If you realise the value of an animal to be its very being and the beauty of an animal to be its soul, then you are a vegan…Fiona Oakes

Fiona Oakes is renowned as a British endurance runner and vegan athlete. She is the fastest woman in the world to run a marathon on all seven continents and the North pole. She has competed in over 100 marathons and set five marathon courses records around the globe, including the Antarctic Ice Marathon.

Meatless Movement recently had the opportunity to chat with her. Fiona told Meatless Movement that she started Tower Hill Stables Animal Sanctuary in 1993 with the aim of proving love, care and a forever home to previously unwanted or rescued animals, both domestic and ex-farm. The Sanctuary operates from Fiona’s home as well as 5 satellite sites and provides a home to around 600 animals and birds including 110 horses, 65 cows, 100 Sheep and 120 pigs.

Please tell us more about yourself

My running mantra. Where there’s a Will there’s always a way!
Fiona Louise Oakes

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Fiona Oakes and I was born in the UK, I have been vegan almost my entire life, I founded my own Animal Sanctuary over 25 years ago – Tower hill Stables Animal Sanctuary, I am an Elite road and ultra runner and a 4 times Guiness World Record holder in endurance running events, I co-founded Vegan Runners in 2004 with the specific goal of introducing a mainstream audience to the benefits of veganism, I am an Honorary Patron of the Vegan Society and Patron of Freedom for Animals.

To give a little bit more ‘informal’ background and introduction. My Mother was a pianist and piano teacher but in later life, after raising my sister and I, she decided to change careers in order to live her childhood dream of becoming a Nurse.

Sounds strange to say this was her real dream after having been relatively talented musically but over the years I have reconciled my own desire to care for others with that of my Mother’s passion – her’s happened to be for human animals, mine for non human animals but we are all so much alike it doesn’t really matter. What really matters is the need and instinct to care for others over and above ourselves.

My Dad worked in coal mining and the town where I was brought up revolved quite heavily around this industry. Whilst both my parents had a liking for animals I probably trace my real love and passion for them back to previous generations of my family such as my grandparents and great grandparents but no-one in my family was vegan or even vegetarian at the time.

I became vegan when I was 6 years old – almost 5 decades ago – purely and simply because I loved animals and was both concerned and upset about the exploitation, abuse and harm inflicted upon them in the meat, dairy and other related industries. At the time I don’t think I had heard of the word ‘vegan’ and certainly none of my family or peer group were either vegan or vegetarian. So more than being a decision it was a reaction to, and rejection of, any form of violence or exploitation of another living creature. I gravitated towards the concept and ideals of veganism as a place I felt comfortable inhabiting, creating my very own ‘safe space’.

It seems like a complete eternity ago – not just in actual time but in attitudes too.
Fiona Louise Oakes

I didn’t realize it at the time but when I first declared my intention to not eat animals or consume any products or by-products harvested from them, it was the early 1970’s and vegetarianism was rare – veganism was almost unheard of.

With no computer network, Social Media, mainstream acceptance and peer group reference it was really hard for my Mother to cope with my almost ‘alien’ concepts but I am extremely fortunate and grateful she made it her paramount importance to facilitate my desire to follow this path.

It wasn’t easy but, as luck would have it, her first piano teacher had been vegan – a very rare phenomena at the time, the lady being an associate of Donald Watson who founded the Vegan Society – and Mum immediately remembered this and sought her out once more through the school she had taught at.

I should add at this point that this teacher was always held in great suspicion and the object of many jokes and ridicule from both the teachers and pupils for what was considered at the time, her ‘strange’ lifestyle, dietary choices and ethical opinions.

However, moving forward, she was able to articulate to my Mum in adult terms what I was thinking, feeling, experiencing as a child and was a great rock and support to my Mum with not only nutritional information but the reasoning and logic behind my vegan stance and awareness.

Information which proved essential to Mum over the years when she was accused of child abuse or ‘allowing’ me to adhere to this diet and the diet itself being likened to an eating disorder. I do understand it is hard to believe today with so many products being available in mainstream outlets for vegans together with the lifestyle being so readily accepted and embraced but, back then, it was completely different. Indeed, my veganism is the reason I have never had a running Coach.

When I started Marathon running 2 decades ago, I did try to find someone who could help me advance to the ‘next level’ of running achievements and help me with a specific coaching programme which would translate into faster times over longer distances combining more speed with heightened level of endurance.

However, when I revealed the reason for my desire to improve was based solely around my hopes of introducing more people to the many benefits of veganism I was utterly, unanimously and comprehensively overlooked and rejected on the criteria that no-one could perform at an Elite level in sport – especially endurance sport – without consuming meat and dairy products.

Basically, it was the school of thought – and still is in many cases – that to perform at the highest level of sport animal proteins are essential and to eradicate them from an athletes diet would be prohibitive to performance and detrimental to progression.

