Wellness Crush: Venetia Falconer

Venetia Falconer, the yoga-loving, natural-living mega-babe recognizable from 4Music, MTV, and most recently Tastemade's natural beauty series, spoke to ONE LDN about turning vegan, secret talents and her guilty pleasures...

This year has seen you present Trending Live for 4Music, filming in Zante for ASOS, and hosting events for River Island. Can you tell us a bit more about how you got into presenting?

I’ve been working in TV for about three or four years. I actually started behind the camera at MTV. Then last summer my friend was working at 4music when they were looking for a new female presenter, so he put me forward for it without me knowing. I did the screen test on a whim, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Can you tell us a bit about what you are working on for Tastemade?

I've been working with them on natural beauty remedies and food and drink recipes, which I'm also releasing via my website. I think they saw my passion for real food, but like that I don't take myself too seriously. You have to check out the first episode Dutty Whine Mulled Wine. I’ve also got a whole load of really fun weird kooky stuff like homemade candles on the way!

Where can we find these videos?

They will be on their website and Snapchat discover page. Honestly, it’s the most exciting thing working for them – I’ll go on their Instagram and then a week later I go back on it and they will have gained around 50 thousand followers. One of the reasons I first started thinking about veganism was after watching one of their presenters Laura Miller. She had a series called Raw Vegan Not Gross, and I was so curious – what’s raw? What’s vegan? And why is it not gross?! And now here we are, full circle. It's so exciting.

So tell us about your decision to go vegan? Was there a moment or a realisation which triggered the choice?

I was in a chicken farm last year and I got chatting to the farmer who ran it, and I realised I’d never really thought about how a chicken breast arrived on my plate. At the same time, I was starting to do more yoga and I think yoga makes you feel more at one with everything. Then my favourite cafe Juice Baby opened in Chelsea. I got speaking to the owner about what a plant based diet was and became really intrigued. From there, I researched the hell out of it, listened to everything I could, watched everything I could find and very gradually I began to cut things out to see how I felt. I used to have eggs for breakfast, chicken for lunch and fish for dinner, so I started by one meal a day, switching to porridge in the morning. Then I progressed to one day a week and then weekends, but I didn’t properly cut out eggs and milk and cheese until last Christmas. When people ask about going vegan, I’d always suggest trying one day a week. It might not be a diet which suits everyone, and sometimes going cold turkey can be hard on your body, so it’s good to try it gradually. Suddenly I don’t look at food because it’s going to make me look a certain way, but I look at food and think – oh great, I can have that because nothing's been harmed to make that, so I can eat it!

Is eating out hard as a vegan?

Generally, London is great, there’s so much choice here. When I was transitioning, my lovely friend Erica and I decided to try a new vegan restaurant in London once a month, we're still finding new ones! I tried a vegan sausage roll at the Black Cat Cafe the other day and was transported straight back to my childhood. Also the chocolate brownie sundae at Farmacy is my death row dessert.

What are the three ingredients you cant live with out?

Coconut oil for beauty, tamari for cooking and chia seeds for baking because they're such a good egg replacement. Speaking of which, I have the BEST vegan brownie recipe coming out in January with Tastemade - all set for Veganuary!

What does your morning routine look like?

Every morning I start my day with hot water, fresh lemon and apple cider vinegar.

How do you stay fit?

A mixture of yoga, running, and boxing.

How do you unwind?

Being around family and friends.

Do you have a secret talent?

I think I have a pretty nifty left upper cut. But that’s not a secret talent. Oh, I can do a great Kylie Jenner impression

*does amazing Kylie Jenner impression*

What’s the last film you watched?

I watched Arrival and Nocturnal Animals in the same week. Both amazing. Basically I think Amy Adams is going to win an Oscar this year.

What song gets you up and dancing?

Amerie – 1 Thing. I was lucky enough to meet her at MTV and it was genuinely the best day of my life. She was absolute heaven. She occasionally likes my Instagram pics and I fully fan girl squeal.

Last book you couldn’t put down?

The Girls by Emma Cline.

What’s your healthy hangover cure?

Oh my god I’m so bad on a hangover I genuinely don’t know what to do with myself. I’m terrible. I made a really great detox drink that’s coming out on Boxing day with Tastemade called Beyonce’s Detox Drank. I should learn to just drink it on tap when I've hit the tiles a little too hard!

Who’s your fitness inspiration?

As much as I love watching GiGi Hadid prance around in her lingerie, it's my friends who are my real fitness inspirations. Firstly, Madeline Shaw - she got me eating real food about 5 years ago, for which I am eternally grateful. Natalia Bonjanic who is Head Of Good Vibes (both at Method and in my life) and my gorgeous pal Niomi Smart who shunned Lucozade in favour of homemade date sachets when she ran the marathon this year. Also, have you seen Shona Vertue's ass? Enough said.

What is your favourite natural beauty product?

My homemade whipped body butter. It's the dream! I'm also obsessed with Maria Nila's shampoo and conditioner.

What is your favourite yoga wear brand?

I love Under The Same Sun and Sea Soul & Snow

Who’s your style inspiration?

My best friend Becca Dudley because she has such a great sense of her own personal style.

What is your guilty pleasure?

I Love Ex on the Beach and Love Island. Trash telly at its finest!

What’s the last thing you do before you go to bed?

I love a liquorice tea in the evening. Pukka do a great one.

What inspires you to be the healthiest version of yourself?

Knowing that it will positively influence every aspect of my life.

What can we expect from you in 2017?

I'm about to fly to Seville with HostelWorld for a very exciting project. I've also got lots coming up with Tastemade, so in the meantime I'm going to be hiding myself away in my kitchen whenever I can coming up with new recipes!

For more updates, recipes and videos check out Venetia's website.