This story is one half career/life change, and the other half, simplifying a lifestyle and movement to make it accessible to anyone.

Dustin Harder was fully immersed in his theatre career, traveling the country since 2003. But he needed a break and he set out to explore another interest, vegan cooking. After graduating from the Natural Gourmet Institute in NYC, he launched a new idea and career, to demystify vegan foods in an entertaining way.

Then the Vegan Roadie was born — the plant-based version of the popular Food Network series Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, available on YouTube and now in its third season. And recently Dustin released his first cookbook.

But our conversation went passed the glamour of launching something fun. Dustin opened up about his experiences, sharing things that didn’t work, self discovery, and more details about creating his new path.

Once I spent the afternoon with Dustin in his apartment in Queens, I realized he’s creating a space for himself in the food market by developing a unique perspective, and he literally changed his life to do it.