Anthony Crowley, is a novelist, a vegan and a naturist, so we caught up with him to ask him about how veganism waves its way into all aspects of his life.
Anthony Crowley
Please tell us why and when you decided to go vegan.
It's only recently that I decided I want to and have to be vegan. I couldn't take all the cruelty which I'd noticed over time. From what I'd witnessed, it made my stomach feel like it had fallen to the floor time and time again and I said to myself 'I can't do this anymore'.
My partner, Parul has also been a huge inspiration to me. Since that day, I have never felt the same about my diet. I have noticed in recent weeks that I have become healthier too. I feel incredible. Anyone can change their life for the better. The mind is one of the most powerful tools and once it focuses positively then anything can be achieved and gained.
How else do you feel since making the switch?
I feel the best that I've been in years. I have lost some excess weight and my digestive system is healthier. I think more positively, too.
You care so much about everything around you so how do you channel this into day-to-day living?
I try and keep a balance with writing literature, promoting my work and campaigning for various issues and rights. If we, humans listened and educated ourselves for a brief time then so much can change. If one person can change then other people have no excuse. Throughout history, the human has been conditioned against what really matters and the truth of how life's reality should be.
You are a regular campaigner for animal rights so can you tell us about your standout moment of the last 2 years?
I will always keep pushing for a change for the better. There isn't one specific campaign. If I see something that needs doing, I will write letters to various offices, companies and other supporters for their acknowledgement and communication. However small or grand the campaign maybe, some change is better than no change and there's still much more to achieve for a better world but it all comes down to one thing, human attitude and conditioning.
You are also a naturist so how does this link in with veganism for you and what has it taught you about body image?
I have been a naturist since I was a child. I never knew what the term 'naturist' meant until later on. It's one of the most rewarding things is to be comfortable with yourself. When I reached my teens, my body confidence was at a low. Media had a negative effect on me. Magazines featured false representations of how we should all look and feel about ourselves. Nowadays, I have noticed more honest articles and images from normal everyday people and situations. I think this is a positive move but there's still that media conditioning. Many of today's publications and broadcasts shadow over the important matters that affect everybody.
Naturism will always have the stereotypical negativity from some minorities because the word 'nude' is also associated with sex.
It baffles me when someone is offended by a nude, human body, whether it's a female nipple, vagina or a penis. We all have them. Animals have sexual organs too but you'll never see other species attacking each other for the way they look and their appearance because an animal has never been affected by social trappings and conditioning. They're born into this world in their natural state without judgement and so are we.
I would love to walk down the street in my local area without the need to get dressed. Obviously, this wouldn't be to cause alarm or distress to anybody but to be myself and how I feel most comfortable. Naturism is a natural part of every living being. For example, when people bathe or shower they have to be refreshed for their wellbeing. Such is similar to a naturist's life but we naturists prefer to be nude not just for bathing but for our comfort and wellbeing while enriching our confidence in the process.
I've also read some newspaper articles about naturism recently and a few comments have stated words like 'disgusting' or 'no respect'. Firstly, naturism offers respect to everybody and no human body is disgusting. These prudish minorities should respect us back.
We all have a body and we should take care of ourselves on a daily basis. Life is a precious gift and so is the body. Everybody should begin their day by waking up and looking in the mirror and saying "I look great today and I will feel wonderful!" If you don't feel great then keep trying and never give up for the real you. Each and every person is a work of art.
How much does veganism inspire your writing?
I've not written about veganism in my previous books but in my future novel, titled 'The Sun Dancers' I will be speaking more about it in a few scenes. I can't give much away at this moment.
You are known for your horror related fiction and poetry but how do you react to the horrors that have been captured within the meat and dairy industry?
I initially develop those ideas from those I've witnessed and I use the human as the subject instead of the animal.
Can you tell us a little bit more about The Sun Dancers.
The Sun Dancers will be my first book themed around naturism and veganism. The story focuses on two lovers from two different worlds. The two main characters derive from two controlled backgrounds; religious and materialistic. They meet each other at a sacred location, a place of freedom.
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