A vegan fitness coach is on a mission to extol the virtues of a plant-based diet - and he insists he gets all the nutrients he needs from fruit and veg.

Vlogging star Jon Venus, 26, has been dubbed one of the 'world's hottest vegans' with his virtuous lifestyle earning him a staggering 83,000 Instagram fans and 225,000 YouTube subscribers who follow his every meal.

Jon, who is half Brazilian, half Norwegian and currently lives in Barcelona, Spain, insists plant-based protein is better than whey when it comes to hitting the gym - and he's got the muscles to prove it.

The heartthrob is so proud of his vegan physique he even convinced his wedding photographer to shoot some topless pics when he tied the knot with girlfriend Kathrine, a nutritionist, this summer.

YouTuber and Instagram star Jon Venus shares topless snaps of his virtuous vegan lifestyle with his 83,000 Instagram followers - and he says plant-based diets are the future

The social media maven, who once took part in a 10,000 calorie fruit-eating challenge, says he decided to go vegan after watching a 'shocking' documentary on the agriculture industry - and has never looked back.

He began by documenting his new diet on YouTube which quickly turned into a successful online coaching business.

Jon, who runs coaching website jonvenus.com with Kathrine, says he immediately noticed a range of 'surprising' benefits from more energy and strength in the gym, to a stronger immune system and better digestion.

He told MailOnline: 'I have also been able to build a large amount of muscle completely naturally on a vegan diet, and I think this is why I have gotten so much attention on social media.

'So if someone thinks that you can’t build muscle on a vegan diet, I hope I can prove them wrong.'

Jon says he was a 'hardcore gamer' before he discovered lifting. He now runs a fitness channel, a coaching website with wife Kathrine, and works as an ambassador for Vivo Life

Jon tied the knot with Kathrine last month in Norway where the pair endured a three-hour photo shoot in the mountains to get the perfect shot - and Jon couldn't resist stripping off

'My natural habitat': Jon is vying for the crown of world's hottest vegan after his virtuous lifestyle earned him a staggering 83,000 Instagram fans and 225,000 YouTube subscribers

Jon, who used to subsist on a 'boring chicken and rice diet', added: 'I used to eat meat every single day, like most people do. I would have at least 300g of chicken breast or any other kind of meat per meal, often having multiple meat-based meals per day.

'I grew up having family barbecues every weekend with loads of rump steak, chicken hearts and sausages.

'I would always eat so much meat that I felt horrible for the rest of the day, but up until I went vegan a good barbecue was always my favourite meal.'

And when it comes to pumping iron, Jon, who was a 'hardcore gamer' before he discovered the gym, says that while meat is just as good for bulking up as a vegan diet, the vitamins and minerals in plant-based food can speed up muscle recovery.

The way forward: Jon, who lives in Barcelona, Spain, insists plant-based protein is better than whey protein when it comes to hitting the gym - and he's got the muscles to prove it

Lifestyle change: The social media star says he decided to go vegan after watching a 'shocking' documentary on the agriculture industry - and has never looked back

Brains AND braun: The heartthrob he even convinced his wedding photographer to shoot some topless pics when he tied the knot with girlfriend Kathrine, a nutritionist, this summer

Worth it: Jon says he immediately noticed a range of 'surprising' benefits from more energy and strength in the gym, to a stronger immune system and better digestion

Convert: Jon says he has 'built a large amount of muscle completely naturally on a vegan diet, and I think this is why I have gotten so much attention on social media'

Dedication to the cause: The social media maven took part in a 10,000 calorie fruit-eating challenge in February this year (pictured)

Jon says: 'I used to eat meat every single day, like most people do. I would have at least 300g of chicken or any other kind of meat per meal, often having multiple meat-based meals per day'

Speaking of his YouTube channel - which is 'more of a hobby than a job' - Jon said: 'I barely make any money from my videos but I really enjoy providing information and helping people become healthier and happier.

'Hearing peoples stories about how their lives changed because of what I do is what keeps me motivated to film more videos.'

Jon, who also works as an ambassador for plant based product company Vivo Life, tied the knot with Kathrine last month in Norway where the pair endured a three-hour photo shoot in the mountains to get the perfect shot - and Jon couldn't resist stripping off.

He recalled: 'Me and Kathrine experienced one of the coldest summer photo shoots ever.

Jon's diet before Breakfast: Oatmeal, banana, almond milk and whey protein powder Lunch: Chicken breast with brown rice and a side of broccoli and asparagus Dinner: Pork tenderloin or salmon with brown rice and stir-fried vegetables in soy sauce Advertisement

Jon's vegan diet now Breakfast: Oatmeal, banana, almond milk and plant-based protein powder Lunch: Grilled tempeh with vegetable stir-fry or a post-workout smoothie Dinner: Burrito bowl with brown rice, beans, tofu, lettuce, peppers, tomatoes, salsa and guacamole Advertisement

'It's really funny that after posting the shirtless wedding picture online, many people thought I got married without my shirt on, some people really got offended.

'The shoot was in the middle of nowhere, so the guests didn’t have to witness my half naked body and Kathrine is so used to me being shirtless that she didn’t think anything of it.

'I suppose I lived up to the gym-head stereotype there, but the picture did get a lot of engagement and people enjoyed it!'