When compassion meets healthy eating, one is left to wonder where the road leads. In this week’s episode of the Veganpreneur REVOLUTION Podcast, Dr. Angela Crawford shares her journey from compassion to vegan advocacy, offering profound insights into aligning values with lifestyle choices and the broader implications of veganism.

The Journey to Veganism: A Story of Compassion and Change

Dr. Angela Crawford’s transition to veganism stemmed from a place of deep compassion. Raised on a traditional American diet, she remained unaware of the food industry’s hidden cruelties until a PBS feature exposed the harsh realities of meat processing plants. This pivotal moment ignited her empathy, leading her to adopt a vegetarian lifestyle before fully committing to veganism. Her personal journey underscores how compassion for animals and workers can drive significant life changes and expand our understanding of our food choices.

Aligning Values with Lifestyle: The Psychological Impact of Veganism

In her book, The Vegan Transformation: A Mind, Body, Spirit Journey to Healing Yourself and the World, Dr. Crawford explores the psychological benefits of veganism. She identifies seven core principles—values, vision, authentic fulfillment, love, unity, empathy, and self-empowerment—that emerged from her research. Crawford’s findings highlight how living in alignment with one’s values enhances personal well-being and fosters a deeper connection with the world.

Overcoming Cultural Conditioning: Bridging the Vegan Gap

Promoting veganism often involves overcoming entrenched cultural conditioning. Dr. Crawford explains that societal norms and food addictions create blind spots, making it challenging for many to consider a plant-based lifestyle. Psychological barriers and misconceptions, such as concerns about dietary restrictions and social acceptance, frequently deter people from transitioning. Addressing these obstacles is crucial for effective advocacy and support.

Empathy and Compassion: Reframing Perceptions of Veganism

Dr. Crawford emphasizes the role of empathy in vegan advocacy. By understanding and addressing the concerns of those hesitant about veganism, advocates can foster more meaningful connections and acceptance. This involves recognizing the complex interplay of cultural, social, and psychological factors that influence dietary choices, encouraging a compassionate approach to veganism that acknowledges the struggles of individuals and communities.

Practical Steps for Aspiring Vegan Authors: Dr. Crawford’s Writing Journey

Dr. Crawford shares insights from her own book-writing experience. Her book’s creation was a lengthy process, spanning two to three years, marked by rigorous research and persistence. She advises aspiring authors to remain committed and patient, emphasizing the importance of dedication. Crawford’s journey exemplifies how passion and perseverance can lead to impactful contributions in the vegan movement.

Personal Rewards and Achievements

Completing her book has been a profound reward for Dr. Crawford, as it represents her core values. The fulfillment came from inspiring interviews and the personal transformations revealed through them. She also started a YouTube channel based on these interviews, highlighting the impactful stories that emerged. Her book includes principles, research, and reflective exercises for readers, offering a deeply personal and enriching experience.

Impact on Readers and Business Goals

Dr. Crawford hopes her book will guide readers at various stages of their plant-based journey. For those new to veganism, she aims to provide an inviting introduction, while for seasoned vegans, the book seeks to help them thrive more fully. She envisions creating courses and workshops to further support this mission, blending practical skills with emotional and social aspects of vegan living.

Navigating Social Situations

Addressing the complexities of living with non-vegan family members, Dr. Crawford stressed the importance of setting boundaries and being proactive. She advised finding a balance between advocating for one’s needs and being respectful of social dynamics.

Cooking Challenges and Evolution

The conversation touched on personal challenges in transitioning to vegan cooking. Dr. Crawford empathized with the frustrations of those struggling to adapt their traditional cooking methods, suggesting that discovering joy in cooking and finding new ways to approach it can be key to overcoming these challenges.

Valuable Guidance 

Dr. Angela Crawford’s insights offer valuable guidance for anyone exploring veganism. Her journey, combined with practical advice and personal reflections, provides a roadmap for thriving in a plant-based lifestyle. As we anticipate the release of her book, The Vegan Transformation, we are reminded of the transformative power of dedication and compassion in our lives and the lives of others.

For more information and to connect with Dr. Angela Crawford, visit her website at https://angelacrawfordphd.com/  and follow her on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelacrawfordphd/

Episode Highlights 

[00:00] Introduction 

[01:45] A major career transition for Dr. Angela Crawford due to going vegan. 

[04:00] Realizing factory farm workers are terribly abused in addition to the animals.

[06:30] Addressing social aspects of being vegans. 

[11:00] The most common disconnect on identifying as vegan. 

[13:00] The Bliss Point is very real. 

[21:00] Expanding market reach through digital products and a new book. 

[25:00] The greatest personal reward with writing a vegan themed book.

[30:00] Various stages of transitioning to a vegan lifestyle. 

[34:00] Handling social situations as a vegan. 

[40:00] The joy of cooking as a vegan… or lack thereof. 

