Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Lockey.
Hi Lauren, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
It all started with a fish. I was eight years old and sitting next to my dad in a small boat when he reeled in a fish he hooked at the end of his fishing pole. I witnessed this small creature suffocate and suffer outside the water and I immediately felt sadness. I proceeded to cry until my dad released him back into the water. That day is when I realized that all animals are sentient beings, not just the individual pets we share our homes with.
I became a vegetarian at age eleven and attended my first animal rights meeting at age thirteen. I grew up loving animals and spent more time with my horse, Nickel, and my dog, Shamus than I did with my human friends. Their love was unconditional and I knew my passion was to try to help and save them all!
Sage Mountain Sanctuary was started in 2013 in an effort to bring light to the truth about the suffering of billions of animals entrenched in our food system. Our mission is to cultivate compassionate behavior change through being in the presence of rescued farm animals. The sanctuary is the home to over twenty-five animals, all rescued through our partnership with other organizations and individuals.
Morgan the pig fell off a transport truck when he was only three months old. He was on his way to a “finishing” farm which is where pigs spend three more months crammed together in windowless sheds until they are fattened up for slaughter. All animals slaughtered for food are just babies. Even though Morgan was severely road rashed and cut up, he was extremely lucky that day because now he is free to be a cute, vocal, belly rub loving pig at the sanctuary.
Our goal is for every animal to be that happy and free and we realize it has to come from raising our collective consciousness and connecting the very fact that we are all similar in the ways that matter, we all want to be happy and be free from suffering.
Our non-profit focuses on empowering the community to adopt a plant-rich vegan lifestyle to not only help the animals, but to also dramatically lessen our carbon footprint, and thrive as a healthy species. When people come to visit the sanctuary, they see each and every animal as an individual and see that their choices have an impact on the billions of other individuals out there.
They also walk away knowing that raising animals as food creates more greenhouse gas emissions than the entire transportation sector, is a major contributor to drought, and is the number one threat to wildlife and cause of land destruction. Eating animals and animal products is the number one cause of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Visitors gain this knowledge and can make more educated choices while feeling empowered to do so.
The sanctuary has become a healing place for non-human and human animals alike. We have more volunteers and people attending yoga out there than ever before because people not only enjoy giving back, they also find a presence and safe haven just by being around the animals. The animals are great ambassadors for creating a more compassionate, kind, and joyful world.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This has most certainly been a “learn as you go” experience and I am incredibly grateful for all the help and support we have received along the way. If it wasn’t for our community, we would not be where we are today. Dave and I had a vision and started with one shelter. We then rescued two pigs named Ponyboy and Wilma Jean and from there it grew.
We weren’t sure how the Park City community would respond because rescuing farm animals and being vegan was a fringe movement, especially in a mountain ski town! It has gained more traction across the world and I like to think Sage Mountain and the Park City community have been an inspiration for many. Even though I wish everyone would go vegan right now, I understand it takes time! Plus, witnessing the rise in not only plant based meats and products, but also in lab grown meat is so encouraging. Technology is surely a game changer for this movement. We are going forward in a promising direction!
In the beginning, when it was just the two of us, it was stressful. Not only taking care of the animals but also trying the grow the organization. I spent many nights without sleep and constantly worried about the animals and if this was the right path to take. Then you throw in some harsh winters and you really start to question it all!
I will say it has all been worth it and can’t say enough how grateful we are for those who have joined the team. We are family.
I am so excited to see where we are in five years!
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Sage Mountain is a non-profit we started in 2013 but I have also been a yoga/fitness instructor since 2001. The combination of both inspired me to become a Health Coach and create Lauren Lockey Wellness. I specialize in empowering women who struggle with depression and/or anxiety and need some guidance in finding a purpose or passion in life. I knew my passion and purpose from a very young age but depression and anxiety play a role in my daily life. I have learned how to dance with these aspects of myself, accept them without allowing them to paralyze me.
Navigating what connects me to my own power comes from becoming my own witness of what works and doesn’t work in my life. From this, I created the “arms” of my holistic health coaching which includes:
- Movement and exercise for improved physical fitness.
- Yoga and meditation for mind-body balance.
- Healthy eating build routine and structure around how we nourish our bodies.
- Daily tools and habits to cultivate mental and emotional wellbeing.
- Acts of service to achieve fulfillment through contributing personal strengths towards the greater good.
- Animal therapy to heal through the connection to rescued animals.
I am available for a free 30-minute consultation to see if we are a good fit. From there, I guide clients through a ten-session journey of empowering self-discovery! Many of my coaching sessions are held at Sage Mountain Sanctuary.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Partner with other groups with whom you share common goals. Write articles in community papers or magazines. Host events within the community. Be patient. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes.
Be active on social media (but don’t let it consume you!). Ask for help. Find a partner to work with and hold each other accountable.
Contact Info:
- Email: lauren@sagemtn.org
- Website: www.sagemtn.org and laurenlockeywellness.com
- Instagram: @sagemountainsanctuary and @laurenlockeywellness
- Facebook: Sage Mountain Sanctuary and Lauren Lockey Wellness
Image Credits
Johnny Nunez
