Cherie: If I am already a Vegan, why do I
need to read Robert Cheeke’s new book, The Impactful Vegan? This book
defines vegan altruism and discusses how we can use our time, money, and
energy better, so that it goes further. He is not being didactic, he had to
challenge his own beliefs and strategies to write this book. He states being
a Vegan “…is not about purity or perfection regardless of whether purists or
perfectionists try to convince you otherwise. Veganism is about reducing
animal cruelty.” It’s not just for new Vegans, it’s for seasoned Vegans,
vegetarians, and veg-curious. I interviewed him for more.
Cherie: “What is one piece of advice for a seasoned vegan
reading your book?”
Robert: “You don’t know what you don’t know. Even after
nearly thirty years of not just being Vegan, but focused on being an
impactful Vegan, and hellbent on being highly effective for animals, I
learned a tremendous amount while writing this book. My biases were
challenged by experts in different areas of the vegan and animal rights
communities, my mind was changed on particular issues when I was effectively
persuaded by leaders in the vegan movement that I interviewed, and I am so
much more effective in my quest to reduce animal suffering having not only
written the book, but having read it dozens of times. Even as the author, I
get inspired and learn new things each time I read my book, and I believe
that even the most seasoned vegan advocate will have the same reaction when
reading The Impactful Vegan.”
Cherie: “What made you decide to write this book?”
Photo credit: kalhh from Pixabay
Robert: “I was compelled to write The Impactful
Vegan because I reflected on my nearly thirty years of vegan advocacy
and recognized that my entire adult life had been focused on being effective
for animals. I understood that I had a unique approach to reducing animal
suffering, and amplifying veganism, that resonated with the mainstream, and
I wanted to dive deeper into that area of interest in order to share proven
strategies with others to help more animals. I read a number of books about
the concept of effective altruism (doing the most good with the resources we
have), by authors such as Peter Singer, William MacAskill, and Nick Cooney,
listened to countless hours of philosophy and psychology conversations,
lectures, and podcasts over the course of a few years, and realized that
there was a need for a new book about how to most effectively create a
positive impact for animals. Given my experience as a longtime vegan, a New
York Times bestselling author (of The Plant-Based Athlete), and
champion athlete, I figured that I would be a great candidate to write such
a book. True to my recent book writing style, I interviewed dozens of
world-renowned leaders and experts in the vegan community to gain their
insights to share their perspectives in The Impactful Vegan.”
Cherie: “What is the one thing you would say/suggest to a
veg-curious person or a new Vegan?”
Robert: “At its core, veganism represents a universal truth
that all animals, regardless of species, want to live a life free of fear,
pain, and suffering, and acknowledges that we should grant all animals that
freedom. Simply, we should live and let live. By adopting a vegan lifestyle
or value system based on vegan ethics, you’re inherently reducing animal
suffering through your actions, but as you’ll read in The Impactful Vegan,
it’s not just our actions, but our contributions that are most efficacious
in helping make animals’ lives better. In true effective vegan altruism
fashion, recognizing that contributing to the most effective animal
charities in the world is one of the ways to do the “most good” for animals.
Based on data-driven evidence, that’s what we should do in order to help
animals the most.”
Cherie: I laughed out loud at Robert’s advice on not
being a perfectionist Vegan. I once returned a rental car with leather seats
as leather is the skins of animals. He suggests that we can suck it up from
time to time if we do not cause harm. I wish I had known that then.
I thought I was a more accepting kind of Vegan, but I realize I could
improve and be more open-minded. Robert has reaffirmed my ideas about
veganism, how to talk about it, and when to remain silent.
I highly recommend The Impactful Vegan to anybody who wants to learn more
about how to help animals.
Cherie Hans holds certifications from Dr. McDougall’s Starch Solution and Dr. Campbell’s Plant-Based Nutrition programs. She holds a Master of Science in Bilingual Education from St. John’s University, New York, and a Bachelor of Arts from the City University of NY: Queens College in English and Spanish, and currently teaches adults in English as a Second Language. After graduating from Main Street Vegan Academy, Cherie started the blog Fit and Fifties Vegan.
Robert Cheeke grew up on a farm in Corvallis, Oregon, where he adopted a vegan lifestyle in 1995 at age 15, weighing just 120 pounds. Today he is the author or coauthor of the books Vegan Bodybuilding & Fitness, Shred It!, Plant-Based Muscle, and the New York Times bestseller The Plant-Based Athlete. He is often referred to as the “Godfather of Vegan Bodybuilding,” growing the industry from infancy in 2002 to where it is today. As a natural bodybuilding champion, Robert is considered one of VegNews magazine’s Most Influential Vegan Athletes. He tours around the world sharing his story of transformation from a skinny farm kid to champion vegan bodybuilder. Robert is the founder of Vegan Bodybuilding & Fitness and maintains the website VeganBodybuilding.com. He is a regular contributor to Forks Over Knives, The Center for Nutrition Studies, The Vegan Gym, Vegan Strong, and No Meat Athlete; is a former multisport athlete; and has followed a plant-based diet for more than 28 years. Robert lives in Colorado with his wife and two rescued Chihuahuas.
Return to Book Recommendations
Read more at Book Directory