We had the good fortune of connecting with Tabay Atkins and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tabay, how does your business help the community?
When I was 7 years old, I saw the benefits of yoga help my mom heal and recover from cancer and the side effects from chemotherapy. That inspired me to want to teach yoga and help others heal and stay healthy through this healing practice. When I was 10, I became 200-hour vinyasa certified and started teaching yoga classes and donating to cancer patients. Through this yoga journey, I learned about the plant-based diet and vegan lifestyle, and have incorporated that into my teachings, to help facilitate a healthier and more compassionate world. Over the past decade since my first introduction to yoga, I have also been training and certified in plant-based nutrition, reiki, and plant-based cuisine. I have incorporated all of these practices into my services, to offer the most comprehensive and beneficial wellness platform for my clients.
When I was 16 years old, I opened a vegan food truck, called Tabay’s Mindful Kitchen.
On my food truck, I specialize in vegan versions of fast food favorites and comfort food classics.
I wanted to open up my food truck to make it easier for people to make the switch to the plant-based diet, for their health, the health of the planet, and the animals. I wanted to help open peoples’ minds to vegan food and show them that they can have all of their favorite foods and still be vegan.
Overall, my business is helping the community live healthier, but still enjoy the process, and help the world by helping create the shift to a more sustainable, peaceful, and compassionate world, for the benefit of all beings.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What sets me apart from the rest is (besides my age) the comprehensiveness of my offerings. Everything I do falls under the umbrella of wellness, but with all the various specialties I am trained in, I can offer the most beneficial program for each client. I am very proud of all that I have managed to accomplish before turning 18, and all that I have in the works for the future. Opening my food truck was an especially proud moment for me, and hearing what the community has to say about my food is even more gratifying.
Getting where I am today was definitely not easy, but well worth the effort. Looking back on all that I have done, I have discovered a valuable secret… When you have a dream, mission, idea, or anything that you want to accomplish, the only way to turn your ideas from theoretical to reality is to take massive, meaningful action to get it done. Don’t wait. There is nothing to wait for but you. You are the only one who can take the appropriate action to make your idea a reality.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
For starters, I would say the best spot to eat would be Tabay’s Mindful Kitchen food truck! With over 40 delicious menu items, you could have a different menu item for each meal and have something different each time! There are so many fun and exciting things to do in Dana Point and the surrounding South Orange County area. There are plenty of beaches to choose from like Doheny State Beach, or Baby Beach by Dana Point Harbor. A drive down Del Prado through the famous Lantern District will show you a beautiful display of the local businesses in this vibrant coastal community. The Dana Point Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center can help you find all sorts of fun activities and attractions to fill up your week.
Nearby, in San Juan Capistrano, the San Juan Mission is an amazing historic attraction. There is plenty to do outside the mission as well, like my favorite antique store, The Old Barn Antique Mall.
In San Clemente, the famous Del Mar street has a diverse shopping, cultural, and art scene, with the San Clemente pier very close by.
The great thing about this southern part of OC, is that everything is basically within a half hour of each other. Each city with its own unique set of offerings.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My success is greatly due to my mom’s unconditional support, guidance, and love. It is because of her that I was introduced to yoga and learned how to cook. She taught me the importance of selfless service and helping those in need. Thanks to her support and believing in me, I started teaching yoga at age ten and opened my food truck at age 16.

Website: https://www.tabayatkins.com/

Instagram: @TabayAtkins

Facebook: Tabay Atkins

Yelp: Tabay’s Mindful Kitchen – https://s.yelp.com/yfDm2i6kmi

Other: My food truck’s Instagram is @TabaysMindfulKitchen Its Facebook is Tabay’s Mindful Kitchen And it’s website is https://www.tabaysmindfulkitchen.com/

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.