Living a Plant-Based Lifestyle: Kathy Davis on Mindset, RV Life, and the Power of Eating More Plants
Adopting a plant-based lifestyle isn’t always a straight path paved with kale and quinoa. For Kathy Davis, it began with skepticism, buffalo wings, and a simple challenge: “Try this meal.” What followed was a complete transformation—not only in her diet, but in her mindset, energy, and purpose.
From cooking in an RV kitchen while traveling across the U.S. to authoring accessible plant-based cookbooks and coaching others through their own journeys, Kathy turned a personal shift into a full-blown movement.
In this exclusive interview, she shares the mindset strategies, practical tools, and pivotal moments that shaped VegInspired, her community-powered platform encouraging everyone to “Eat More Plants.”
Ready to discover what’s possible when you rethink your plate—and your perspective?
1) Can you share your journey towards adopting a plant-based lifestyle and what inspired you to establish VegInspired?
I came into a plant-based lifestyle with my heels firmly dug into my old habits. Yup, I was a resistor. In late 2013, my husband John suggested that we explore going vegan. He had read two contradicting articles in a magazine, which sparked his interest to research more about the vegan lifestyle. As for me, I was hooked on my Standard American foods—burgers, buffalo wings, and blue cheese were my comfort foods. But I agreed to try the meals he cooked that were plant-based. He was a smart guy and knew that if he used familiar foods, I’d be more open to eating them… and I was.
Over the next six months, we explored living a vegan lifestyle under the motto “Eat More Plants.” We read books, watched documentaries and YouTube videos, and tried all kinds of plant-based foods and meals. What I discovered was that I could make delicious plant-based meals without missing a thing—not even burgers or buffalo wings—because we found great plant-based alternatives.
My “go vegan pivot moment” happened in June 2014 while standing in a field with a mama cow and her newborn calf. Everything I had read, watched, and thought about suddenly hit me—I didn’t want to eat those babies anymore. I went vegan at that moment.
During those six months, I spent a lot of time on social media and realized I wanted to be a resource for others who were also considering eating more plants. As a natural-born educator and encourager, I started VegInspired to inspire, educate, and support others on their journey to “Eat More Plants.”
2) As a plant-based lifestyle and mindset coach, what common challenges do individuals face when transitioning to a plant-based diet, and how do you assist them in overcoming these obstacles?
Many of my community members and clients—both beginners and those experienced in plant-based eating—often feel overwhelmed by the amount of information out there. It’s easy to fall into information paralysis—where you know what to do but feel stuck and unable to move forward.
One of the first things we work on in our programs is helping people sift through the noise and build a plant-based lifestyle that aligns with their personal goals and vision. We call it Living Successfully Plant-Based—their way.
Another common challenge I see is people skipping the step of eating familiar, comforting foods that are already plant-based. Eat more potatoes. Eat more of your favorite vegetables and fruits. Use what you already love to make plant-based meals. I love tacos, so incorporating familiar ingredients like sweet potatoes into my tacos made the transition so much easier—like in my Roasted Veggie Tacos from the Budget-Friendly Cookbook.
3) You’ve authored several cookbooks focusing on plant-based recipes. What motivated you to write these, and how do they contribute to your mission of promoting plant-based eating?
Writing my cookbooks has been a passion project. Being able to consolidate some of my favorite whole-food, plant-based recipes into books—and then seeing them being used in the kitchens of my readers—has been a dream come true.
I created them to help others see that eating more plants is possible with simple, accessible recipes made from ingredients found in most grocery stores. I wanted to show that plant-based living doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. 30-Minute WFPB Cookbook, Super Easy Plant-Based Cookbook, and Budget-Friendly Plant-Based Diet Cookbook all prove that plant-based meals can be quick, easy, and affordable.
You can find more about all three cookbooks at: www.veginspired.com/#books
4) Living and traveling in an RV across the United States is a unique lifestyle choice. How has this experience influenced your perspective on plant-based living and your coaching approach?
Living and traveling in an RV across the U.S. has given me a whole new perspective on cooking plant-based meals in a small kitchen—and sourcing vegan food in rural grocery stores.
