MAGAZINE - BE.ONE

extremism of veganism, by bite size vegan. I
believe it boils down to, that some people aren’t
truly educated on what goes on in the system of
producing animal products and they are blinded
by agriculture propagander.
You mentioned before when meeting someone
new you prefer to strike up a connection with
them before you tell them your vegan? Why is it
you feel you have to do this?
You mean before we drop the V bomb! Well we
never say, “Hi we’re Nick and Rich and we’re
vegan” The majority of people seem to think that
vegans are skinny and frail, tree hugging hippies
(ok a little of that might be true) I don’t think
we are always portrayed well in the media, so
I suppose our approach has been to build up a
good rapport through familiar ground and quite
often say that we have a plant based diet. We
never tend to say the vegan word as it seems to
have a negative connotation with it, not to every
one, but to many mainstream eaters.
It seems sad though, do you not think that by
acting the way we feel compelled to act, is also
stopping the way we should be proud of being
vegan. Sometimes it feels like we are tip toeing
around people?
The aim of the game is to educate people and
to all live in a happy world where the animals
and humans run around naked together haha! I
completely agree sometimes we do beat around
the bush, but each situation is completely
different, some people that eat meat are totally
cool and admire that we are vegan.
On the other hand some might say veganism has
become quite fashionable over the last couple
of years. What’s your take on this? Do you think
it could just be a fad or do you think people are
becoming more aware?
It does seem that it has become very fashionable,
but to what proportion I would be unaware,
because I don’t follow the media, we actually
came off social media around the time we
became vegan. I didn’t want to become part of
this trend. I believe some people genuinely wake
up to what is going on with animals, the planet
or health. Others might give it a try but then
accidentally eat a beef burger.
Do you get negative comments for being vegan,
and how do you deal with them?
We get a bit of harmless banter. Some days I deal
with it better than others. The bottom line is,
I know the real truth and why I’m doing it and
those people don’t. They haven’t actually sat
down and processed the reality of what is going
on. So I don’t really care if they think I’m an
extremest because I know the truth.
Sometimes people almost feel the need to excuse
themselfs for being vegan. I’ve often found my
self saying, “Sorry, I’m vegan,” when in actual
fact I’m not sorry at all. Do you ever find yourself
doing this and do you think we should excuse
ourselves?
Yes, I have and sometimes do, its a confidence
thing. We don’t need to excuse ourselves but
when living in a society where the majority in
this point and time aren’t vegan, it can be an
inconvenience when your invited out to eat. We
often offer to bring our own dish.
Do you think its important everyone is educated
about farming agriculture?
100% I think all people should be educated,
everyone should be aware.
If someone was thinking about becoming vegan
what would your advice be to them?
Do it! Educate yourself and do a comfortable
transition period.
Be.one - 47 - Wellness