Participants

Adam Brady

I’m always up for a challenge, especially when it involves eating more fruits and vegetables! The easy answer to why I want to be involved is to improve my overall health. The hard answer is that it’s time to face hard truths at a time in my life when my overall health is becoming more important than ever before. With two children to look after and a (surprise!) third on the way, I want to be sure I’m around as long as possible to support them as they learn and grow.

I’ve learned recently the typical cheeseburger and fries washed down with a cold beer isn’t as friendly of an option for my stomach and well-being as it used to be. Combine that with the hereditary high cholesterol rearing its ugly head and the constant shadow of a higher chance of colon cancer, and it’s time to make a change!

I’m ready to take a few steps in the right direction alongside a great group of fellow produce folks!

Amanda Horney

Amanda Horney is a seasoned sales and marketing professional with over 15 years in the fresh produce industry. As a dedicated caretaker to her husband, a permanently disabled veteran on home hemodialysis, Amanda has spent recent years focused on her family’s health and stability. Now, with her family in a secure and positive place, she’s excited to turn her focus inward and embrace the opportunity to prioritize her own health through the clean eating challenge. Living in a food desert has made it challenging to prioritize her health. Alongside her responsibilities, she has two herniated disks at C5 and C6. Losing weight is essential to reduce strain on her spine and help to avoid corrective surgery in the future.

Tony Otto

My name is Tony Otto and I’m a lifelong food industry professional with 8 years of experience as Sales Manager at Magic Sun.   My most important responsibility in life is to take care of my wife and children and to be a good example for them. Leading them to be safe, healthy, successful, and devoted followers of the Lord. 

Last year I was diagnosed with stage 3 melanoma, and I’ve been going through immunotherapy treatment now for several months.   I also have psoriasis and a knee injury that are daily problems for me to deal with.  I want to use better nutrition as a tool to keep up my defenses against further problems and help to treat / cure my current problems! 

I’m excited to be part of the Clean Eating Challenge, and I look forward to feeling better, looking better, having more energy, and being able to play sports with my kids.     

Ben Thompson

My name is Ben and I like food.  I have been in the produce transportation industry for roughly 18 years.  This business has been good to me, but it is demanding and takes a toll.   About 6 years ago I quit drinking and as a reward I have showered myself with pizza and cookies! 😊  As I have gotten older, I have prioritized my work, family, kids…etc. and not so much myself.  I look forward to the CEC to kick start this next phase in my health journey!

Fernando Puentes

A devoted father of three and husband to an incredible woman that inspires me to be better.

Freight enthusiast who loves to solve problems the consumer doesn't know they have! Love

the challenge of getting things done every single day. Always willing to try new things especially food! I'll always embrace a challenge as they lead to growth as a human! Every day we get is a blessing and a victory. Smile!

Jed Murray

I was one of the original participants in 2020.  I felt amazing, dropped weight and my blood work really improved.  I felt so good that I stopped doing the work.  I am now 100 pounds heavier; my blood pressure is through the roof.  It is so high my doctor almost ruptured an eyeball because the bulged so much when he saw the results.

I need to make a change.  I had given up on life and taking charge of how I lived my life over the past 4 years.  When I told my Dad, I was getting into the vegetable industry 25 years ago he said, “You will be one of these three things or all of them.  1. Have high blood pressure 2. An alcoholic or 3. Triple bypass.” I am on my way to all three and things need to change.  This is why I am recommitting to the Clean Eating Challenge.

Luis Rodriguez

As with anything we can start in life, we always have 2 choices… either it’s “One Day” or “Day One”. I’ve been wanting to retake my healthy eating habits and get back in shape, I’m glad I found about this challenge at Viva Fresh and considered it my “Day one” sign.

In my profession, I help companies across several industries including Agriculture/Produce to identify cost saving opportunities and implement better metrics for better visibility and faster decision making. As I help/orient companies, now I’m glad I’m getting help/orientation to revamp my energy by eating healthier on a daily basis.

Ross Nelson

Hey there, I’m Ross Nelson.  I’ve spent years navigating the produce and supply chain world, helping others find the best in fresh food. Now, I’m embarking on a personal journey to live a healthier, more intentional life through clean eating. 🌱

Why? I want to incorporate more fresh produce into my meals, not just for me but for my family too. As someone passionate about food, I’ve come to realize there’s a lot of conflicting information out there, so this challenge is a chance for me to cut through the noise, learn more about real nutrition, and get a better grasp on how to manage my food allergies. 🍎🥕 It’s also an opportunity to explore different meal approaches for my family, all while setting a positive example for healthier living.

