From TV presenter to wellness warrior: Venetia Falconer

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Fitness, Mind

Venetia Falconer lives her life according to two simples rules: eat more plants and wear old clothes. She’s a former 4Music presenter turned podcast host, slow fashion advocate and all-round megababe.

We met up with Venetia to discuss her weekly digital detox, sustainability tips, ethical activewear and more…

How did you get into the wellness industry?

An opportunity with TasteMade came up to do hosted food videos so I started cooking plant-based recipes and doing zero-waste hacks. These videos were shown all around the world and I realised I could reach a really wide audience. I hadn’t been able to talk about the fact I was vegan on TV, it was a quite a few years ago when people thought vegans were weird, whereas TasteMade said ‘let’s talk about it, this is your stage’. I thought this was really cool and I want to do this more, so I started a YouTube channel and then a podcast where I could talk about the things that felt really authentic to me.

Have you always lived a ‘healthy’ lifestyle?

No, I had a really disordered relationship with food in my teens. I started putting on weight for the first time when I was about 16 – I’d always been really tiny – and I just didn’t know what to do. I started restricting food and had a really horrible time mentally, but as a result of that got interested in living more healthily. I also spent a lot of time partying and boozing and doing stuff I shouldn’t have necessarily done but I’m so grateful for those experiences because they give you a greater understanding of what it is to feel good and balanced. It wasn’t until my mid-20s, when I really started investing time into meditation and the holistic things.

Describe your morning routine

I wake up at 6am (it seems early but I go to bed very early) and I think about what I’m grateful for and how I’m going to make the day count. I boil the kettle and have a freezing cold shower and then I drink my hot water and sit down to meditate for 20 minutes. I then try and do some movement like a bit of yoga or a walk/run. I make breakfast (at the moment a smoothie bowl) and have an English breakfast tea and then I get cracking with the day. It can take up to an hour and half but it really sets me up for the day.

Venetia Falconer — Photo: @venetiafalconer

Tell us about your weekly digital detox

Over Christmas my boyfriend and I turned our phones off for 10 days and it was blissful. We decided to do another 48 hours a month ago and had that same feeling. It got me thinking how can tell people to eat more plants, use less plastic and be more conscious when I’m sat here constantly scrolling. It frankly doesn’t make sense. We’ve done #offline48 every weekend for a month now and it’s keeping me grounded and keeping me focussed on why I’m doing what I’m doing. Turning your phone off is the best thing you can do for your health.

What is the best investment you’ve made in your wellbeing?

My meditation course that I did with the London Meditation Centre – that was an absolute game-changer. Also taking the time to learn how to cook and watching a lot of food programmes. If you know how to cook for yourself it’s the best.

Where do you workout?

Equilibrium, a new studio in King’s Cross. It’s a 45-minute fun and full body workout – and doesn’t require any electricity which is really cool. There are two trainers per class and they are so hot on form. I’m obsessed. I’m trying to do it a couple of times a week and you can see progression so quickly.

Favourite cafes/restaurants in London?

Andu Cafe, an Ethiopian cafe in Dalston, is delicious and really good value. I love Picky Wops pizza and they’ve just taken over the Queen’s Head pub in Brixton. I also like Wild Food Cafe in Covent Garden and the acai bowl at Bodyism is pretty special.

Cake or kale?

It’s so hard, you need both! But if I had to choose one it would be cake because food is about enjoyment.

What are your top tips for living sustainably?

1. Be a conscious consumer and understand that everything you put your pound to had a chain of events that led it to get to you

2. Slow your fashion – celebrate what you already own and where possible try not to support fast fashion brands

3. Avoid single use anything where possible – straws, napkins etc

4. Consider the amount of travel you do

5. Get yourself a food waste bin and try not to throw any food in a bin that’s going to end up as a landfill

Favourite ethical fashion brands?

Girlfriend for activewear, Riley for loungewear, Lucy and Yak for affordable casual wear, Reformation’s new swimwear collection is unreal and I love Veja for shoes.

What lessons have your learnt along your health and fitness journey?

Just because you’re told something is healthy, it might not be healthy for you. Don’t be distracted by what other people are doing on social media and really try and tune into what feels right for you. Do the stuff that makes you happy and don’t be too harsh on yourself. Dance lots if that makes you happy and make sure you see your friends all the time.