Tammy Arias

Tammy Arias is a birth justice doula and vegan activist based in Miami, Florida. Her work aims to educate and empower women and all birthing bodies in several ways - through her doula practice, health coaching, and activism projects related to birth and plant-based community initiatives.

Tammy is truly a beautiful light, and she has fused her mind with her heart to follow her calling and create a practice and a path that would allow her to be part of the change and the solution. Tammy has always been interested in health and wellness, and pursuing an education with the Institute of Integrative Nutrition allowed her to become a certified health coach. Shortly after she was trained as a birth justice doula, and these two combined gave her the skills she needed to fuse her two biggest interests and ultimately, follow her passion.

Through her work Tammy is empowering others to choose their journey to reclaim their health, and I am so excited and inspired by what she’s doing. It’s been really wonderful to connect with her and watch her grow and step outside of her comfort zone over the last year, and I’m so excited for you all to meet her, learn more about her work, and follow along!

I'd love it if you'd introduce yourself, what you do, and what you're working on.

My name is Tammy and I'm a birth justice doula and vegan activist. I trained with Southern Birth Justice Network to become a doula, which essentially means I support pregnant people throughout their pregnancies with natural pain relief/management techniques, I provide resources for them to make decisions and ultimately put together their birth plan, engage their partners if they have one, and advocate for them during the birth. My focus is primarily on supporting pregnant people of color to bridge the gap and turn around the black and brown maternal health crisis. I'm trained in holistic nutrition as well, so I bring that into my practice, providing more in-depth nutrition support for expecting parents. I'm also an organizer for Veggie Mijas, a woman/non-binary of color collective that puts together events for the POC vegan community (and those interested in learning!) where we highlight the importance of a plant-based lifestyle while also intersecting race, gender identity, class, and sexuality; being brown, Latinx, non-binary, women, queer, genderqueer, coming from a working class background, and having other marginalized identities.

How did you get started?

Honestly it was in no way a linear path. I knew I wanted to become a doula or midwife and I'd chosen a holistic nutrition school by the time I was 15- but it wasn't until I was 23, after trying a million things I didn't like, that I finally came back around to it and did exactly that. I guess that's my stubborn Taurus moon!

What inspired the work that you're doing?

Mostly activists/birth workers I've found on instagram! Most have become close friends, and when you're surrounded by people you admire, there's really no shortage of inspiration. I also saw the effects of so many of the issues going on in our food system first-hand in my area, it was hard not to want to be part of a solution.

What is your biggest passion? Do you feel like you're living your passion and purpose?

I'm absolutely positive. I'm big on supporting and empowering people when they're at their most vulnerable, I think everyone deserves that- and thinking about it, most of my work is based around that.

What is your joy blueprint? What lights you up, brings you joy, and makes you feel the most alive?

Seeing the difference your labor is making with your own eyes! Seeing a new parent have a positive birth experience, seeing people's health issues clear up, watching people make connections and laughing in the spaces we create, giving back to the community. It really makes everything totally and completely worth it.

How do you live intentionally? Are there tools/resources/practices that you rely on to help you stay mindful and grounded?

Yes! I really try to be intentional about everything I do and think about how it affects others- I think twice about the companies I support and the way I speak. Meditating, writing out my thoughts, and listening to podcasts always helps me too.

What would your younger self think about what you're doing now?

I think she'd be so proud, for many reasons! I still have a lot to do, but i'm definitely on the right track. I always knew no matter what I ended up doing, I'd be focused on women/femmes.

Do you have a go-to mantra or affirmation?

I'm ready to give and I am ready to receive. I trust in own capabilities and worthiness. I trust in the universe's divine timing.

What is your biggest dream?

My biggest dream is to spend some time traveling through Central and South America volunteering and learning from as much as I can from indigenous cultures. I'd really like to get back to my roots and reclaim my ancestors healing and birth knowledge and pass it on.

To learn more about Tammy you can connect with her on Instagram @veganxdoula and on her website www.veganxdoula.com

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Tammy Arias - Birth Justice Doula and Vegan Activist