 

 

About Dr. Angela Crawford 

Angela Crawford, Ph.D. is passionate about bringing her background in psychology to empower people toward plant-powered living for greater physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. She recently researched and wrote a book on the transformative impact of a vegan lifestyle for mind, body, and spirit, due to be published in 2025 by Lantern Publishing & Media. 

As a Vegan Lifestyle Educator, she offers resources to thrive with a plant-powered lifestyle. She co-created the Vegan Transition Coach Certification program, designed to provide the tools and guidance to transition to a vibrant, plant-based lifestyle. This comprehensive course covers plant-based nutrition; vegan ethics; handling practical, emotional, and social challenges; and coaching, communication, and behavior change skills.

Dr. Crawford speaks at VegFests and other events and has written guest articles for Health Science Magazine (publication of the National Health Association), Main Street Vegan Academy Blog, and New Mexico Vegan Magazine. Her areas of expertise include the psychological benefits of a vegan lifestyle; thriving emotionally and socially as a vegan; overcoming barriers to healthy lifestyle change; the food-mood connection; values alignment and compassion; and finding and expressing purpose.

She holds a doctorate in Clinical Psychology and completed post-doctoral training in health psychology. She previously worked as a psychotherapist for 25 years, helping clients heal from trauma and make lifestyle changes for better emotional and physical health. She holds certifications in Plant-Based Nutrition (T. Colin Campbell Institute for Nutrition Studies at e-Cornell), as a Master Vegan Lifestyle Coach and Educator, and Transformational Coach. 

Follow Dr. Crawford through her website: www.angelacrawfordphd.com, her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheVeganTransformation, or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelacrawfordphd/

About Kathleen Gage 

Kathleen Gage is a multifaceted professional, renowned as the founder of Vegan Visibility and co-founder of Vegan Visibility Productions. With certifications in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Plant-Based Nutrition from eCornell University, she’s a seasoned business consultant, keynote speaker, and marketing strategist.

Kathleen’s impact extends to hosting the Vegan Visibility Virtual Summit, a niche event supporting vegan and plant-based entrepreneurs with top-tier training from industry experts. Since establishing her business in 1994, she’s navigated economic challenges across various sectors, including high-tech, healthcare, and publishing.

Her influential voice resonates through popular podcasts like “Vegan Visibility” and “Plant Based Eating for Health,” where she advocates for a sustainable, compassionate world and provides guidance to thousands globally. Moreover, as an award-winning speaker and past president of Utah’s National Speakers Association chapter, Kathleen excels in crafting effective marketing strategies.

Kathleen is a founding member of SAGE Circle Alliance, an organization dedicated to a plant-based lifestyle, animal compassion, and environmental regeneration. Founded by a group of passionate change-makers and thought leaders, Sage Circle Alliance aims to inspire individuals to make positive lifestyle changes for the benefit of future generations.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Kathleen resides in Central Oregon, where she champions animal rescue and enjoys outdoor activities. Her commitment to creating a more compassionate and sustainable world shines through in both her personal and professional pursuits.

About Vlynn Hawkins 

VLynn Hawkins is a formidable figure at the intersection of vegan entrepreneurship, extreme athleticism, and business leadership. As the Co-Founder of Vegan Visibility Productions and the Chief Executive/Engagement Officer at P3Academy, she channels her expertise to elevate health and wellness businesses. With over three decades in commercial real estate lending, VLynn boasts a track record of leading high-performing teams to exceptional success, consistently generating substantial revenue for multi-billion dollar enterprises.

Transitioning from her corporate career, VLynn’s journey towards holistic wellness began after a knee injury redirected her focus. Exploring healing modalities like tapping, NLP, and hypnotherapy, she discovered a passion for holistic health practices. Today, armed with certifications in business development, hypnotherapy, joint venture brokering, and digital marketing, VLynn empowers Healthpreneurs to thrive in their endeavors.

As a Certified Plant-Based Ambassador, VLynn passionately advocates for the transformative power of a Whole Food, Plant-Based Vegan lifestyle. She hosts the insightful “Health Wisdom & Wealth Show,” sharing invaluable insights into holistic living. Additionally, VLynn serves as the CEO of CrowdfundingHacker.org, assisting small businesses and nonprofits in fundraising for impactful projects.

VLynn is a founding member of SAGE Circle Alliance, an organization dedicated to a plant-based lifestyle, animal compassion, and environmental regeneration. Founded by a group of passionate change-makers and thought leaders, Sage Circle Alliance aims to inspire individuals to make positive lifestyle changes for the benefit of future generations.

Based in Atlanta, GA, VLynn enjoys an active lifestyle, often engaging in workouts and leisurely walks with her Cairn Terrier, Hiro. Her multifaceted skill set and unwavering dedication make her an influential advocate for veganism, health entrepreneurship, and impactful business strategies.

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