My ultimate goal is to not only become healthier but to be a strong advocate for fresh produce—showing others how delicious and life-changing it can be through recipes and sharing my journey. 🍽️

I’m excited to take on this challenge, become a better version of myself, and inspire others to make fresh produce a central part of their lives. Let’s do this together! 💪 #CleanEatingChallenge #HealthJourney #EatMoreProduce

Jared Reed

I am a dedicated professional in the asset trucking industry with a master’s degree in business from Texas Tech University. I am a proud father of three while attempting to balance my career with an active lifestyle. I enjoy scuba diving, working out, hunting, fishing, traveling, and RVing with my wife, Katie.

Shelly Galeazzi

Buongiorno 🇮🇹 I'm Shelly Galeazzi with TIPA. After passionately working as a nurse 🩺 and devoting eight years to nurturing my family 🏠 as a stay-at-home mother, I have re-entered the workforce with a new sense of determination. My schedule is busier than ever, but I embrace this new chapter as an opportunity for growth. 📈

My journey in this Clean Eating Challenge is inspired by my experiences with gut health, which have taught me the importance of nourishing my body with the right foods 🍒🥑🥭🫑

I am eager to jump back into the challenge after overcoming health issues that temporarily set me back in 2022. I discovered that the cause of my problems was severe irritable bowel syndrome and flare-ups of gastritis, both directly linked to my dietary choices. As a busy mom of three  ⚾⛹️🥋🎸🩰 I often rely on processed foods, but I see this as an opportunity to explore healthier alternatives that can positively impact my family's well-being. ✨Making nutritious choices can be challenging at times, but being aware of the importance of these choices is a great first step. 🏃🥦❤️‍🩹

The daily challenges I face remind me of how essential it is to fuel my body with good nutrition.🥗 I want to set a strong example for my family 👩‍❤️‍👨 and help them understand the true value of healthy food choices.

I’m excited to team up with others in the produce industry and see how we can get creative with different vegetables. It’s a wonderful opportunity to collaborate with people who share similar challenges and goals! 🏆 

I can’t wait to participate and see what progress I’ve made in April at Viva Fresh! 🙌 I am ready to embrace the positive changes that come with clean eating! 🔥💯💚

✨"The greatest wealth is health." - Virgil ✨

Vanessa Hensley

Hi! I’m Vanessa Hensley 🥭✨ A proud Texas A&M Aggie from the beautiful Rio Grande Valley, I’m a marketer with a passion for fresh produce. Growing up, eating fresh was a way of life for me—from playing in my Tío Tony’s grapefruit orchard to enjoying higos straight from my Abuelita Bertha’s garden, fresh food has always been personal and deeply rooted in family.

For roughly three years, I’ve worked in fresh produce marketing, finding real warmth and purpose in this industry. This year, I’m taking on my first Clean Eating Challenge 🌱, excited to “walk the walk” in my personal life as I talk about clean, healthy living in my professional life. Here’s to fresh starts and fresh flavors—let’s gooo! 🥭🥑🍊

Petey Garza

Hello! I'm Petey, and I've been part of TIPA for 16 years. Recently, I went back to school to study administrative office management, balancing work and college. In my free time, I love building Legos, creating art, and taking my dogs for walks.

Healthy eating hasn’t always been my focus, but as my weight has significantly increased over the last decade, it's started to impact my health. My goal is to learn about nutritious options for lunch and dinner, start making healthier choices, and hopefully get back to a weight that feels good for me. I’m excited to learn from others in this challenge and gain all the support I can to improve my lifestyle!

Denise Gonzales

My Name is Denise Gonzales, I am a 41 years old. I have struggled with weight all my life. I was 310 lbs at my heaviest. Food has always been a go to for me for comfort and the convenience to fast food don't help. I am now 179 pounds. I am wanting to lose 19 more Ibs to reach my lifetime goal. It has not been easy I have used several tools to get me where I am now. I entered the Clean Eating Challenge to help me with the extra help I need to reach my goal.

Angelica Gayon

Since embarking on this journey, my schedule has been nothing short of hectic. 💫 It's been filled with long hours and a continuous stream of learning as I immerse myself in this world. 🕗 As I approach my 1st anniversary with Produce Business magazine at Viva Fresh, I have one clear goal in mind: to feel better, healthier, and stronger than I did last year. 💪

I understand that I'm signing up for a challenging endeavor, especially with the holiday season on the horizon. 🎄 But what excites me is the array of resources at my disposal. I now have access to a wealth of information and a dazzling variety of new fruits and vegetables that I never knew existed. 🍒🥬 Plus, I have the unwavering support of an incredible community that is always open and delighted to lend a helping hand. 🍎🥦🍇 #NewBeginnings #CleanEatingJourney #HealthyCommunity