Deborah, author of “From the Boxing Ring to the Ashram“, is a woman whose unique perspective on food and health has guided her life choices for over 50 years. From her teenage years, Deborah was already a vegetarian, long before it became a popular lifestyle choice. Her commitment to a meatless diet has only grown stronger over the years, as she became more discerning and careful about what she eats.
But Deborah’s journey to health and wellness doesn’t stop there. As a marketing communications professional, she struggled with the knowledge that she was promoting products that went against her own values. Eventually, she left that career behind to focus on work that aligns with her beliefs, particularly in the health, fitness, and nutrition industry.
Her dedication to maintaining a healthy lifestyle permeates every facet of her existence, exemplified by her annual Thanksgiving potluck custom. During this tradition, she would exclusively consume the dish she contributed, ensuring it aligned with her nutritious preferences. Even while residing in Texas, where she had anticipated relishing in nourishing Mexican cuisine, she refrained from partaking in numerous options due to their dearth of vegan choices and what she perceived as empty calories.
With her deep interest in a plant-based lifestyle and yoga, Deborah has become a certified yoga therapist and holistic health counselor, drawing on principles from Ayurveda, the life science of India. Through her work, she seeks to help others find balance and wellness through a holistic approach to health.
Tell us more about yourself, please
With a lifetime interest in yoga and a plant-based lifestyle, it was natural for me to become a yoga instructor and study Ayurveda and other holistic modalities.
deborah charnes
As a kid in Chicago, once my mom got past the TV dinners days, she baked sugar-free, bran-loaded homemade “cookies.” We had salad for dinner every night, and and the only peanut butter she bought was freshly ground at the local health food store. My father’s degree was in physical education, though admittedly, he didn’t pass on much of that to me, except for his broad shoulders and tough personality.
In 1974, I was 16. I left Chicago on an exchange program in a small town in Mexico. One of the highlights from our host’s point of view (apparently) was a visit to a slaughterhouse. It was one of the primary sources of income for the locals, and one of my friends was missing the top third of his finger. Work hazards.
A vegan diet makes a huge difference on the environment.
deborah charnes
That was the turning point. I had always been a finicky eater and a bit squeamish about meat.
I returned home and according to my mother, I was on a meatless “phase.” That “phase” has now lasted 50 years. The only difference between then and now, is I’m considerably much more discerning and strict about what I will consider eating these days. I was a vegetarian before I had even heard the word. I opted for meat-free meals when there were none offered at any restaurants. In 2011, I chose to go vegan for health reasons, coupled with respect for all living beings and our planet.
Beyond my non-traditional diet, back in the day, I had other traits that made me stand out like a spotted zebra. Nearly 30 years ago, I recall insisting that people (in Latin America) not smoke in my home.
I’m 65 years old now and feel the healthiest (and happiest) I’ve ever been in my life.
deborah charnes
During my marketing communications career in Chicago, Miami, and Texas, I always had to balance the love of my work with the knowledge that I was basically selling stuff that I’d never in a million years buy, eat, or support. In 2011, I finally said “basta ya.” Now, my conscious is clean as I work considerably within the health/fitness/nutrition arena, and I refuse to take on any of the clients that I believe are shoving detrimental products in our community.
For 15 years, for my workplace annual Thanksgiving potluck, I only ate whatever dish I brought. There may have been 60 options, they looked as if they were all loaded with lard, butter, or sugar. I remember, each year, looking at all the celebrated dishes that people brought, which mitigated any inch of hunger I may have had. I was an outlier.
There are so many vegan options and vegetarian meals in restaurants and at the grocery stores. Give it a try.
deborah charnes
One of the selling points for me to move to Texas was to be closer to Mexico, and surrounded by Mexican food. I was wrong. Although I had been eating nutritious Mexican food most my life, when I arrived in San Antonio, it was a bit of culture shock. I pretty much refrained from eating anything in Mexican-style restaurants except guacamole, without chips. (Chips and beans are often fried in lard, so you always have to ask.) Today, San Antonio is home to a wonderful assortment of solely plant-based restaurants like Green, Earth Burger, Plantology, and Vegeria. But when I lived there, the only place I felt comfortable eating was the deli or salad bar at the Whole Foods grocery store.
For two decades, I traveled across the U.S.—and the world—for work. I managed hundreds of news conferences, editorial board meetings, press briefings, and one-on-one interviews. I worked with security, communications, and advance teams for John McCain, Hillary Clinton, President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, then-Vice President Joe Biden, Dr. Jill Biden, Bernie Sanders, megastar Jennifer Lopez, and the Vice President of El Salvador. Knowing my eating options would be poor at hotels and convention centers, my suitcase was light on wardrobe, toiletries and make-up, but heavy on seeds, nuts, power bars, and other easy-to-transport quick meals. Sometimes I paid extra for a microwave and brought dried soups and other foods that just required boiling water prior to serving.
To balance the chaotic scales directing major league campaigns, it was essential for me to soothe the stress and 24/7 schedule with body, mind, and soul lifesavers.
After an arduous certification process, I became one of the first bilingual certified yoga therapists in Texas
deborah charnes
In 2011, I left the high-pressure demands as an international corporate marketing communications strategist. Moving forward, I dedicated that same energy to positive transformation—of myself and others. I vowed to never stop learning—or sharing.
With my decades-long interest in a plant-based lifestyle — and yoga — it was a natural for me to become a certified yoga therapist and holistic health counselor. Much of what I do is based on the principles of Ayurveda, the life science of India.
I spent 50 years crisscrossing the world uncovering effective practices from gurus who represent a broad tapestry of religions, ethnicities, and countries of origin. Some are real-life swamis dressed in orange robes. Others don lab coats, army fatigues, or boxing gloves.
I felt compelled to share what took me a lot of time and money to learn. “From the Boxing Ring to the Ashram” reveals my secret weapons to ease the most prevalent conditions plaguing our modern society. Each chapter focuses on one topic, presented through the life stories, teachings, and anecdotes of one of my diverse gurus, plus my experiences with the enjoyable and accessible tools.
These practices form the fabric of my life lessons—and my teachings. Each tip is practical, affordable, and takes no more than ten minutes a day. There’s no need for fancy gear or branded attire.
One of the chapters in my book features a guru of mine from India and his teachings about a sattvic lifestyle. The word sattvic can be translated to pure, balanced and harmonious. That doesn’t mean balancing proteins and carbs, or fruits and vegetables. It’s about balancing our bodies, minds, and souls through non-violent, non-mood-altering substances. Therefore, a sattvic diet shuns any meat products, as well as factory-farmed eggs and dairy products. A sattvic diet also avoids any intoxicants, including caffeine, and teaches us that pre-prepared foods have lots most of their benefits.
I loved my journey and enjoyed that approach. But, I compiled “From the Boxing Ring to the Ashram” as a holistic toolkit to save people time and money.
Learn more about veganism, yoga therapy and Ayurveda on my YouTube channel. Video:
deborah charnes
author blogger
Alternative & Holistic Health Service
💆♀️Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT)
🗣English, español
🌍Vegan mind, body, & soul advocate
📗Author of “From the Boxing Ring to the Ashram”