Vegan from Birth, Reawakened by Nature

By Gavin Powell

Content note: This story touches on themes of mental health, addiction, and healing (a happy ending).

Gavin at the pyramid near Bald Rock, NSW

I will never forget my 30th birthday. I was with friends at my house on the Gold Coast. It was a pretty wild party which had become all too frequent in my life. I had been addicted to alcohol and other drugs for half my life. I was on a disability pension for mental illness. I had a growing debt from gambling. I recently left court being told by the judge I would likely go to jail next time I lose my licence. My doctor had told me my liver was shot and organs were shutting down and would die on the current trajectory. My psychologist was trying to help me with schizophrenia and suicidal depression. I sat at that 30th birthday party and thought to myself - how did I get to this point? More importantly - what am I going to do about it?

I was born November 1977 in the town of Murwillumbah in north east NSW. I grew up with my brother and sister on a big farm in the nearby village of Upper Burringbar. My mum mostly raised us on her own. Although I didn't realise at the time, we grew up poor compared to others around us. Nevertheless I had a simple but very enjoyable childhood. Most of my time was spent on the hillsides or the creek and beautiful waterfalls on the property. We had lots of pets - dogs, cats, horses, goats and others! 

On the advice of a local naturopath my mum decided to go vegan just before I was born, for health reasons. She quickly adopted it and raised us that way and stuck with it the rest of her life. She brought us up to care about our health, the lives of the animals and the care of nature. Only when I began school did I realise I was the odd one out. I would take out my salad sandwiches at lunch while other children would take out there ham sandwiches! This was strange at first but over time I would get used to being the odd one out. It never really bothered me as I felt like our way, although unusual, was the best way.

Fast forward to the age of fifteen and a shift happened that would dramatically change my life direction. My brother and sister had finished school and moved away for work. My mum was remarrying and moving to Queensland. She told me I had to move with them or to my dad's house with his new family. Neither option appealed to me and I begged mum to let me stay at the farm house on my own. She eventually gave in and let me. That's when the party began. Friends would all come and stay and alcohol and drugs would gradually take the place of school. 

Eventually the farm seemed too quiet and isolated and I moved to the Gold Coast with friends. I studied hospitality for a few years but ended up working in electrical retail. I enjoyed my job but by the age of 25 I would be forced to leave as drugs destroyed my mind. It was a downward spiral that I couldn't seem to find a way out of. I tried every kind of help I could think of but nothing seemed to help. 

Just before the end came I would have a miracle breakthrough! My psychologist got me to see a orthomolecular doctor she knew was getting good results. We did some tests and he said he knows the problem and can fix it! This was the best news I'd had in years and just in time. I had to change my whole lifestyle. This would not be easy but it felt like a second chance at a real life. 

I said goodbye to my friends and moved back to the farm. I started researching natural health and changing my life. My diet had gotten very loose and I went strict raw vegan over night! I began walking in the forest everyday. I started kayaking and running at the beach everyday. I also began weightlifting. I stopped all drugs and alcohol and started the supplements from the doctor. Gradually the smile came back to my face. I started to feel amazing! I lost 20kgs of weight and had endless energy! 

I started a new job at the local farmers markets and started finding new friends with similar interests and lifestyles. Looking back it feels like a miracle. I never believed life could get this good. I feel truly blessed as I know not everyone gets a second chance.

Today I still live at the farm, my sanctuary, in a new house that I built. I help run four local farmers markets, which is great working outdoors in the fresh air and sunshine and helping local food security. It is a great place to meet people and share my experience and encourage others in this life. I help run a World Environment Day festival each year, which is also fun. I enjoy our social group activities that includes camping, bushwalking, beach days, picnics, tennis, kayaking and other adventures. I'm still the odd one out but have about 70 vegan friends to keep me company!!! 

I like simple food these days. I try to focus on whole foods. I mainly eat fruit and veggies, plus legumes and seeds. Curries, stews, toast, salads and smoothies are my main meals. We grow a lot of fruit and veggies at the farm which is great also. I try to gently encourage everyone I come across to go vegan if I can. It's such an easy step to have a positive impact on your health, the planet and of course the lives of the beautiful animals. We live in this culture with animal foods being held high, due to economics. I would encourage everyone, especially men, to be courageous in this culture and stand up for the innocent animals. It is a choice we can all make to help those who don't get a choice. Be a voice for those that don't get a voice. The animals, the planet, your body and your mind will thank you. Everyone wins!