Category: John Awen

John and Ruth

Aaron Young

John and Ruth met and fell in love sharing their mutual compassionate values, believing that veganism is the only way forward to protect all life. We were married in September 2021 and strive each day to cause as little harm as possible to all beings.

Currently living in Loughborough with our Cocker Spaniel Daisy and two cats, Ivy and Kleio, we enjoy taking dog friendly breaks around the country when not busy with work. Within our cruelty free life choice, Pagan, who sadly passed away in October 2023 at the ripe old age of 14 years and 8 months, had been Plant Based for over 5 years and Daisy currently 3 years. This is now acknowledged and recommended by vets as a perfect healthy diet for canines, provided care is taken to ensure good nutritional balance.

We both share a passion for good wholesome cruelty free foods. John is a qualified vegan nutritionist and Ruth can always be found creating fuss free, delicious meals in the kitchen. No squeals in our meals! If you have any questions relating to adopting a Plant Based diet, perhaps you’re not quite sure where to start,  then please get in touch and we’d be very happy to have a chat.

When time allows, we thoroughly enjoy supporting RedHead Rescues Animal Sanctuary, based only an hour away from us, lending a hand with general maintenance and any other jobs that come our way. You can read about all the great work being done at the Sanctuary and perhaps lend your support by clicking on the link.

We are both proud to be ambassadors for Pack Holidays and our beautiful Labrador Pagan enjoyed his last holiday at one of their stunning cottages in Norfolk in September 2023. Many of the cottages cater for multiple dogs, free of charge, and each has a reactive friendly rating ensuring that your dog/dogs have as relaxed a time as possible whilst on holiday. All breeds are welcome including registered XL bullies. Welcome packs are provided that are tailored to guests’ dietary needs along with dog information packs showing dog friendly walks, cafes, pubs and much more. A 5% discount is available on all bookings by entering the code  PAGAN5  at the checkout.

There never has been a time when change has been more needed and now is the time to be kind to all kinds. If you’ve any questions at all, please feel free to use any of the contact means on the webpage. Let’s all come together to make a better world for all concerned.

Much Love, John & Ruth – TEAM AWEN

John Awen on ‘Be My Guest’ with Rory Smith

Aaron Young

At 7am, on, Wednesday 31st January, the Podcast I recorded with Rory Smith for his series, ‘Be My Guest’ was published.

Based around my most recent book ‘Living Hell to Living Well,’ the Podcast looks at the more gritty parts of my life, such as being shot, being multiply stabbed and how I ended up serving time in Belmarsh prison for a driving whilst disqualified offence.

You can listen in via the links below :

Spotify:

YouTube:

If you would like a personally signed copy of this book, or one of my others, then you can purchase them from my website.

EX-HEROIN ADDICT, JOHN AWEN, DESCRIBES GETTING SHOT, STABBED, CLEAN, AND MOVING ON

John Awen

John Awen was addicted to heroin and crack-cocaine for 12 years. He has had some run-ins with the law and he’s had several experiences that you really wouldn’t wish upon your worst enemy. Having said that, he has made a complete recovery, he’s been sober now for many years, has published multiple books, is now a qualified nutritionist, as well as a vegan activist.

To put it mildly, John has had the best come back story of anyone that TRS has had the pleasure of speaking with. I hope you get out of this episode as much as I did. Here’s a taste of what we discussed.

TRS: So, John, how does your story begin?

JA: I’d always wanted to be a soldier, to join the Army. I’d passed the exams for REME and was due to join in Feb 1988, but on October 23rd 1987, I was involved in a motorbike accident. I suffered a badly broken leg and everything I’d ever wanted was suddenly no more “my world literally ended”. There was no longer a place for me in the Army and whether it was depression or something else “I got very angry with the world” and it was then at the age of 18 or 19 I found cannabis, LSD, magic mushrooms – anything and everything – and it just escalated, smoking and carrying large amounts to try to get one up on the society that had done me a wrong turn and deprived me of everything I’d planned”

“…. by 27, I was introduced to heroin and crack cocaine and my world was never the same again.” I was addicted for 12 years during which I had 9 drug-related prison sentences. By the age of 39 I’d had 3 heart attacks but “the only person actually suffering was me”. In 2008, I was attacked and suffered multiple stabbing on my way to collect. I remember being on the ground “…it felt so comfy, content, warm and blissful” but something clicked – a 6th sense – and I thought to myself “there’s more to life than this…”. That was my epiphany. I realised I had to change who and what I was.


TRS: Was there anyone along the path that tried to help or where you really on your own?

JA: My parents were with me, but I’d lost my dad when I was in prison. By that time, I’d already pressed the self-destruct button. My mum died in 2015, so she saw me get clean.

TRS: Did it all start off as a self-destruct from the beginning – was it a switch, or was there a gradual ease into your self-destruction?


JA: That’s a great question. At 18, I was still naïve, very raw, very angry and since I was young I’ve had a very inquisitive mind, and when I lost the Army career I just wanted to hide away “…smoking cannabis switches you off …. everything becomes a bit of a blur, one day just follows another.. that part wasn’t a self-destruct”. I got involved with some intimidating and heavy people, I got arrested in 1994 with intent to supply, and once I got out, “with (those) people around me, something happened. I stopped caring. I got acquitted but the next year heroin grabbed me again “I totally hit the self-destruct button”. I just did not care, I really didn’t. “The world would be better without me in it”.

