World Vegan Day feels like a big deal to me.
Ten years ago if you’d have told me I’d be a vegan, writing and podcasting about the subject, I wouldn’t have necessarily laughed at you, but I wouldn’t have quite believed it.
My life has been pretty mainstream in terms of lifestyle choices. I grew up eating meat I suppose because it’s just “what we did”. Meat and two veg was a typical Sunday dinner, and milk and cheese were perceived to be the ‘only’ way I could get enough calcium for strong bones – remember those adverts for Petit Filous that encouraged kids to eat more yogurt for stronger bones?
It was all just how it was.
Actively seeking out information is where we discover what actually happens behind the scenes, and my work as a journalist took me from reporting on farming and agriculture, to following furious residents whose land had been trampled by the local hunt. It took me to writing for the Ecologist, attending conferences on subjects such as lobsters being sentient beings, and how ostriches are bred for their feathers in Latin America – in pain, half bald, for most of their lives as the feathers are plucked from them to be used in “couture”.
I’ve sat listening to Chris Packham talk about migratory birds stuck in lime trees by the glue from poachers who keep them trapped for their own entertainment, and how the humble dormice struggles for survival due to the loss of woodlands across swathes of the country.
I’ve learned about how our desperate desire for more and more is stripping our earth of its resources.
Running, and being in the outdoors is a way that I can really connect with nature. I recognise also that I’ve been hugely privileged to be able to not just run, but also make choices including what I eat.
When convenience surrounds us and when the majority is doing one thing, it’s hard to say no and opt for more sustainable choices.
My choice to go vegan was down to the opportunities I’ve had to be educated on the topic. It’s for the animals, and it’s for the planet, and because I don’t need animal products for my survival.
My journey has taken me to a point where I can’t look at my children and tell them that yes, the world is burning, but we did nothing. I have to do the things I can to make their environment better.
When we watch Planet Earth together and my daughter cries seeing the bycatch from a fishing fleet’s nets, or my son questions why we might not see certain species of animals in our lifetime – that’s when I know I’ve made the right choice.
And there’s no way I’d ever look back.
I’m excited to say I’ve come on board with The Green Runners – a bloody brilliant bunch of runners who are standing up against climate change and corporations seeking to capitalise on the destruction of our planet. We’ve put together a blog post for World Vegan Day that aims to help people who are interested in a plant-based diet. You can read it here.
I’m also working with Running on Plants, a fantastic campaign that encourages people to try plant-based living for their health and for the planet. Sign up for free, and see the changes it can make for you.
And of course, there’s also that podcast, where I talk to awesome people who show how strong vegans and vegetarians can be, and the incredible things that can be achieved. My guests are all totally inspiring and it’s a great listen for your long run.
Let’s take one step at a time, because if everyone made one positive change, our planet would be better for it.
Join me today and for as long as you can, in making choices that improve our world, not continue to destroy it.
Going forward, I’ll be using this platform more to provide information, recipes, news and tips on both plant-based and running-related content.
Here’s wishing you all a wonderful World Vegan Day!
Vegan Fitness Runner 