Moderator: Bradley Saul is the founder and president of Organic Athlete and the first Organic Athlete Conference September 24, 2005. He is a former professional cyclist with a passion for organic foods, healthy living and ecological sanity. www.organicathlete.org/conference or 707-360-8511.

Participants on the Athlete Forum includes:

Dr. Rick Dina began studying optimal health in 1987 and was granted his Doctor of Chiropractic Degree from Life College of Chiropractic in Atlanta, GA in 1997. He has been studying and practicing optimal vegan nutrition for 17 years. He taught vegan nutrition and the principles of health and natural hygiene at Bastyr University, the leading 4-year school for the study of Naturopathic Medicine. He now practices nutrition consulting and chiropractic at Vitality Health Center of Marin in San Rafael with his wife Karin, a 14-year vegan. Dr. Dina an experienced educator in nutritional science and also a top runner. www.vitalityhealthmarin.com or 415-472-7070.

Dr. Doug Graham is an advisor to world-class athletes and a trainer of professional and Olympic athletes from around the globe from almost every sport. He is in demand at sports events and conferences on four continents. As a vegetarian for thirty years, twenty-five as raw, he is a living inspiration for what he teaches. www.foodnsport.com.

Professor Rozalind Gruben has been a leading light in the field of healthful living for well over a decade, inspiring thousands of people throughout the world to achieve superior health. She worked for twelve years as Senior Course Director for Fitness Professional Instructor Training in the UK and then went on to study Nutrition and Health Science. As a vegetarian since childhood, she became a raw vegan fifteen years ago.

Dr. Ruth Heidrich is a six-time Ironman Triathlon finisher, holder of more than 900 gold medals from every distance from 100-meter dashes to 5K road races to ultra-marathons and triathlons. She has completed more than 60 marathons all over the world including Boston, New York, Moscow, and has held 3 world fitness records in her age group at the famed Cooper Clinic in Dallas, Texas. She also was named one of the "Top Ten Fittest Women in North America" in 1999. She is the author of A Race for Life, The Race for Life Cookbook, and several videos and co-host of a weekly talk show, "Nutrition & You" on KWAI, Honolulu, Hawaii. She is a graduate of UCLA with a Master's Degree in Psychology, and a doctorate in Health Education. She has been a vegan for twenty-three years.

Dr. Neal Barnard (M.D.) is a clinical researcher, author, and health advocate. He is the Founder and President of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a member of the American Diabetes Association, a Life Member of the American Medical Association, and an adjunct Associate Professor of Medicine at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences where he received his M.D. and where he was the current principal investigator on the effects of diet on health including a study conducted in conjunction with the University of Toronto on type 2 diabetes funded by the National Institutes of Health. He is a frequent lecturer at public and scientific conferences including the Public Health Association, the National Library of Medicine, the American Medical Writers Association and the Center for Science in the Public Interest.  His books include: Breaking the Food Seduction; Turn off the Fat Genes; The Best in the World; Foods that Fight Pain; Eat Right, Live Longer; Food for Life; A Physician's Slimming Guide; and The Power of Your Plate. www.PCRM.org or info@pcrm.org.

Dr. John McDougall (M.D.) is the founder and medical director of the nationally renowned McDougall Program, a ten-day, residential program located at a luxury resort in Santa Rosa and co-founder and Chairman of Dr. McDougall's Right Food's Inc., a producer of high quality vegetarian cuisine.    He was one of the first traditional physicians to assert that adoption of a vegetarian diet can reverse unfavorable medical conditions such as heart disease.  He developed a nourishing, low fat, starch-based diet that not only promotes a broad range of dramatic and lasting health benefits such as weight (fat) loss, but most importantly can also reverse serious illness, such as heart disease, without drugs.  Medical research is now confirming his assertions. He has cared for thousands of patients over almost 3 decades of medical practice and has run a highly successful live-in program fro more than 17 years.  He graduated from Michigan State University's College of Human Medicine, performed his residency at the University of Hawaii and internship at Queen's Medical Center in Honolulu. He is certified as an internist by the Board of Internal Medicine and the National Board of Medical Examiners. He is the author of The McDougall Plan: 12 Days to Dynamic Health; McDougall's Medicine: A Challenging Second Opinion; The McDougall Program for Maximum Weight Loss; The New McDougall Cookbook; The McDougall Program for Women, and The McDougall Program for a Healthy Heart. www.drmcdougall.com or 707-538-8609.

