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Gary Yourofsky is back and needs no introduction—and yet, there are a few things I want to share. This conversation is raw and open, a glimpse into the mind and heart of a man who has arguably had the greatest positive impact of any animal rights activist, not only through his direct work—also through the countless activists he’s inspired.
To think he still carried that mantle of influence while he was retired for ten years… and then he came back!! YES, I am beyond excited to share this conversation with you.
We dive into why Gary stepped away from something that means so much to him, and of course, what called him back.
Also, the minks rescue that landed him in jail, and would later become the catalyst for his legendary lecture tour from 2002–2014—30 states, 2,660 lectures, 186 schools, and 60,000 non-vegan students.
Despite this enormous reach, Gary speaks candidly about the friends and family he hasn’t been able to influence toward veganism. Hint: that’s all of them.
I also ask Gary for a glimpse inside his head – an idea of the pressure – and warning, it’s heavy.
Gary Version 2.0 is just as powerful, passionate and uncompromising in his fight for animal liberation and a vegan world.
He’s also more open to learning, honest about past mistakes, uninterested in wasting energy on in-fighting, and every bit as warm, compassionate, genuine, and inspiring as ever.
In this conversation we cover:
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Why Gary retired 10 years ago — was there a tipping point? Could anything have prevented it? And what’s different this time.
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The sanctuary that brought him back: the story of Sasha Farm, and why sanctuaries desperately need and deserve our support.
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Why Gary says his best speech wasn’t “The Best Speech You Will Ever Hear” — it was the one he gave in court after liberating 1,542 minks from a fur concentration camp.
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The evolution of his activism: what’s changed, what hasn’t, and how he handles the pressure he puts on himself to change the world for animals.
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Gary’s boundaries in conversations: which ones are worth it, and which ones simply cost too much.
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Why he used to refuse to use the term “factory farms” — and the approach now of Gary Version 2.0 (while still only speaking plain truth).
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The figures who shaped his activism: from Malcolm X to George Carlin (his style is: militant comedy roast).
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Why, despite his global influence, he’s struggled to influence family and friends — and how he copes with this.
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Staying hopeful in a world where animals are so needlessly exploited — does he have hope?
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The role cultivated meat might play in moving away from our broken exploitative food system.
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What Gary is doing differently this time around to protect his own wellbeing.
I cannot begin to describe how grateful I am that Gary is back, and that I got to spend that time with him and in turn – share it with you.
If you, too, are grateful to Gary, I encourage you to support the sanctuary closest to his heart: www.sashafarm.org. A true safe haven for animals who’ve escaped the cruelty of animal agriculture.
As Gary himself once said when he retired:
“Unfortunately, you will discover that enlightenment is bittersweet. Seeing the truth, knowing the truth, and living the truth is wonderful. But realizing how evil our family, friends and species are is maddening! Just keep opening the eyes of as many people as you can for as long as you can so one day you, too, can say ‘tag, you’re it’ to a bunch of people you’ve influenced.”
He’s back, and his voice is as powerful as ever. Let’s stand united — alongside Gary, for the animals — to create the kinder future they deserve.
Want to support Gary?
Gary’s Website: https://www.adaptt.org/
That’s it for this week in Healthification.
Prioritise Your Health, the Animals, and the Planet—One Empowering Habit at a Time with the Plant Positive Journal Version 2 (printed and fillable PDF)
This journal and daily planner follows a twelve month format however is not dated so it is perfect to use at ANY time of the year.
With love and gratitude plant friends.
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