Matt Monarch is 100% raw vegan; his diet consists of only raw vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds and seaweeds. He has been eating this way for six years and enjoys extraordinary good health, bountiful energy, clarity of mind and a deepened connection to nature.

Prior to going raw, Matt, 31, worked in a demanding corporate environment and ate a standard American bachelor's diet, including cooked meats, dairy, bread, greasy foods and candy. Despite this, when he went raw at the age of 25, his overall health was good - other than a few pimples, he was in great shape. Matt did not go raw therefore to relieve any major health issues - he simply received and whole-heartedly embraced the raw lifestyle as something that made complete sense to him. He was particularly attracted to the fact that this lifestyle offered increased longevity and freedom from degenerative disease.

Matt dove head-first into a 100% raw vegan lifestyle after reading Dr Norman Walker's classic raw food book 'Become Younger'. His initial detox and weight loss concerned family and friends, but he was fascinated with this new way of living and persisted. Matt's interest led him to thoroughly research the many different ideologies in the raw movement and delve into his own experiments. He was most impressed by the work of raw food pioneer and 50 year nutritionist Dr Fred Bisci, PhD. After meeting at a raw food festival in Oregon, Matt and Fred went on to forge a strong friendship together. They then co-created www.TheRawFoodWorld.com as a resource centre of tools to help people live free from degenerative disease. They are dedicated to sourcing and providing the best products available. www.LivingNutritionals.com was also created as a separate venture by Matt to reach out to those beyond the raw community who are interested in nutrition but are not necessarily motivated to go raw at this stage.

After five years of eating a 100% raw food diet, Matt was inspired to write a book called Raw Spirit. He wanted to share information that he thought needed to be out there, reflecting in particular on some of the physical challenges of going raw, along with the amazing shifts he experienced on the spiritual level with this lifestyle. Raw Spirit has become one of the best-selling raw books available: people appreciate Matt's honest approach and his willingness to discuss aspects of being raw that often go unmentioned. He is committed to the raw lifestyle and passionate about spreading this message of health to others. Born and raised in California, he now travels all over the world, lecturing on raw foods and exploring the delights of fresh raw produce in different locations. He inspires audiences with his enthusiasm and simple, accessible approach to going raw in a healthy and sustainable way and is sought after as a speaker at raw gatherings.

Matt is currently the owner of three different health-promoting websites: www.LivingNutritionals.com, www.rawveganbooks.com and www.rawspirit.org. He enjoys yoga, being in the sun, spontaneous travel, challenges, open communication and DURIAN. ;)