Since the promotion of veganism by destroying this myth was the only reason I was out there in the first place and my diet was utterly and totally ‘non negotiable’ I literally had to ‘go it alone’ in learning the art of Elite distance running by my own trials and errors – of which there have been many!

Having said that, I now count myself lucky as this method has taught me so much about myself – both mentally, physically and spiritually – my strengths, weaknesses and all my unique capabilities – the main one being my absolute passion, determination and devotion to promote veganism in a positive, proactive and peaceful way and the extra physical and mental strength I can draw upon and summon up in order to do so.

Honestly, for me I don’t really eat out – in fact, I rarely go out! I have a very busy lifestyle here at the Sanctuary which takes up most of my time and when I do go out it tends to be for races so I am very careful about what I consume and generally tend to take my own food with me as I prefer to stick to what I know works for me.

Indeed, financially I am quite ‘challenged’ as my financial obligation and commitments to the animals are huge. I actually eat a very basic diet with food cooked from raw ingredients and from scratch. It works for me and it also breaks down the myths that a vegan diet is cost prohibitive for many, which simply is not true.

For sure, any diet can be costly and the vegan one is no exception if you decide to purchase the expensive meat and dairy replacement products but you can find alternatives if you want,or need, to. Having said all this, my lifestyle is based on habit as for my entire life I have had to learn to navigate my way through a non vegan and even vegan hostile world – quite literally when travelling – but now just about every food outlet does have vegan options so it is much easier for people who are making the decision to adopt this dietary choice.

Recently I had to go to London for a Q&A at PWC where I have been invited to take on the role as Ambassador for Sustainability in the run up to the Commonwealth Games. It brought about a few smiles when people saw I had brought a vacuum flask of tea with me for the journey but, as I explained, it’s not just about saving the pennies, it’s about saving the planet too!

Fantastic – I know nothing else and would not have it any other way.
Fiona Louise Oakes

Many people ask how my veganism translates to my athletic performance but I can’t really comment on this as there is no ‘before and after’ performance to be judged and critiqued as I know no other way.

I do always take this opportunity to say that well-being is not just a thing of the body but the mind too. Obviously, your body has to be in top shape to deliver its best performance but so does your mind.

When I stand on the Start Line of any race I know that no other creature has suffered for the performance I am about to deliver and this gives me great strength, motivation and inspiration to push as hard as I can in order that others will see, understand and hopefully embrace this ideal.

For sure, the performance you give on race day is the translation of the amount of training your body and mind can put into practice through the months, years and decades running up to any event – it’s almost as if the race is the easy part as you simply have to deliver what you have been working and striving towards over that long period of time.

Having a bodily constitution that can facilitate the kind of , demands, hardship and fatigue constantly and consistently running upwards of 160km a week without injury or illness is one thing but having the motivation and mental strength to keep doing it despite the challenges, negativity and scepticism I have encountered over the years is another huge obstacle to negotiate in itself. I can honestly say that I have never once waived in my commitment to keep going – for the animals, the precious plane we all inhabit and the hope of a sustainable future for generations yet to come.

I try to approach everyone in a way which suits their own needs, circumstances and situation
Fiona Louise Oakes

I am not a naturally forceful or aggressive person so I prefer to lead by example rather than push by force. This is actually the reason I co-founded Vegan Runners back in 2004. I was qualifying for the Elite Starts of the World’s Major Marathons but when being interviewed I found that the question of my veganism never arose.

For sure, journalists would speak of the Sanctuary, my Fire Fighting, my chronic knee condition and the way it has impacted my running but never about the actual reason I was out there in the first place which was hopefully to promote the benefits of veganism to all through the medium of Elite sport.

Obviously, I didn’t have the opportunity to speak to every runner in a 50,000+ competitor race such as the London or Berlin Marathon and, being on the Elite Starts I was compelled to wear only clothing with UKA Affiliated club membership on. In other words, the only way to have Vegan emblazoned across my chest and back was to Affiliate a dedicated vegan running club.

This is when Vegan Runners was born and is probably my proudest running achievement as it benefits so many and delivers positivity in so many varied and differing ways. It negated the need to articulate my beliefs – it visualized them for a huge and mainstream audience by the sight of an obviously proud, healthy, strong, vegan athlete standing shoulder to shoulder with some of the best Marathon runners in the world on Elite Starts was all the proof needed to illustrate that veganism is not in any way prohibitive to anyone – even delivering excellence in the most extreme of endurance of events.

With the reluctance of mainstream media to embrace the vegan message, and before the rise of Social Media, this was the only way to ‘tell’ people to consider different options which have so much benefit and no detriment to themselves, their environment and all those who inhabit the place they call home – that place being our shared planet!

All my records have been fueled by plants!
Fiona Louise Oakes

The only place I can recommend is my kitchen under the competent guidelines of my Mum. She cooks everything from raw ingredients and she has secret recipes all stored away in her head. I will say at this point I have always said that food for me has been a fuel rather than something I obsess over. I look at the benefits of food from a very holistic perspective.

