American Thought Leaders

From Vegan Star Chef to Regenerative Rancher | Mollie Engelhart

Oct 9, 2025
Mollie Engelhart, a former vegan chef turned regenerative farmer, shares her transformative journey after facing backlash for reintroducing meat into her menu. She delves into how observing nature reshaped her views on health and agriculture, emphasizing the soil-gut connection and the importance of regenerative practices. Mollie discusses consumer power in promoting sustainable farming and highlights the societal issues tied to declining birth rates and cultural shifts around motherhood. Her insights on connecting with nature and community provide a refreshing perspective on modern food systems.
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ANECDOTE

Backlash After Menu Change

  • Mollie describes how switching from vegan to meat led to protests and targeted online campaigns that hurt her restaurants.
  • The harassment and false 'permanently closed' listings contributed to the eventual closure of her California restaurants.
INSIGHT

Nature Overturned Her Assumptions

  • Mollie says nature disproved many of her previous beliefs by showing life cycles and soil processes firsthand.
  • She concluded environmentalism means interacting with nature, not avoiding or out-scienting it.
ADVICE

Make Consumers Visit The Farm

  • Bring customers onto the farm so they see regenerative practices and reconnect with the source of their food.
  • Use on-farm restaurants and visible grazing to spark consumer remembrance and demand for better food.
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