6 Ripped Vegans You Should Follow

Ever since the tyrannosaurus-rex set the trend, the carnivore has long been associated with the masculine stereotype. Simply put, eating meats that consist of high protein was the best way to put on mass and gain muscle. However, after millions of years, things have started to change. With an increase in technological advancement, different ways to intake protein have become available. As a result, essentially all people and, specifically, many athletes have integrated vegetables to become a staple in their respective diets.

Interestingly, some athletes have gone even further. They’ve turned to veganism. Though the vegan lifestyle has amassed a sizable following in the past couple years, the people who have hopped on the vegan bandwagon are not stereotyped as being strong or ripped. That being said, looking at these five vegan athletes could change your mind.


No. 1: Billy Simmonds

@Billy_Simmonds

"Dreams save us. Dreams lift us up and transform us. And on my soul, I swear...until my dream of a world where dignity, honor and justice becomes the reality we all share--I'll never stop fighting. Ever." One of the best #Superman quotes ever. #billysimmonds #mruniverse #vegan #naturalbodybuilder #veganbodybuilding #peacebeginsonyourplate #eatplants #peta #animalsaustralia #voiceless

A photo posted by billy_simmonds (@billy_simmonds) on Jun 19, 2013 at 12:22am PDT

Simmonds is an Australian body builder who won the 2009 Mr. Universe championship. Currently, Simmonds works as a nutrition consultant and a professional stuntman. Simmonds also owns a black belt in the Korean martial art hapkido.



 


No. 2: Austin Aires

@AustinAires

I'm ready for The Greatest Man That Ever Lived @AustinAries to become a 2x World Champion http://pic.twitter.com/ZiigR3letW

— Bret (@Heelpunk4life) June 10, 2015

A TNA professional wrestler, Aires decided to become a vegan in 2011. He made his choice because he believed that the corporate food industry does not serve food that’s healthy enough to consume. Aires has felt healthy since the switch in 2011 and, in 2012, he won the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.



 


No. 3: Dominick Thompson

@DomzThompson

Day 42 of no weightlifting while getting back in ironman triathlon shape. This is actually my thin version as I'm dropping weight on purpose so I can be lighter in the water as muscle is heavy with regards to buoyancy. #ElephantProblems.

A photo posted by Dominick Thompson (@domzthompson) on May 27, 2015 at 6:03pm PDT

Thompson may not have national fame, but he sure knows how to carve out a niche in instagram. Thompson, who has over 90,000 followers, has not eaten meat for thirteen years. His main reason for giving up animal meats was that he felt humans were not designed to consume animal. According to him, without machines, we wouldn’t be eating them. Thompson acted on this mindset. He started off as a vegetarian and, three years ago, he hopped aboard the vegan squad. Thompson also participates in triathalons and ironman competitions. 

 


No. 4: Mac Danzig

@macdanzigmma

  

Posted by Mac Danzig MMA on Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Danzig, a former MMA fighter has been a full-fledged vegan since 2004. In 1996, when Danzig was 16, he decided to stop eating beef and pork purely for animal rights reasons. In 1999, Danzig decided to eliminate dairy products from his diet because as he grew older he began to develop inner ear infections. He thought cutting out dairy could help him stave off the infections. In fact, since he cut them out of his diet, he hasn’t had one infection. Finally, in 2004, Danzig eliminated chicken from his diet because he didn’t like it any more. After 2004, Danzig went on to very successful UFC and MMA careers. He won the season six of The Ultimate Fighter and finished his MMA career with a 21-12 record.

 


No. 5: Griff Whalen

@GriffWhalen

  

Maybe the hardest thing I've ever done. A mile of stairs at 8,500ft elevation #theincline @Ascent_Sports @JBaca60 http://pic.twitter.com/Ou4pxjbM7m

— Griff Whalen (@GriffWhalen) July 9, 2014

Whalen is one of the few current NFL players that adheres strictly to veganism. Whalen switched to eating solely plant based foods after his girlfriend convinced him. Since then, Whalen has felt quicker and much lighter on his feet. Though Whalen only had two receptions last year, he still looks to establish himself this year as one of Andrew Luck’s many reliable targets.



 


No. 6: James Wilks

@LightningWilks

#tbt

A photo posted by James Wilks (@lightningwilks) on Aug 8, 2013 at 7:17pm PDT

Wilks is best known for winning Spike TV’s The Ultimate Fighter: United States vs. United Kingdom.

Wilks, a United Kingdom native, is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a black belt in taekwondo and a black belt in kick boxing. Wilks currently owns a 7-4 record in MMA contests. Wilks thought so highly of his vegan diet that he created an organization called “Plant Athlete” that promotes the athletic-oriented benefits of veganism.                   

 

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