Hidden Gems: Meet Colin Easom of Rancho Vegano

Today we’d like to introduce you to Colin Easom.

Hi Colin, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
Colin: I became a vegetarian in the 1990s on ethical grounds. Then, after seeing what goes on behind the scenes in slaughterhouses and farms, I decided to go fully vegan in 2010. I didn’t want to be part of a food system that deliberately causes abuse and suffering purely so I could put meat on my plate. It was a very ethical based decision in those days.

Since then, I’ve undertaken lots of research into plant-based diets, and I’ve been enjoying watching the vegan movement unfold, I’ve come to realize that there are huge environmental and health benefits to not eating meat too.  When I met my husband, Roy, who had just had a heart attack, we began discussing the benefits of plant-based diets, and Roy was all in. I helped guide him to a whole foods plant-based diet, and he’s seen significant improvements in his health since then.

When we mention the multiple benefits of plant-based diets to people, there’s a lot of interest, but people don’t know where to start. We decided to become certified vegan lifestyle coaches and educators with Main Street Vegan Academy, followed by a plant-based nutrition certification from Cornell University and a Vegan Chef certification with Forks Over Knives. Our goal is to simplify the process for people and help them move towards more plant-based options in their life.

Not long after we got together, we bought a 1970s ranch house on four acres. It needed a lot of work, but it’s been a labor of love, and we converted part of the house into a bed and breakfast. We now run a plant-based B&B alongside the coaching business. Additionally, I’ve just gained my certification as a meditation teacher, and Roy and I both recently certified as Reiki practitioners. We’re now offering meditation and Reiki sessions into the mix for potential clients.

Roy is currently pursuing a sound healer certification, and I’m pursuing a yoga teacher certification – so there are more great things to come! So if you want to learn more about a plant-based lifestyle and take classes over a weekend, or if you want to relax in a peaceful environment, meditate, and wake up to a tasty, healthy breakfast, we have somewhere for you to stay.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s been a relatively smooth road so far, but it’s taken a couple of years to get from vision to reality. The property we bought was pretty run down, so we’ve had to invest a lot of time and effort into the renovations. We’ve taken on as many projects as we can ourselves, but some projects have required contractors.

Working around Covid and contractor availability has been an interesting experience! But it’s been motivating to see the progress along the way and look back at the before and after pictures. It’s also taken us a couple of years to get the certifications we felt we wanted to have to be able to offer a professional and well-rounded experience for our clients.

Getting the word out there that plant-based lifestyle coaching is available has been a little challenging. A lot of people have questions and express the desire to move into a more plant-based lifestyle, but committing to coaching can appear a little daunting I guess. We’re very aware of this and aim to meet our clients where they are in a nurturing and encouraging way rather than with any judgment.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Rancho Vegano?
I think what sets us apart from others is that we’re very hands-on. We’re fortunate to have an old ranch house on four acres – Rancho Vegano! – and we welcome clients to stay with us at the ranch and work with us over a weekend. We’ll take them to the supermarket and give them guided tours of where to find cheap and healthy plant-based alternatives, we’ll choose ingredients and cook them together in our kitchen, and we’ll help them develop meal plans to make cooking for a family or the week super easy.

We’ll even help introduce them to environmentally friendly household and personal products, including vegan clothing. Some clients want to learn more about animal rights and advocacy, and we’ll work with them on that too. We’re also aware that not everyone wants to do face-to-face coaching given the pandemic situation or their location, so we’re also able to deliver most of our coaching sessions online, via Zoom, or over the phone.

I think with Roy having gone through significant health issues and seeing his health rapidly improve by following a plant-based diet, we have first-hand experience of how lifestyle can have a significant impact. We’re excited to spread the message and help those who are looking to improve their health through lifestyle and diet. Colin is also a certified personal trainer with a specialty in fitness nutrition, so that’s another aspect we can bring to the table if clients are interested in the fitness aspect of plant-based lifestyles.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out.
I think it’s always important to follow your passion, keep the end goal in mind, and don’t lose sight of your ‘why’. It’s easy to get bogged down in the details of a project not being completed on time or a setback due to something outside of your control. Stay focused and remain passionate and all will be well!

Pricing:

• A typical night’s stay at our bed and breakfast starts at $110
• Plant-based coaching starts at $60 an hour
• Private meditation classes or Reiki sessions start at $60 an hour

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ranchoveganoaz.com
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/ranchoveganoaz
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ranchoveganoaz
• Other: https://www.happycow.net/reviews/rancho-vegano-tucson-290461