Excellence in Veg*n Athletics

[Mr. Sun]

VEGETARIAN AND VEGAN ATHLETES


TEAM SPORTS

1. Chappel, Greg -- Cricket http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1805002&postcount=46
2. DeRosario, Dwayne* -- Soccer http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1717288&postcount=3
3. Fielder, Prince -- Baseball http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1999431&postcount=117
4. Gabbe, Wendy -- Basketball http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1897656&postcount=94
5. Lang, Kara* -- Soccer http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1998686&postcount=115
6. Roa, Carlos -- Soccer http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1896194&postcount=91
7. Salley, John -- Basketball http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1849463&postcount=74
8. Stoudamire, Salim* -- Basketball http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1800316&postcount=23
9. Walsh, Amy* -- Soccer http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1998709&postcount=116


INDIVIDUAL SPORTS

1. Badman, Natasha -- Ironwoman http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1893720&postcount=87
2. Bhardwaj,Mohini -- Gymnast http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1801470&postcount=24
3. Bookspan, Jolie* -- Martial Arts http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1935240&postcount=104
4. Brazier, Brendan* -- Ironman Triathlete http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1801550&postcount=26
5. Burnquist, Bob -- Skateboarder http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1893695&postcount=86
6. Coryell, Katie* -- Surfer http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1896999&postcount=93
7. Cummo, Luke* -- Mixed Martial Arts http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1849135&postcount=64
8. Danzig, Mac* -- Mixed Martial Arts http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1807181&postcount=56
9. Davis, Steph* -- Rockclimbing http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1891439&postcount=83
10. Heidrich, Ruth* -- Ironman Triathlete http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1807162&postcount=55
11. Holmes, Keith* -- Boxer http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1799963&postcount=22
12. Johnstone, Harley* -- Cycling http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1849400&postcount=72
13. Jurek, Scott* -- Long Distance Runner http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1796958&postcount=17
14. Lewis, Carl* -- Sprinter http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1717286&postcount=2
15. Moreira, Ricardo* -- Mixed Martial Arts http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1896760&postcount=92
16. Oakes, Fiona* -- Long Distance Runner http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1798947&postcount=19
17. Price, Chris* -- Mixed Martial Arts http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1933383&postcount=99
18. Rastovich, Dave -- Surfer http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=2044903&postcount=119
19. Rose, Murray -- Swimmer http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1896140&postcount=90
20. Sager, Jason* -- Pro Mountain Biker http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1935064&postcount=103
21. Sanderson, Danielle -- Runner http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=2003626&postcount=118
22. Shea, Maureen* -- Boxer http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1717293&postcount=5
23. Shields, Jake -- Mixed Martial Arts http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1803166&postcount=43
24. Southwood, James* -- Savate Kickboxing http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1805801&postcount=52
25. Templeton, Ed* -- Skateboarder http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1801475&postcount=25
26. Vaccaroni, Dorina -- fencing/cycling http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1952618&postcount=112
27. VanOrden, Tim*^ -- Long Distance Runner http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1798956&postcount=20
28. Vardaros, Christine* -- cycling http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1952119&postcount=110
29. Vlasak, Maria* -- Cyclist http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1797488&postcount=18



BODY BUILDING

1. Bill Pearl http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1717504&postcount=7
2. Johnny Gibbings* http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1717721&postcount=8
3. Robert Cheeke* http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1718397&postcount=10
4. Alexander Dargatz* http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1718401&postcount=11
5. Joe DeMarco* http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1796879&postcount=15
6. Jim Morris* http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1799737&postcount=21
7. Rob Hazeley* http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1803218&postcount=44
8. Kenneth Williams* http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1802117&postcount=33
9. Charlie Abel*^ http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1805196&postcount=49
10. Justin Palermo* http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1809206&postcount=57
11. Andreas Cahling http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1849787&postcount=76
12. Anthony Aurelius* http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1880187&postcount=79
13. Nick Stern^ http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1893528&postcount=84
14. Stephen Arlin*^ http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1931592&postcount=95
15. Denise Nichol* http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1931685&postcount=96
16. Richard Blackman*^ http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1951623&postcount=106
17. Troy Loferski* http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1952382&postcount=111


OTHER AMAZING VEG*N ATHLETES WITH GREAT PHYSIQUES

1. Mike Mahler* http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1801749&postcount=29
2. Shannon Oliver*^ http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1801764&postcount=30
3. Storm Talifero*^ http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1801888&postcount=31
4. Chris Califano*^ http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1801888&postcount=31
5. Robert Dos Remedios* (Vegan Strength Coach) -- http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1807145&postcount=54
6. Tonya Kay*^ -- Dancer http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1850342&postcount=77


VEG*N ATHLETIC STORIES AND ARTICLES

1. Vegan Cycling Team http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1849176&postcount=65
2. Football Player Tries A "Vegan" Diet http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1849260&postcount=71
3. Vegetarian Becomes Fittest Man In Canada http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1849485&postcount=75
4. Vegetarian Athletes -- At the Top of Their Game http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1896128&postcount=89
5. Pro Athletes Are Turning Vegetarian http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1933542&postcount=100


ATHLETES YOU THOUGHT WERE VEG*N BUT INTERNET INFO INDICATES OTHERWISE

1. Martina Navratalova -- Tennis http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1717303&postcount=6
2. Nick Diaz -- Mixed Martial Arts http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1803162&postcount=42
3. Tony Gonzalez -- Football http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1849235&postcount=68
4. Dave Scott -- Ironman Triathlete http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=1849453&postcount=73



EXCELLENT WEBSITES RELATED TO VEG*N ATHLETES:

Some of the athletes on these sites are listed in this thread. These sites also offer much in the way of other info on veg*nism and sports.

