Meet Dr. Mari Mitrani, a powerhouse of purpose, passion, and plant-based fierceness! 💥🌱
I met this fiery queen at VWS in LA and let me tell you… we didn’t just meet, we tore up the dance floor together like the vegan goddesses we are! 💃✨
Dr. Mari is one of the most uplifting, empowering women I know; a true force of nature with a heart as big as her compassion.
She’s a physician, scientist, and lifelong advocate for holistic wellness and conscious living. With over 30 years of vegan living under her belt (yes, THIRTY!), Dr. Mari blends science with soul; educating and inspiring people to live with intention, kindness, and serious plant-based power. She’s also a champion of ethical fashion, a producer of the eye-opening documentary Slay, and a proud mama who brings fierce love and fire to everything she does.
Get ready to fall in love with her energy, her truth, and her unstoppable spirit. 💚👑
Q: When did you first go vegan?
A: I was 13 years old.
Q: What happened, what was the reason you chose to go vegan?
A: I was raised vegetarian but I read an article about methane pollution due to animal agriculture, so even though I never ate beef or pork, I consumed chicken. I said to myself, if I keep saying I want to save the planet then I have to make this change for the planet! I tried it one day, then one month, one year and it's been 31 years now that I keep waking up and choosing this lifestyle.
Q: How did you feel when you made the decision to go vegan?
A: I was certain and driven by my WHY that until today, I don't get bothered by the noise.
Q: What was or has been the most challenging part?
A: Watching the reality of how animals are treated in animal agriculture. Nothing that bothers me can compare to what they are going through.
Q: What was the hardest food for you to 'give up'?
A: Cheese for sure. I would always try to justify it but then I watched the footage. Once I became a mother and had my baby in my arms and my breasts became her food source, I can't help but cry when I hear those mothers and babies get separated for humans to consume their milk.
Q: Are there any foods or products that are available now that you wished existed back then?
A: Oh boy! All and every!! I went vegan 31 years ago, so we had NOTHING but seitan and a lot of creative cooking!
Q: Did you go vegan by yourself or did you know others?
A: Me, myself and I! It was not even a term back then, I was an extreme vegetarian!
Q: What do you find the most challenging about being around non-vegan people?
A: We are around non-vegans the majority of time, so I treat everyone with compassion. We were ALL there once and I understand we are all in our own journey. I'm not better than anyone.
Q: What's it like being vegan in Miami (or even better, Brazil)?
A: Miami is a city that embraces people being close to naked all year round, so there is a strong culture of healthy habits, so I'm lucky because there are a lots of options to choose from and some really cute vegan restaurants.
Brazil, I'm still so surprised with the amount of restaurants that are fully vegan or have vegan options! The word vegan is being understood worldwide :)
Q: What would you say has changed the most in terms of veganism over the course of your journey?
A: I've gone through different phases, the most exciting times have happened in the past 15 years for sure. Being able to connect with vegan or plant based body builders and gym rats has been super incredible. One of my latest traditions was definitely about "fashion", it impacted me so much that I proudly backed a documentary as an assistant producer. "Slay" that features the forgotten figures from the fashion industry, the animal.
I'm so grateful for companies that devote their time, money and efforts to change the game like these companies: like Voes & Co, Sentient, Stella McCartney.
Q: What do you eat at least 3-5 times a week?
A: Tofu, Tofu, Tofu lol... but lots of veggies and fruits daily.
Q: What do you find is most challenging when it comes to vegan fashion?
A: Just not enough brands carry vegan option but lately the needle is moving and I'm here for it!
Q: Can you share 3-5 of your favorite vegan brands or products?
A: Love Life Cafe in Miami, Voes & Co, A Perfect Jane, No.49 HandBags, Sentient.
Q: What was the funniest/craziest thing that someone has said or you've heard/read about veganism or about being vegan?
A: The protein comment might be the one we hear the most but as a scientist, this is the wildest misconception that is still not clear.
ALL PLANTS HAVE ALL AMINO ACIDS! YOU CAN GET MORE THAN ENOUGH PROTEIN!
Q: What's your go-to vegan thing that you share?
A: Fashion documentary: Slay at Slay.film;
Human rights documentary: They Are Trying To Kill Us;
Religious, thought-provoking documentary: Christpiracy.
Q: What's the most vegan-friendly place you've ever visited?
A: LA & NYC :)
Q: As a fierce female, what do you consider to be your #1 superpower?
A: Compassion.
Q: Is there anything else that I haven't asked that you would like to share about your Vegan journey?
A: Living a Compassionate Life is the coolest way to live life, PERIOD!
Q: Number 1 reason you are vegan:
A: FOR THE PLANET
Make sure you follow this fierce Vegan queen @marimitrani
