What is Vystopia?

A decade ago, after becoming vegan, I started speaking out for animal rights at conferences, festivals and online. Vegans came to see me directly or told their doctors they only wanted to see vegan practitioners, as their pain was undermined when they were told they had depression or not to judge the world so harshly. I believe that they were not necessarily mentally ill but demonstrated the normal reactions of feeling human should feel after discovering the cover-up of industrialised animal abuse.

I am a telling witness to the anguish of knowing about the systematised abuse of animals in society. I needed a name for what I believe is an existential despair, and to find solutions for vegans whilst avoiding medicalisation of the condition.

Vystopia is the name I created to explain the vegan’s experience, and this book provides a way for vegans to navigate their pain and become the necessary champions to create a more compassionate world.