Vegan bodybuilding website: http://www.veganbodybuilding.com/?page=bios
Organicathlete website: http://www.organicathlete.org/
International Vegetarian Union: http://www.ivu.org/people/sports/index.html


KEY

* = vegan
^ = raw foodist


.

[Mr. Sun]

Carl Lewis -- Sprinter

Ok, I made this post some time ago in another forum but I love it:




Boy, I think I love sports too much!!! But I love this example because the 100 meters, the 200 meters and the long jump are all power events. Carl Lewis was at the top of these events as an omni but could he do it as a vegan??? You bet:


The 1991 World Championships in Tokyo were quite incredible -- in both the 100 meters and long jump. Lewis won one and lost the other. In the 100, six runners broke 10 seconds, with Lewis leading the pack after a mighty finish. "He passed us like we were standing still," said runner-up Leroy Burrell.

For the first time in his life, after going undefeated in the long jump for a decade, after winning six Olympic gold medals, Lewis had at last set an untainted, unshared world record (since broken) with his 9.86 seconds. "The best race of my life," Lewis said. "The best technique, the fastest. And I did it at 30."

But Lewis' 10-year unbeaten streak in the long jump came to an end five days later, even though he put together the greatest series of jumps in history. Lewis had never before reached 29 feet, and this day he did it three times, including 29-2¾ (wind-aided) and 29-1¼ (against the wind). But Mike Powell, who had lost 15 consecutive times to Lewis, unleashed the longest jump in history -- 29-4½.

At the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Lewis exacted revenge on Powell, who had the record that Lewis craved, when he edged him by 1¼ inches with a leap of 28-5½. Lewis won his eighth gold medal by anchoring the record-setting 4x100 relay team.

But eight wasn't enough for him. Lewis, who qualified third in the 1996 Olympic Trials in the long jump, showed he still had one huge leap left in him. His 27-10¾ at Atlanta was his longest jump at sea level in four years.

"Lewis beat age, gravity, history, logic and the world at a rocking Olympic Stadium in Atlanta to win the Olympic gold medal in the long jump," Reilly wrote. "It was quite possibly his most impossible moment in an impossibly brilliant career."

http://espn.go.com/sportscentury/features/00016079.html

Compare the dates with this:


Can a world-class athlete get enough protein from a vegetarian diet to compete? I’ve found that a person does not need protein from meat to be a successful athlete. In fact, my best year of track competition was the first year I ate a vegan diet . Moreover, by continuing to eat a vegan diet, my weight is under control, I like the way I look. (I know that sounds vain, but all of us want to like the way we look.) I enjoy eating more, and I feel great...

In the spring of 1991 – eight months after beginning to eat vegan – I was feeling listless and thought I might need to add protein from meat to my diet. Dr. McDougall, however, explained that my listlessness was due to my needing more calories because I was training so many hours each day, not because I needed more animal-based protein. When I increased my calorie intake, I regained my energy. I was drinking 24 to 32 ounces of juice a day. I ate no dairy products. And I had my best year as an athlete ever!

http://earthsave.org/lifestyle/carllewis.htm

Carl Lewis won 10 Olympic medals -- nine of them gold!!!


YouTube win in Tokyo:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54KyNxKi2EY

[Mr. Sun]

Dwayne DeRosario -- Soccer Player

Dwayne DeRosario is another one of my favourites:


Dwayne DeRosario grew up in Canada, and now lives in San Jose, California, but everything about him, from his lilting patois and Rastafarian dreadlocks, to his diet, has roots in the West Indian culture of Guyana, where his parents were born. DeRosario is a vegan, and also a professional soccer player, a sport that demands the utmost of its participants for 90 time-out-free minutes. He shrugs off the unique aspect of his lifestyle. "It's just something that you do," he says.

Dwayne was raised on roots. "I grew up on 'provisions' in Toronto, we call it 'yard food.' You know, sweet potato, plantain, okra, cassava. Now and then you have a little meat. Toronto has such a big West Indian community, you know where to go to find things. In San Jose, I have to go to Whole Foods!"

Dwayne went to a strict vegan diet seven years ago when lactose intolerance became a problem. But he was simply following in the footsteps of his older brother, who had gone the vegetarian route a few years earlier. "Ever since then, I feel much better," he says. Not that the well-being comes without a certain vigilance. "I have to take care of myself. If you eat the way I do, and you get the wrong thing, your stomach will go out."

http://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2001nov/2001novdwayne.htm


I'm thinking about Dwayne De Rosario.

The Houston Dynamo man has rounded into one of the league's top midfielders -- and one with a special bent for the crowd-pleasing, spectacular strike. His raw numbers aren't as flashy as Jeff Cunningham's or Christian Gomez's. And he doesn't approach the end of MLS Season 11 with a compelling comeback-kid tale, a la Ante Razov.

But the Canadian international is having a smash-bang season for Dominic Kinnear's relocated southern Texas outfit. And there's a case to be made that "De Ro" should claim the league MVP crown that eluded him last year, when he was one of three finalists.

