Angie Palmer was born in Hong Kong, but a taste for adventure led her around the world. In 2008, while working as a film publicist in the United States, a cancer scare prompted permanent and drastic changes in her lifestyle, most notably becoming a vegan.
Last year, she returned to Hong Kong to take a position in public relations for the hospitality group GR8 Leisure Concepts. Palmer is also dabbling in the entertainment industry, having helped produce and performed in the award-winning short film Fast Love. She is also involved in a 1997-era drama that is in production.
She remains a strong advocate of veganism on her blog, found at angiepalmer.wordpress.com.
How did you become a vegan?
I was sick with what could have been a life-threatening disease. All my doctors said I needed surgery. At that time, I was working in the film industry in the US and I met two vegan activists at a documentary screening. I didn't even know what vegan meant back then.
I don't know why I divulged my health condition to them, but I did. They asked if I had ever thought about my diet. I didn't realise that while living in the US, I had adopted an American diet. I was eating more cheese, deep-fried meat and fast food. It made me think if I can get better by choosing to care about what I eat - rather than choosing to go under the knife - why don't I try the former and go on a vegan diet? I gave up meat and dairy, and went cold turkey. After about nine months, my health improved dramatically, to the point where every pathologist's report showed I was getting better. In the end, I recovered fully.