It is becoming a trend for athletes to go vegetarian while embracing the idea that “you don’t need animal protein to build and maintain muscle.” As a result, plant based diets are gaining popularity in the sports world. Thus, many famous athletes are there who turn vegetarian.
From cricket and football stars to tennis pros, more and more athletes are turning vegan to boost their performance. Although some are still taking animal proteins, others are completely dependent upon what they get from a green diet as it suits their physique.
Famous Athletes Who Turn Vegetarian
Here are 10 famous athletes who have made the switch and turn vegetarians not only to maintain their fitness but also their physique.
1) Venus Williams – Tennis Star
Venus Williams is one of the most famous American tennis players. She holds four Olympic gold medals and has won the Wimbledon singles title five times. In 2011, she decided to go vegan after being diagnosed with Sjögren’s Syndrome, which caused extreme fatigue and joint pain. The change in her diet helped alleviate some of her symptoms.
2) Lewis Hamilton – Formula One Racer
The second name on this rundown is Lewis Hamilton. The racer is a four-time Formula One World Champion and is well-known for his vegan diet. He promotes veganism on social media to encourage his fans to adopt a plant based diet. Hamilton once shared a video of a slaughterhouse with the caption, “If you can’t bear this with your eyes, don’t put them in your mouth.”
3) Virat Kohli – Cricketer
Virat Kohli, one of the biggest names in cricket, went vegan in 2019. The Men’s Cricketer of the Decade has inspired many fans with his decision. Kohli, along with his wife Anushka Sharma, embraced a plant-based diet to improve his performance on the field. This change took her fitness to an incredible level despite the fact of getting aged.
4) Tom Brady – NFL Quarterback
The legendary NFL quarterback, Tom Brady, and his wife Gisele Bundchen follow a plant based diet. Brady also promotes veganism within the league and has even collaborated with a vegan meal delivery service. In this way, the well renowned quarterback has created his own range of food items using green proteins.
5) DeAndre Jordan – Basketball (NBA)
NBA star DeAndre Jordan turn vegan in 2018 to help the environment. He has invested in plant based meat company Beyond Meat. Also, he has hosted his own vegan cooking show, “Cooking Clean.” Jordan claims his body feels amazing and his performance has improved since adopting a vegan diet.
6) Javale McGee – Basketball (NBA)
Three-time NBA champion Javale McGee is the next on this rundown on the famous athletes who turn vegetarian. He tried green meals for the first time in 2016 to lose weight and reduce stress on his legs. He initially tried it as a short-term strategy but eventually embraced it as a lifestyle. McGee reports feeling lighter and more energetic since going vegan.
7) Tia Blanco – Surfing
Vegetarian surfer Tia Blanco has achieved significant success since switching to a plant-based diet in 2013. She won consecutive gold medals in 2015 and 2016, becoming the first surfer to do so since 1996. Blanco also used to celebrate veganniversary as this change of diet has opened new doors to success for her.
8) Scott Jurek – Ultramarathon Runner
Scott Jurek, a vegan ultramarathon runner, is proof that you don’t need animal products to excel in athletic performance. He has run the entire Appalachian Trail in record time. Additionally, he won the 135 mile Badwater Ultramarathon twice. Jurek credits his plant-based diet for improving his body composition and performance.
9) Meagan Duhamel – Figure Skating Professional
Canadian figure skater Meagan Duhamel turn vegan in 2008 after reading the diet book “Skinny Bitch.” She has since won three Olympic medals and attributes her increased energy levels and clear skin to her plant-based diet. This inspired other athletes as well to opt for plant meals to achieve the desired level of fitness.
10) Dotsie Bausch – Cyclist
Dotsie Bausch went vegan in 2009 and then, she won a silver medal at the 2012 Olympics. She has also achieved eight US national titles and two Pan American gold medals. Bausch founded Switch4Good, a non-profit advocating for dairy-free diets. The sports generalists have often declared the green diet as one of the biggest reasons for her success.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a vegetarian lifestyle doesn’t mean compromising performance and these top athletes prove exactly that. They have shown the world that strength, endurance, and speed can thrive on plant-based fuel. Whether their motivation was health, ethics, or environmental concerns, their commitment to going vegetarian has inspired millions.
These stories remind us that elite performance and mindful eating can go hand in hand. So if you have ever wondered whether it is possible to succeed in sports without meat, these champions are living proof that you absolutely can, while making a powerful statement beyond the game.