De Rosario, simply put, is the best all-around player in MLS right now.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=380270&root=mls&&cc=5901

He also plays for Canada's national team:


Dwayne De Rosario scored twice as Canada defeated Haiti 2-0 in CONCACAF Gold Cup action Monday in Miami, earning a spot in the quarter-finals.

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/story/2007/06/11/goldcup-canada-haitigame.html?ref=rss

YouTube video: WvwDR-Ab1Ac

http://youtube.com/watch?v=WvwDR-Ab1Ac

Check out the sick bend he gets at 3:25 into the video.

[Mr. Sun]

I just love thinking of all the omnivores who insist that one must eat meat to attain any level of health. The thought of veg*ns excelling in sports and winning races and being considered for MVP honours makes me laugh. :) I love it!

I just wonder what the meateaters think when stuff like this happens.

[Mr. Sun]

Maureen Shea -- boxer

Can't forget the women:



She’s a poet, a musician, a girly-girl, and a vegetarian: Maureen Shea is ranked by the WBA as the #1 Undefeated Super Featherweight boxer in the world. Her scorecard reads 10-0-5 KO’s. Preparing for the upcoming Co-Main Event in Reno, Maureen Shea discusses the fascinating world of a female boxer.

...

My nutritionist is Robert Ferguson, and he is also a vegetarian. I’ve been a vegetarian for seven months. My body went this way after I had my gallbladder out. It just doesn’t want red meat. I ate fish, chicken, and eggs. Slowly, I began steering away from turkey and chicken; and incorporated soy proteins. My digestion is better, my thinking is better, and I’m calmer, stronger, and lighter. It’s also easier to make weight. I’m not cutting calories though. Last month I went completely vegan, I don’t eat anything with a heartbeat.

http://veganica.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=953

[Mr. Sun]

I was going to make a Martina Navratilova post but she eats fish now. She was vegetarian for at least a portion of her career as far as I know. She was also vegan for awhile.

Fish link (you have to listen to the radio interview): http://www.wnyc.org/shows/lopate/episodes/2006/04/03

[Mr. Sun]

Bill Pearl -- Body Builder

And in what is normally a meat-eaters domain:



Nutrition - This chapter deals with the macronutrients (protein, carbs, and fats) as well as other good advice on nutrition. Bill Pearl became a vegetarian at age 39, although he is not dogmatic about this to others. His insights into life as a vegetarian bodybuilder are quite good.

http://www.amazon.com/Getting-Stronger-Weight-Training-Revised/dp/0936070242



It was rumored through various physique magazines that Bill was afraid to compete in contests in which other star physiques were entered. He did not take these attacks seriously at first, as he did not think that anyone would expect him at over 40 years of age to do battle with these younger fellows in their twenties. He'd had his share of the limelight. Youth must be served.

However, he had not reckoned with the attitude of his old friend and advisor, Leo Stern. These rumors had upset Stern more than it had Pearl. Leo talked to Bill and told him that this would be the ideal way to settle the argument once and for all. Bill was very skeptical because of business pressures and the strain it would put on his wife. Leo kept on insisting that not only could Bill work around the obstacles, he could get into the best shape of his life and beat them all.

So it was the team of Pearl and Stern embarked on what would be the most vital contest in which Bill has ever competed. A lot of these fellows had something going for them that Bill did not and would not have - DRUGS. He absolutely refused to use anabolic steroids in his training methods. He firmly believes that while these drugs have an important place in the would of medicine, they are in no way meant to be used by the man who desires to improve his physique by lifting weights. In fact, this was to be a major factor in Bill's decision to have just one more try and compete against these people. It thus became a quest to prove to the same0minded bodybuilders throughout the world that resorting to the dangerous practice of using drugs is not only unnecessary - it is, in Bill's opinion, "sheer madness".

With the decision made, Bill, with the help of Leo, began to prepare himself to do battle with the cream of the present-day bodybuilders. It was well publicized early in 1971 that Pearl intended to enter the annual Mr. Universe contest in London. This meant that anyone who wished to compete against him had ample and equal time to prepare himself for the event.

Over the course of a year Bill Pearl transformed himself from a great physique to the absolute greatest physique ever! Exercise programs and diets were carefully worked out and from it evolved an absolutely fantastic Pearl that not even his closest friends could believe.

On Friday, September 17, the pre-judging was held to determine who would be the amateur and professional Mr. Universe winners for 1971. Great physiques journeyed from all over the world in what would be the most hotly contested Mr. Universe ever.

On the afternoon of the next day the famous Victoria Palace was packed to the doors, as usual, for the 23rd annual Mr. Universe contest. The capacity crowd enjoyed a fabulous show, and then waited with baited breath until at last the announcements were about to be made. "Ladies and gentlemen, the 1971 N.A.B.B.A. amateur Mr. Universe Is Ken Waller of the United States." This was a very popular decision and that grand old theater rang to resounding applause. You could almost hear a pin drop when M.C. Cecil Peck went on. "Ladies and Gentlemen, the 1971 N.A.B.B.A. professional Mr. Universe is... BILL PEARL!" That huge crowd went wild, cheering what must have been one of the most popular decisions since the contest began in 1948.

http://www.billpearl.com/documents.asp?d=1


"Bill Pearl never tried to convince me to became a vegetarian,
but he convinced me that a vegetarian may become a body-building champion"

Arnold Schwarzenegger, "Encyclopedia of Modern Body-building"

http://it.geocities.com/lorenzo_castiglioni/history/chap4.html

Photo of Bill Pearl about 15 years after he became vegetarian:

[Jon_Veggie]

Check out vegan UK natural bodybuilding star Jonny Gibbings:

http://www.spotthevegan.co.uk/

(bottom left)

[Mr. Sun]

Wow, he's huge. I'll have to look him up. And the rugby player, Sebastien Pender, who on that same page.

