| Robert Cheeke |
Robert Cheeke is an American bodybuilder, motivational speaker, and author. He is a vegan activist and spends his time touring the United States for speaking engagements and book promotions. He also runs a fitness site, Vegan Bodybuilding and Fitness.
Cheeke is the co-founder of C-VEG, a Corvallis-based Vegan group, a former Board Member for non-profit groups OrganicAthlete and Northwest VEG in Portland, and the founder and president of Vegan Bodybuilding & Fitness.[1]
Cheeke grew up on a farm, and cites his positive childhood experiences interacting with the farm's animals as the source of compassion that would later lead him to embrace veganism.[2] At age 15, Cheeke made the transition to veganism and began organizing animal rights events at Corvallis High School including the initiation of recycling programs and providing vegan meals to those in need with Food Not Bombs.[1]
Cheeke began his athletic career as a cross country runner for Oregon State University in 1999 but soon developed an interest in weight lifting and strength training. He became a competitive bodybuilder the following year in 2000.
He was voted one of VegNews magazine's "15 most influential vegan athletes".[3] Cheeke has appeared in radio interviews.[4] Cheeke has been featured in news articles including a feature in the Willamette Week[5] and magazines like Organic Lifestyle Magazine.[6]