written speeches for presidential candidates, been Vice President of Channel One News, founded his own strategic consulting firm, and worked as a civil rights lawyer. He has been Commissioner of Animal Services for Los Angeles and Special Counsel to the Non-human Rights Project. He is a frequent lecturer for animal-related causes and has trained thousands of political candidates and activists on the art of emotional storytelling techniques. Read more here.
Giovan Medrano grew up in a family where diabetes and heart disease were common by middle age. For him, it wasn’t a question of "if" but "when," as his own triglycerides and blood sugar levels began to signal an unhealthy future. However, everything changed when he became more aware of the treatment of farmed animals. A pivotal moment came when he watched a video showing male chicks being destroyed on their first day of life due to their lack of usefulness in the egg industry. This led him to eliminate all animal products from his diet.
Today, Giovan enjoys health markers that anyone would be proud of, and diabetes and heart disease are no longer part of his reality. At 53, he works as a personal trainer and massage therapist and continues to enjoy playing music with friends.
Giovan Medrano, age 53
Dr. Eric Sternlicht, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor in the Department of Health Sciences in Crean College of Health and Behavioral Sciences at Chapman University. Prior to joining Chapman, Dr. Sternlicht conducted pioneering research on the mechanisms of insulin action on glucose transport in skeletal muscle and the impact of diet and exercise on blood glucose regulation.
Approximately four years ago, Dr. Sternlicht experienced a cardiac arrest, which led to a subsequent brain injury. Unlike a heart attack, which is caused by a blockage of blood flow, his condition was due to a conduction (electrical) issue in the heart.
For the past 38+ years, Dr. Sternlicht has followed a primarily Whole Food Plant-Based Diet, which he adopted after completing his doctoral degree. He attributes his diet, along with his consistent exercise regimen, therapy, social connections, cognitive challenges and his faith, to his remarkable recovery. Today, he continues to teach at Chapman University, as well as remain active through walking, working out and hiking.
Eric Sternlicht, Ph.D., age 65
Mike Rupena experienced a significant health transformation after adopting a plant-based lifestyle. Before making the switch, his LDL cholesterol levels ("the bad kind") were alarmingly high. However, after eliminating all animal products, his cholesterol quickly normalized. Now, with more energy than ever, Mike dedicates his free time to animal rights activism. He leads the Anonymous for the Voiceless gatherings every weekend in San Francisco, where his gentle approach has inspired many people to adopt a plant-based lifestyle. While he does it for the animals, the health benefits have been a welcome bonus!
Mike Rupena, age 56
Homer Ladas, age 55
Homer has been an athlete for most of his life, competing in the 100 yd Butterfly in his early days. He is most famous globally as a tango instructor, and still travels internationally to teach with his wife Christina. In his 50’s he has dedicated himself more to the Aerial Arts, such as straps, trapeze, and fabrics. He is a grounding presence at the Athletic Playground in Emeryville Ca., where he teaches aerial classes and oversees rigging.
Kirk Bausch, age 50s
Kirk Bausch is an entrepreneur, fitness enthusiast, and proud husband to superstar vegan cyclist Dotsie Bausch. Passionate about endurance, performance, and living life to the fullest, Kirk has dedicated himself to staying active and healthy. Before adopting a vegan lifestyle, he faced high cholesterol levels and was diagnosed with familial hypercholesterolemia, a genetic condition that raises LDL (the “bad” cholesterol) to unhealthy levels. Now, he manages it naturally with a whole-food, plant-based diet. His personal health goals are to stay strong, flexible, and active—all with a smile on his face
Dr. Scott Stoll is an internationally recognized leader in lifestyle medicine and whole food, plant-based nutrition. He is the co-founder of several impactful initiatives, including the Plantrician Project, the International Plant-Based Nutrition Healthcare Conference, the International Journal of Disease Reversal and Prevention, and the Regenerative Health Institute. Dr. Stoll holds an undergraduate degree in nutritional science and pre-medicine and specializes in Lifestyle and Regenerative Medicine.
Each year, Dr. Stoll hosts the popular one-week Total Health Immersions in Florida, where he helps attendees recover their health, overcome addictions, and restore emotional balance. In addition to authoring several books and numerous scientific articles, he has appeared on national platforms such as The Dr. Oz Show and hosted the 2018 PBS special Food as Medicine. He has also been featured in documentaries like Eating You Alive, Wait Till It's Free, and The Game Changers.
A member of the 1994 Olympic Bobsled Team, Dr. Stoll is a published author and a highly sought-after international speaker. He currently resides in Franklin, TN, with his family.
Dr. Scott Stoll, age 56
A professor emeritus of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Colorado, Boulder, Marc Bekoff has published 31 books (or 41, depending on how you count multi-volume encyclopedias). He has won many awards for his research on animal behavior, animal emotions (cognitive ethology), compassionate conservation, and animal protection, has worked closely with Jane Goodall as co-chair of the ethics committee of the Jane Goodall Institute, and is a former Guggenheim Fellow.
In June 2022, Marc was recognized as a Hero by the Academy of Dog Trainers. His books include The Animals' Agenda: Freedom, Compassion, and Coexistence in the Human Age, Canine Confidential: Why Dogs Do What They Do, Unleashing Your Dog: A Field Guide to Giving Your Canine Companion the Best Life Possible, and A Dog's World: Imagining the Lives of Dogs in a World Without Humans. Marc’s latest books are Dogs Demystified: An A to Z Guide to All Things Canine, the second edition of The Emotional Lives of Animals: A Leading Scientist Explores Animal Joy, Sorrow, and Empathy―and Why They Matter, and Jane Goodall at 90: Celebrating an Astonishing Lifetime of Science, Advocacy, Humanitarianism, Hope, and Peace. He also publishes regularly forPsychology Today.
In 1986, Marc won the Master’s Tour du Haut, aka the age-graded Tour de France.
Marc Bekoff, age 79
Torre Washington, age 50
Torre Washington is an engineer who set out to "engineer" his own perfect physique. Driven by his Rastafarian roots and love for animals, he adopted a plant-based lifestyle and soon began competing—and winning—in bodybuilding championships. Torre is a NASM-certified personal trainer, offering workout and nutrition guidance to help others on their fitness journeys. You can find more inspiration on his website or follow him on instagram: