London is a city full of energy, colour, and opportunity — but it can also be exhausting. In this episode of The World Vegan Travel Podcast, we meet Carla Casadei, also known as @carlafromrio, whose story shows how burnout can become the starting point for a healthier, happier life.
Carla’s journey takes us from long, sleepless days in vegan kitchens to peaceful runs through London streets and countryside trails. It’s a story about slowing down, listening to your body, and finding community in unexpected places.
Growing Up and Moving Far From Home
Carla grew up in a poor neighbourhood in Brazil. From a young age, she learned how to work hard and push through challenges. Like many people, she dreamed of more opportunities and new experiences.
She eventually moved to London on a short visa to study English. What started as a six-month plan turned into 15 years. London became her home — a place where different cultures, foods, and people from all over the world come together.
London’s diversity made Carla feel welcome. She loved that you could eat food from almost any country, explore parks and markets, and meet people with very different life stories — all in one city.
Vegan Food, Big Dreams, and Burnout
Carla is passionate about vegan food. In London, she co-ran several vegan food businesses, including a pie shop, a pizzeria, and a central kitchen that supplied food to other locations and an online store.
But the workload was huge.
Carla often worked 15 or 16 hours a day. Sometimes she was so tired that she slept at work just to keep going. Over time, the stress became too much. Her body started sending warning signs, including hair loss caused by stress.
This was burnout.
In the podcast, Carla speaks honestly about how hustle culture can make people feel like rest means failure. She reminds us that not everyone has the same energy, support, or resources — and that pushing too hard can be harmful.
“When you get to that stage, you really have to stop and ask yourself if this is the right path.” – Carla Casadei
Discovering Running (and Community)
Running was not something Carla ever planned to love. She didn’t see herself as “sporty” and didn’t feel like she fit into the running world at first.
But running had something special:
- It was free
- It was simple
- And she could do it anywhere
Most importantly, running helped her mental health.
Through running, Carla met people. She joined running groups and found community. She made friends from different backgrounds and felt less alone in a big city. Running wasn’t just exercise — it became a way to connect, talk, laugh, and heal.
Over time, Carla went from short runs to long-distance events and even ultra races. These races took her through beautiful parts of the UK that many tourists never see.
Vegan London Beyond the Tourist Map
Carla’s love for London goes beyond famous landmarks. She talks about running past Buckingham Palace, exploring green neighbourhoods like Muswell Hill, and discovering hidden gems most visitors miss.
She shares how London’s parks, canals, and quiet streets offer moments of calm in a busy city. Running helped her see London differently — slower, closer, and more personal.
For vegan travelers, London is also a dream. Carla explains how easy it is to find plant-based food and how the vegan scene has grown over the years.
A New Chapter: Vegan Cheese and Balance
Carla didn’t leave vegan food behind — she changed how she worked with it.
When she couldn’t find a good vegan mozzarella for her pizza business, she decided to make her own. After a lot of testing, Casadei Foods was born. Today, her vegan cheese is used by popular London pizzerias and may soon be available in supermarkets.
This time, Carla does things differently. She values balance, rest, and wellbeing. Running, travel, and food now work together in her life — instead of competing with each other.
Reflections: Finding Balance in Vegan London
Carla’s story is a reminder that burnout is not a failure — it’s a signal. Her experience shows how pushing too hard, even when doing work you love, can take a toll on your body and mind.
Through running, Carla found more than fitness. She found friends, community, and a new way to experience London. Moving through the city on foot helped her slow down, notice small details, and feel connected — not just to places, but to people too.
Her journey also shows how change is possible. By stepping away from exhausting work patterns, Carla was able to create a healthier life and build a vegan food business that fits her values. London, with its green spaces, diverse cultures, and strong plant-based scene, became the perfect setting for that transformation.
In a world that often tells us to do more and move faster, Carla’s story offers a gentler message: success can mean balance, wellbeing, and doing things with care — for yourself, for others, and for the planet.
You can find Carla on Instagram at @carlafromrio, and all links mentioned in this episode — including her vegan cheese brand Casadei Foods — are available below.
Learn More About What is Discussed on the Podcast
In this episode, Carla shares her personal journey alongside the places, communities, and tools that supported her along the way. Below is a guide to what we talk about — with links to help you explore further.
From Burnt-Out Chef to Vegan Ultra Runner
Carla opens up about her life before running — working long hours as a vegan chef and business owner in London, experiencing burnout, and losing her hair twice due to stress. These wake-up calls led her to make big changes, including choosing sobriety and becoming active for the first time in her 40s, with no sports background at all.
Running and vegan food slowly became sources of healing, strength, and confidence — helping Carla rebuild both her health and her sense of purpose.
Running in London
London plays a big role in Carla’s running journey. She shares where she trained, how she built confidence, and how community made all the difference.
- London Marathon Community Track – where Carla started speed sessions
- Hampstead Heath and Highgate – her local training grounds, known for their challenging hills
Run clubs that helped Carla feel supported and welcome:
Vegan Food in London (Fuel for Running and Life)
Food remains central to Carla’s life — but now in a healthier, more balanced way. She shares some of her favourite vegan spots in London, many of which fuel her running and everyday life.
- Purezza – the UK’s first fully vegan pizzeria, serving Casadei Foods mozzarella
- Tofu Vegan – authentic Chinese vegan food
- Unity Diner – famous for its vegan Sunday roast
- Jam Delish – vegan Caribbean comfort food
- Flat Earth – veggie and vegan pizza using Casadei Foods mozzarella
- B Bagel – popular for vegan bagel options
- The Spread Eagle – a fully vegan pub
Travel and Races Abroad
Carla also talks about combining travel with running — choosing slower, more meaningful ways to explore.
- Travelling through Europe by campervan with her partner and dog
- Running and racing while abroad, including:
- Running in the Austrian Alps, where she faced her fear of heights
Tips for Vegan Runners and Travellers
Carla shares practical, real-life advice for staying nourished and balanced on the road:
- Simple vegan fuel like rice balls, bananas, and gels
- Finding vegan food while travelling using HappyCow
- Buying budget-friendly running gear second-hand (but investing in good shoes)
- Listening to your body and allowing time for rest and recovery
Other World Vegan Travel Content Connected With This Episode
- Vegan UK Road Trip | Stone Circles, Cat Cafés & Castle Feasts
- Vegan London | From Historic Treasures to Baklava Cheesecake
- Exploring Vegan London: An Insider’s Guide with Chiara
- England Travel: Discover Haye Cornwall’s Vegan Retreat & Animal Rescue
- Vegan UK Road Trip | Stone Circles, Cat Cafés & Castle Feasts
