Maddie Lymburner

What inspired you to go vegan?

I went vegan primarily because I met my boyfriend Kyle! On our first date, he was telling me about veganism and I was very intrigued. We then started watching documentaries, YouTube videos, reading books… basically any information we could get our hands on at the time. I distinctly remember watching Gary Yourofsky’s speech, and then seeing some slaughterhouse footage and that was it for me. I couldn’t look at animal products the same!

What are some of your favorite vegan restaurants?

To be perfectly honest, I don’t eat out much! I really enjoy cooking and creating my own recipes, that we don’t really go out to eat often. But, when I do my favourite place to go at the moment is “Boon Burger”.

What are your favorite vegan dishes to make?

This is a tough one! I’ve created and made so, so many vegan recipes/dishes that it’s hard for me to choose! I would have to say my “Mac N’ Cheese” recipe, or my vegan donuts recipe are my favourites to make at the moment though!

What are common misconceptions about being vegan?

I think the biggest misconception about veganism is that it’s a “restrictive lifestyle”. People feel like they can’t eat ice cream, burgers, pizza, etc.  if they go vegan! Or they think being vegan is “too hard” because they aren’t exactly sure what to eat. In reality, absolutely anything you are craving… whether that be a burger, some ice cream, pizza, or even a ‘Big Mac’ – you can have it VEGAN. Literally anything you think of can be made vegan. I think people just aren’t aware that those plant based options exist… and that they are darn tasty!

What is the worst part about being vegan?

The worst part? I mean, is there even a ‘worst part’ ?! I think when people go vegan, their eyes have been opened to so many new things. They see the world differently. They have a better understanding of how the world works, and what we as humans are doing not only to our planet, but also to our bodies. It can be very overwhelming at the beginning. All you want to do is tell everybody you know, and you expect everyone to react in the same way you do… with an open mind. But sadly, a lot of the time that doesn’t happen and I think some people can get very distraught. We feel like we have this urgency to stop the destruction of our planet, the slaughter of innocent animals, and to save our health and the health of our loved ones. I think the worst part about being vegan is that we want everyone to be on the same page, and we have to live with the reality that these horrible things that we are doing to animals, to the planet, and to the people are still going on around us daily.

What is the best part about being vegan?

I think there are endless answers to this question! From saving animals lives and our planet, to feeling the absolute best I have in my entire life while eating an abundance of delicious foods! I have honestly never been healthier, or happier in my entire life and I really owe it all to going vegan. It’s truly changed my life in every single way.

What advice to you have for people who want to become vegan?

I think my best advice would be to take in as much information as possible. Educate yourself. Education is power. Know exactly why you want to do this. Personally, all I did for the first year of being vegan was watch as many documentaries, read as many books, and watch as many YouTube videos as possible. I think it helped so much in the sense that I knew all the ins and outs of being vegan. I knew the science behind why it is so great for my health, I knew all the environmental impacts, and it just made me overall so much more passionate about doing it, and also spreading the message of veganism along the way. Also, another tip would be to give into those cravings. If you’re desperately craving ice cream.. have it, but have it vegan! It’s hard for people to change their habits right away that took years to develop. Change doesn’t happen overnight! I think a lot of people try to jump right into being a “super healthy vegan”, and then when they get those strong cravings for cheese or ice cream, or whatever it may be… they give in, but they choose the animal product version instead. So, have it… but have it vegan!

How has your life changed since you’ve become vegan?

My life has done a complete 180 since going vegan. It was really a turning point in my life. I was 17 at the time, didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life, was overall just not in a great state. I found veganism and was immediately so passionate and so inspired. I really started consciously thinking about my health, and my fitness… and I also started to see life in a different way. I felt as though this cloud that was across my face had been lifted and I could just think and see things so clearly. Going vegan and seeing other vegan YouTuber’s inspired my boyfriend and I to get fit, travel the world, and even start my own YouTube channel. I went from an unhealthy, negative, depressed person to being the healthiest I’ve ever been, I’ve travelled all over the world with just a backpack and my bike, and I’ve built this amazing platform on YouTube (and other social medias) to share my life, and to help others find the path of vegansim.

What are the top 3 reasons to go vegan?

Do you have a blog, instagram, or youtube channel?