To become big and strong, you have to eat a lot of meat - people believed this for years. If you are fora plant-based dietdecides, you have to constantly ask yourself questions like “What can you eat?” or “Where do you get your proteins from?” listen. Athletes in particular, who need much more protein and nutrients, are not spared from such questions and prejudices. But numerous top athletes such as Lewis Hamilton, Venus and Serena Williams, the German “strongman” Patrik Baboumian and many others are clear proof that this lifestyle is not only healthy, but also makes them stronger and more efficient. If you still doubt that a balanced vegan diet can provide you with enough protein and strength, then read on! In this article you will find some famous vegan athletes worldwide!
Whether in football, tennis or Formula 1 – more and more sports stars are avoiding the consumption of animal products and swearing by the benefits of a plant-based diet. A study in the “Journal of International Society of Sports Nutrition” came to the conclusion that vegan athletes are better supplied with carbohydrates, fiber, phytochemicals and antioxidants than meat eaters. This in turn ensures more energy and faster muscle regeneration. Most athletes change their diet primarily for health reasons.
Vegan athletes – The German “strongman” Patrik Baboumian
Successful strength training without steaks and through a purely plant-based diet - for many people this is hardly imaginable. But Patrik Baboumian showed the whole world that it is possible. He was born in Iran and lives in Germany. He won his first title at the age of 20 when he won the “German Junior Bodybuilding”. Baboumian has been eating a completely vegan diet since 2011 and in the same year he won the title “Strongman” and was thus named “Strongest Man in Germany 2011”. In 2012, he set another world record by lifting a 150 kilogram beer barrel over his head. In 2013 he was invited to compete in the “Fibo Champions League” against some of the best strength athletes in the world. Not only did the German prove that he can compete at their level, but he even recorded a victory in the bench press. The strong vegan has published a cookbook “Vegan with a difference”, in which he not only gives many recipes, but also numerous helpful tips on how to become strong with a plant-based diet and supply the body with all the important nutrients.
The tennis star Novak Djokovic also eats a purely plant-based diet
Novak Djokovic is a name that every person should know. The 32-year-old Serbian is one of the best tennis players of modern times. The 17-time Grand Slam winner has already won a number of titles. This includes numerous victories on the ATP tour and a bronze medal for Serbia at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. In 2011, Djokovic won 43 games in a row - the only player in tennis history with such success. The tennis star suffers from gluten intolerance and decided to change his diet a few years ago. He himself has said in many interviews that his health and performance have significantly improved through a vegan diet and avoiding animal products. Novak Djokovic wrote the book “Winning Food – Gluten-Free Food for Top Performance” and opened a vegan restaurant in Monaco. Vegan protein shakes, avocados, nuts and quinoa are on his menu every day.
Lewis Hamilton – Formula 1 professional and world champion
Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton has tried to eliminate meat dishes from his diet in the past, but only temporarily. He has been eating a completely plant-based diet since 2017 and is one of the most famous vegan athletes in the world. In an interview, Hamilton says that the reason for his decision was the Netflix documentary “What the Health”. The documentary is about the health consequences of excessive meat consumption, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and even cancer. Since then, he has continually advocated for environmental protection and a healthier lifestyle. Formula 1 is obviously not a physically demanding sport like bench pressing, but the stress is enormous and you always have to be in top shape. During a race, riders can lose up to 3 kilograms of their body weight. The fact that Lewis Hamilton won the 2017 and 2018 World Championships as a vegan is proof that plant-based diets and elite athletes are by no means mutually exclusive.
Venus Williams is one of the best female vegan athletes
When it comes to successful female sports stars, Venus Williams and her sister Serena are undoubtedly some of the most accomplished athletes of our time. The American has already won 49 singles titles in her career, including 5 at Wimbledon and 7 at Grand Slam tournaments. The tennis player has also won numerous medals at the Olympic Games - once in singles and 3 times in doubles with her sister. When Venus Williams was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, Sjögren's syndrome, in 2011, she began eating a raw vegan diet. As she tells it, the plant-based diet not only changed her lifestyle, but also significantly improved her health and athletic abilities.
The ex-world champion and professional boxer David Haye
If there is one person who is the numerousMyths about the vegan dietscattered, then it is the 102 kilogram former heavyweight boxer David Haye. During his 16-year career, the British boxer has won 28 of 32 fights (26 with knockouts). David Haye was forced to take a break from the ring in 2014 due to a serious shoulder injury that required surgery. That same year, the boxer looked at the benefits of a purely plant-based diet in terms of recovery time, healing rates and performance enhancement. He has been vegan ever since and is a passionate advocate of veganism as a lifestyle. He firmly believes that this diet is the most effective for all professional athletes.
Ultramarathon runner Scott Jurek
Without a doubt, American ultramarathon runner Scott Jurek is one of the most fascinating when it comes to vegan athletes. He has been eating vegan since the 90s, when there were still hardly any reports and studies on whether a plant-based diet had a positive effect on physical performance. “Western States 100 Miles Endurance Run” is considered the toughest non-stop marathon in the world and Scott Jurek has won it 7 times in a row. He has won the 217 kilometer “Badwather Ultramarathon” twice. But he achieved his greatest success in 2010 when he set a new American record in the 24-hour run with 266.7 kilometers. In his book “Eat and Run” he tells how he was able to achieve all these achievements as a vegan and about the connection between sport and nutrition. These days, the runner works as a psychotherapist and speaker for many companies, including Starbucks and Microsoft.
There Bodybuilder Barny du Plessis
Mr. Universe 2014 Barny du Plessis is the first vegan athlete on the bodybuilding scene. He himself believes that anyone can become vegan, regardless of sport. Due to a series of health problems, he was forced to quit bodybuilding in 2013. This made him rethink his eating habits and ultimately gave up steaksprotein-rich, plant-based mealsexchange. And just 1 year later, his condition improved enough for him to return to the stage and play the renowned “Mr. Universe” title won. “These days I train half as much, put in half as much effort and get better results. Why? “Just because I became vegan,” he said in an exclusive interview with PETA.
The legend among vegan athletes – Carl Lewis
Of course, Carl Lewis cannot be missing from our list for vegan athletes. Born in 1961, the professional athlete changed his diet at the age of 29 in 1990 and became vegan. He describes his victory in the 100 meter run at the World Championships in Tokyo in 1991 as his best year. To this day, his long jump record from 1984 remains unmatched. Carl Lewis attributes his 8 world championship titles and a total of 10 medals to his vegan and healthy lifestyle.
The basketball player Kyrie Irving
Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving is one of the best basketball players of our time. He has won numerous titles, including 6-time NBA All-Star, NBA Champion and a gold medal with the USA Team at the 2016 Rio Olympics. And like Lewis Hamilton, Kyrie Irving switched to a plant-based diet after watching the Netflix documentary “What the Health.” Even though he has only been a vegan athlete for two years, he has already been able to convince himself of the many advantages of the lifestyle. The basketball star stars in a new advertising campaign for Beyond Meat, a company that produces plant-based meat substitutes.
Stark und vegan – Mike Tyson
Yes, Mike Tyson only went vegan in 2012 when he retired. But it's still proof that you don't need meat or eggs to be strong. The former heavyweight world champion struggled with typical Western health problems, such as arthritis and high blood pressure. Switching to a plant-based diet helped him beat his drug addiction. In numerous interviews he says that he has never felt so good mentally, spiritually and physically.
