Morgan’s journey to self-discovery led her on a quest to find her a community that could embrace the complex blend of passion, pain, and joy that fuels their commitment to addressing pressing global issues.
While yoga initially brought her closer to like-minded individuals, Morgan’s awakening to the incongruence of spiritual pursuits and animal consumption left her feeling isolated. The yoga community, while a source of healing and reflection for some aspects of their mission, couldn’t fully satisfy her desire for a comprehensive platform to effect change.
However, her search led her to a profoundly transformative encounter with animal rights activists. Here, she found a profound sense of belonging that transcended the limitations of any one group or philosophy. In the midst of those dedicated to ending animal exploitation, Morgan discovered a unique and powerful kinship that resonated deeply with her mission.
For Morgan, this sense of belonging among fellow advocates striving to end animal exploitation is the closest she’s come to finding her true tribe. It’s a space where her mission is greater than herself, where victories are measured by the liberation of others rather than the detriment of anyone else. In this pursuit, she’s found fulfillment, harmony with nature, and what she describes as her dharma—her righteous path in life.
Please tell us more about yourself
There’s so much destruction, devastation, catastrophe, and senseless violence happening
Morgan Donnelly
I’m Morgan and I live in Austin, TX, but I was born and raised near the beach in New Jersey. Since I was a little girl, I always felt a strong connection to animals and nature. My mom recalls the time someone asked what I wanted to do when I grew up, to which I responded, “I don’t want to work with people; I only want to work with animals.”
I feel super fortunate to have grown up in a home where we always had pets (cats, dogs, and a couple rabbits) and we treated them like family, because this aligned with the way I knew animals deserve to be treated.
We can’t be perfect, but we have so many opportunities to reduce the suffering we’re involved in
Morgan Donnelly
Another experience early on exposed me to caring for other types of animals, such as chickens, goats, and horses, which is what started my journey to becoming vegan. In my teens, I realized I no longer wanted to consume the same type of animal I used to take care of – chickens. That was my first realization that led me to eventually refusing to participate in violence against all species of animals and becoming vegan.
My next step in that direction happened very soon after. One of my classmates in my high school Spanish class heard that I wasn’t eating chickens anymore, and he asked if I wanted to know how pigs were killed, because he had seen it first hand in Peru.
For most of us, rejecting the commodification of animals is the easiest and most accessible way to reduce suffering
Morgan Donnelly
I said, “nope!” And I stopped eating pigs. Thankfully all it took for me to make the connection was for someone to simply imply that pigs being killed is not an appetizing or enjoyable process. But strangely, it still took a couple years for me to make the connection that it’s just as upsetting for all animals to be killed, so I continued eating cows, turkeys, and fish. These animals simply hadn’t been brought to my attention yet as having their own wants, needs, and desires for freedom.
In my early 20s, I still didn’t even know what veganism was or that it was something I could (and should) do. I was completely oblivious to the whole process of animal agriculture, so I didn’t realize how much violence and destruction I had been participating in.
You might not see the victims whose lives you spare by not consuming their bodies, but our world gets a little brighter every time you choose compassion over violence. ❤️
Morgan Donnelly
Around that time, I began getting more into yoga. I was extremely lucky to have not just one, but TWO, VEGAN yoga teachers! I was slowly starting to hear about all the ways animals are just the same as we are, and that we should protect and defend them the same way we would our own child. This made so much sense to me, but the idea that veganism was a choice I could make every day to reject unnecessary violence towards animals still hadn’t occurred to me yet.
It wasn’t until one of my yoga teachers, Tim, straight up asked me after class one day: “why aren’t you vegan yet?”
And I had no response.
When we defend our choices to harm and take advantage of others, we all lose
Morgan Donnelly
Soon after, I was on my way to meet up with some friends for sushi. I remember thinking, “I can just get the kind with the vegetables and avocado!”
