My journey to veganism started in March 2015 when I decided to quit my job and follow my dream of travelling the world. I’d gone through a tough period in my mid-twenties, when I suff ered my first ever panic attack, brought on by high levels of stress, anxiety, bad lifestyle choices, insomnia and, what I now know to be, a bout of depression. I didn’t tell anyone at the time, because as a typical man, I felt a deep sense of shame.
I knew something had to change, and my now wife gave me the courage to book round the world flights with her. We travelled and worked around the globe for 18 months. Not only did I see some amazing places and meet inspiring people, but it gave me the chance to gain perspective on life, grow my sense of self awareness, raise my consciousness, develop my emotional intelligence, learn about psychology, mental health, philosophy and explore areas of my life that I’d neglected due to the environment I grew up in, the society I was raised in and my own limiting beliefs.
I was consuming less and less meat anyway, because we were visiting Asian countries such as Borneo, Malaysia and Indonesia, where plant foods like tofu and tempeh were pretty common. As I read more and more thought-provoking books, watched emotional documentaries and spent time up close and personal with animals, I realised I no longer wanted to eat meat. This was simply based on the ethical principle that I personally believe – I have no moral right to kill an animal just for my culinary desires. Why, as a human, do I have the right to murder another species when it is not required? It makes no sense now and, in hindsight, it’s egotistical and selfish.
The moment of realisation?