Jamie Logan, the passionate animal advocate, filmmaker, and podcast host, joined us previously for an eye-opening interview with the Meatless Movement. In that first conversation, she shared her mission to spark meaningful change by challenging people to confront uncomfortable truths about their choices.
Now, Jamie returns for a second interview, diving even deeper into her journey and the lessons she’s learned along the way. “The more time I spend with animals, the more I realize how similar they are to us,” she reflects. “They have likes and dislikes, form strong friendships, communicate with each other, and ultimately want to live and experience life just like we do.”
Stay tuned for this heartfelt discussion, sending love and compassion to all living beings today and every day!
Reflecting on Your Continued Journey:
I’m always looking for ways to be more effective as an animal rights activist and I think this past year I’ve certainly pushed myself outside my comfort zone to speak up for the animals. Here are a few significant actions stand out to me since our last conversation:
- Allied Scholars University tour: We talked with thousands of students at 17 different universities around the US about veganism and animal rights.
- The film Akin: Undercover pig farm investigation which was definitely one of the more risky, heartbreaking, but also necessary actions I’ve participated in.
- Anti leather campaign with PETA and Stella Mccartney.
- Anti Animal testing: I disrupted Vice Chancellor Welch for supporting swim test experiments on rats.
- Animal testing at UMASS
- Down with dairy art campaign National art campaign to show the reality of the dairy industry and harms of greenwashing
- Fishing is not human(e) – SpeciesismWTF Art project that places humans in the positions of non-human animals
- (In)Between Realities: A pig farm Art project that places humans in the positions of non-human animals
- New York Fashion week – Animal Show with faux fur
- Organized National Animal Rights Day in NYC
- Wrapped season one of Just So You Know Podcast
What stands out about these actions is that they reached a mainstream audience and brought well-deserved attention to these urgent issues. Speaking up is essential; simply eating a plant-based diet isn’t enough to create the change we need. Whether it’s attending a protest, giving a talk, or organizing a movie screening in your town, every effort counts. If you’d asked me 10 years ago what I’d be doing now, I would have never imagined this—but it just goes to show that if I can take these actions, anyone can.
Navigating Nutrition and Health:
It’s wonderful that so many people are interested in the health side of things, but I want to emphasize that veganism is fundamentally a stance against animal exploitation. That said, it’s great that a well-balanced, plant-based diet often comes with additional benefits, including improved health and sustainability.
When you focus on your “why” for going vegan, the “how” falls into place naturally. There are so many resources available now to help with the health side of a plant-based diet. Personally, I’ve experienced more energy, clearer skin, better digestion, improved stamina, and great sleep. Plus, I no longer feel that heavy bloating after big meals.
I recommend starting with a blood test to see what your body might need more or less of. I don’t take vitamins consistently, and after over 7 years on a plant-based diet, my levels are perfect. Animals often get their nutrients from plants—cows, for example, are commonly supplemented with B12. If you’re looking for good supplements, I love Mary Ruth’s Organics and Vedge Nutrition.
Ultimately, there’s no need to harm or kill other beings for food. We can thrive without that, and it’s a choice that benefits animals, our health, and the planet.
Inspiring Others Through Challenges:
Activism definitely comes with its share of challenges, which is why staying active and vocal is so important. Every day, I encounter people who misunderstand veganism or argue against it, and I often find myself responding to unkind comments online. Instead of letting it get to me, I try to see it as a sign that what I’m doing is reaching the very people who need to hear it. If everyone agreed with me all the time, it wouldn’t be activism!
Recently, while on a college tour with Allied Scholars, I was speaking to students on campuses across the country. We had many positive conversations, but the negative ones tend to stick. At one booth, two college guys from a fraternity came up with gallons of cow’s milk and started chugging it, clearly trying to provoke us. Rather than react, I stayed calm and used humor to navigate the conversation, saying, “Big strong guys like you don’t need to breastfeed anymore… especially from a cow.” They laughed, and by the end of our chat, they walked away with some pamphlets and an openness to learn more.
Activism is always going to bring challenges, but the key is to take it one day at a time and keep the bigger picture in mind. I also like to reflect on past movements—when women fought for voting rights or Black people fought for equality, they were once considered “radicals,” too. Now, they’re widely respected. The animal rights movement is in its own challenging stage, but staying resilient and positive makes a difference. One day, the world will see things differently, and until then, we keep pushing forward.
Ethical and Environmental Impact:
Going vegan has made me a much more mindful person. I used to buy from fast fashion brands, rarely recycled, and didn’t know what composting was. But after going vegan, I experienced a complete shift in how I view the world. I went from wanting to consume more to wanting less and instead focused on giving back to the Earth.
