Brenda’s background is diverse. She was introduced to magazine culture as a model in her teens. From there, she became interested in photography and many other aspects of the art of the magazine business. As a teen, she was also a swimming instructor, a lifeguard, and an aerobics instructor. She remained athletic throughout her twenties, swimming and/or running daily. She also became a vegetarian around the age of 19 (in 1991), and a vegan a few months later. During the summer of that transition, she read 23 books on vegetarian health and animal husbandry, which began her passion for the study of nutrition and concern for the treatment of farm animals. She has continued to be a voracious reader on these subjects. For several years, Brenda compiled binders full of information on the benefits of the vegetarian diet and the detriments of eating animal products for friends and family to examine. The choice to be vegan goes beyond science for her, though. As Brenda often says, "It is a perfect example of good karma that we get better health for making a compassionate choice in our diets."
She quit modeling as a profession at the age of 22 to attend college with the goal of becoming an environmental and animal law attorney. From her first semester of college, she began to write a column for the college newspaper. She transferred to numerous colleges, but continued to write a column at each college about environmental and animal issues called “In My Nature” and then “Mother Nature.” Photography remained a hobby, and she was among the first to purchase a digital SLR - the Nikon D100. Nature photography became a passion. Brenda graduated number one in her college (Loyola Marymount University) in 1999 with a degree in Communication Studies.
Brenda later moved to Hawaii and became an adjunct professor in the Communication Studies department at Hawaii Pacific University. She also began taking acting classes and performing stand up comedy and improv (she even co-founded an improv theater in Honolulu). It was during this time that she also became an Ashtanga Yoga instructor at Yoga Hawaii. After a couple years, Brenda moved to NYC and pursued stand up comedy there for about 8 months before heading to LA to develop The Brenda Carey Show. The show received local awards, but was never picked up by a major network.
And, finally, it seems that all these varied experiences were meant to be. The sports, modeling, newspaper writing, photography, law school, experience of running a very difficult business (the humane society), professorship, and everything she has done in her life seemed to all be training her for the unique task of creating Vegan Health & Fitness Magazine.
“I am extremely humbled and feel so blessed to be the one who gets to use everything in my being to bring this magazine to life!” -Brenda
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Hey Brenda! I was introduced to you through Jason, who once worked for the BEMER Corporation in Carlsbad, CA.
We talked about your Magazine! My Raw Vegan Journey began Seven Years Ago!
Amazing Healing takes place along THE PATH AND Reaching the Destination was Priceless Seven Years Ago!
I had been on the Path my Entire Life!
I am currently 73 Years Young and enjoying a whole new existence since transitioning to my Raw Plant Based Life Seven Years Ago.
Never Ever Leaving Behind My New Found Energy and Zest for Life!
Could we talk again about featuring my Story in Your Amazing Vegan Health & Fitness Magazine?
I am currently living in my home of 48 years in Simi Valley! I have built a Food Forest in Both my front and backyard jungles!
I am currently in Escrow and due to Close Mid February! Been dating the same Awesome Soulmate for the Past 20 Years! We are finally getting Married!