A vegan internet star has been forced to quit a company he founded after it emerged he had eaten eggs and salmon.

Tim Shieff, a world champion free-runner, founded ETHCS, a vegan clothing company, three years ago.

He was this week forced to abandon colleagues after posting a YouTube video, in which he revealed he had scrapped his vegan diet.

Tim Shieff, a world champion free-runner, founded ETHCS, a vegan clothing company, three years ago (Picture: @humantimothy)

Explaining that he was ‘desperate’ to boost his health, the 30-year-old said he had visited a local farm for a ’35-day water-only fast’.


However, whilst there he saw chickens ‘running around, completely free’, which prompted him to purchase two eggs.

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He later ate them raw, leading him to ‘question everything’.



In the video, he said: ‘A few days later I bought some wild salmon and tried that.’

The confession led to a flurry of outrage from his followers and an apology from the brand he founded.

Mr Shieff claimed he would be returning to veganism, however later abandoned the diet completely.

After his removal, his company told a vegan news website: ‘For a long time Tim had been an inspirational example for veganism, as well as a good friend who has inspired us all, but this lifestyle change was something none of us could get on board with.

‘My friends who I built the business with are all vegan and remain vegan, so they were shocked by it’ (Picture: @humantimothy)

‘We have all been proud vegans for many years, and promoting the vegan message and ethical lifestyle choices was very important to us all.

‘Considering ETHCS was founded on these same principles, we all agreed it would be best if Tim stepped away from the company. And in time Tim agreed too.’

Speaking to Mail on Sunday, Mr Shieff said: ‘I founded the company as a very passionate vegan. I have listened to my body and it’s guided me on another path for now and my beliefs have changed.

‘My friends who I built the business with are all vegan and remain vegan, so they were shocked by it.’