Howard Lyman, a fourth generation Montana farmer/rancher, is well aware of what goes into our livestock - high doses of pesticides, growth hormones, and the ground-up remains of other animals. When he narrowly escaped paralysis from a spinal tumor, he started to question his diet and life style. After changing to a vegetarian diet, he became an advocate about the dangers associated with eating meat warning about the propaganda of the beef and dairy industries and their methods of raising beef that has led to even more human diseases, including the Mad Cow disease. After appearing on the Oprah Winfrey Show in 1996 and the subsequent lawsuit from Texas cattlemen, he became nationally known. He is Executive Director of Viable Future and the author of the book and video Mad Cowboy. www.madcowboy.com.

Ingrid Newkirk is Founder and President of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, the largest animal rights organization in the world. Her campaigns to promote cruelty-free living have appeared in Forbes, The New Yorker, twice in People Magazine and the front page of The Washington Post. She has appeared on "The Today Show," "Oprah Winfrey Show", "Larry King," "Politically Incorrect," "Crossfire," "Nightline," "60 Minutes," "20/20," and more. She is outspoken on animal protection issues and has spoken internationally from the steps of the Canadian Parliament, the streets of New Delhi, India, Taiwan, and Australia. She has served as a deputy sheriff, as a state law enforcement officer for 32 years, as director of cruelty investigations for a humane society, and as an advisor on numerous protection Boards. She has received many accolades and awards including Washingtonian of the Year in 1980, Courage of Conscience Award in 1995, Animal Protection Hall of Fame Award in 2001, Living Legacy Award in 2002, and Activist of the Year Award in 2004. She is the author of Making Kind Choices, You Can Save the Animals, PETA's Celebrity Cookbook, and 250 Ways to Make Your Cat Adore You and Editor of PETA's Animal Times and Grrrr! Magazines. www.peta.org

Julia Butterfly Hill brought international attention to the plight of the world's last remaining ancient forests when she climbed 180 feet up a 1000 year-old Redwood tree and refused to come down. Her historic 738 day protest of the environmental destruction caused by clear-cutting ancient redwoods culminated with a negotiated agreement that provided permanent protection for the tree ("Luna") and a nearly 3 acre buffer-zone. She founded the non-profit organization, Circle of Life to promote sustainability, restoration and preservation of life. She speaks regularly at universities, has addressed the UN, lobbied congress, and continues to stand on the front lines of environmental and social justice issues worldwide. Her message of hope, empowerment, love and respect for all life has inspired millions of people worldwide. She is a writer, poet and activist. She is co-author of One Makes the Difference and author of The Legacy of Luna, based on Julia's personal account of the Luna tree-sit, will soon be made into a major motion picture. Julia and the film's producers, Baldwin Entertainment, have publicly stated their commitment to setting a "green set" standard for the film industry with this project. www.circleoflife.org.

Kiki Powers, M.S., Director of Natural Health Solutions, national health writer, speaker, and wellness coach has a background in health science, research, and clinical nutrition. She specializes in health promotion and disease prevention through diet and lifestyle changes, addressing a wide range of topics including women's, men's and family health issues, safe, effective weight loss, enlightened nutrition, and more. She edits her own e-mail newsletter, "Your Healthy Life Newsletter" and contributes to other publications including this SFVS Newsletter, Veg Times Magazine, Natural Glow Magazine, Energy Times Magazine, and Commuter Times, Marin Independent Journal. www.aboutnhs.com or 408-226-3223.

Dr. Ruza Bogdanovich (N.D.) is an international lecturer, a leading authority on raw-food nutrition, natural healing and healthy living. She has appeared in many health magazines, TV, and radio and appears in a public television series on natural therapies and true nutrition in the U.S. She is Co-Founder of the Cure is in the Cause Foundation, a non-profit organization, dedicated to children and to developing public awareness and understanding of the natural healing processes. She is a Naturopath and has assisted many people and children in showing them that the body does its own healing, given the right opportunity and by removing the true cause. Ruza's inspirational words, message and in-depth knowledge have changed many lives. She is the author of The Cure Is in the Cause book and videos. www.thecureisinthecause.com or 775-783-8735.

Dr. Nana Kwaku Opare (M.D., M.P.H., C.A.) is Director and Co-Founder of Conscious Living Institute, a long-term advocate for vegan eating patterns, and an activist in the Raw/Living Foods Movement. His concept of The Rule Book and User Guide for Healthy Living is revolutionizing the Hygienic Medicine field. He believes everyone has the innate ability to heal all illnesses, dis-eases, and injuries, limited only by one's belief system and thoughts. He describes his role as a guide who helps us reconnect with, regain faith in, and empower our divinely given instinctual and intuitive healing wisdom/intelligence. He is editor of Knowledge for Life Newsletter and with his wife, Camara Ra-Jabari,` founded the Conscious Living Institute in Oakland, dedicated to the health and healing of the planet. He is also co-host of "Knowledge for Life" television show dedicated to the health of the African Community. nanakwakku@opare.net or 510-508-7202.

