A Lifelong Commitment to Veganism and Advocacy
Linda Middlesworth, also known as The Vegan Mentor, has been a dedicated ethical vegan for over 37 years. At age 81, she continues to inspire change through her leadership, education, and activism. Her journey into veganism began as a personal health transformation but quickly evolved into a mission to promote compassion, sustainability, and optimal well-being for both humans and animals.
A passionate leader in the plant-based movement, Linda founded the Sacramento Vegan Society in 2008, which now boasts over 5,600 members. She has since used this platform to educate, support, and connect people transitioning to a plant-exclusive lifestyle. She also co-founded v-dog.com, a pioneering vegan dog food brand, ensuring that companion animals can thrive on a cruelty-free diet.
The Birth of Vegan Mentor and Health Coaching
Recognizing the need for structured guidance, Linda launched Vegan Mentor in 2012, a coaching business designed to help individuals transition to a whole-food, plant-based diet. Through her 30-day one-on-one coaching sessions and group Zoom programs, she has successfully helped countless people regain their health while simultaneously reducing animal suffering and environmental impact. Her approach focuses on sustainable lifestyle changes, making the shift to plant-based eating accessible and practical.
Empowering Others Through Education
Linda’s dedication to education is evident in her extensive teaching roles. She is a Food for Life Nutrition and Cooking Instructor for the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), led by Dr. Neal Barnard. She teaches courses on reversing diabetes and surviving cancer at Sacramento State University, American River College, and Woodland Community College, as well as through the Sacramento Vegan Society.
Her expertise is backed by prestigious certifications, including a Plant-Based Nutrition Certification from eCornell and the T. Colin Campbell Foundation. Additionally, she was honored with a board membership at the Center for Nutritional Studies by Dr. T. Colin Campbell, further solidifying her as a leading educator in the plant-based health movement.
Recognitions and Awards
Linda’s tireless advocacy has earned her numerous accolades from the vegan, health, and animal rights communities. Her contributions have been recognized through the following awards:
~Voice of Compassion Award – Dr. Neal Barnard, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
~Plant-Based Hero Award – Chef AJ and Charles Shrewsbury, Get Healthy LA
~Hero to Animals Award – For her work with v-dog, PETA
~Winner of PETA’s Sexiest Person Over 50 – PETA
~Outstanding Vegan Mentor – Social Compassion in Legislation
~Animal Rights Work Recognition – In Defense of Animals
~Awarded Video for Animal Compassion – Supreme Master
A Passion for Physical Fitness
Linda is not only a leader in plant-based health but also a passionate fitness enthusiast. She has been a certified Personal Trainer and Aerobics Instructor through AFAA for over two decades. For the last 23 years, she has taught cardio and weight training classes at a Sacramento based gym, proving that a vegan lifestyle supports strength, endurance, and longevity.
Go Healthy LIVE: Spreading the Vegan Message Globally
Expanding her reach beyond local initiatives, Linda founded Go Healthy LIVE, a series of virtual summits that connect people worldwide with plant-based experts. The series includes:
~Go Healthy LIVE – Focusing on plant-based health and disease prevention
~Go Compassionate LIVE – Centering on animal advocacy and ethical living
~Go Sustainable LIVE – Addressing the impact of diet on climate change
These summits feature leading doctors, activists, and sustainability experts, providing vital education on the interconnectedness of human health, animal welfare, and environmental conservation.
Animal Rights Activism and Sanctuary Support
Linda remains deeply involved in animal rights activism, supporting organizations like PETA, Direct Action Everywhere (DXE), Sacramento Animal Rights, Sacramento Animal Save, and Sacramento Health Save. She actively participates in advocacy efforts, sanctuary support, and educational initiatives to raise awareness about factory farming and animal cruelty.
She has also worked closely with animal sanctuaries, including Farm Sanctuary, Animal Place, and Rowdy Girl Sanctuary, understanding firsthand the dedication it takes to provide safe havens for rescued farmed animals. She continues to advocate for increased funding and awareness for these essential organizations.
