FLINT, Michigan — “I’m no chef, but I be cooking” is how Brandon Horton starts each video on his YouTube channel ‘
Plantbased Brandon’ where he whips up a variety of plant-based dishes from scratch. Inspired by actress and social media personality Tabitha Brown’s vegan lifestyle, the Flint native transitioned to a plant-based diet three years ago when he noticed that his energy levels were lower than usual.
“A few years ago, I was working at the post office, clocking in 60-hour weeks,” Horton explained. “I was constantly tired, barely had energy for my family, and wasn’t eating the best. My wife was watching Tabitha Brown, and I got curious about her lifestyle. At first, the idea of going plant-based seemed impossible for someone like me — I barely ate vegetables! But I was also impulsive, so I decided to give it a shot.”
Horton began experimenting with plant-based recipes, and within a couple of weeks, his energy levels skyrocketed, and that’s when he decided to stick with a plant-based diet. What started as a personal journey soon became a public one as he began documenting his recipes on YouTube to make the transition easier for others.
Now based in Texas, the independent musician and plant-based advocate has amassed over 57K subscribers on YouTube and produced over 200 videos that teach viewers how to prepare delicious, healthy plant-based dishes.
Horton also released an e-book with 23 of his favorite vegan recipes which can be found
here. He attributes his growth to the power of consistency and community support he receives from his online platforms.
Flintside recently caught up with 'Plantbased Brandon' to learn more about his plant-based journey, the challenges of juggling multiple passions, and the lessons he's learned along the way. He also gave us the inside scoop on his favorite plant-based meal so far. Keep reading for more.
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Courtesy photoBrandon Horton, also known as Plantbased Brandon.Flintside: How has your plant-based journey been so far?
B. Horton: “It’s been amazing. My energy is better, my skin cleared up, and I’ve become more intentional about what I put in my body. I love sharing what I’ve learned with others, and my YouTube channel has become a platform where I can do that. One of my biggest struggles early on was not knowing what to eat, so I started researching recipes. That inspired me to document my journey through videos, giving beginners ideas on what to cook.”
Flintside: How do you come up with your recipes?
B. Horton: “Inspiration comes from everywhere — scrolling through social media, cravings, or simply using what’s in my kitchen. Sometimes, I see a dish and think, “How can I veganize this?” Other times, I just experiment with ingredients to create something new. It’s all about trial and error and having fun in the kitchen.”
Flintside: How have people around you reacted to your plant-based lifestyle?
B. Horton: “At first, people were skeptical [but eventually came around]. Although my wife and sons don't participate in a plant-based diet, they are very supportive and even try a lot of the plant-based dishes I make. My dad, though, was the biggest surprise. Initially, he joked about it, but as he became more conscious of his health, he started incorporating more plant-based meals. I don’t know if he’s fully plant-based now, but he’s definitely eating healthier.”
Flintside: Let’s talk about your music career. Would you say you transitioned from music to focus on growing the Plantbased Brandon brand?
B. Horton: “It’s definitely a balancing act. I still write almost every day and am working on new music, hopefully releasing some in March. But right now, my plant-based brand is where the bulk of my income comes from, so I stay focused on that while making time for music whenever I can.”
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Courtesy photoBrandon Horton, also known as Plantbased Brandon.
Flintside: What are some lessons you’ve learned in terms of exploring multiple passions? And what advice do you have for someone who’s looking to explore another field?
B. Horton: “It’s challenging but doable. I’m a father, a husband, a business owner, and an artist, so time management is key. The biggest lesson is to keep an open mind. Sometimes, we tie our identity to one thing, but we’re capable of so much more. If you’re exploring a new passion, approach it with the same energy you’d give your first passion. Stay consistent, and don’t be afraid to pivot.”
Flintside: How has your YouTube journey been?
B. Horton: “It’s been incredible. The community I’ve built on YouTube is amazing — they really support and ride for you. Some people comment on every video, and it feels like a family. Seeing that kind of engagement motivated me to take YouTube seriously. I started by repurposing my Instagram and TikTok content for YouTube Shorts, and my subscriber count kept growing. That’s when I realized I should focus more on it. YouTube really pushes Shorts, so that helped my growth. It showed me that with consistency, you can build something substantial.”
Flintside: Looking back, how long did it take for your YouTube journey to gain traction?
B. Horton: “It took a few months for my follower count to start increasing. YouTube wasn’t my main focus initially, but once I saw the growth, I started making longer videos and taking it seriously. The key is consistency — just show up, even when you don’t feel like it.”
Flintside: What is your favorite plant-based meal so far?
B. Horton: “Definitely fried oyster mushrooms. They have a texture similar to chicken which I loved before going plant-based. Another favorite is my mushroom and chickpea burger — I could eat that any time!”
To learn more about Plantbased Brandon, visit his website, and don’t forget to subscribe to his YouTube channel for more plant-based recipes.