You’d Never Guess These Men Are Vegan
1. Barny Du Plessis, Mr. Universe 2014
Du Plessis, who joined the ranks of bodybuilding legends when he was named Mr. Universe 2014, went vegan for both the animals and his health. He says that he’s gained muscle mass since going vegan.
2. Bryant Jennings, Heavyweight Boxer
Jennings says that he has become more clear-minded since going vegan. When asked about his eating habits, he says, “It’s not a diet, it’s a lifestyle. It’s me.”
3. David Carter, NFL Football Player
A photo posted by David Carter (@the300poundvegan) on Nov 30, 2014 at 11:55am PST
Carter shows us that a 300-pound NFL lineman can maintain his strength and competitiveness on vegan foods. In fact, his website is called The 300lb Vegan. He told The Discerning Brute, “The more I learned, the more my body benefited and my results came quickly. More energy, shorter recovery time, increased stamina, improved strength, and the peace of mind that no one had to die in order for me to live.”
5. Griff Whalen, NFL Football Player
Whalen’s enthusiasm for his vegan diet is evident when he describes how he feels since making the switch. The Colts wide receiver told The Indianapolis Star, “I feel a lot lighter, faster, quicker on the field. There isn’t that heavy feeling, that groggy feeling after I eat.” He even has the team’s executive chef prepare him power-packed vegan meals. Go, Colts!
6. Alexey Voyevoda, Olympic Bobsledder and Arm-Wrestling Champion
A photo posted by Alexey Voevoda (@alexeyvoevoda) on Jul 24, 2015 at 12:29am PDT
This Olympic medal-winning Russian athlete went vegan over four years ago, and the change has had a multifaceted effect on his life. “I no longer eat the suffering and pain of defenceless animals,” he says. “Secondly, my body has become lighter, so to say ‘clearer’. … And … I almost never suffer from a cold or flu.”
7. Ben Gordon, NBA Basketball Player
Gordon talked to Vice Sports recently about vegan eating, which he, like Jennings, stresses isn’t a diet but a lifestyle. Gordon describes convincing teammates to try vegan dishes and how pleasantly surprised they were by how delicious the meals were. On his Twitter feed, he called vegan eating his “better-living-lifestyle.”
8. Patrik Baboumian, Weightlifter
Baboumian broke a world record by carrying 1,200 pounds for 10 meters, the equivalent of giving a horse a piggyback ride. He explains what inspired him to go vegan: “One day, I just thought, if you see a bird with a broken leg, you really have the urge to do something about it and help the bird. … Then, at the same time, you go to a restaurant and eat a chicken or something. It doesn’t make any sense.”
9. Mark Hunt, UFC Heavyweight Fighter
A photo posted by The Super Samoan (@markhuntfighter) on Mar 10, 2015 at 12:35am PDT
In another testament to the power of social media, the “Super Samoan” UFC heavyweight contender and mixed martial arts icon wrote, “I’m going vegan, hate this,” on his Facebook page, alongside a video that showed the horrors endured by pigs in a slaughterhouse. We wish him luck on his new, compassionate journey!
Take a cue from these talented athletes: Put down that hamburger and eat plants like a real man.
