Nafsika Antypas is the writer, host, and executive producer of the television series, Plant-Based by Nafsika and the owner of the international vegan food brand, Nafsika’s Garden. Raised in Montreal, Canada, Antypas obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from Concordia University and received several post-graduate certificates. She later received her health coach certification from the Health Coach Institute. In 2014, Nafsika founded a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, People Against Violence, to help victims of violence seek guidance and assistance with its 24-hour helpline, monitored by certified counselors.
But being a passionate vegan, Nafsika felt that the best way to help make the world more compassionate is to help people go vegan. So, in late 2015, Nafsika put together a unique show that, within six months, would become the first vegan lifestyle series ever to hit mainstream television (A&E), reaching 70 million households.
The TV series, Plant-Based by Nafsika focuses on a plant-based diet and vegan living, a concept Nafsika hoped would help change the world through food. This has not only sparked the interest of viewers around the globe but has “planted seeds” helping veganism become more mainstream, a goal Nafsika conveys in her motto, “If You Plant It, It Will Grow.”
In 2017, Nafsika became a certified Health and Lifestyle Coach, helping people make the “Plant-Based Switch” to a healthier, more compassionate lifestyle. But there was one significant obstacle stopping people from going vegan, and that was giving up their beloved cheese. So, by late 2018, Nafsika founded the hottest new vegan “cheese” in town, Nafsika’s Garden, hitting significant retailers across Canada, followed by the U.S. in early 2020, and is now available in 13 countries.
Nafsika has also always taken pleasure in writing, whether for business or pleasure. She has appeared on numerous television and radio shows, contributed her writing, and been featured or interviewed by online magazines such as PETA, VegNews, EmpowHER, Insider, Health Digest, including LA Weekly and CEOWORLD Magazine and perhaps Food Navigator Asia. She is the author of upcoming books, “Ghosted MD,” “The Plant-Based Switch,” and others.
Having majored in English Literature, Nafsika could never go anywhere without a pen and paper. She knew it was time to publish her stories and ideas if she was going to make a difference in the world, which has always been her ultimate goal.
A story about Nafsika’s career beginnings
According to Nafsika, I distinctly remember asking God at 8 years old to show me what I needed to do to help make the world better. In 2014, I founded the non-profit charity People Against Violence Org. Then, eight years ago, I went vegan. It happened when I started watching a documentary while nursing my newborn. By the show’s end, I said to myself, “My milk is for my babies; why would I steal another baby’s milk?” And I went vegan right then and there and hadn’t looked back. I decided I would help people go vegan. That was going to be a more practical way to help make the world a more compassionate place. So, I started a TV show about vegan living in the Fall of 2015, and 6 months later, it was airing to 70 million households across America. Then in 2019, I launched my vegan cheese brand so no one could say they couldn’t go vegan because of cheese.
Hurdles of starting phase
“The amount of scam companies that exist is horrendous. And I had been scammed by supposed marketing companies and individuals. So, the beginning of my journey was a little bumpy. I had to put more trust in myself to get the job done. I’m slowly releasing some workloads to lead a more balanced lifestyle,” says Nafsika.
Nafsika Inc.: Making Veganism More Accessible
Nafsika Inc., on the food line side of things, Nafsika’s Garden offers, quite frankly, the best-tasting cheese alternatives with the same texture and melting properties as cheese. The company has also launched yogurts and spreads, with more innovative products on the way.
In the meantime, and in an effort to help even more people go vegan, Nafsika has launched an online course and app called, The Plant-Based Switch, where people can follow along with a weekly guide full of research, tips, daily menu plans, and loads of recipes to ensure they can make a smooth transition to a plant-based, vegan lifestyle. “I also stress a lot about mental health and provide free consultations by certified mental health counselors. We’re looking to change your mind, body, and soul,” says Nafsika.
Creating a better world with compassion with Flagship Products
“It had everything to do with making the world a better place. And I took a practical approach. I produced and hosted a TV show to help teach people about a plant-based/vegan lifestyle (Plant-Based by Nafsika), I launched my vegan cheese line (Nafsika’s Garden), I founded my non-profit charity (People Against Violence Org.) and designed a personal safety app (uAlert app). After receiving my Health Coach certification, I started coaching people to go vegan (The Plant-Based Switch) and since I had obtained my B.A. Arts
degree in English Literature, I began writing books and screenplays.
(All during Covid!),” Asserts Nafsika.
Staying Motivated to Maintain a Work-life Balance
“The main challenge is actually what we just talked about, balancing work and life. While it’s nice that we feel that we can do everything and anything, we need to learn to ask for help sometimes. Women tend to have a lot on their plates as it is. Add kids and family to the mix; it can be a lot. Personally, I’ve always wanted to be in control and do things on my own most of my life, but I’ve come to realize that it is not that necessary. It’s ok to ask for help,” says Nafsika.
Regarding work/life balance, Nafsika has always believed that your mental health is most important, even as a child. It’s ok to take a break if you need to. And it’s equally ok to “power work” when you are feeling motivated. And when you have kids, please give them the attention they deserve because you can’t take back those lost years.
Women entrepreneurs have a variety of responsibilities
“I have the responsibility to be a good role model, and it’s essential to relay messages of positivity and gratitude, no matter what life throws your way. While everything happens for a reason, ultimately, you are in control of how you react to those obstacles and changes,” believes Nafsika.
Steps towards Future
“Gosh, I see many great things happening in two years, from expanding my product lines to publishing books and producing more TV shows. Everything I have accomplished so far was purely because I believed in myself and manifested it. As I say, “You’ve got to visualize your future and believe it. Then, nothing can stop you because, in your mind, it’s already happening,” assures Nafsika.
