Plant Powered Athletes
In general, sports are comprised of some combination of the following categories: Strength, Endurance, Flexibility, and Static/Dynamic Balance. Athletes strive to improve their performance and to increase the amount of years they are able to play their sport. They also want to recover faster from training sessions and to live an injury free life. The following athletes follow a whole food plant-based lifestyles.
More whole food plant based athletes can be found here.
Patrik was born in Iran and lives in Germany. He won the German Junior Bodybuilding title in 1999. He holds the world log lift record for under 105kg, with a 165kg lift, as well as the German heavyweight log lift record . His heaviest log lift is 190kg. In 2011 he won Germany's Strongest Man, 105kg category. He was also the Vegan Athlete of the Year in 2012.
“This is a message to all those out there who think that you need animal products to be fit and strong. Almost two years after becoming vegan I am stronger than ever before and I am still improving day by day. Don't listen to those self proclaimed nutrition gurus and the supplement industry trying to tell you that you need meat, eggs and dairy to get enough protein. There are plenty of plant-based protein sources and your body is going to thank you for stopping feeding it with dead-food. Go vegan and feel the power!” - Patrik Baboumian
Rich Roll is a graduate of Stanford University and Cornell Law School and is an accomplished athlete. He has participated in many ultra events including the Ultraman World Championships, which involves a 6.2 mile swim, 261.4 mile cycle and 52.4 mile run over 3 days. Rich was awarded the title of one of 2009's '25 Fittest Guys in the World' by Men's Fitness Magazine. Aged 50 years old Roll completed a grueling event which involved running 65 km across hostile terrain and swimming 10 km across many Scandinavian islands (more info here).
"I have found that I am able to repair my body and recover well from workouts and am able to bounce back fresh day in and day out. Believe me, if I felt like I really needed to eat meat or dairy over the last 3 years, I would have. I just never felt like I really needed to." - Rich Roll
Serena and Venus Williams, Tennis Players
The Williams sisters have a combined 30 Grand Slams which they accredit to a whole food, plant based diet. They have both reached the No. 1 world rank in both singles as well as doubles. Both players have won four gold medals at the Summer Olympic Games. As a doubles team they have completed the Career Golden Slam twice.
Lewis Hamilton, Formula One Driver
Lewis Hamilton is a Formula One race car driver who has won numerous world titles while following a plant based diet. He accredits this diet with helping with increase his endurance, strength, recovery, and concentration. Additionally, as is a member of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team he is widely considered to be one of the greatest drivers of all time. Finally, Lewis Hamilton holds the record for the most career points in his sport.
“I have plenty of protein in my diet and I've gained muscle, and I'm healthier and happier than I've ever been. Wish I did it sooner.” - Lewis Hamilton
Chris Smalling is a professional English soccer player who has played for the internationally renowned club Manchester United. Smalling plays as a center back and converted to a plant-based lifestyle to improve his health by reducing his tendinitis. Smalling also attributes his plant-based diet to improved athletic performance.
“On the [exercise] bike my power output has gone up. I’m constantly getting stronger and getting better results. Even my skin, I had a lot more break outs before than I do now. I’m feeling a lot of physical benefits from [going plant-based].” - Chris Smalling
Scott has won at least 24 ultramarathons over his running career. He has won the Western States 100 mile endurance run seven times. Scott has won the historic 153-mile Spartathlon and even set the United States record for the most miles run in 24 hours with 165.7 miles (6.5 marathons). He follows a plant powered diet, which he credits for his endurance, recovery and consistent twenty year racing career.
Kendrick Farris, Olympic Weighlifter
Kendrick Farris was the only male weightlifter from Team USA to qualify for the 2016 Summer Olympics. Farris also set a new United States record by lifting 800 pounds. He follows a plant powered diet and made the switch in 2014. He claims that a plant powered diet helps him recover a lot faster and he feels a lot lighter than before. Kendrick says that he can also focus much better now and he's totally locked in.
Carl Lewis's outstanding accomplishments include 9 gold and 1 silver Olympic medals in the 100 meter and 200 meter sprints. His world record in the indoor long jump still stands to this day. He was also voted "Sportsman of the Century" by the International Olympic Committee.
"I've found that a person does not need protein from meat to be a successful athlete. In fact, my best year of track competition was the first year I ate a vegan diet." - Carl Lewis
Tia Blanco is a professional surfer from Puerto Rico who follows a plant-based diet. In 2015, she won the first place Gold medal at the International Surfing Association (ISA) Open Women's World Surfing Championship. The following year, she went on to successfully defend her title by winning the 2016 edition of the same championships.
"It was surprising how easy it is to be vegan. I was vegetarian my whole life prior so the transition was relatively easy for me to cut out dairy. When I cut out the dairy I noticed I had more energy. I also lost some fat and gained muscle! For anyone thinking about trying to go vegan, do it in steps. Slowly wean yourself off meats and dairy. Go at your own pace.” - Tia Blanco
Hector Bellerin, Soccer Player
Hector Bellerin is a professional Spanish soccer player who currently plays for the club Arsenal in the Premier League in. Among his accolades, he was the only Arsenal player named to the 2016 PFA Team of the Year. Bellerin is also known for his superb speed and broke the Arsenal 40-meter sprint record.
“At the beginning I wanted to try for a couple of weeks, kind of to detox my body and stuff. But I felt so great after it, I’ve been [vegan] for six months now.“ - Hector Bellerin