A Life Dedicated to Compassion and Change
At 81 years old, Linda Middlesworth shows no signs of slowing down. Whether she’s coaching individuals, teaching fitness classes, organizing global events, or speaking out for animals, she remains steadfast in her mission: to create a healthier, kinder, and more sustainable world.
Her story is a testament to the power of transformation—proving that it’s never too late to change your lifestyle, reclaim your health, and become a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves.
For those seeking guidance on transitioning to a plant-based lifestyle, visit VeganMentor.com.
For those looking to learn more or seek guidance, she can be reached at veganmentor@gmail.com.
Episode Highlights
[00:00] Introduction
[04:00] The catalyst for going vegan.
[10:20] Advocacy at every turn.
[16:00] Knowing when to walk away from a conversation about veganism.
[21:15] Dangers of store bought dog food.
[24:00] A kiss from a cow sealed the deal for Linda.
[27:40] The harsh realities of running underfunded sanctuaries.
[31:00] It’s not your fault if you don’t know the truth about factory farming.
[34:00] The real cause of many diseases.
[37:25] Protecting the babies from separation from their mothers.
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About Linda Middlesworth
Linda Middlesworth, aka the VeganMentor, has been living as an ethical vegan for over 37 years. At age 81, among Linda’s many accomplishments are; creating the Sacramento Vegan Society in 2008 which boasts 5,600 members and obtaining her certification in Plant Based Nutrition from eCornell and the T. Colin Campbell Foundation. She was also awarded a board membership of the prestigious Center for Nutritional Studies by Dr. T. Colin Campbell. She was awarded, the Voice of Compassion by Dr. Neal Barnard, Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine.
Linda is a Food for Life Nutrition and Cooking Instructor for Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, Dr. Neal Barnard. She gives classes in Reversing Diabetes and Surviving Cancer at the local collages, i.e. Sacramento State University, American River Junior College, Woodland Junior College and for the Sacramento Vegan Society.
She is a health coach for her business, VeganMentor, created in 2012. She has Individual clients for 30 days and group coaching zoom clients weekly for 30 days. The sole purpose is to help people transition to become healthy, whole food plant eaters to regain their optimal health which in turn helps stop animal suffering and climate change.
Linda is incredibly passionate about physical activity and is an aerobics instructor for In-Shape Family Fitness, where she has taught cardio and weight training classes for the last 23 years. She is a Certified Personal Trainer through AFFA.
Linda is the founder of Go Healthy LIVE, a series of virtual summits designed to reach people around the globe with healthy, plant-exclusive events. The series, Go Healthy LIVE, Go Compassionate LIVE and Go Sustainable LIVE, features doctors and leaders in health, animal advocacy and climate change.
Linda is also the co-owner (with her son Darren Middlesworth, CEO & President) of v-dog.com, a vegan dog food business that she and her late husband, David, launched in 2005 so dogs could benefit from a healthy, cruelty-free and environmentally friendly dog food. She remains an active animal rights activist for PETA, DXE, Sacramento Animal Rights, Sacramento Animal Save and Sacramento Health Save.
About Cheryl Moss
Cheryl Moss is the host of the Better Life for Animals podcast, where she shares uplifting stories from sanctuaries and highlights the work of vegan activists, ethical consumers, and animal welfare leaders. A passionate advocate for animal welfare, she is dedicated to ending factory farming and is working to raise $100,000 for Mercy For Animals to support underrepresented sanctuaries.
Beyond podcasting, Cheryl is a banking professional and an accomplished children’s author. A graduate of Main Street Vegan Academy, she promotes plant-based living through her books—Gabriel, Cluck, and Pickle the Pig—which inspire young readers to embrace kindness, sustainability, and compassion for animals.
When not advocating, she enjoys Pilates, show jumping, and spending time with her rescue dogs and grandchildren. Through her work, writing, and activism, Cheryl continues to inspire positive change for animals and the planet.
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