From then on, I just went meal by meal deciding not to consume anything derived from animals. That was seven years ago, and I still make that decision every day!
A big misconception and common excuse around veganism is the idea that it’s a privileged lifestyle
Morgan Donnelly
Making the switch to a vegan lifestyle really wasn’t hard at all. It was actually a relief knowing that I could live in a way that was peaceful and kind to all animals and nature. Over the years I’ve really enjoyed fueling my body with simple, colorful, nourishing plant-based foods, and I’m no chef!
It doesn’t require much time, skill, or many ingredients to throw together a healthy plant-based meal. Staples like rice, quinoa, oats, legumes, tempeh, tofu, leafy greens, sweet potatoes, avocado, and so on (there are many more plant-based foods than animal foods) go a long way.
I feel even healthier and with more energy than when I was in my teens, and I never miss or crave animal-based foods! There’s an abundance of plant-based alternatives for those who are starting out and still crave the familiarity of animal foods, and people can’t even tell the difference. Some of my favorites have been Daring Chicken, Hungry Planet, Miyoko’s, and for my fellow Austinites, Credo Foods!
Getting enough nutrients, including protein, is not something you even have to think about on a well-balanced plant-based diet. It might take a bit of effort in the beginning as you’re exploring new recipes and foods you might not have tried before, but if you keep your health, the environment, and reducing animal suffering top of mind, it’s the easiest thing you’ll ever do.
Another misconception is that all vegans are animal lovers or overly-sensitive people who can’t take a joke. While I certainly consider myself an animal lover, many vegans I know don’t consider themselves one. You don’t have to love animals to know they don’t deserve to be brutally killed for food or shamefully exploited for our entertainment. Simply recognizing that all animals deserve respect, protection, and a life free from harm is enough to reject the systems that oppress them.
We need to remember that we’re all connected and our actions DO matter
Morgan Donnelly
One challenge I do encounter as a vegan, though, is realizing just how much suffering and violence towards animals is taking place every single second of every day. People have different opinions on how outspoken we should be as vegans or what the best approach is to get people interested in veganism. But when I think back to what made me go vegan, I’m reminded that there are more people like me out there, who align with veganism in every way, but just need that little nudge to actually commit to it.
Speaking up for the animals is scary and uncomfortable, but only because we’re challenging the status quo. Animal exploitation is an injustice, and just like any injustice in history, the ones who challenged it were at first unpopular, made fun of, and dismissed. But eventually enough people realized things needed to change, and society shifted.
I believe we all have a responsibility to speak out against an injustice if we know it’s happening. Taking a stand in this way can be scary because it sets us apart from the crowd and can leave us feeling alone and isolated, especially since the majority of the world still encourages and celebrates many forms of animal oppression. However, I have found that by letting go of the fear of being different, dismissed, or rejected for standing in my truth, I’ve become more empowered. I’m excited to be part of the solution our world needs, and I’m inspired by others who have the courage to do the same. I hope we can continue inspiring one another by our bold acts of kindness and our willingness to reject systems of oppression to defend the world’s most vulnerable creatures.
Let’s keep praying for the day the world sees all beings as worthy of respect and protection
Morgan Donnelly
While it’s true that one person’s decision to go vegan won’t stop the animals from being killed, your actions still matter! At the very least, in your own life you can be consistent with your values, and you can find comfort in knowing you’ve used your privilege and your power in this life to spare the lives of others. You can start with small steps – incorporating one more plant-based meal at a time, finding one more vegan restaurant you can go to. The goal is to make it a sustainable lifestyle change that you’re happy with and excited to share with others. There’s so much to gain by switching to a vegan lifestyle. So why aren’t you vegan yet?
Morgan Donnelly
Vegan 🌱 Cat mom 🐈 Yogini 📿
Lover of all things Earth 🌎 and beyond 🖖🏽 (You included)
Hispana de corazón 💃🏼
all images courtesy of Morgan Donnelly