[Mr. Sun]

Robert Cheeke -- Body Builder

I couldn't find much on Jonny Gibbings. Maybe someone else would have better luck.

But I did find this:


Hey, I just wanted to post that Vegan Bodybuilder Robert Cheeke won the Northwestern USA Natural Bodybuilding Championships that were held in Portland, Oregon on April 23rd.

Robert was the only Vegan out of the all the bodybuilders and he won his division title.

Photos are on www.veganbodybuilding.com

This is a great thing to share with anti-vegans who don't think vegans can get strong. They can indeed, and Robert even won a bodybuilding championship as a vegan!


http://www.care2.com/c2c/groups/disc.html?gpp=167&pst=162291&archival=1&posts=2

The only vegan in the competition and he won his title!!! I love it!!! :)


http://www.veganbodybuilding.com/?page=bio_robert

[Mr. Sun]

Alexander Dargatz -- Body Builder


In December 2005, Alexander Dargatz won the World Champion Body-builder title, and headlines in Germany read, “German Vegan is Named Body-building World Champion in 2005!” The article went on to point out that Mr. Dargatz, of Frankfurt, competed against eleven other body-builders and went on to win a complete victory in the fitness class!

In a recent interview, Mr. Dargatz was asked about the success of combining a vegan diet with the rigors of his body-building regime and he replied that he has been a vegetarian for over five years, having become one “overnight” in the year 2000 after realizing the numerous ways in which animals and nature are abused through meat eating. He added, “It made me cry. There simply is no need for us to consume animal products, and we cause a lot of harm by doing so; that is the definition of crime. I couldn’t be anything else but vegan after understanding that.″

Mr. Dargatz also noted that his health has improved since becoming a vegetarian and that he almost never becomes ill anymore. Moreoever, Mr. Dargatz’s approach to body-building is very positively focused. When asked what he thought was the most important aspect of training, he said, “Patience. Patience and perseverance. Body-building takes time; you cannot force your muscles to grow. It takes time, persistence, dedication and love of what you’re doing.″ This practical approach to athletics can be applied to many other areas of life as well, including spiritual practice!

http://www.godsdirectcontact.org.tw/eng/news/163/vg2.htm



Photo:

[Jon_Veggie]

Check out Joe DeMarco, another successful vegan bodybuilder:

http://www.bodybuilders.com/joedem.htm

[Byzantea]

This thread is really inspiring! Thank you!

[Mr. Sun]

This thread is really inspiring! Thank you!

Glad you enjoyed it. I'm hoping to find some more veg*n athletes. I'm going to some searching on the net.

[Mr. Sun]

Joe DeMarco -- Body Builder


Check out Joe DeMarco, another successful vegan bodybuilder:

http://www.bodybuilders.com/joedem.htm

Oh yeah, love his answer:


What Nutrition Plan Has Worked Best For You?

I am currently a Vegan (I do not eat meat and animal products such as dairy). I primarily eat like this because I am against the cruelty that these animals suffer at today's "factory farms." To eat meat and animal products is to condone the inhumane treatment that these animals receive at these farms. Eating meat and animal products would therefore be bad Karma.

Joe DeMarco's gym: http://www.demarcofitness.com/

Thanks for posting that, Jon! :)

[Mr. Sun]

In those interested in seeing an interview with Brendan Brazier (from the OP) you can see him here: http://www.findinternettv.com/Video,item,1678545862.aspx

[Mr. Sun]

Scott Jurek -- Long Distance Runner

He must be vegan:



Seattle man amazes everyone in 135-mile marathon--including himself

By KRISTIN DIZON
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

Look at the photo of the man crossing the tape, arms raised in victory, mouth frozen in a primal yell.

He hardly looks as if he's just run 135 miles, through 115-degree desert heat, from the lowest point in the United States to the slopes of one of its highest points, Mount Whitney.

You wouldn't know that this was his first time racing the Badwater Ultramarathon, or that he shattered the course record by more than half an hour, or that he was a full two hours ahead of his closest competitor.

But the accomplishment is all over Scott Jurek's face.

On July 12, in 24 hours, 36 minutes and eight seconds, the Seattle man won the Badwater, one of ultrarunning's toughest events. Before the California race, Jurek had never run more than 90 minutes on pavement. Nor had he trained for the intense desert heat, except for arriving a week early to the Death Valley start area. And, he'd just come off of winning another world-class ultramarathon two weeks earlier -- barely any recovery time between two colossally demanding endurance feats.

Jurek, who won his seventh Western States 100-miler in a row in June, says he conquered the Badwater by respecting the heat and biding his time.

...

For food, Jurek, a vegan, ate energy bars and gels, potatoes and rice balls, chased by soy protein drinks and electrolyte capsules. He consumed 60-120 calories every 20-30 minutes, mostly on the run.

That night, when the temperature eased a bit, Jurek made his move. He gained ground on a long downhill, then closed it out. He said the finish -- 5,000 feet uphill over 13 miles -- was one of the toughest he's experienced.

