ant-based and still build serious muscle mass. Whether it’s for health, ethics, or performance, their stories show it’s possible to thrive on plants and crush it on stage.
Table of Contents:
- Top 10 Vegan bodybuilders
- Vegan Bodybuilder FAQs
- How To Go Vegan As A Bodybuilder
Top 10 Vegan Bodybuilders
Even if you've never considered becoming vegan, it's likely these 10 vegan bodybuilders will have you working more plants and fewer animals into your daily diet.
Here's a look at the top 10 vegan bodybuilders.
1. Torre Washington:
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Vegan since 1998
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SNBF Pro Card & Musclemania Universe champ
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Nutrition: Tofu, lentils, oats, rice, leafy greens, smoothies
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Quote: "I'm not here to die — I'm here to thrive. It's a lifestyle."
2. SuzAnne Llano:
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25+ competitions, pro in 3 federations
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Still winning at 52
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Meals: Steel-cut oats, fruit, seitan, beans, whole grains
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Adds hemp, pea, and rice protein to boost meals
3. Patrik Baboumian:
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Germany’s strongest man, IFSA competitor
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Vegan since 2011 for ethical reasons
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Diet: Falafel, vegan sausage, tofu, potatoes, smoothies
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Quote: "Go vegan and feel the power!"
4. Leah Coutts:
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2022 Figure Universe Champion
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Former joint pain eliminated by diet & training
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Eats: Protein oats, pancakes, lentils, tofu, dates w/ PB
5. Shelli Beecher-Seitzler:
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Started competing in her 40s, wins Fit Body & Masters Figure
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Went vegan during surgery recovery
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Meals: Spinach, tempeh, beans, fruit, quinoa, nut butter
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Quote: "We too can achieve great outcomes by eating plants."
6. Nimai Delgado:
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Vegetarian since birth, vegan since 2015
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IFBB Pro, cover of Muscle & Fitness
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Eats: Tofu, edamame, hemp seeds, quinoa, PB&J, avocado toast
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Quote: "I’m over here eating 300 carbs a day."
7. Jehina Malik:
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Vegan since birth, IFBB Pro
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Began competing at 19
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Eats: Tofu, couscous, vegan chicken, lentils, nuts
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Quote: "I'm living proof you can be strong without eating animals."
8. Maayan Eliasi:
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WNBF Pro Card winner, powerlifting champ
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Switched to vegan post-accident to reduce inflammation
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Diet: Seitan, tofu, legumes, chickpeas, lentils, PB
9. Ivan Blázquez:
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Exercise physiologist, endurance athlete
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Vegan since 2013 for health & fat loss
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Diet staples: Oats, seeds, dark leafy greens, turmeric, ginger
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Quote: "A vegan diet increases veggie consumption and forces healthier eating."
10. Samantha Shorkey:
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First vegan WNBF Bikini Pro
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Coached a $200k transformation challenge winner
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Diet: Quinoa, tofu, flax oil, vegetables, fruit
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Quote: "Try a few vegan meals a week and ease into it."
Vegan Bodybuilder FAQs
Feeling inspired to shift toward a plant based diet? Let's answer some frequently asked questions regarding being a vegan bodybuilder.
How important is eating meat for bodybuilding?
Despite popular belief, eating meat is not important or essential to bodybuilding. These 10 bodybuilders are proof that you can build muscle following a diverse vegan bodybuilder diet consisting of whole plant foods.
Is it possible to do competitive bodybuilding as a vegan?
Absolutely! It is not only possible to be a competitive bodybuilder, but as these 10 lifters show, you can be a successful competitive bodybuilder following a vegan diet.
How does a vegan bodybuilding diet differ from a regular vegan diet?
The foods you eat remain the same regardless of whether you're a vegan bodybuilder or a non-lifter following a vegan diet. However vegan bodybuilders need to pay attention to the amount of food they're eating, for cutting and bulking purposes, as well as ensuring they're consuming a wide enough variety of plant foods in order to consume the 9 essential amino acids, necessary for muscle growth.
Is a vegan diet better for men or women?
A vegan diet is equally beneficial for both men and women.
How do vegan bodybuilders get enough protein?
Vegans can ensure they're getting enough daily protein by eating a wide variety of plant foods daily and supplementing, as needed, with vegan protein powder.
Is arnold Schwarzenegger vegan now?
Arnold has been about 80% vegan for the past five years. You can learn more about this in our article: Is Arnold Schwarzenegger Vegan?
What are the benefits of a plant based lifestyle?
Plant foods improve your gut health and immune system, reduce inflammation, stabilize your blood pressure, and lower cholesterol levels. Your digestion will improve as will your post-workout muscle recovery. By switching to a vegan diet, you're promoting heart health, preventing diabetes, and reducing your risk of cancer.
How to go vegan as a bodybuilder
Key Formula: Resistance training + proper plant-based diet + recovery = muscle growth
Macronutrients Still Matter:
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Hit your calorie targets
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Get complete proteins by combining sources
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Supplement with creatine (hard to get from plants)
Tips for Transitioning:
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Start by cutting red meat, then gradually remove chicken/dairy
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Switch to vegan protein powders and supplements
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Begin with easy meals: oats, tofu, beans, greens
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Use vegan meal delivery services if needed
Example Meal Staples:
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Breakfast: Oatmeal + fruit + plant protein
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Lunch/Dinner: Lentils, rice, veggies, tofu
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Snacks: Peanut butter toast, smoothies, protein bars
Need help getting started? Check out our 7-day vegan bodybuilding meal plan for inspiration.
Prepare to maximize your gains with our exclusive 12-week hypertrophy training program. Choose between a 4 or 5 day training split and gain 2-12 pounds of muscle over 90 days...
Take Small Steps Toward Your Vegan Bodybuilding Goals
If you are considering starting a vegan diet, start small. As a first step, read our Ultimate Guide to the Vegan Bodybuilding Diet, which will explain everything you need to know to gain muscle on a plant-based diet.
Then, start slowly cutting out animal products. The easiest first step is to cut out red meat. After you adjust to this, you can eliminate everything except chicken and dairy. Continue taking animal products out of your diet until there's nothing left to remove.
This includes swapping out your existing supplements with vegan-friendly options. This means finding vegan pre-workout supplements and switching from whey protein to plant protein powders. You may even find it helpful to supplement your diet with a vegan protein bar.
And if you're ready to become a vegan bodybuilder but don't want to worry about grocery shopping and meal prep, you've still got great options! These 7 Best Vegan Meal Delivery Services will do the heavy meal prep lifting for you, so you can spend less time in the kitchen and still enjoy delicious vegan foods.
Photos courtesy of athlete's Instagram accounts.
Travis Halena
Author