David Campbell: How I became a Bogan Vegan
Seeing his dad in hospital prompted David Campbell to change his diet and improve his health. Three years on, he’s now a strict non meat-eater.
Stellar
Don't miss out on the headlines from Stellar. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Disclaimer: I am not here to lecture or try to persuade you. You do you, boo.
I sometimes get approached by people in the street. Often it’s to ask for directions (I have a compass-like face, apparently).
Usually, I get one of two questions: 1. “How is your dad?” and 2. “What is Sonia Kruger really like?” (For those playing at home, the answers are: 1. He’s great! and 2. She’s great!)
So I was taken aback when I was out at an event with my family and a bloke who was about my age approached me and said, “Mate. I’m a vegan.”
He said he is 50 and went fully vegan two years ago. He then exclaimed, “Why did we wait this long?!” I am meeting more and more people my age and older who approach me saying the same thing.
Now, I describe myself as a Bogan Vegan. I consumed all the meat stuff for most of my life with great abandon. I started to change my diet three years ago to improve my health and I never looked back.
If you are still reading, then thanks. My wife lovingly says that my non-meat-eating ways have made me very punchable. So, thanks for hanging in there with me.
The thing is, when you do finally let people know you have gone down this seemingly extreme path in your eating habits, they ask heaps of questions all the time.
Seeing my father in hospital a few years back made me look at my habits. His was an operation that needed him to be in hospital for a long time.
It was not diet-related, but I began to feel the pangs of mortality as I looked at him in an open-back gown. As you do.
How can I not get here? Can I avoid a daily handful of pills as I get older? How can I not be a burden to my kids? Should I start dyeing my hair?
Lisa shot down the last question immediately with a hard no. So I started researching what went into my gob.
MORE STELLAR:
Tracey Spicer: ‘#MeToo isn’t about me’
Slowly, over a year, I cut back on meat. It felt pretty good. I was meat-free a few days a week. The morning after those dinners, I would wake up more refreshed and had slept better.
My skin, which had been prone to occasional breakouts even into my 40s (ugh), had cleared up.
My weight, which I had struggled with through the past 10 years, stabilised. My moods were evening out. No more extreme highs and lows. So I dropped dairy and next minute… fully veegs.
Being a bogan, though, I needed to find my junk-food fixes. More and more I was finding great burgers and pizza. Ben & Jerry’s released almond milk ice-cream, which was incredible. I was also eating a ton more vegies, fruits, grains and pulses.
I find my protein in plants and tofu and the new soy-based meats I can get in Woolies or Coles.
Here’s the thing. Ten years ago? I would have said, “Never. Too hard, mate. Couldn’t live without my Maccas.”
I haven’t gone off the grid completely. I am not all Namaste and hemp pants. Yet, as someone who couldn’t have cared less about animals, I feel great knowing no animals are harmed for me to live my day-to-day.
My doctor is happy. I have heaps of energy – and my wife is super-happy because I didn’t dye my hair.
David co-hosts Today Extra, 9am Monday – Wednesday, and Weekend Today, 7am weekends, on the Nine Network.