Ian Somerhalder: Vampire Diaries, Quitting Acting & Feeding the World Through Regenerative Farming

Ian Somerhalder spent eight seasons as Damon Salvatore on The Vampire Diaries — one of the most beloved characters in TV history. Then he walked away from acting entirely. This week on Haley on the Go Ian opens up about why he left Hollywood at the height of his fame, what it took to find his purpose beyond the screen, and how failure became the thing that shaped him instead of the thing that stopped him. Now living on a farm with 30 animals, Ian is on a mission he believes could change everything: making sure everyone has access to the food they need through regenerative farming. He breaks down how this work could transform our food system, why he traded red carpets for pastures, and what building businesses from scratch taught him that acting never could. Plus — for the TVD fans — Ian takes us back to his Vampire Diaries days with stories from set, what the show meant to him, and how playing Damon changed his life. Haley on the Go is the show where I take you inside the conversations everyone should be having. We are talking to the people you care most about about the issues that matter most to you. Come for the guest, stay for the conversation, leave with something to talk about. New episodes every week — come for the guest, stay for the conversation, leave with something to talk about. If this episode resonated with you, follow the show, leave a rating, and share it with someone rethinking their own second act.