Badwater race director Chris Kostman said he's impressed with Jurek, who had little experience racing on pavement or in such heat.

"There are some people who thought the record was unbreakable," Kostman said. "He's definitely raised the bar."

...



http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/othersports/233630_jurek22.html



More on Scott:


Scott began trail running in his childhood years, scampering through the woods in his backyard. His connection with nature included hunting, fishing and camping with his family in northern Minnesota, where he was born and raised. Scott dabbled in competitive running in junior high track, but didn't start logging serious miles until his sophomore year in high school to prepare for nordic ski racing. It wasn't until these long summer runs on trails with ski poles that he truly discovered his passion for trail running.

On a challenge from good friend and training partner, Dusty Olson, Scott ran his first ultra, the Minnesota Voyager 50 Mile, at the age of 20 in 1994. After placing second, Scott affirmed his love for the trails and found a new talent for ultra trail distances.

Scott attended Physical Therapy school at the College of St. Scholastica and graduated with his Master's Degree in Physical Therapy in 1998, to fulfill his desire to guide people toward a path of wellness and optimal health.

On his own journey towards optimal health, Scott began transitioning to a vegetarian whole foods diet in 1997, while competing in several ultra trail races per year. In 1999, he adopted a vegan diet out of further health and environmental concerns. Scott continues to fuel his body on a completely vegan diet while competing in 10-12 ultramarathons per year in addition to his rigorous training schedule. All seven of his consecutive wins at the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run were performed on vegan fuel.

http://www.scottjurek.com/bio.php

[Mr. Sun]

Maria Vlasak -- Cyclist

Oh good, another female:


1 01:29:08.3 0502 MARIA VLASAK STAMFORD CT F 38 04:03
2 01:33:03.2 0481 AUDREY FRIEDRICHSEN POUGHKEEPSIE NY F 30 04:13
3 01:33:44.6 0399 KIMBERLY BATTIPAGLIA NEW HAVEN CT F 32 04:15
4 01:36:29.4 0390 DEIRDRE HOPKINS GREENWICH CT F 42 04:23
5 01:38:49.1 0111 JEANETTE DANIEL BASKING RIDGE NJ F 31 04:29
6 01:41:48.3 0208 SOPHIE ANSON NEW YORK NY F 30 04:37
7 01:42:09.4 0128 JENNIFER CROME MOUNT KISCO NY F 39 04:38
8 01:44:59.0 0092 PATTY STANLEY MONTVALE NJ F 36 04:46
9 01:47:26.5 0291 VANESSA TORY NEW YORK NY F 36 04:53
10 01:48:24.4 0445 ELIZABETH DIBARTOLO YORKTOWN HTS. NY F 38 04:55

http://www.bestrace.com/results/040613LSD.HTML


Maria Vlasak, Elite Duathlete

1.When and why did you choose to stop eating animal products?

I became a vegan in 1994 when I changed jobs. I had been looking for a healthier way to eat (commuting into the city and eating pizza every day for lunch wasn�t working for me). My new boss was vegetarian and she was a great resource for questions/recipes, etc. I felt better almost immediately. Cutting out dairy products was what really made the difference for me, though. I used to think I had recurrent sinus infections� now I know I just can�t process dairy!

2.What has been your experience as a vegan athlete? Have you noticed any performance or health benefits or problems?

The only problem I�ve ever had with a vegan diet is getting good food (especially protein) when I travel to races. I remember eating white asparagus and canned beans for almost a week in northern Spain� and a loaf of flax seed bread for breakfast and lunch every day in Ireland. Long car trips to and from races can be challenging when all your other teammates want to stop at McDonald�s. You just have to be prepared. It�s much easier, now, though, than it was 10 years ago� healthy choices are becoming more and more available every day. I swear, those bags of baby carrots have saved my life many times.

http://www.organicathlete.org/content/view/319/221/

[Mr. Sun]

Fiona Oakes -- Long Distance Runner

Another woman. Vegan running at its finest... in the UK.


Fiona wins Halstead Marathon!

Despite less than ideal conditions, Fiona put in a stunning run on Sunday to win the Halstead Marathon and the title of Essex Marathon Champion ! Not only did she win the race, but she destroyed the previous course record by almost 11 minutes - taking it from 3' 09 to 2' 58 ! - an incredible achievement

One of the race officials said

"I'm lost for words. When I saw your winning time of 2:58:22 I was stunned that someone had taken over 10 mins off of our course record (which previously stood at 3:09:04). Now I don't know what to say. You acheived that and are battling a collapsed lung and have had both kneecaps removed. Unbelievable. Hats off. (many times over)"

Wearing her Vegan Runners Top she was presented with the winners trophy by the Mayor.

Hopefully someone will pick this story up and give it the attention it deserves - with the media full of Vegan hating Gordon Ramsey who cooked a Horse on his miserable show yesterday. Ramsey is a very keen marathon runner too - yet Fiona, a girl AND a VEGAN is capable of running a marathon 90 minutes quicker than he can - and she has a knee replacement ! - is this a story or is this a story?

Date: 2007-05-23

http://www.veganrunners.makessense.co.uk/news/937.html

And another great story about her care of animals: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/essex/4065203.stm

[Mr. Sun]

Tim VanOrden -- Long Distance Runner


The Running Raw Project is a grand experiment in diet and athletic performance. It was started by Tim VanOrden in November of 2005 as a simple question: Can one be an athlete while eating a 100% raw vegan diet. That curiosity was quickly answered with a resounding YES!

