We are thrilled to announce that Twin Cities Veg Fest will welcome John Lewis, better known as the Bad Ass Vegan, as our keynote speaker this September. John is more than an entrepreneur, author, and speaker — he’s a powerful voice for health, compassion, and positive change. His story demonstrates how one person’s transformation can inspire thousands of others to rethink what’s possible. And now you’ve got the chance to hear John speak and come away inspired from his incredible message.
Who Is the Bad Ass Vegan?
John Lewis, the Bad Ass Vegan is a multi-hyphenate talent with decades of experience in the health and fitness industry. Considered an expert in his field, John is passionate about helping others achieve their health and fitness goals through inspiration. He has worked on documentaries and written a book, Badass Vegan: Fuel Your Body, Ph*ck the System, and Live Your Life Right which features more than 80 easy plant-based recipes. John has been featured on tv and in magazines for his work and travels the world as a motivational speaker. He has a line of apparel on his website, and has partnered with VeganSmart on plant-based nutrition products.
When he’s not busy with all of those ventures, John says he loves reading and writing and thinking up new business ventures and ways to inspire others. He lists as his “bragging rights” the fact that so many people tell him he was the motivation for them to go vegan. According to John, this just makes him work harder to motivate more people. Every day, his Instagram channel, @badassvegan provides inspiration to his more than 460k followers through informative posts, with healthy doses of fun and humor mixed in.
A Journey of Transformation
Growing up in St. Louis, John faced significant challenges from an early age. By just 13 years old, he weighed 315 pounds. But, rather than allowing that to define his future, he committed himself to changing his life through dedication, discipline, and athletics. He quickly lost the extra weight through diet and exercise and excelled at football and basketball in high school and college.
His hard work in sports led him to play Division I College basketball. He also went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in marketing, followed by an MBA from Nova Southeastern University. This journey taught John something that continues to shape his work today: real strength isn’t just physical — it’s about creating a healthier future for yourself and your community. In his own words, “We may sweat, we may bleed… but we never give up“
Building the Bad Ass Vegan Movement
John’s mother was diagnosed with cancer and it prompted him to research some of the causes of disease and how to prevent them. One common theme that he kept coming back to: plant-based living. He soon adopted the plant-based lifestyle himself after learning more about it, and continues to promote the benefits of this lifestyle to others.
It wasn’t long before the plant-based spark took John to the next level: founding Bad Ass Vegan. His company is dedicated to making plant-based living approachable, empowering, and exciting. Through his books, speaking engagements, online content, and food products, John challenges outdated stereotypes about veganism, proving that compassion, athleticism, and bold living all go hand in hand. His work has inspired countless people to improve their health while embracing a lifestyle that benefits animals and the planet too. Whether he’s speaking to audiences around the world or creating delicious plant-based foods, John’s message is consistent: anyone can transform their life, and every positive choice matters.
Bad Ass Vegan Values: Health, Justice, and Compassion
For John, food is about much more than nutrition. His advocacy explores how food intersects with public health, equity, and social justice. Through documentaries, community initiatives, and public speaking, he encourages conversations about creating healthier, more equitable food systems and empowering people to take control of their own well-being. Throughout all of his work, John’s message remains hopeful: meaningful change begins with the choices we make every day, and those choices have the power to improve our own lives while creating a more compassionate world.
In everything he does, John’s passion for his values shows through. He’s a true inspiration to his clients and the hundreds of thousands he reaches through speaking engagements, his documentaries and books, and his social media channels.
See John Lewis at Twin Cities Veg Fest on September 20
We couldn’t be more excited to welcome John Lewis and his Bad Ass Vegan brand to Twin Cities Veg Fest 2026, where he’ll take the main stage to share his remarkable story and his vision for inspiring healthier people, building stronger communities, and creating a more compassionate world through plant-based living. Whether you’ve been vegan for years, are just beginning your plant-based journey, or are simply curious about the connection between food, health, and social change, John’s inspiring, down-to-earth approach is sure to leave you motivated.
John’s presentation is set to be one of the highlights of this year’s festival — and you won’t want to miss it! For years, Twin Cities Veg Fest has brought together people of all dietary styles (whether already vegan or just curious) and is a celebration of all things plant-based. As our keynote speaker, John Lewis will bring extra excitement to this year’s festival, which will also feature other guest speakers and cooking demos, live music, yoga, family friendly fun, and so much more. And we can’t forget about the food! With many food trucks and other food vendors, Twin Cities Veg Fest offers hundreds of plant-based options to try, from healthy to comfort food classics and everything in between — there’s something for everyone to enjoy! The festival — including John’s speaking engagement — is free to attend and open to all.
Join Our Exclusive VIP Pre-Party Featuring John Lewis!
Take your Twin Cities Veg Fest experience to the next level! This year, we are proud to present an exclusive VIP Pre-Party featuring John Lewis on Saturday, September 19, the evening before the festival. This is a unique opportunity to make a memorable weekend of the fest and enjoy some exclusive perks!
Join us at the Harriet Island pavilion for an intimate evening with John Lewis and a photo opportunity! Get a sneak peek at the setup on the festival grounds while you enjoy music curated by a live DJ, sampler platters of delicious vegan Pizza Lucé food, a cash bar, and the chance to connect with fellow supporters before the festival begins.
VIP guests will also receive an official Twin Cities Veg Fest t-shirt, a swag bag full of sponsor products and coupons, and exclusive early entry to the festival on Sunday — making it the ultimate way to experience Twin Cities Veg Fest 2026.
We can’t wait to welcome John — and you — to Twin Cities Veg Fest this September!
