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Throughout life, we encounter situations that test our moral fiber—opportunities to rationalize ethical lapses or compartmentalize aspects of our existence for convenience rather than living a congruent existence.
Yet, a rare few possess the raw fortitude to show up authentically, refusing to sacrifice integrity in favor of expediency. Allow me to introduce one such individual.
My guest today is Tanya O’Callaghan, a musician, speaker, and ardent activist who embodies the spirit of rock and roll like few others. Hailing from a small town in Ireland, she has forged an extraordinary path that has taken her from the Irish music scene to the world’s most prominent rock stages.
Tanya’s magnetic bass talents command attention, blending raw skill, unbridled charisma, and an unyielding commitment to her passions, making her impossible to ignore. Whether she’s driving the rhythms alongside legendary acts like Whitesnake, Puscifer, Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson, and Dee Snider, or using her platform to amplify critical causes like animal rights and environmental stewardship, Tanya embodies the spirit of rock and roll like few others.
Her path has been anything but ordinary. In Ireland, she carved out her rebellious journey against the backdrop of Catholicism and convention. As a straight-A student, she skipped school to volunteer to care for animals at a local animal rescue. Eventually, she decided to leave school altogether, surrendering to the call of music that would take her around the world. Now, her life is a whirlwind of touring, activism, and an unwavering commitment to living according to her principles.
“Music was never something I wanted to get into for the glory of it, I just wanted to have a platform to leverage for activism.”
– TANYA O'CALLAGHAN
Today, Tanya shares her journey from her rebellious childhood in Ireland to her current success in the global music scene. She recounts her early dedication to animal activism, her transition from aspiring to work in veterinary science to becoming a self-taught musician, and her eventual move to LA to pursue her music career. She discusses the challenges she faced in the industry, her various gigs, and her advocacy for plant-based nutrition.
She tells us about her experiences of touring, performing live, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle while on the road. Additionally, Tanya touches on the evolving landscape for women in music, the importance of respectful dialogue in societal shifts, her commitment to supporting veterans’ health through a documentary project, and more.
For those who prefer a visual experience, the conversation is available on YouTube. As always, the audio version streams wild and free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Tanya is an inspiration. She’s a powerful presence in the world, and how she shows up in art and advocacy is truly laudable.
Get on this one, people! Rock on!
Peace + Plants,
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- Connect with Tanya: Website | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | LinkedIn
- Film: Bob, The Movie Website
- Trailer: Bob
- Instagram: @highwaytohealthofficial
- Spotify: Whitesnake
- Spotify: Puscifer
- Spotify: Bruce Dickinson
- Spotify: Dee Snider
- Bass Magazine: Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden Releases New Single with Tanya O’Callaghan on Bass
- Bass Magazine: Tanya O’Callaghan: Titan of Rock
- Exam Room Podcast: Wild Conversation with a Legit Vegan Rockstar: Tanya O’Callaghan
- Celebrity Access: Dave Moreno, Mistheria, And Tanya O’Callaghan Join Bruce Dickenson’s Mandarin Project Tour
- FreeThinker: A Q&a With Whitesnake’s Tanya O’Callaghan: The Plant-Powered Bassist Who Believes People Are Inherently Kind
- UnchainedTV: Derrick & Tanya’s Highway to Health
- Bass Gear Magazine: Watch Tanya O’Callaghan Demo the New DiMarzio Relentless J Pickups
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Thank The Team: I do not do this alone. Send your love to Jason Camiolo for audio engineering, production, show notes and interstitial music; with additional audio engineering by Cale Curtis and additional music by Moby; Blake Curtis & Dan Drake for video, & editing; graphics by Jessica Miranda & Daniel Solis; portraits by Davy Greenberg, Grayson Wilder & Gizelle Peters; copywriting by Ben Pryor; and theme music by Tyler Piatt, Trapper Piatt & Hari Mathis.
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