Kylie Jo is a vibrant 32-year-old resident of a quaint Pennsylvania town in the USA. Her story is one of transformation and purpose, interwoven with her roles as a substitute teacher in the local school district and a dedicated contributor to her community’s YMCA, where she nurtures youth through sports and wellness.
Kylie’s journey toward veganism began five years ago, sparked by a profound loss – her father’s battle with cancer in 2011. This event set her on a path of self-discovery, where health and fitness became her guiding stars. Motivated by a hunger for knowledge, she delved into research and documentaries like “What The Health,” “Forks Over Knives,” and “Cowspiracy.” However, it was the documentary “Earthlings” that truly shook her perspective, unveiling the harsh realities of factory farming and the dairy industry.
Growing up in a small town shielded Kylie from these truths. The documentary shattered her ignorance, leading to a resolute decision: she would no longer be complicit in the inhumane treatment of animals. This awakening propelled her toward veganism, not only as a dietary choice but as a moral stance.
Now, she stands as a living testament to her beliefs – a compassionate educator, a youth mentor, and an advocate for ethical living. Kylie’s journey serves as an inspiration, a reminder that personal growth and empathy can reshape lives and reverberate beyond the individual.
Tell us more about yourself, please
Make the outdoors your happy place 💚💙
Kylie Jo Donovan
I’m Kylie Jo, 32 years old, residing in small town Pennsylvania (USA). I am a substitute teacher within my local school district, I also work at my local YMCA in youth sports and wellness.
I enjoy spending time in nature, listening to music, practicing yoga, going on walks,
weight lifting, jump rope, reading, learning more about health and wellness, and good vegan
food!
If you are serious about making your health a priority, you will make time. If you are serious about accomplishing your goals. You will make time
Kylie Jo Donovan
I became vegan 5 years ago. In 2011 I lost my father to cancer; that led me to the first stepping stone of my health and fitness journey.
What pushed me towards veganism was educating myself by doing my own research as well as watching documentaries such as “What The Health,” “Forks Over Knives,” “Cowspiracy,” etc; but the documentary that left the largest impact was “Earthlings.”
Being raised in a small town I was very ignorant to factory farming and the dairy industry, but viewing this documentary completely opened my eyes and changed the way I viewed animals. From that moment, I knew I no longer wanted to be a part of the problem that is the inhumane slaughter of innocent animals. I also wanted to live and eat as clean as I possibly could.
Going vegan was very easy for me as I was determined to make the change and start living a healthier and more compassionate lifestyle. As I’ve mentioned, I’m from an incredibly small town (population of just over 2,000) so a lot of people I interacted with on a daily basis (family, friends, co-workers, etc.) had no idea what veganism even was…not to mention hunting and farming are both very much a lifestyle in this area. Most people were baffled, but overall supportive of my new lifestyle.
Finding vegan options in my hometown are far and few between. There are maybe a couple of items at the local grocery store and a handful at the local Rite-Aid. I knew if I wanted good, quality groceries I would have to drive out of town…which I did and still do. When I first became vegan, I would drive a solid 45 minutes to shop at the nearest Aldi or Tops. Now I live a bit closer which makes my grocery commute only 30 minutes.
Dining out with family and friends is not something I do often, but when I do I make sure to tell them they can pick wherever they want, as long as the establishment serves salad (small town vegan problems)
The majority of restaurants where I live are pizza shops, burger joints, or dives that serve “country cookin.” Over time, I’ve noticed that more and more places are starting to offer one or two vegan or vegetarian options on their menus, which is wonderful and will accommodate more people. Most of the restaurants I’ve been to have been incredibly accommodating, so for that I am thankful.
I love living a vegan lifestyle. I am the healthiest I’ve ever been and in the best shape of
my life. I feel great every day, not only physically but also mentally. Eating foods that make you
feel good is a game changer. When you feel good, life feels good.
Only you are in control. Make everyday a great one❤️
Kylie Jo Donovan
If I were to tell someone to eat or try meatless food, I would give them recommendations of meatless options that I enjoy and have tried in the past. I would also give them easy recipes and simple but tasty ways to eat the meatless food. I would never push someone to completely change their lifestyle overnight; but by taking small steps by incorporating a few meatless dishes per week would be a great first step.
One restaurant that I absolutely love is House of Flavor which is located in Bayonne, New Jersey. A friend of mine used to live in Bayonne and that’s how I discovered this place. They’re completely vegan and completely delicious. A must try if you’re in the area.
A very common misconception about being vegan is that we don’t get enough protein and can’t put on muscle. This is, in fact, not true at all. I average around 115 grams of protein daily and have put on quite a bit of muscle as a vegan.
Most people don’t realize how much protein you can get from eating plant foods. Some of my favorite protein sources are tofu, lentils, edamame, chickpeas, oats, various veggies, red lentil pasta, and chickpea pasta. I also use Isagenix plant-based protein powder for an extra boost of clean protein. Even meat eaters use protein powder, not just vegans. It’s helpful if your goal is to put on some muscle.
Be consistent. Do something everyday that will make you proud of YOU. And most importantly, never give up
Kylie Jo Donovan
For someone who is just beginning to go meatless, the advice I’d give them is to go at their own pace. Make the changes at whatever speed they’re comfortable with. I’d advise them to do their research, become familiar with reading nutrition labels, continue trying new dishes but nothing too complicated so they don’t get overwhelmed, I’d also make myself available if they needed any help or had any questions during the process.
Since becoming vegan 5 years ago I’ve become certified as an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition.
If you’re reading this and have considered becoming certified, please reach out and I will be more than happy to help you. I’m also an associate for Isagenix; a health and wellness company offering premium and functional nutrition for the body and mind.
I take my health very seriously and the products I have used from Isagenix are top-notch, high-quality products. This is a company I truly believe in and will always back 100%.
Take control of your day, don’t let your day control you😊
Kylie Jo Donovan
I absolutely love connecting with other vegans and like-minded people. I’m most active on my Instagram account which is @kyliejodonovan. If you’re interested in becoming vegan or have any questions regarding health coaching or Isagenix, please reach out!
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Kylie Jo Donovan
Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach
Five Years Vegan
@nutritionschool Graduate
all images courtesy of Kylie Jo Donovan