The problem that I am trying to address can be taken down from the root, by the choices we make on what we eat, wear, and purchase. It starts with one person to inspire change but takes a community to create that change. Politics plays a big role in it as well. That is why it would be helpful to have the support of our politicians, because we need to change what is allowed, how things are done, and what is not acceptable anymore. If we don’t change our diet and lifestyle to a sustainable, plant-based, vegan life, we will strip Earth of all its resources and create an environment that is unsuitable for life.
As part of my series about “individuals and organizations making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Tabay Atkins.
Tabay Atkins is the youngest certified yoga teacher in America, not to mention an accomplished vegan chef and Reiki healer. He received his 200-hour Vinyasa certificate at the age of 10 and became a 500-hour certified vinyasa teacher at the age of 14. Now at just 16 years of age, he has 10 specialty yoga certificates.
Tabay’s journey began as a young boy when he witnessed the debilitating effects of his mother’s struggle with cancer. A devout yogi herself, she was committed to keeping a positive mindset and maintaining her practice, and two months later was able to walk again. Tabay knew from then on that he had found his “dharma.” With all of his success he continues to pay it forward by using his earnings to help cancer patients.
His inspiring mission to give back to others has catapulted him into the spotlight — a light that snagged the attention of big brands like Nike (a brand that rarely works with teenagers when it comes to marketing). Today, he is one of the most sought-after instructors in the world teaching for the likes of the Kardashians and Deepak Chopra amongst numerous others. He also teaches at events, schools, retreats, conferences, as well as private classes.
As one who is not only gifted as a healer, Tabay’s focus and dedication to his studies allowed him to graduate high school 3.5 years early with a 4.0 GPA.
Tabay’s mantra for life is to “Think good thoughts, speak kind words, feel love, be love, and give love.”
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?
I was drawn to a career of wellness after seeing the benefits of yoga heal my mom from the effects of chemotherapy and cancer. My mom had never done yoga before having cancer. After beating cancer, she got into yoga for the first time. That was my (and her) first introduction to yoga. When I saw the benefits of yoga firsthand, I was inspired to share these benefits by becoming a yoga teacher. I was just seven years old at the time, but that didn’t stop me! I started my wellness career by taking trainings and becoming a yoga teacher at a very young age. I then went vegan, became a certified chef, and started teaching people how to cook vegan food. I then became an advocate for animals and the environment. Then I became a reiki master, got certified in plant-based nutrition, and opened up a vegan food truck! One thing led to another, and now I offer a plethora of wellness practices to keep you, the animals, and our planet healthy.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company or organization?
The most amazing thing I got to do since starting my career, happened in 2017. I was at the Lead with Love event in Aspen and got to co-teach a yoga class with Tao Porchon-Lynch. I was the youngest yoga teach in the world, at age 12, and she was the oldest in the world, at age 99. It was such a special, memorable experience that I will never forget.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
On our first day of opening my new vegan food truck, Tabay’s Mindful Kitchen, we had a busy day of making food. In the rush of it all, I gave our customer their BBQ Bacon Burger, but it wasn’t until they left, that I realized I forgot the bacon! I sent them a message, and luckily, everything else in the burger was so tasty, they didn’t even notice the absence of the bacon! My mom did something similar. She gave one of our customers a Chick’n Sandwich but forgot the Chick’n! They did notice that one. After that, we have been extra aware of what we put (or don’t put) in the burgers and sandwiches before we seal the deal!
Can you describe how you or your organization is making a significant social impact?
Everything that I teach, promote, and practice have a strong social impact on wellness. Yoga, veganism, nutrition, and reiki have a strong social impact on their own, when it comes to health and wellness, but together, they are even more beneficial, because they all work together and amplify each other’s benefits.
Can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?
I’m happy to be able to say, I have impacted & helped quite a few lives, but one in particular is a very special girl named Sophie.
I have been supporting her and her organization (SavingSophie.org) since her first cancer diagnosis when she was just 8 months old. She is now 10 years old. Since the beginning of me first supporting their organization till now, I have become very close to her and her family. Besides donating financially, I also give her yoga classes. She calls me almost daily, and I always look forward to our chats! She is wise beyond her years and is going to do so many wonders for the world! I’m lucky to have made a friend for life with her and she knows that I will always be there for her.
Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
The problem that I am trying to address can be taken down from the root, by the choices we make on what we eat, wear, and purchase. It starts with one person to inspire change but takes a community to create that change. Politics plays a big role in it as well. That is why it would be helpful to have the support of our politicians, because we need to change what is allowed, how things are done, and what is not acceptable anymore. If we don’t change our diet and lifestyle to a sustainable, plant-based, vegan life, we will strip Earth of all its resources and create an environment that is unsuitable for life.
How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
Leadership is not just one quality. It is a variety of many different qualities, all present in a person. These qualities include resilience, perseverance, an objective awareness in and of the present moment, resistance to the norm, and, the big one, leading through example. Using your voice is also an important leadership trait. Leading through example helps others follow your example. Using your voice helps bring awareness to what you are trying to do. It also inspires others to take action in your cause. Being objective helps keep you on the right track. If you stay on the same path that everyone else in society is on, and have no resistance, you cannot lead. Trying to inspire change in a world so set on its ways can be difficult, so having resilience and perseverance are important.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
The best way to start a positive movement, is to stop theorizing and start making the changes needed. I am already active in a strong movement for the greater good. I feel like the best way to bring the most amount of good to the most people and be the longest lasting, most sustainable, and comprehensive way to bring about this movement, ultimately starts on your plate. By adopting a plant-based diet, over an animal-based diet, you significantly improve your own health, reduce your carbon footprint and water usage impact, and save animal lives, land, and precious resources. It is a really simple change that comes with so much good, and the best part is, it is so easy now! It isn’t the 90’s anymore (huge respect to early vegans). There are so many options available today that taste the same and accommodate any dietary restriction.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
One of my favorite life lesson quotes is my own, “Our purpose isn’t to do what the world expects of us, it is to do what the world needs of us.” This is important to remember, especially when advocating for something that you believe to be right. If we do what is expected (or ultimately wanted) of us, we will not inspire change. What needs to be heard the most is often what is wanted to be heard the least. Don’t let that stop you from standing up for what is right. I am dealing with a particularly challenging topic. There seems to be a misconception of what veganism really is. This misconception has led a lot of people to have a closed mind to the vegan diet, making it not want to be heard, but I don’t let that stop me from, like my quote says, doing what the world needs of me.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
I would love to meet and cook a delicious healthy vegan meal for The Obama Family & Oprah Winfrey.
I have so much respect for them, as they all started from humble beginnings and have made such an enormous positive impact on our society. They inspire me so much. When I meet them, I feel like they will be inspired by me and my mission which is to also inspire and positively impact our world.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
My Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok handles are @TabayAtkins, and for my food truck, it is @TabaysMindfulKitchen
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success on your great work!
Thank you! I appreciate it!
Think Good Thoughts,
Speak Kind Words,
Feel Love, Be Love, and Give Love
Social Impact Heroes: Why & How Yoga Teacher Tabay Atkins Is Helping To Change Our World was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.