If These People Went Vegan, You Can, Too!
From pig farmers to hunters, these folks show us that vegans can come from any background. And that change is always possible—anywhere, by anyone.
The Dairy Farmer
Chris Mills spent more than 20 years working in the dairy industry in Ontario and was once a fur trapper and hunter before going vegan. Though conversations with his vegetarian wife planted early seeds, a defining moment came while working on highway construction, when he encountered a stalled truck hauling pigs to slaughter in subzero temperatures and saw their fear and suffering firsthand. That moment reshaped his life.
“I looked these poor animals in the eyes …. It was now -36 [degrees Celsius (-32 degrees Fahrenheit)], and they were freezing! Their skin was red, and ice could be seen on some of their faces. My heart sank.”
The Baby Boomer
Most of us didn’t grow up vegan, but it’s never too late to make the compassionate switch! Mimi Kirk is a previous winner of PETA’s Sexiest Vegan Over 50 contest—and for good reason. At 87, she’s living proof that being vegan can make you look and feel amazing, inside and out. Kirk is the author of several books, including The Ultimate Book of Modern Juicing and Live Raw: Raw Food Recipes for Good Health and Timeless Beauty. Think about how many animals are spared when people prepare these healthy animal-free foods.
She explains, “It feels really great to know that so many people have changed their diets and stopped eating animals and dairy products because they know how healthy I feel and look.”
The Pig Farmer
Former pig farmer Bob Comis describes the plight of “the last pig” in the slaughterhouse, who discovers that he’s alone and spends his last few moments going ballistic. Pigs are highly intelligent, social animals who form close bonds and experience fear and distress when isolated. Comis’ story has been turned into a documentary called The Last Pig.
The McDonald’s Employee
Like many teenagers, Brittany Hultstrom’s first job was at McDonald’s. But now, Brittany is a dedicated PETA employee who helps to spread the message of going vegan.
“I only thought about what I was eating, not who,” she explains. “After I learned where meat comes from, the health hazards associated with eating animal-based foods, and the impact that the meat, egg, and dairy industries have on the environment and slaughterhouse employees, I went vegan.”
The Bodybuilder
Vegans with gigantic muscles are common knowledge for us, but here’s one in case you didn’t know: Barny Du Plessis was named Mr. Universe in 2014 and calls himself a “100 percent whole-hearted warrior vegan.” He says that the planet is “being ravaged from all directions” and believes that each of us is responsible for helping it. Experts agree: An Oxford University study, published in the journal Climatic Change, shows that meat-eaters are responsible for almost twice as many dietary greenhouse-gas emissions per day as vegetarians and about two and a half times as many as vegans.
“If you don’t know, that’s one thing,” he says. “If you know and choose not to act, that’s sick.”
The Hunter
Joshua Dan LaJaunie, born and raised in South Louisiana, grew up hunting and fishing, and eventually reached over 400 pounds in early 2011. Since then, he has lost 200 pounds and discovered a passion for running. Inspired by documentaries like Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead and Forks Over Knives, LaJaunie went vegan, recognizing cows, chickens, fish, and other animals used for food as individuals capable of fear, joy, and connection. That understanding reshaped not only how he ate, but how he moved through the world—choosing compassion as a vital part of health and fitness.
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These individuals’ vegan transformations are inspiring, showing that anyone can make a positive change for animals. Please share these unlikely vegan stories with friends and family.
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