Young couples ‘white gloved’ motto to advocacy on full display in Time Square
Buffalo, New York: Vegan social media influencers get engaged while body painted in New York City to bring awareness to cardiovascular disease. Alex Miller had a near fatal diagnosis of a 99% blocked left anterior descending artery at the age of 32. After having a stent placed, the couple went fully vegan and publicly documented their journey online. In less than two years, the couple, Alex Miller and Brittany Kruse, became bloggers, social media influencers, wellness advocates, brand ambassadors and inspirations for any one that suffers from chronic illnesses or simply interested in improving their diet. This crazy ride has also captivated their hometown, Buffalo New York, which is ironically known as the chicken wing capital of the world. This goes to show that sometimes you need to stand alone to stand out and that they did!
In the New Year, a plant-based meal prep company, Food Nerd, approached the couple. Owner of the company, Sharon Cryan, was moved by their story and challenged them to 31-days of all raw foods, supplying them with breakfast, lunch and dinner. The couple discovered quickly that a diet high in raw foods drastically improved their energy and appearance as seen in the before and after pictures below. On the last day of their challenge, the couple became a major piece within an intricate New York City based project called the “Self-Love Campaign” sponsored by Food Nerd. This project involves 12 social media influencers that will be artistically transformed by well-known artist, Trina Merry. This campaign aims to have the public take a hard look at themselves, inside out with spotlighting preventive measures and self-education. The artist, Trina, was tasked with articulating their story for cardiovascular disease awareness, emphasizing on Alex’s 99% blocked “widowmaker artery.
The week leading up to the big day brought about several unwelcome surprises, the biggest was a polar vortex, a blizzard in Buffalo NY, canceling and delaying flights followed by recorded breaking arctic temperatures for New York State. Little did Brittany know amongst the artistically based chaos and commotion of Times Square, Alex made secret plans to propose. Alex couldn’t think of a better way to ask her to marry him then body painted in Times Square for the world to see and to show her how much she means to him. After getting painted and transported to Times Square, Trina wrote “Will you marry me” on Alex’s painted back. Once Brittany saw the question, Alex properly dropped to a knee and proposed. With dozens of spectators accumulating among all the commotion, Brittany put on the ring and said yes. Alex later was recorded on camera explaining to the filmmaker on scene, “She has been by my side and supported our drastic lifestyle change 100% and I wouldn’t be the man I am today without her. I couldn’t imagine a more expressive and poetic moment that encompasses our story and us as a couple.”
About Your Company:
White Gloved Vegan is a movement to break stereotypes associated with veganism and inspire others to adapt a plant-based lifestyle. The “white glove” signifies that a vegan can be a class act high standing individual and not be ridiculed for going against society norms.” After making their positive lifestyle change, the couple was surprised to find that people didn’t receive it as well as they thought they would. In fact, they received stereotypical comments about becoming hippies and eating grass. Being high-standing citizens with professional careers, these labels surprised and offended them and they became downright determined to alter this narrow-minded way of thinking. Alex and Brittany also felt it was their duty to create a platform that could publicly display their trials and tribulations in hopes of helping those who also struggle and with that White Gloved Vegan was born.
Please find pictures below.
Photographer: Trina Merry
Photographer: Trina Merry
Photographer: Trina Merry
Photographer: Trina Merry
Photographer: Trina Merry