For sure, it must satisfy mind, palette and body but more than that it must satisfy spirit and soul too. For example, I am always grateful and feel blessed that my food is prepared by my Mum, whom I am so lucky to still have in my life. It is created with love and consumed with gratitude in the knowledge there is enough on my plate, I do not need to worry where, when and indeed if, the next meal will come, and I am able to eat in a safe space where fear and instability is not a consideration.

It’s hard to speak for others but I think the biggest misconception regarding vegans and vegetarians is that we are all the same!
Fiona Louise Oakes

It’s as if people think we aren’t individuals with different personalities, perceptions and preferences. We are just people who come in all shapes, sizes, genders, sexualities, religions, cultures and countries who happen to have been blessed with an awakening to a different set of lifestyle choices – this is how I personally view things.

A lot of people say to me when it comes to food ‘oh, you can’t have this’ because it may contain meat, dairy or eggs or a by-product of the animal agriculture industry such as wool or leather. I always retort that I could have them but it is my choice not to. This gives a perfect opportunity to explain why I have decided to instigate initiate, and implement the decisions I have made and the achievements, statistics, beliefs, experiences I have to justify and articulate this.

Everyone is different and their life journey will reflect this
Fiona Louise Oakes

We are all unique individuals and there is no one definitive way to achieve anything.

Firstly, recognise and embrace your individuality, look deep into yourself – beyond the hype and rhetoric of the internet, Social Media and other influences – introduce yourself to you.

Become acquainted with the reason you are contemplating change, to question your current path in life and why you are considering diversifying from it. Actions are always so much easier to adhere to when you know the reason behind them and the best person to answer this question is you, yourself.

That is the main starting point and from that place you can build at your own pace. For some, transitioning to a meatless diet is instantaneous, for others the transition is more gradual and understanding that neither way is wrong or right is key to your success. Some find it easier to work alone by trial and error, others seek the help and support of others.

There are amazing resources, information sources, support groups out there to draw upon. Whichever is most comfortable and natural to each individual is always the best and no one way is better than the next. The most important thing is not to view being meatless as prohibitive or denying yourself in any way.

It is a liberation from conventional stereotypes and the freedom to make your own choice based on what is best for not only you but for all on a global basis. I always said that to have peace in my heart started with having peace on my plate. I guess it is like saying I have been fighting the sustainability and climate crisis for 5 decades with nothing but a knife and fork!

I don’t honestly remember being anything but a ‘vegan’ but way before I even understood what a vegan was
Fiona Louise Oakes

I am just Fiona, a unique individual who has gone about life the best way I can. The only mantra I have really followed – both subconsciously and consciously – is to never treat another as I would not wish to be treated myself in that situation – always in context and always with compassion and empathy.

My veganism isn’t just about diet, it’s about ethical and sustainable choices, about peace, about consideration and gratitude for the planet I am free to walk on. It’s about always holding the plight of others dear, close to my heart, at the forefront of my mind and speaking up for what I know to be true when others doubt or berate me for it.

The most interesting and inspiring thing to me is that now others are beginning to embrace these choices for whatever reason
Fiona Louise Oakes

For some it is for the climate, sustainability, pollution, individual health, fairer distribution of global resources, equity, future generations, leaving a legacy but for me, most importantly, it is for the animals – those who have a voice but one which humans have chosen to ignore.

The animals have never been voiceless victims – they can communicate but don’t speak our language, that is not to say they don’t have a language of their own – we have, as a species, largely taken it upon ourselves to ignore it and silence their screams and pleas for mercy and help from behind closed doors rendering them the victims of the greed, callous ignorance of our own species.

Now that is changing, not only the horrors of animal agriculture are being uncovered and exposed but also the terrible atrocities perpetrated upon the habitats in which our animal friends reside and how this impacts so many other factors such as the environment, climate and ultimately, sustainability.

Perhaps we are the first generation to see this en masse but we are perhaps the last generation who will have a real chance of addressing it and implementing valid and viable solutions which will help reverse at least some of the damage and injustices which have gone before.

I would like to say is that the key to a better future is global awareness and shared community
Fiona Louise Oakes

For sure, we will all make mistakes along the way but as long as we acknowledge and learn from them to understand that no-one is perfect or deserves to be treated any differently than the next, this can be a very great and potent strength.

We all have the potential ability to harness the limitless power of humility. We just have to let go of the temptations of selfishness, jealousy and ego in the belief and firm commitment that each of our actions our environment and other creatures so we have to ensure each action is positive.

Although I run an Animal Sanctuary myself I see the whole world as a giant Sanctuary for both people and animals where all should be afforded dignity, peace, love, compassion and empathy. To achieve this the flora, fauna, oceans, deserts, forests and every other single component which makes up this place we call Earth must be protected as I protect the animals in my care – it’s just an extension of that.

We are all individuals but we can, if we work together, facilitate the change we all want to see. Every single individual can be the embodiment of that change.