Tag: Joaquin Phoenix

Joaquin Phoenix’s journey into veganism [Blog #14]

Joaquin Phoenix’s journey into veganism is a powerful story of compassion, environmental awareness, and personal conviction.

Joaquin Phoenix, known for his roles in films like “Walk the Line” and “Joker,” has made a significant impact in the entertainment industry and as a passionate advocate for animal rights. His journey towards veganism started at a young age, and his commitment to the cause has only grown stronger over the years.

Phoenix’s vegan journey began when he was just three years old. While traveling with his family on a cargo ship from Venezuela to Miami, he and his siblings witnessed fish being “killed brutally.” This experience left a lasting impression on the young actor, and he decided to stop eating meat. In a 2018 interview with Collider, Phoenix recalled the event that led him to veganism: “Really it was seeing these fish being killed when I was on a boat as a kid. I guess to stun them they were throwing them against the side of the boat. It wasn’t just me, it was my siblings, all of my siblings, except for the youngest, Summer, she wasn’t born. I just thought it was such a gross abuse of power in a way.”

Since then, Phoenix has been a vocal advocate for animal rights and veganism. He has narrated the 2005 documentary “Earthlings,” which has been credited with helping many people make the move to veganism. He has also been involved with Mercy For Animals, an organization that works to prevent cruelty to farmed animals.

Phoenix’s commitment to veganism extends beyond his personal life. He has used his platform to raise awareness about the treatment of animals in the food industry. In his 2020 Oscars acceptance speech, he spoke about the cruelty of the dairy industry and encouraged people to consider the impact of their food choices on animals and the environment.

Joaquin Phoenix’s Oscar speech condemning the dairy industry was as follows:

“We go to the natural world and we plunder it for its resources. We feel entitled to artificially inseminate a cow and when she gives birth, we steal her baby, even though her cries of anguish are unmistakable. And then we take her milk that’s intended for her calf and we put it in our coffee and our cereal. And I think we fear the idea of personal change because we think we need to sacrifice something; to give something up. But human beings at our best are so creative and inventive, and we can create, develop, and implement systems of change that are beneficial to all sentient beings and the environment. I have been a scoundrel all my life, I’ve been selfish. I’ve been cruel at times, and hard to work with, and I’m grateful that so many of you in this room have given me a second chance. And I think that’s when we’re at our best: when we support each other. Not when we cancel each other out for our past mistakes, but when we help each other to grow. When we educate each other; when we guide each other toward redemption. That is the best of humanity.”

He also played a significant role in ensuring that the entire menu of the 2020 Golden Globes was plant-based.

In addition to his advocacy work, Phoenix has also been recognized for his contributions to the vegan community. He was featured in the summer 2016 edition of Compassionate Living magazine and was the narrator of the documentary “The Animal People.” He is also an executive producer of “What the Health,” a documentary about the impact of animal products on human health.

Phoenix’s dedication to veganism and animal rights has not gone unnoticed. In 2021, the Los Angeles Animal Save released a documentary called “INDIGO” featuring Phoenix and his rescue of a dairy cow and her calf from a slaughterhouse. The documentary highlights Phoenix’s commitment to ending animal suffering and his belief in the power of compassion.

Joaquin Phoenix’s journey to veganism is a testament to the power of personal experience and the impact that one person can have on the world. His advocacy work has inspired many to consider the ethical implications of their food choices and to make more compassionate decisions. As he once said, “It takes nothing away from a human to be kind to an animal.”



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My metamorphosis – Giving up meat! [Blog #1]

It all started when I found this documentary titled ‘What The Health’ on Netflix in 2016 and took the bait! Initially, I was kind of confused by the title. What does it mean? My attention however quickly drew to the image. I certainly admired Joaquin Phoenix as an actor and convinced myself that if he had something to do with it, then it’s got to be good! I watched the film in one sitting and it became the beginning of ‘an end’ in my life.

The movie “What the Health” argues that a plant-based diet is the key to preventing and reversing chronic diseases. It raises questions about the influence of the food industry on health organizations and criticizes the health effects of animal products, particularly:

  • Processed Meats: The documentary highlights the World Health Organization’s classification of processed meats as a carcinogen, similar to cigarettes.
  • Red Meat: It also points to the link between red meat consumption and increased cancer risk.
  • Dairy and Eggs: The film suggests dairy and eggs can negatively impact health.

The movie was provocative! I was in my late forties and had started to experience occasional health challenges. I also had the experience of my relatives who were suffering from chronic diseases such as heart disease, and diabetes and I wanted to avoid that fate for myself and my family. It felt that the movie was targeted right at me and I either began to seriously question my current food choices or bear the consequences of severe health challenges ahead. I was ready to give up meat and dairy but was scared to pull the trigger. How can I remove dairy from my diet, especially with my sweet tooth? How can one give up on cheese? or eggs? How am I going to enjoy pizza without cheese? How would I get enough protein?

What followed my existential shakeup was a voracious consumption of YouTube videos on the subject, Internet research of related articles, and discovery of this whole new world that I didn’t know existed.

After much research, I ‘settled’ on becoming a vegetarian as I wasn’t ready to give up on dairy and eggs. It took a ‘lot of courage’ for me to give up meat. Ok, well hardly any courage, given that I had spent the first fifteen years of my life in India being a complete vegetarian. I started eating meat after coming to Canada to fit in among my new friends. So really, I had just lost my way in search of social acceptance.

I justified becoming a vegetarian by just reconnecting with my East Indian roots. My mother had been a vegetarian all her life, so why couldn’t I have chosen that path for the rest of my life?

I mean what could be so hard, I asked? … <please stay tuned>



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B12 Supplements for vegans:

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