Now, I only thrift my clothing, use a refillable water bottle instead of buying plastic, bring reusable bags to the grocery store, and bike when I can. Nobody’s perfect, but wherever I can reduce harm, I’m committed to doing so. The impact I hope to make is to leave the planet better than I found it and to offer future generations a real chance at a sustainable, livable world.
Diverse Culinary Adventures:
I love to keep things simple! My busy schedule doesn’t allow me to spend too much time in the kitchen but I can give you a general synopsis of what I eat in a day.
- Breakfast: Smoothie, fruit, or oatmeal (with fruit and almond butter)
- Lunch: Toast with hummus, greens, and uncooked tofu
- Dinner: Pasta with veggies, stir fry, vegan pizza, burrito, thai curry, or veggie burger
A really yummy tofu recipe that I make almost every week is…
- One block of tofu
- Liquid aminos
- Nutritional yeast
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Smoked paprika
*Cook in oven at 350 degrees for one hour or airfry for 20 min at 350 degrees
Empowering Lifestyle Choices:
Yessss I can recommend a few that I love:
I practice Jivamukti Yoga everyday. It’s challenging and pushes me outside my comfort zone but also makes me more mindful about how I respond to the world around me. Yoga promotes ahimsa which is non harm and many of the yogic teachings and philosophies promote veganism. Check out this book: Yoga and veganism
- Doshi
- Vedge nutrition
- Wet and wild
- Elf cosmetics
- Moo shoes
- Save The Duck coats
- Pacifica beauty
- Boone broth
Advocacy and Education:
I educate others through street-style interviews, Anonymous for the Voiceless cubes, university tours, classroom talks, homemade plant-based meals with friends and family, and even small conversations with strangers I meet at the grocery store or gym. Speaking up, wherever we can, is crucial.
Different approaches work for different people. It’s important to be kind and empathetic, yet hold people accountable without letting them off the hook. Challenge and push them, but know when to use humor and ease up a bit. No matter how frustrating someone may seem, view them as a potential ally for the animals. Ending conversations on good terms is key—while they may not remember every fact, they’ll remember how you made them feel. Planting positive vegan seeds leaves room for something to click later on!
Balancing Passion and Compassion:
Navigating social settings as a vegan can be challenging, but I’ve found ways to make it work and use it as an opportunity to share my lifestyle. Whenever possible, I suggest fully vegan restaurants, which makes it comfortable for me and gives friends a chance to discover how delicious plant-based dishes can be. If I have to go somewhere without many vegan options, I’ll check the menu in advance or even eat a bit beforehand to be prepared.
There was a time when I avoided sitting down with others if animal products were present. Now, I’m rarely in those situations—except, say, when visiting family, like my grandpa once a year. At some non vegan events, I’ll focus on networking and avoid the food altogether. It can feel strange to spend so much time advocating for animals, then sit at a table with animal products, so I navigate each situation as it comes.
I’ve come to realize that staying true to my values doesn’t mean avoiding social settings; it’s about leading by example. I try to engage positively, showing friends and family that vegan food is healthy, flavorful, and varied. This approach brings people closer to understanding my lifestyle and, hopefully, plants a seed that encourages them to explore more plant-based options themselves.
Meatless Movement in Popular Culture:
I try not to idolize celebrity figures, especially plant-based athletes, because when they revert to eating animal products, it’s always disappointing. I reserve my admiration for those who are genuinely committed to veganism for ethical reasons, like Moby, Alicia Silverstone, and Joaquin Phoenix, who consistently use their platforms to advocate for animals. It’s frustrating when people with large followings promote cruelty to animals, so I’m especially grateful for the few celebrities who use their influence to make a positive impact.
A Vision for the Future:
Looking ahead, I believe the meatless movement will continue to grow, fueled by increased awareness of animal rights, environmental issues, and health benefits. I envision a future where plant-based options are more widely available, and society moves closer to seeing animals as beings worthy of respect and protection, not as products.
As for my role, I plan to continue educating and advocating—whether that’s through street outreach, social media, or hosting events that create impactful experiences around the vegan lifestyle. I want to be a voice that helps people see the importance of their choices, inspiring them to make compassionate decisions. My goal is to make veganism accessible, relatable, and something people feel excited to learn about and embrace.
Jamie Logan
YouTuber, Podcast Host & Content Creator
itsjamiescorner.com
all images courtesy of Jamie Logan
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