Show notes:

• Our online vegan cooking school My Brownble
• Connect with Simon on Twitter @simon_cowley_
• Recovery Bites Podcast Episode 76: From Objectification to Personification with Holly Toronto
• The film Cowspiracy
• The series Our Planet currently available on Netflix
• The film "Jane" by Brett Morgan currently available on Disney+
• When travelling and you need to find vegan options that will come to you, check out Uber Eats, Deliveroo, Glovo, Door Dash and others in the country you're visiting.
• When booking a full service flight, you can request a specific meal using the term that applies: vegan, vegetarian, Asian vegetarian, gluten free, Jayne, Kosher, etc.

People always ask me what my favorite aspect of our work at Brownble is and I never need more than a second to think, it's the incredible, inspiring, wonderful and kind people I've met along the way. It's quite remarkable that I've waited this many years to start having interviews in the podcast, because there's nothing I like more than good conversation and learning from inspiring people.

Today's guest on the podcast is my friend Simon. Our friendship has meant so much to me and started as an email exchange when he found Brownble online, but it has now been years of sharing some of the most personal stories and life lessons, because as you'll learn through this conversation, Simon brings authenticity, vulnerability, compassion and openness to the table, each and every time we talk.

Today he shares his stories of becoming an International flight attendant at age 19 (cabin crew for all our UK listeners and readers), what it's like to live life "up in the air" style, and he gives us all his best tips and tricks for flying in commercial airlines as vegans, answering a question about vegan air travel by one of our Sams. We discuss what foods we can take past airport security, how to find delicious vegan meals wherever you are in the world, and all things vegan travel.

Simon also talks about his battle with anxiety and depression, body image struggles in an industry with a high pressure to look a certain way in uniform, having to navigate burnout in an industry and job he loves with a passion, and the importance of setting boundaries and finding inner calm to stay grounded (peeps, he's one of the most incredible boundary setters I've ever known and I learn from him daily!). We talk self care, seeking help when needed to support our mental health, the importance of demystifying and destigmatizing SSRI's and more.

Simon is an international flight attendant and on board manager - flying from London to countries as far as South Africa and as near as Israel. Pescatarian, to vegetarian, and then making the choice to be vegan since 2017 - Simon found Brownble through Apple Podcasts and has been making our recipes ever since.

From Northern Ireland and growing up with a love of aviation - Simon now lives In the Surrey Countyside just outside London with his partner Dan. Aged 19, he became Cabin Crew, and now, 13 years later - he still flies, and has adapted how he packs and plans to accommodate a vegan diet. 

Having lived and learned through anxiety, burnout and bullying - Simon knows very well how to forge a path of positivity and perseverance to create a life that is intentional, balanced, and consciously calm.

To top all of this off, I couldn't be prouder or more grateful to call him one of my dearest friends, and I'm so happy I get to introduce him to all of you today. This is a conversation that goes deep into personal wounds, and Simon does it with grace and a spirit of service that accompanies everything he does.

Thank you Simon for joining us for this very special and important conversation.