Travis Barker’s decades-long commitment to plant-based living began with a 13-year-old’s surreptitious dinner table rebellion involving pockets full of contraband meat, according to an interview with People. Long before the Blink-182 drummer built wellness brands and advocated for animal welfare, he sat through hours of family dinners to avoid cleaning his plate, eventually discovering he could conceal chicken and ham in his clothes until his mother noticed the pattern.
From Childhood Pocket Smuggling to Plant-Based Advocacy
According to People, Barker stopped hiding the food once he made the mental connection between the meat on his plate and the animals it came from. At a Thanksgiving dinner, he informed his father that he was quitting meat entirely and began preparing his own plant-based meals.
More than thirty years later, the 50-year-old musician has turned that childhood decision into a business and advocacy platform. Barker promotes cruelty-free products through Barker Wellness and Barker Canna, and has invested in plant-based eateries such as Crossroads Kitchen, according to People. He is currently partnering with Humane World for Animals on a campaign encouraging people to adopt shelter animals and avoid fur and leather.
Pro Tip: Easing Into Plant-Based Eating
Barker advises that individuals do not need to overhaul their diets completely overnight. Trying just one plant-based meal a week or visiting a local vegan restaurant can serve as an accessible starting point for reducing animal product consumption.
Raising a Vegan Family in the Spotlight
That plant-based lifestyle extends to the home Barker shares with Kourtney Kardashian. According to People, their two-year-old son, Rocky Thirteen, eats a vegan diet with his father, while Kardashian and several of their older children eat plant-based meals with Barker regularly.
Barker prepares specialized options for his toddler, telling People he makes vegan egg whites, vegan sushi, edamame, and gluten-free vegan bread with vegan butter. The musician noted that his son loves animals and reads books about them, but emphasized that Rocky will make his own dietary choices when he is older.
“Whatever his choice is when he’s old enough to make it will be his,” Barker told People, adding that he prefers leading by example rather than being preachy or an extremist.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Travis Barker become a vegetarian/vegan?
According to People, Barker stopped eating meat at age 13 after realizing where meat came from, announcing his decision at a Thanksgiving dinner with his father.
What brands or businesses does Travis Barker own in the wellness space?
According to People, Barker promotes cruelty-free items through Barker Wellness and Barker Canna, and holds investments in plant-based restaurants like Crossroads Kitchen.
What organization is Travis Barker currently partnering with?
According to People, Barker is collaborating with Humane World for Animals on a campaign that encourages shelter pet adoption and moving away from fur and leather products.
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