This movement is beginning to become more and more real. What started out as lifestyles for extreme health and animal advocates (or try-hard celebrities) is moving its way into the sports world in a big way. With an increasing amount of conclusive studies and heightened awareness in the media, we’ve seen more and more athletes in major sports leagues publicly identify as vegans and vegetarians. These athletes(depending on position and sport) have a limited shelf life, their goal (just as anyone else) is to extend their careers to be as long and prosperous as possible. When individuals who get paid to play a sport begin to adapt a new health and eating lifestyle it points out a glaring truth. Personal health and well-being play a huge roll in accomplishing a long prosperous career, its just bad business not to leverage any advantage they can, especially one that has the potential to pay dividends from a financial and longevity aspect.

What are the benefits?

WP– James Loomis, medical director of the PCRM’s Barnard Medical Center, who served as team internist for football’s St. Louis (now Los Angeles) Rams and baseball’s St. Louis Cardinals before he got interested in plant-based medicine, saw professional athletes develop serious health problems at an early age by focusing only on eating a lot of calories. “I call it ‘bro science,’ ” he says. “They’re thinking about getting big and strong without thinking about the long-term impact. But if we help develop healthy habits in younger athletes, it helps them in post-career.” Inflammation caused by dietary choices, which can lead to a host of chronic diseases, is a common concern for Loomis, Levin and Koff, even if they don’t agree on the need for a completely vegan diet. Eating meat and animal products, Koff says, has been associated with inflammation, “so it’s all the more reason to have a lot of plants in the diet to balance [that] out.”

Adapting a plant based diet had multiple advantages including their magical anti-inflammatory properties. It’s know to increase mood, promote sleep and help the body avoid and overcome injuries faster. In a profession where you are paid to be on the field/court and every extra year of your career means millions of dollars, not being as educated and humanly possible (or finding a trainer/ nutritionist who is) on how to fuel your body in the most efficient way is just ignorant. The information’s out there, the state of today’s media(social media) is beginning to expose the downsides of the traditional western diet. Documentaries continue to flood Netflix, the organic movement is very well underway. You see the increased investments in you local food stores, Walmart, Costco, all culminating with Amazons mega acquisition of Whole foods.

Dare I bring up Tom Brady’s 10 year fight against inflammatory foods….which he seems to be winning. More and more athletes are beginning to make this lifestyle move to gain and edge, not only on the competition but on time.

Here’s a list of notable Athletes who have made the switch:

Serena WIlliams -Tennis

Venus Williams — Tennis

Kyire Irving – NBA Guard

Nick and Nate Diaz – UFC Fighters

Aaron Rodgers – NFL QB *Mostly Vegan*

Damian Lillard – NBA Guard

Jahlil Okafor – NBA Center *Mostly Vegan*

Colin Kaepernick – NFL QB

Prince Fielder – MLB Power Hitter

Lewis Hamilton — Formula 1 Racing Driver

Wilson Chandler – NBA Forward

Jermain Defoe — Soccer

Demaryius Thomas – NFL Wide Receiver

JJ Redick – NBA Guard

Tia Bianco – surfer

Tony Gonzales – NFL (retired) TE

David Carter – NFL Defensive lineman

Mike Tyson – Legend and pigeon whisper

This has also become a trend among the Rap community as well; highlighted in Qunicy Jones documentary “Feel Rich” (Netflix). This lifestyle change is being adapted all over, the question is when will the general public get the memo and begin follow suit. Its similar to the fashion game, they introduce some crazy wardrobe -> a few celebrity wear it -> and now I’m wearing joggers as i type this, are you wearing joggers too?