...


Athletic Objectives

* 2007 - National tower racing champion - Empire State Building
* 2007 - Win the American Trail Championship series
* 2007 - US Mountain Running Team - World Championships
* 2008 - World Record - Mile on outdoor track - First 40 year old to break 4 minutes.
* 2008 - US Olympic Track & Field Team - 40 years of age
* 2010 - US Olympic Nordic Ski Team - 42 years of age


This guy is funny because I can't see any listing for races he's won but he's got these objectives that are quite ambitious. And if you click on this page he does a short talk -- he's great. So even though he hasn't won yet he makes it into this thread. :)

http://www.runningraw.com/


eta: oh, he did win some events:


2007 Race Results

* 12/15/07 - 1st of 94!! - Snowstorm Classic 5k - Springfield, MA
* 11/15/07 - 1st of 249!! - US Bank Center Stair Climb - 45 Floors - Milwaukee, WI
* 11/11/07 - 3rd of 1932 - Sears Tower Stair Climb - 103 Floors - Chicago, IL
* 10/13/07 - 1st of 327!! - Palm Springs Tram Road Challenge - 3.7 miles, 2,100' - Palm Springs, CA
* 10/6/07 - 1st of 1,350!! - US Bank Tower Stair Climb - 75 Floors - Los Angeles, CA
* 9/3/07 - 4th of 493 - Mt. Baldy Run to the Top - 8 miles to 10,064' - Mt. Baldy, CA
* 8/11/07 - 4th of 125 - Run Through The Pines 10K - Crestline, CA - 4700'
* 8/4/07 - 11th of 456 - Squaw Valley Mtn. Run - Truckee, CA - 6200' to 8200'
* 7/15/07 - 40th of 867, 3rd age 35-39 - Bastille Day 5k - Irvine, CA
* 6/24/07 - 29th of 124 - US Mountain Running Championships - North Conway, NH
* 6/16/07 - 52nd of 675 - Mt. Washington Road Race - Gorham, NH
* 6/9/07 - 1500m 1st age 35-39, 5000m 2nd age 35-39 - So. Cal. Masters Track Championships - Long Beach, CA
* 5/6/07 - 9th of 909, 1st age 35-39 - Whole Foods Santa Monica Classic 5K - Santa Monica, CA
* 4/28/07 - 2nd of 1202 - CSUN Run, Walk & Roll 5K - Los Angeles, CA
* 4/21/07 - 2nd of 418 - LMU Run For The Bay 5K - Los Angeles, CA
* 4/14/07 - 7th of 923 - Hermosa Beach 5000 - Hermosa Beach , CA
* 4/7/07 - 15th of 1703 - Santa Anita Derby Days 5k - Arcadia, CA
* 3/31/07 - 2nd of 482 - 1st Climb California - San Francisco, CA
* 3/24/07 - 1st of 700!! - Rhythm of Life 10K - Los Angeles, CA
* 2/10/07 - 4th of 300, 1st age 35-39 (by 20 minutes) - Catalina Island Half Marathon - CA
* 2/6/07 - 16th of 290 internationally, 8th American - Empire State Building Run Up - NY


http://www.runningraw.com/results.htm

[Mr. Sun]

Jim Morris -- Body Builder


Jim Morris, Mr Olympia Grand Master[over 60] said he's never felt better in his life after being vegan for 10 years "I don't experience the joint pain that many other iron athletes my age constantly complain about."

http://www.veganbodybuilding.org/veganbasics.htm


1966 Mr. New York City - New York, New York
1967 Jr. Mr. USA - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
1967 Mr. East Coast - Orange, New Jersey
1967 Mr. New York State - Schenectady, New York
1969 Mr. Los Angeles - Los Angeles, California
1970 Mr. California - Los Angeles, California
1972 Mr. USA - Denver, Colorado
1973 Mr. America - Williamsburg, Virgina
1974 Mr. International - Tijuana, Mexico
1977 Mr. Universe - London, England
1996 Mr. Olympia Masters - Chicago, Illinois

http://www.gymmorris.com/career.asp

And if you go to that page and click on "1996 Mr. Olympia Masters - Chicago Illinois" you'll see a picture of him at age 61 with the caption:

"This contest was divided into 3 classes, Over 40, Over 50 and Over 60. I was 61 and won the Over 60. This culminated 30 years of physique competion and I retired after that.
My mother showed this picture to one of her church members who insisted it has been digitally retouched because he claimed "no one can look that good at 61". There's no retouching, digital or otherwise, honest."

He wasn't vegan at that point. But as he points out in the following interview he thinks he would've showed even better on a pure vegan diet.

And I wonder if Bill Pearl (featured on page one of this thread) had any influence on him becoming vegan.


DY: Tell me about the move to Los Angeles-where did you train and who influenced your training at that point?

JM: When I moved to Los Angeles I started training at Bill Pearl's Pasadena Health Club. For the next five years Bill made up my workout programs. Although I had won every major title back east, including New York City, New York State, East Coast, Eastern America and Jr. USA, I felt I could learn from Bill. And I did. Bill made up a new program every month. They were versions of whatever he was doing at the moment. Equally important were the posing sessions. I always hated practicing posing but Bill would get me over to his house and grind me through session after session.

