Meet: Claire Michalski | Modern Hippie Mindset
My path first crossed Claire’s when I wanted to write about Miss Earth and Claire was a contestant. That was a few years ago and not all the contestants were vegan, despite the pageant title and theme. Claire, of course, was and we, of course, bonded over veganism and, of course, kept in touch.
Claire’s the kind of vegan I wish I was. Outspoken, whether on Instagram or at the many marches and vigils she takes part in. I feel paltry by comparison, but Claire’s also an inspiring and kind life coach, so she’d probably tell me not to compare myself to her or anyone. But I do admire her: she’s setting up companies all over the shop and they all have a vegan mission. She lives on a boat. She’s about to have a 100% vegan wedding. She’s sincere, yet funny, beautiful, whether bare-faced or made up, compassionate, driven, she is making the world a better place.
And here is how: Vegan Founded supports and promotes vegan founded businesses - because as great as it is that Wagamamas have a vegan menu, let’s support our brethren shall we?
And: Modern Hippie Mindset is Claire’s Life Coaching programme. There’s other ideas in the pipeline because I don’t think Claire sleeps, but that’ll do for now.
So here she is - let’s Meet the Vegan!
Q ~ Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?
A ~ I'd have all my family, in particular those that I have lost. Not the most exciting of answers, but family comes first, above any celebrity. To bring back loved ones, listen to their stories, learn from them and for them to learn from me. I'd give them the most delicious vegan meal and get to know them all over again as an adult. That would be an absolute dream come true. Oh, I'd also make it at least 10 courses so it lasts as long as possible!
Q ~ What would you serve at this VIP (Vegan Important People) dinner party of dreams?
A ~ There are so many amazing options and my grumbling tummy was sending my brain all over the shop, so I had to lead with logic. We're (Ross and I) planning our wedding and have picked the food we think will best impress all guests both vegan and non-vegan, so I would go with my wedding menu which are all from Vegan Founded businesses, The Hogless Roast, One Planet Pizza and Clemie Vegan Cake.
Q ~ What do you wish people knew about veganism?
A ~ I wish everyone knew exactly where animal products come from. It's easy for us to presume from our vegan bubbles that everyone knows the deal - they don't. Just as children are taught where fruits and vegetables come from and the process of seed to strawberry, they should be taught that the burger on the school menu came from an alive cow who tried to survive. Oh, and its easy to go vegan, especially now with all the alternatives, the excuse "it's not convenient" has expired.
Q ~ What does veganism mean to you?
A ~ It means whenever and wherever possible not causing harm to another living being. I'm that person who lets the little annoying flies fly around my room even after I have tried to catch them in a glass and set them free to no avail! It means treating all beings with respect and diminishing dominion. To me it's not grabbing a plant based Burger King, it doesn't 'keep the demand high' as we've been led to believe...but that's another story!
Q ~ Is there anything you dislike about being vegan?
A ~ I don't like how politicised the community has become. I went vegan 13 years ago and the animal rights movement was about exactly that. I understand the importance of fighting for ALL oppression, but it’s caused an awful lot of 'infighting' which I fear will only result in splits and division amongst the community and cause a regression in both the amount of animal rights activists and our united goal of creating a vegan world.
Q ~ Have you ever questioned your decision?
A ~ Yes... When I went vegan I didn't even have a proper internet browser on my clunky buttoned Blackberry phone - information was limited. I was the first to go vegan in my family and I didn't know a single other vegan personally for a few years. The first couple of weeks of being vegan my parents had concerns and this caused me some doubt. I didn't have the answers to all of their questions but I knew in my gut it was the right thing to do. It felt in alignment with my free spirited, nature adoring soul and core beliefs.
Q ~ Are you aware of any others going vegan or eating fewer animal products inspired by you?
A ~ Yes! I have learned to have a huge amount of patience with people. Being vegan in a very non-vegan friendly world for 50% of my vegan lifestyle, I constantly had to remind myself that people need to have their own pinnacle moment where it all suddenly clicks. I just plant little seeds every single time I see non-vegan friends and most recently one of my best friends from school has finally taken the step towards veganism. I will often get messages on social media too and it fills me with so much joy each and every single time.
Q ~ If we should all follow one brilliant vegan Instagram account, who should it be?
A ~ Ahh there are so many accounts, people, charities and businesses I would love to shout about here! I will go with someone I think the readers will benefit from. @thesarahlea uses a lot of humour in her activism and I think that is important for us to inject into our community when we are constantly all very aware of the injustices in the world. We can get very easily burnt out and Sarah adds a little much needed joy into the mix. Plus, people say she’s my doppelganger and that's very flattering! ha-ha!