One major realization was that whole plant-based foods—like vegetables, greens, oats, beans, and potatoes—are available at nearly every grocery store. You can follow a minimally processed plant-based diet just about anywhere. Processed vegan products or specialty condiments are harder to find, but they’re often available online.
Traveling has also shown me that I can be 100% vegan, eat 90–95% whole-food plant-based, and still allow 5–10% processed vegan foods. I can enjoy incredible vegan restaurants, celebrate the creativity of chefs, and still maintain a healthy and sustainable lifestyle.
One of the most meaningful impacts this lifestyle has had on me is my ability to hike in National Parks all over the country. Thanks to my plant-based way of eating, I’m both physically and mentally healthy enough to complete hikes of all levels—including over 10 miles at high elevations. Before switching to this lifestyle, I didn’t have the energy or inspiration to pursue these adventures.
5) VegInspired offers various programs and resources, including mentorship and meal planning kits. Could you elaborate on these offerings and how they support individuals in their plant-based journeys?
VegInspired is more than a platform—it’s a movement and a community. We offer free resources through our website, social media platforms, and an active Facebook group.
For those seeking deeper support, we have paid offerings like our Successfully Plant-Based Membership—a holistic program that combines mindset coaching with practical tools like meal plans, recipes, and templates. Membership includes weekly coaching calls and bonus sessions on topics ranging from cooking demonstrations to goal-setting and meal prep.
We also offer a 12-week course called The VegInspired Way, which walks individuals through building their personalized blueprint for a sustainable plant-based lifestyle. Plus, our three plant-based cookbooks provide easy, affordable recipes for all levels—from beginners to seasoned plant-based eaters.
6) In your view, how does adopting a plant-based diet impact overall well-being and productivity, especially for high-achieving professionals?
Adopting a plant-based lifestyle has given me more energy, boosted my productivity, and enhanced my confidence—physically and mentally. All of this directly supports my ability to reach my goals.
From my own experience, I know that busy professionals often put their health on the back burner while chasing career milestones. But even small, plant-focused changes can lead to noticeable improvements in both mental clarity and physical vitality.
When our members start using our meal planning framework, they find it much easier to implement those changes and bring more balance and intention into their lives.
7) What role does mindset play in successfully transitioning to and maintaining a plant-based lifestyle, and what strategies do you recommend for cultivating a supportive mindset?
Mindset plays a huge role in any lifestyle change—and especially when transitioning to a plant-based lifestyle. Your mindset—meaning your attitudes and beliefs—shapes your behavior.
Our automatic actions stem from the beliefs we hold to be true. So, when you begin a new lifestyle, your emerging beliefs are often bumping up against old ones. Doing the internal mindset work—digging into the roots of your beliefs, identifying limiting patterns, and planting new, supportive beliefs—helps create lasting change.
Think of it like pulling weeds from a garden to make room for fresh, healthy growth. If the weeds (old beliefs) remain, they’ll continue to pop up in your beautiful new plant-based garden. But once you do the work, your new mindset helps everything flourish.
8) Looking ahead, what are your future aspirations for VegInspired, and how do you plan to further advocate for plant-based living?
Looking ahead, I envision the VegInspired movement making an even greater impact. I’m currently working on some “secret” projects that will further spread the message of wellness through plant-based living.
I also want to help amplify the work of other plant-based organizations and brands. Sharing content like my visit to Dina’s Vegan Deli and Desserts fuels my passion—helping others share their mission while continuing to grow our own.
Thank You, Kathy!
We’re incredibly grateful to Kathy Davis for sharing her time, insight, and inspiring journey with us. Her passion for helping others embrace a plant-based lifestyle—through practical tools, deep mindset work, and heartfelt community building—is truly contagious.
If you’re feeling inspired to “Eat More Plants” or curious to learn more about what a plant-based lifestyle could look like for you, be sure to follow Kathy and VegInspired across all platforms:
🔗 Website: www.veginspired.com
📸 Instagram: @veginspired
▶️ YouTube: VegInspired
📘 Facebook: VegInspired
Because sometimes, one recipe—or one mindset shift—is all it takes to start living the life you were meant for.