...

DY: I have a funny story that I've posted Ironage.us about how I read an article by you when I was just starting out as a teenager. You talked about tuna shakes with desiccated liver powder, so into the kitchen I went and mixed one up. I chugged it down and about three seconds later I projectile vomited the whole mess all over my parents kitchen.

JM: Ah yes, my famous tuna drink. I think that drink will be my legacy in the minds of most whenever my name is mentioned. One day I found myself unable to swallow a mouthful of tuna, after years and years and can after can of tuna. It just would not go down. Some years before I had mastered the art of pouring a quart of milk down my throat without actually swallowing as many college students can with beer. Determined to get that tuna down, I put it in the blender. The rest is history. The drink went through many transformations in the years following, finally ending up with peanut flour replacing the tuna and raw fruits and veggies replacing the liver as I became a vegan. Although I must admit I do have the ability to stomach things most people cannot. I do not use any seasoning at all on my foods now. No salt, pepper, nothing. My taste buds have readjusted to where I enjoy the taste of the food itself with no flavoring.

...

DY: Do you think you could have competed successfully with your current diet strategy-or, put a different way, did you eat as a vegan for your Masters Olympia over-60 win in 1996?

JM: I was not yet a vegan in '96 because I would still occasionally eat fish. Not on any regular schedule, some weeks once, some twice, and then only a few ounces. I was supplementing my diet with reduced-fat peanut flour which I stopped when I eliminated processed foods. It replaced tuna in my shake. I also was still eating processed foods, such as oatmeal, one of my lifelong favorites. I think I would have done much better in that contest if I were eating as I am now because I would have been incredibly more defined.

...

DY: By the way, I'd like to know more about your dogs. I'm an animal lover myself. Did your love for animals in any way influence your decision to go vegan?

JM: Like my eating habits my relationship with animals has come a long way, and both are still evolving. From the way I treated my first dog, Buff, during my teens to how I relate now is nothing short of a 180-degree turn. I now believe the whole concept of "pets" is a form of slavery. I believe every animal has the inalienable right to live in its own element, with its own kind in absolute freedom. Joe Gold's dog, Hope, is the ninth dog I have had. Seven females and two males. Jimmy and I had two toy poodle sisters from the same litter, but one was much larger than the other, so we named them Lavern and Shirley. So, what did you expect? Blanche had a litter of 10 on my bed in Venice in 1991. I kept one, James, to keep his mother company. And yes, he was named after me. He died on my bed last year at 15. He was my soul. Caring for him and deciding to spend the last year focused on him is what kept me from getting in shape for my 70th. I made him a promise that I would do everything I could to change people's attitude toward animals.

The scientific and biologic proof of the correctness of a vegan diet is sufficient for me. That it meshes with my philosophy of how I relate to the "other" is for me even more validating. Unfortunately whenever I mention my philosophy, it becomes a reason for people to dismiss my diet as "The Bambi Syndrome." I cannot praise you enough for the work you do. I cannot do what you do as it tears me apart emotionally. If my advocacy for the vegan lifestyle has any beneficial effect on the animal world it will be my most satisfying accomplishment.


http://www.gymmorris.com/documents.asp?m=a&d=118

[Mr. Sun]

Keith Holmes -- Boxer


By EDWARD WONG
Published: April 10, 2001

Do not call Keith Holmes a finicky eater. It is true that he is a vegan. A typical lunch for him consists of a millet casserole with salad and sprouts or battered tofu sandwiches. The average boxer does not eat such a meal. The average boxer prefers meat.

But Holmes, who is 32 and the World Boxing Council's middleweight champion, says he has his diet to thank for getting him this far. It is one of several ascetic mannerisms that set him apart from most fighters, including Bernard Hopkins, whom Holmes will fight Saturday night at Madison Square Garden.

''It's helped me to eat healthy,'' said Holmes, who is 35-2 with 23 knockouts. ''It helps me get my wind quicker between rounds. It'll help me win the title.''

Holmes did not appear to be short of wind at his workout yesterday. He went through his usual routine at a gym in downtown Manhattan, including sparring in the ring and jumping rope. He kept throwing fast jabs with his right hand, and his head trainer, Dave Jacobs, yelled several times for a 1-2-3 combination.

Jacobs compared Holmes to Sugar Ray Leonard, whom he trained for 15 years.

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9807E7DE1F3EF933A25757C0A9679C8B 63

[Mr. Sun]

Salim Stoudamire -- Basketball Player


The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Faith Dawson just outed Salim Stoudamire as a vegan:

Q: Why did you become a vegan?

A: I've always wanted to be one because of health, but I never wanted to go eat by myself or have people talk about me. But I finally reached a point where I just didn't care what other people thought, and I didn't have a problem with eating alone.

Q: None of your teammates goes with you?

A: They don't eat like I do. They look at my food and are disgusted. [They're] like, what's that, what's that?

Q: Did you lose weight after you became a vegan?

A: I lost 3 pounds, and I'm in better condition. My endurance has gone up, and I haven't gotten tired at all during the whole season.

Q: So this wasn't prompted by animal rights?

A: Sort of. I don't think you should eat something that had a mother. I don't think that's right.

Q: The Hawks Media Guide says your favorite food is macaroni and cheese. Explain.

A: It used to be! Not anymore.