Christopher Cook is an award-winning journalist with articles appearing in Harper's Magazine, The Economist, Mother Jones, The Christian Science Monitor, and The Nation. His 1998 report on welfare programs sending recipients into dangerous meatpacking plants won an Aronson Award. Other honors include a 2001 Project Censored Award, finalist for an Investigative Reporters and Editors Award, and two-time finalist for the Livingston Award. He also has worked as a reporter for The Oakland Tribune and United Press International. He is the author of Diet for a Dead Planet, a compelling expose on the consequences of our Meat Centered Diet but with revealing ways to bring food and agriculture back from the brink. edcook@igc.org or 415-503-1963.

John & Shiela Dimoff have spent a combined 20 years studying and practicing meditation and a lifestyle of compassion, non-violence, and vegetarian diet. As volunteers for the international non-profit organization Know Thyself as Soul Foundation, they are dedicated to educating the public about practices promoting spiritual progress making appearances throughout the Bay Area enlightening their audiences on the link between diet and spiritual growth. www.knowthyselfassoul.org or 512-503-1963.

Jill Nussinow, MS, RD, is a cooking teacher since 1985, a Registered Dietitian and freelance writer. She teaches at Santa Rosa Junior College and cooking schools throughout the U.S. She specializes in teaching fast and fresh, healthy vegetarian cooking, including Dr. McDougall seminars. She has written articles for Cooking Light, Vegetarian Times, Vegetarian Journal, other regional publications and her own newsletter. She is author of the DVD: Creative Lowfat Vegan Cuisine and a cookbook The Veggie Queen: Vegetables Get the Royal Treatment. www.theveggiequeen.com or 800-919-1834

Shanta Nimbark Sacharoff is the Manager of Other Avenues Natural Foods Co-Op in San Francisco, which features organic food and products. She is a life vegetarian born in northwest India and has traveled extensively throughout Europe, Asia, Mexico, and Central America acquainting herself with international vegetarian cuisine. She has been studying nutrition and teaching Indian and international vegetarian cooking for over 30 years. She is the mother of three children and the author of the cookbook Flavors of India. 415-661-7475.

Antonio Magana is the Owner and Chef of Flacos, Unique Vegetarian Catering, covering the San Francisco Bay Area and various outdoor markets and special events. He features a variety of traditional ethnic Mexican and Central American foods. www.flacos.com or 510-541-1459.

Victoria Boutenko, raw foodist with her family for 12 years and nationally known lecturer highly recommended by Dr. Gabriel Cousens. She resides in Oregon where she teaches at Southern Oregon University where her raw food classes are highly in demand. As a result of her teachings, many raw food communities have been formed throughout the world. She is the author of Raw Family; 12 Steps to Raw Food, Eating without Heating; How to Eat Uncommon Fruit; Kim-Chee and Cultured Veggies; Raw Gems and Gem Pies; and Green for Life.

Rob Schaaf Duo with Sax and Guitar plays jazz. Rob has performed at every World Vegetarian Day Celebration since its first one in the year 2000 as well as around the San Francisco Bay Area. 415-398-2790.

Wayne Huey, Chinese Panda Acrobat, although American born, has trained and performed in China, the Florida Disneyland, Las Vegas and across the country. www.redpanda2000.com or 415-724-0500.

Kathryn Grimm from Hollywood plays solo or with her band that includes Blues, Jazz, and Popular Rock. She has performed as guitarist or as lead vocalist in other bands and won the L.A. Rock Award for "Best Video" in '92. Her Trio includes Leon "Randy" Randolph, drums and Tony Shibumi, guitar. CD's available. They have just returned from a very successful tour. www.kathryngrimm.com or 323-464-5840.

Gregory Joe Bledsoe and the Source of Light perform in the San Francisco Bay Area inspirational and original music. CD available. www.sourceoflight.com.

Zion Tribe , an electronic Reggae Band, has just returned from a national tour. They fuse funk and experimental into a genre of movement for the body, mind, and soul. CD's available. (850-346-4367)

Under the direction of Nzuri Nashama from the Healthy Thru Nature Institute featuring natural fabric, cosmetics, and hair care. healthythrunature@yahoo.com or 510-228-8738.