The Moment Vegetarian Was No Longer Enough
Ten years after becoming vegan, Kate Galli is more certain than ever that living with compassion begins with alignment. Her journey started more than three decades ago when she first gave up meat. But after 23 years as a vegetarian, watching Cowspiracy forced her to confront an uncomfortable truth. If she was truly committed to the animals, vegetarianism was no longer enough. Becoming vegan was the natural next step.
Strength, Fitness, and Letting Go of Old Myths
At the time, Kate had built her career as a personal trainer and worried that eliminating animal products might
compromise her strength, energy, and physical performance. Instead, she discovered the opposite. She remained strong, fit, and healthy, reinforcing what many longtime vegans already know. A well-planned plant-based lifestyle supports vitality at every stage of life.
The Food Is the Easy Part
What proved far more difficult was not changing what was on her plate. It was learning how to navigate a world where animal suffering is normalized and compassion is often misunderstood.
For Kate, veganism is not about restriction. It is about expanding your circle of compassion and allowing your daily choices to reflect the person you believe yourself to be.
When Your Actions Match Your Values
Much of the conversation centers on alignment. Most people see themselves as caring and compassionate. Yet when everyday habits do not match that identity, it can create an internal tension many struggle to name.
Kate has seen repeatedly that when people bring their actions into harmony with their beliefs, they often describe feeling lighter, freer, and more at peace.
Meeting People Where They Are
Conflicting health messaging and widespread food propaganda continue to create confusion. Rather than pushing people to change, Kate believes the more effective approach is meeting them where they are.
For some, the doorway is better health. For others, it is affordability. A simple meal of lentils, rice, and vegetables can nourish both body and budget. Whatever the starting point, curiosity is often what allows someone to consider a new way forward.
Vegan vs. Plant-Based: Clearing Up the Confusion
A common misunderstanding is that vegan and plant-based mean the same thing. They overlap, but they are
not identical.
Veganism is an ethical stance rooted in avoiding animal exploitation wherever possible, from food and clothing to cosmetics and entertainment. A plant-based diet is often chosen for health or environmental reasons.
Kate encourages progress over perfection. Focus on whole, minimally processed foods, and remember that joy still belongs at the table.
Leading With Love Instead of Anger
In a world that can feel increasingly chaotic, Kate speaks openly about the importance of managing anger and frustration. Instead of reacting, she returns to three grounding questions:
How is that working for you?
What is within your control?
What would it take to create a better response?
These questions shift the focus from reaction to intention.
Connection, Creativity, and Calm
Kate emphasizes the importance of creating daily “sparkles of joy.” Connection with others, creative expression, and moments of calm are not luxuries. They are essential practices that build resilience and protect emotional well-being.
Many of the habits that support a steadier mindset, time in nature, journaling, meaningful conversation, cost nothing and remain available to nearly everyone.
The Inspiration Behind the Plant Positive Journal
Kate created the Plant Positive Journal with this philosophy in mind. Part planner, part guide, it gently introduces readers to mindset strategies, wellness practices, and plant-based living.
Her goal was simple. Create something beautiful enough that people would return to it daily and, over time, become more open to compassionate choices.
Why Community Matters More Than Ever
As the conversation closes, one word rises above the rest: community.
In challenging times, surrounding yourself with people who share your values can provide strength, clarity, and hope. Community reminds us we are not alone and helps sustain the courage needed to live differently.
This episode is a powerful reminder that meaningful change rarely begins with grand gestures. It begins with small, daily decisions about how we live, how we respond, and what we place on the end of our fork.
About Kate Galli
Kate is qualified as a Master Personal Trainer, Life Coach, NLP Practitioner and has also completed the eCornell Plant Based Nutrition Certificate program.
Kate first got into fitness as a way to transform her body and confidence. She has spent 17 years helping 1,000’s of individuals sculpt a body and life they love and over the past 7 years has focused on Vegan Health Coaching as one of the most powerful ways to advocate for the animals is to be fit, strong and healthy.
Her vision: To create a fit, strong, happy, healthy, compassionate vegan world.
Kate is the mastermind behind the groundbreaking Plant-Positive Journal. On an actionable level Kate’s intention is: to help you create the Mindset that makes your best eating and exercising choices simple and sustainable.
Website
www.strongbodygreenplanet.com
Podcast
https://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/the-healthification-podcast/id856696884
Journal
https://strongbodygreenplanet.lpages.co/plant-positive-journal-v2/
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/strongbodygreenplanet/
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/StrongBodyGreenPlanet/
https://www.facebook.com/KateGalli/
Twitter
https://twitter.com/strongbodygreen
About Kathleen Gage
Kathleen Gage is a multifaceted professional, renowned as the founder of Vegan Visibility. With certifications in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Plant-Based Nutrition from eCornell University, she’s a seasoned business consultant, keynote speaker, and marketing strategist.
Kathleen’s impact extends to hosting the Vegan Visibility Virtual Summit, a niche event supporting vegan and plant-based entrepreneurs with top-tier training from industry experts. Since establishing her business in 1994, she’s navigated economic challenges across various sectors, including high-tech, healthcare, and publishing.
Her influential voice resonates through popular podcasts like “Vegan Visibility” and “Plant Based Eating for Health,” where she advocates for a sustainable, compassionate world and provides guidance to thousands globally. Moreover, as an award-winning speaker and past president of Utah’s National Speakers Association chapter, Kathleen excels in crafting effective marketing strategies.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Kathleen resides in Central Oregon, where she champions animal rescue and enjoys outdoor activities. Her commitment to creating a more compassionate and sustainable world shines through in both her personal and professional pursuits.