TRS: Hearing that story – it just blows my mind that you are who you are…

JA: I’m so lucky. To get clean and stay clean. I’ve been shot, stabbed, overdosed and yet here I am – every day is a blessing and I do wish people would stop being nonchalant and stop taking others and life for granted. “If I could reach out and touch, comfort or inspire just one person to change the course of their life, then everything I’ve done and been through for me would have been worth it”

With John Awen – Thriving In A Crisis & How to Turn Catastrophe to Opportunity.

Aaron Young

Exploring:

How we can capitalise on a difficult situation, like the Covid19 outbreak, and the changes it has brought to our lives, and not only survive, but come out the other side stronger than ever.

What if we choose to see this as a Pattern Interrupt and a beautiful opportunity to re-evaluate our lives and course correct?

Practical steps we can take, not just in these challenging times, but at any time in our lives, in order to thrive.

With John Awen – BREAKING DOWN TO BREAK THROUGH

John Awen

John Awen is a published author, public speaker for animal rights and veganism and vegan nutritionist. John openly shares with us his story of drug addiction, violence and experiences of animal slaughter, to his spiritual and vegan awakening, and journey into animal rights/vegan advocacy. His story is an inspiring example of how when you hit rock bottom, if you just get up and keep going, gifts and rewards, not to mention personal growth and evolution, await you on the other side. 

Vegan Nutrition – FREE CONSULTATION

John Awen

There has never been a better time to start eating healthily and more cleanly than now. There are so many medically and scientifically endorsed facts which are easily and readily accessible now that show how many of the diseases which we can contract and suffer from are directly linked and attributed to the foods and drinks which we consume and place directly into our bodies.

All the evidence is out there, and we will have all heard of the saying, ‘We are what we eat’, well there is no better time to change than now.

From the studies of inspirational Plant-based Drs and various practitioners like Colin T Campbell, Dr Michael Greger, Caldwell Esselstyn and Neal Barnard, the evidence is stacked up in the favour of breaking the chains of the eating habits which we follow without thought and switching to a plant-based diet and Vegan lifestyle.

Having been Vegan myself for several years now I can fully endorse it and my own personal story shows and demonstrates that by changing the foods with which we fuel our bodies has a huge impact upon all levels of our being, Physically, mentally and spiritually.

When you actually stop to think about it all, its obvious, how can we possibly expect to feel good and function to high capabilities on any of our levels, when we are consuming the angst, pain and suffering of the animals that have been slaughtered needlessly and packaged up to be sold as food?

Medical complaints such as acne, eczema, high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, asthma and other bronchial disorders, cancers and many other human ailments can be and have been dramatically reduced and even cured with a Plant based/Vegan diet.

As the societies in which we live are now racked with illness and suffering, as individuals we must realise that taking medications is not always the answer and there is not always an instant, or quick fix. When we make the connections and realise the simplicity of our health, then it becomes so obvious and clear to see that we can become so much healthier by eating and consuming natural and clean foods, which in turn, create happier lives, positivity as our moods are drastically lifted, plus many other health benefits.

As a fully qualified Vegan nutritionist

I can listen; understand why you are thinking about changing your diet and transitioning into a Plant based/Vegan diet and lifestyle.

I can replace foods that you use as comfort, or go to foods, treats, etc. I will work out how I can best tailor a specific meal plan for you that will be nutritionally rich with all the correct amounts of protein, Vitamins, Irons and other dietary requirements our bodies need to power ourselves through each day and feel more positive and balanced in all that we do and on all levels of our being.

I am available to offer advice and help you make the switch to a better and much healthier way of life and after the initial consultation with me, I can then work closely with you to help you achieve any goals you would like to reach and achieve.

From cutting out meat in your diet, reducing and eliminating dairy products, switching to Vegetarian, going Vegan, I can help you achieve all of these and will be with you every step of the way.

As well as being qualified in all these aspects, I am also available and can help you lose weight, gain weight and get you out of any eating habits/disorders that you ay have and are now looking to change and break free from them.

My specialist subjects

I am fascinated with just how vital the foods we eat are to our health and how we can alleviate and reverse many symptoms which sadly plague Human health nowadays. As I said earlier, there is no better time to make the switch and start eating and enjoying a much healthier lifestyle than now.

With my knowledge and experiences, I am able to give talks on a multitude of topics which could and would help such a wide demographic of people

Please contact me if you are looking to change, I have listed already many aspects that I am fully equipped and capable of dealing and helping you with in relation to your dietary requirements and I specialise in: –

  1. Vegan Nutrition whilst Pregnant, covering all 3 trimesters.
  2. Baby & Child Vegan Nutrition.
  3. Reversing type 2 diabetes with a whole foods Vegan diet.

For any of your dietary requirements and starting your journey to Plant-based and Vegan lifestyles, please contact me.

The first consultation is free and from there we can both decide which plan of action is required and will be more beneficial to you.

Lets start your journey to better health and happiness now.