How to be a YouTube Vegan Activist – With over 1 billion users, YouTube is an incredible platform for vegan activism – but how do you get started? It’s easier and more powerful than you think.Through audience discussion and participation, you’ll discover which forms of activism work best on video, who to follow, basic equipment and technical issues, content ideas, attracting subscribers, collaborations and dealing with anti-vegan “trolls”. You’ll also learn how to avoid the mistakes I made during my first year on YouTube.
Rehana Sara Jomeen’s love affair with YouTube started not with veganism, but in the wonderful world of environmentally-friendly, zero waste, reusable menstrual products as featured in her first channel (Rehana Jomeen). 12 months later and having grown a small but active following, Rehana started a second channel devoted to her first passion – fighting animal cruelty and promoting a more ethical, conscious way of life.
In her Sheffield Vegan Festival debut, Rehana will share her first year’s experience making videos and growing a community with other budding YouTubers, to help spread the vegan message far and wide.
Sid Garza-Hillman, the Small Step Advocate™, is the author of “Approaching the Natural: A Health Manifesto,” host of the Approaching the Natural Podcast, and host of his YouTube Channel. He graduated from UCLA with a B.A. in Philosophy, and is a speaker, certified nutritionist, and Health Coach, working with private clients all over the world. He is also the Nutritionist and Programs Director at the Stanford Inn’s Wellness Center. Sid lives on California’s Mendocino Coast with his wife and three children, and recently completed both 50K and 50-mile ultramarathons. www.sidgarzahillman.com
Mick Walker ( Edinburgh)
63 year old Mick Walker is now coming to the end of a career teaching Biology, a keen cyclist and fell walker. As mick has got older, he has found that he has been able to sustain my strength and fitness (indeed, improve them!) by adopting a 100% plant based diet, which he did after reading ‘Eat and Run’ by the US ultramarathon runner, Scott Jurek. His only regret is that he didn’t do so much earlier! This year, he completed many cycling sportives in very respectable times, including The Fred Whitton Challenge, The Etape du Dales and The Monster. In recent years, he has been following and studying the evidence being put forward (mostly in the US) in favour of a ‘Whole Food Plant Based Diet’ as exemplified by athletes including Scott Jurek, Rich Roll, Brendan Brazier and others. He is now promoting this via (www.vegancyclist.co.uk) – as well as advising people who might be finding it difficult changing to a vegan diet.
Alongside the maintenance of health, I also believe it is crucial that more people understand the importance of a vegan lifestyle to eliminate the exploitation of animals and reduce environmental degradation. For more details (Click Here).
Vegan Lifestyle Association
( Edinburgh – Saturday)
Elizabeth King has been vegan for 10 years and is an active campaigner, helping to run local and national vegan outreach events for the Vegan Approach. This year the Vegan Approach joined forces with the Vegan Lifestyle Association (VLA), to help the UK’s growing number of people who are interested in a vegan lifestyle. The VLA was launched last year and has attracted over 8000 associates and over 60,000 social media followers. Membership is free, and open to anyone and everyone interested in a vegan lifestyle. So, are you thinking about going vegan? Have you tried being vegan before but come across some challenges? Are you a new vegan? If the answer is yes to any of these questions, then please join us at our Vegan Lifestyle Association workshop. During the workshop we outline our 10 simple steps to start you on your vegan journey including what to buy, where to eat, and how to deal with family and friends. We’ll also answer any questions you have about going vegan.
Glauce Lucas – Raising Vegan Children: We’re Doing It Right
(Edinburgh Sunday)
Glauce Lucas became vegan in Brazil back in 1997 and although she new how important her decision was for the animals, she couldn’t imagine what it would mean to her life in the future. In 2004 she finished her second University, graduating in Journalism, and in 2009 she started her Master in Journalism in Ireland, where she was living since 2008.In 2012, after her son Enrico was born, Glauce realised that although the decision to raise him vegan was very obvious, many families have doubts and questions about raising their children vegan. As she runs her own website, All AboutVegan Food, she decided to create a worldwide page dedicate to parents raising vegan children, sharing recipes, tips, advice and, most important, giving support. Glauce was featured in the Irish Independent in February in an article about raising vegan children and her goal for 2016 is to speak as much as possible about the topic and she will be sharing her experience at our festivals this year.
Kate Strong: How a World Champion fuels her Mind & Body
(Sheffield and Edinburgh Saturday)
Join Kate as she shares with you her transformative journey from guest-house owner to winning a World Championships in triathlon. Along the way, Kate learnt techniques on how to push past mental and physical limits thanks to the food she eats and a positive mindset.
Kate Strong: Why following society doesn’t always get extra-ordinary results
(Edinburgh Sunday)
Kate Strong, World Champion triathlete, shares how breaking from the ‘normal’ is seen as something scary – and that’s OK. Sharing her tools to feel the fear, and still do it anyway will inspire and motivate you to live to your best: in mind, body and food.
Fiona Oakes ( Edinburgh Saturday & Sunday )
Fiona Oakes is a British marathon runner, who holds three world records. In 2013, she won both the Antarctic Ice Marathon and the North Pole Marathon. She runs despite losing a knee cap from an illness when she was 17. Fiona has been vegan since 6 years old. She runs Tower Hill Stables Animal Sanctuary and is a patron of the Captive Animals Protection Society.
Ruhani Wellness (Edinburgh)
Ruhani Home was born as an endeavor of uniquely crafted ideas to evoke a feel of sanctuary to your space – in every sense of the word. From home to the spa, to ultimately, your real space – your body. With a belief in organic, wholesome, and sustainable, we bring forth artisanal decor and handicrafts, healthy and natural foodies and teas, as well as insight on the ancient systems, so crucial in our modern age – Ayurveda.
Finally, we have now evolved to include workshops on allowing complete wellness: workshops on a healthy lifestyle, wellness in the workplace, incorporating elements of positive psychology, gratitude, resilience, and much more! We welcome you to have an experience – Love. Eat. Live.