From a young age, Emily exhibited a profound sensitivity towards animals, culminating in her decision to embrace vegetarianism at the tender age of six. Surrounded by a family of enthusiastic meat-eaters, Emily’s choice was met with surprise yet unwavering support from her parents.
Emily’s commitment to a cruelty-free lifestyle foreshadowed her future endeavors in fostering inclusivity, healing, and self-love through the Fempowerment Project. It is a female empowered community space in North Wales to bring women together to inspire each other, connect and find feminine healing 
and is of course vegan owned!
Meatless Movement recently had the opportunity to chat with her.
Please tell us more about yourself
Compassion is infinite and fully surrounds me
Emily-Siân Barker
At the age of 6 I turned vegetarian in a family of avid meat eaters, I have never liked the texture or taste of the meat I had tried, and I hadn’t actually even tried a number of meat and fish dishes due to being instantly put off by the look and smell. I used to eat a lot of chicken as a child, mostly in the form of chicken nuggets or a breaded coating, which upon reflection likely wasn’t even chicken at all.
I had always adored animals, even before I could talk, always opting for stuffed animal teddies and animal play toys over dolls or kitchen workshops. One day in primary school our teacher, who was also a farmer’s wife, told us about chickens and how they live on her farm and my brain suddenly put two and two together and the realisation that these little breaded white mushy nuggets were actually little beings suddenly clicked. Even as a small child I was quite horrified that we were eating these cute little creatures, and I knew I just couldn’t be a part of that.
I went home that day and told my parents I didn’t want to eat animals anymore and to my surprise they were very understanding and supportive, although they thought it was just a phase.
Surround yourself with people who cheer you on and want to see you win & empower each other
Emily-Siân Barker
My mum would actively make me meat and fish free meals separate from the rest of the family. Luckily my mum’s best friend was pescatarian, so she offered some degree of insight into this new lifestyle I had decided to embark on.
Years passed and I remained dedicated to my cause, never wavering from it and standing firm in my values of never eating or harming animals. For the early years of my life, I didn’t know any other vegetarians and it was quite uncommon, meaning it was also very unaccommodated. I would often go out for meals with the family and eat combined sides of chips and bread and butter. To this day I still can’t eat risotto with this often being the only accidental vegetarian option on the menu.
I always remember the first time I was told about the dairy industry, it is awful to admit, as an animal lover, that I had no clue this was even going on, that these horrors even existed. But like everyone else, I had been living in ignorant bliss and obliviously enjoying milk in my tea and on my cereal. I had met a girl whilst travelling Thailand who was trying to transition to vegan, she told me about the dairy industry and in being truthful at first, I didn’t believe her, I couldn’t believe her. How could I, an animal lover, have been contributing to such horrors?
How could I have been such a hypocrite for all this time? Not even practicing what I had
Emily-Siân Barker
been preaching
When I arrived home the thought wouldn’t rest in my head and I started to do my own research into the industry, after what I discovered changing to a vegan lifestyle was a no brainer for me, I couldn’t support the injustice that was taking place.
I feel it was difficult for me to admit to myself what I had been supporting all this time, but it was courageous for me to forgive myself and make the decision to no longer do it. To put my efforts into supporting change, to supporting the freedom of all beings, and to enjoy all the amazing, delicious food out there whilst doing it.
Brave, bold and beautiful always ✨️
Emily-Siân Barker
When you first go vegan it is a total life change, everything you know is suddenly irrelevant and you must relearn everything you know, what meals you like, how to cook with alternative ingredients, what you can buy at the supermarket. But looking back it was an exciting project and an adventure in itself, I have no shame in admitting that it took me around 8 weeks to completely transition, any transition takes time and that is okay, everyone is on their own journey.
Five years later and I am thriving more than ever, I turned vegan just before what I like to call the “vegan revolution” the Veganuary when food BOOMED and I was at the forefront of buying everything to fuel supply and demand – money talks as they say and the consumer has the power to shift anything.
You create your reality, live for each and every day your way 💅
Emily-Siân Barker
Flash forward to today and being vegan is easier than ever, most restaurants have options that are accessible and tasty, food and products are labelled and there are more vegan food spots than ever before, there are even vegan ethical businesses such as hair salons and tattoo parlous and I always look out for and opt to use these.
I am vegan for the animals so I am a BIG foodie, this means my life mostly revolves around food and even when planning trips, I will choose locations and accommodation that is close
to vegan spots.
Recently I travelled across India, from the chaos of the North to the mellowness of the South and even their vegan restaurants are thriving (and yes I did choose hotels near those restaurants), check out the photos attach to make your mouth water!
May we always stay true to our most authentic selves no matter what 👏🏼
Emily-Siân Barker
If there was a time to take back your health, take back your responsibility for helping the planet and all the beings in it, the time is now. You have the power to make change, as the consumer you can lead the way in an era of change, love and peace, and it all starts on your plate.
Emily-Siân Barker
Vegan 🌱 | 🏴
Mermaid 🧜♀️Ocean Dweller 🏄♀️
all images courtesy of Emily-Siân Barker
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