Carolyn Scott of The Healthy Voyager Leads By Example

by Bambi Weavil

Enjoy our interview with our newest contributor, the wonderful and amazing Carolyn Scott of The Healthy Voyager.  The Healthy Voyager highlights the healthiest places to dine as well as alternatives on how to order to keep you in tip top shape when you are away from home. Whether you are vegetarian, have special dietary needs or are just looking for a healthy yet delicious change while you are traveling, there is something for you.

Carolyn shares with us how she started her company, being vegan, non-profits she supports, her business advice and more:

Bambi Weavil: What made you start The Healthy Voyager?

Carolyn Scott: Being an avid traveler, it was quite difficult to find healthy places who could accommodate my diet when I was away from home. I knew others be they vegan, vegetarian, suffer from food allergies and other dietary issues, most likely encountered the same problem. I started my blog as a resource for others and The Healthy Voyager was born!

BW: When did you decide to become a vegan? How has it changed your life?

CS: 10 years ago. I feel healthier and happier for sure. The best part though is leading by example and being able to help others implement healthier habits into their lives, especially my friends and family.

BW: When you’re on the go, describe your perfect snack food.

CS: If I have time to pack something, a yummy sandwich on delicious sprouted bread stuffed with crunchy veggies, avocado and hummus! In a rush, I pack a healthy bar like a GoodOnYa, Purefit, Vega or Lara bar.

BW: Where is your favorite destination in your travels so far and why?

The Maasai Mara, Kenya. I had always wanted to visit Africa and go on a safari but this trip, in this land, was far more then I ever expected it to be. Sure it was killer to see all of these majestic animals every day and hear them at night, but spending time with the Kenyans and Massai tribes people was something I will always treasure.

BW: What’s one of the best kept secrets in Los Angeles for a good vegan meal?

CS: Well, there are so many places in town that are in the LA zeitgeist. But the best finds are the ones off of the beaten path. Being in the “hipster” parts of town like Silver Lake, Eagle Rock and Los Feliz, you are sure to find a great vegan meal in almost any eatery. Beach communities are also great for secret vegan dishes in cool locations.

BW: What are you reading while you’re on the go?

SC: It depends on my mood ; ) Sometimes I bring magazines with me like VegNews or Entertainment weekly for quick reads and pictures. If I really want to get into something, it’s most likely something by Chuck Klosterman, David Eggers, David Sedaris or Augusten Burroughs.

BW: What non-profits do you support? How important is activism to you?

CS: Generation Rescue, Talk About It and Virgin Unite are some I’ve recently become involved in. Autism is something that hits home as I have an autistic cousin and niece. I truly believe that a strict vegan diet does wonders for these kids and Generation Rescue does a great job of promoting that. Talk About It is an organization to raise awareness for epilepsy as it is more wide spread then most people know and it must get more exposure so that those who suffer from the disease can start to heal. Lastly, but not at all leastly, Virgin Unite is an umbrella organization, and a branch of Virgin UK, that raises funds and awareness for multiple charities. One of those is how I had the opportunity to visit Kenya.

BW: What is your favorite thing about your job? What kind of feedback are you getting?

SC: Leading by example and sharing a positive message. I love debunking theories and squashing stigmas of how vegans are perceived in mainstream society. The best feedback is when someone who has no dietary restrictions comments on a recipe or restaurant they have tried because of my coverage. It’s a lot of fun to introduce a whole new way of eating to people who may otherwise never try it.

BW: What is your feedback to fellow men and women who are considering starting their own business?

CS: JUST DO IT!! I left the working world 6 years ago to start my own business and have never looked back. I’m surely not rich but I love the freedom of working on what I choose to work on, to work with those I choose to work with and doing what I love. It’s a big risk but the pay offs are super rewarding. And if it doesn’t work out, at least you gave it a shot and who knows, maybe you’ll end up somewhere you may never have thought of when you first started out!

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