Hudson Valley Firefighter Finalist For Sexiest Vegan For 2019

Who's the sexiest vegan? Well, this year one person in the final round of 20 contestants for 2019 Sexiest Vegan Next Door is Yonkers firefighter Kevin Duffy who could end up wearing the sexiest vegan crown. That is, if enough visitors to PETA.org vote for him.

The animal rights organization will pick two winners, both of whom will receive a free vacation for two to Hawaii, courtesy of Humane Travel.

Voting to help the group decide the winner ends at noon May 13.

The winners — who will be selected based on several factors, including the number of votes — will be announced May 20.

According to a spokesman, this is the first year the contest is gender neutral. Full contest details, including profiles and photos of all the finalists, can be found here. You can also vote at the link.

Duffy has been a professional firefighter in Yonkers since 2011. He is a five-time Ironman, an eight-time half-Ironman and a five-time marathon finisher.

Duffy became a vegan in 2015 to improve his athletic performance, and since then, he said his skin has improved, he has more energy, he recovers faster from workouts and he reduced his Ironman time by more than an hour.

His example is credited for prompting two of his fellow firefighters, as well as his mother, to go vegan.

Duffy also credits his vegan food choices with having helped improve his mental health since his brother's death on 9/11.

"Healthy living, my new lifestyle and plant-based food have helped me to change my life around, live with purpose and give back to others," he said.

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