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-23-27/Salim-Stoudamire-Runs-on-Broccoli.html


Salim is the best shooter in college basketball and without a doubt is the best shooter in this upcoming draft. The statistics do not lie, he shot a ridiculous percentage of 50.4% from the three-point line his senior year, which leads the nation. He shoots a very soft jump shot, getting great arch and rotation on the ball, with an extraordinarily quick release. He has a high release on his shot and that makes it very hard to block. Salim does not have trouble getting his shot off either, and he is surprisingly accurate even when his feet are not set, or if he is shooting off the dribble, moving left or right, fading away, with a hand in his face, from forty feet outit just doesn't matter how he shoots it, the odds are the ball is going to end up in the bottom of the net. Salim is extraordinary at getting the proper footwork on his jump shots and setting himself before the ball comes to him. He can step on a dime and pull up for a lightning quick jumper, often more his defender even realizes what happened. He moves well without the ball and is very calm and under control on the basketball court. He does not need much room to get his shot off from the outside.

He is not only a three-point shooter, but that is what he does best and is where he is most dangerous. He will not have a difficult time making the move back to the NBA three-point line because he already shoots shots from that distance, and even beyond.

He has improved his ball handling skills since he first entered college, being able to create going to the hoop now at times. He has a sneaky quickness about him and controls the basketball well, not being afraid to take the ball with purpose to the basket if he can. He dribbles close to his body and he protects the basketball as well in terms of shielding off the defender.

Salim has also matured over these four seasons at Arizona. He used to have a little bit of an attitude and did not get along well with his teammates. That has begun to change this past season, as he has shown to be a vocal leader at times that isn't afraid of taking his team on his back or taking big shots. He has learned how to channel his angry and aggression to help himself on the basketball court. Now he looks like a very calm costumer for the most part and an extremely tough competitor.

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Salim-Stoudamire-109/

Great YouTube video highlights of Stoudamire: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnPly--P9f8&feature=related

He rocks!

.

[Mr. Sun]

Mohini Bhardwaj -- Gymnast


October 27 - Chalk Talk question for Mohini Bhardwaj, 2004 Olympic Silver Medalist

Hi Mohini,

I'd love to hear how you met your nutritional needs as a vegetarian while you were doing gymnastics.

Thank you,
Elizabeth Bellis
Team Coach, Gymnastic Academy of Boston, Cambridge, MA

Hi Elizabeth,

To answer your question, I ate veggies, tofu, and yogurt. I would also eat some soy substitutes and lots of cheese, if I was able to find some of these things. As for camp, everyone pretty much eats the same stuff. I just made sure I brought some Cliff Bars with me to snack on. The biggest problem with being a vegetarian is that I need to eat all day, usually every 2-3 hours. Vegetarians digest food fast and that is not always an option to eat this often. I always had to have some kind of protein bar in my gym bag. Sometimes I would carry some soy protein powder with me, as well.

As for other vegetarian teammates, I never really had any. I just try to be prepared by carrying extra protein food around. Vitamins were always very important for me to take, especially calcium, because I don't drink milk.

http://www.usa-gymnastics.org/athletes/athletenews/2005/an-oct05.html

Photo: http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040819/spr.jpg

[Mr. Sun]

Ed Templeton -- Skateboarder


I totally love Ed Templeton. I first met him in 1990 when I was working at TransWorld Skateboarding. He showed up one day to design his Pro Spotlight with a bunch of little cartoony drawings and a blinding yellow background. No one else had ever designed their own Pro Spotlight before. What a cock, I mean, cocky young kid. But, he had a right to be. Ed was a hot young rookie. On fire, actually. He won four pro street contests in a row that year. Yep, count 'em: one, two, three, four. Ed was one of the new breed of kids ushering in the street skate-dominated scene of the 1990s, pushing most of the old '80s vert pros into retirement.

Ed is multi-talented and does so much, it's hard to know where to start with this man. He began skating on the sidewalks, launch ramps and schoolyards of Huntington Beach, California in 1985. In the late '80s and early '90s, Huntington High School became the eye of Ed's storm, a proving ground where he and friend Jason Lee began to make benches, staircases and handrails sing the joys of abuse. These boys became well-known for effortlessly mixing tech and gnar skating simultaneously. Ed's sponsored career began in 1988 when he got flow boards from Madrid, followed by a quick stint at Circle A, eventually settling into Schmitt Stix in 1989.

1990 was Ed's banner year. He turned pro, Schmitt Stix turned into The New Deal and, in addition to the aforementioned four victories and coverage, he made the covers of both TransWorld Skateboarding and Thrasher. Ed Templeton's time had arrived. He was blowing-up big-time. He tried to one-up himself in 1991 with another win at the Spanish Championships, netting a cool $5000 in the process (a huge sum back then)--and marriage to longtime girlfriend Deanna.

...

Ed Templeton turned into a vegetarian in 1990, a vegan a year later and has not touched meat or dairy products ever since.

Through the mid '90s, Ed Templeton's skating continually progressed, his sporadic major contest wins continued, and he released the Toy Machine Welcome To Hell video to wide accolades in the skateboarding world. Ed joined a new shoe company in 1996 called Sheep, who gave him his first pro model skate shoe, a non-leather, all vegan model.

http://emericaskate.com/team/ed-templeton/bio/

YouTube video: http://youtube.com/watch?v=5m8j8m2ZHu8

This guy's crazy good!!!