Now, I’m making healthier lifestyle choices and my outlook has completely changed

Chloe is a Welsh-medium primary school teacher from Newport, South Wales, now residing near Blackwood in the picturesque South Wales valleys. Passionate about both education and fitness, Chloe’s journey towards veganism began around five years ago when she transitioned from being a vegetarian for a year to becoming a dedicated vegan. It was her friend, already a seasoned vegan, who introduced her to thought-provoking videos by Earthling Ed, sparking a profound shift in her perspective on meat consumption.

Driven by a newfound awareness of the dairy and egg industries’ impact on animals and the environment, Chloe made a resolute decision to stop contributing to these practices. Taking the plunge, she embraced Veganuary, and after a month of exploration and learning, Chloe knew she had found her true path. Since then, she has never looked back, steadfastly committed to her compassionate and plant-based lifestyle.

Meatless Movement had the opportunity to chat with her recently.

With her enthusiasm for teaching and fitness, Chloe aims to spread awareness and educate others about the benefits of veganism, fostering empathy and understanding in her community. Her journey exemplifies how personal choices can create a meaningful impact on the world around us.

Tell us more about yourself, please

I’m a fluent Welsh speaker and very proud of it 😀
Chloe

I’m a Welsh-medium primary school teacher with a passion for fitness. I’m originally from Newport, South Wales but now live near Blackwood in the South Wales valleys.

The spark has been lit and I’m ready to bring the fire 🔥
Chloe

I’ve been vegan for 4.5 years now and was vegetarian for around a year before that. A friend of mine (who was vegan before me) encouraged me to watch some Earthling Ed videos which completely turned me off meat. As I started doing more research and becoming more aware of the dairy and egg industries, I realised that I didn’t want to contribute to these anymore. I signed up for Veganuary and didn’t look back when January was over.

my birthday cake this year from WhatLeilaBakes

Sometimes, supermarkets and restaurants near me can have very limited options which can be a challenge. Luckily, my friends and family are supportive so often allow me to choose food places for us to visit which are either vegan or have a good number of options.

a stuffed valentine’s cookie from RebelRox Kitchen

What are your thoughts and feelings about being a vegan?

Year ago me would have loved to be where I am now
Chloe

I’m the happiest I’ve ever been as a vegan. I feel like my diet and lifestyle fit in with my morals and values and I love feeling zero guilt about the impact of my food. Where I can, I love sharing recipes and vegan food with non-vegan family and friends.

How might you encourage someone who hasn’t embraced a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle to give meatless food a try?

You’ll never know how far you’ll go if you never start the journey 😊
Chloe

I love to share food that I’ve made with others (especially cakes and bakes!). I always encourage anyone to try and veganise a recipe that they already love, whether that’s swapping beef mince for a plant based mince or finding a meatless alternative that they love.

If refeeds are this good, I genuinely can’t wait for the next 😍🤣
Chloe

I have so many favourites! Queen Inn Cwmbran for great pub grub, Alex Gooch Cardiff for pastries, Nonna’s Swansea for doughnuts, WhatLeilaBakes birthday cakes and RebelRox Kitchen for her amazing stuffed cookies and brownies.

Embrace Compassion, Choose PU Leather

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What are some misconceptions surrounding vegans or vegetarians?

That we can’t get enough protein and that we couldn’t possibly build any muscle. My husband is a vegan bodybuilder and I’d also love to compete one day. We definitely don’t struggle to get enough protein or build muscle!

A photo of me and my husband after he won a first timer’s bodybuilding show in May

For someone who is just starting to embrace a meatless diet, what advice would you offer?

A series of little steps can add up to one big transformation
Chloe

Explore vegan restaurants near you and try simple swaps for recipes you already love to start with. Join a local vegan Facebook group or find content creators near you on social media for ideas on places to eat. Buy a cookbook with foods that you enjoy or that catch your interest, such as Bosh or Little Book of Vegan Baking by Holly Jade.

I love visiting vegan fairs and events where I can to meet new people and see new vegan businesses that I haven’t heard of. They’re also great to try new foods.