Top Vegan Athletes

Spring is the season of love, flowers, lambs, and an abundance of colorful vegetables. What more could happy, healthy herbivores hope for, right? Well, maybe it’s also that time of year when we all start taking our workouts just a little bit more seriously, since the specter of summertime shorts, skirts, and swimsuits is starting to linger. Whether you’re a longtime, die-hard athlete or just taking your first steps off the couch, find inspiration in these three incredible, veg-powered, professional athletes.

Mac Danzig
Sport: Mixed Martial Arts, Ultimate Fighting Championship Fighter
Diet: Vegan since 2004
Favorite Protein Source: “For supplemental protein, I like brown-rice protein, but my favorite protein-rich food is grilled portabello mushrooms.”
Story: Danzig is a fighter of the highest caliber. With more than 20 professional fights under his belt, he triumphed on the sixth season of UFC’s “The Ultimate Fighter.” How does he reconcile his peaceful eating habits with a career based on beating people up? “I don’t really view my career as being ‘violent.’ It’s a refined, sanctioned sport and I treat it as such. Everyone who competes makes the free-willed decision to compete and has the choice to submit during the fight, which is actually respected. I feel the term ‘violence’ involves a victim, and in the sport of MMA, there aren’t any victims, every fighter chooses to compete.”

Maureen Shea
Sport: Boxing
Diet: Vegan since 2007
Favorite Protein Source: “Robert Ferguson’s protein muffins.” Though many of Ferguson’s recipes aren’t vegan, Shea is a substitutions whiz. For these muffins, ground flax are used in place of eggs.
Story: Often referred to as “The Real Million Dollar Baby,” Shea was Hilary Swank’s training partner for her Oscar-winning role. The 27-year-old fighter has everything going for her: the fame of a star sparring partner, a legendary trainer in Hector Roca, and, of course, a healthy, vegan diet to keep her going. “[Being vegan] has enhanced my athletic performance. I am stronger mentally, physically, and spiritually,” she says. With a record of 13-1, that’s 13 wins and one loss, Shea’s performance speaks for itself.

Tim VanOrden
Sport: Marathon and mountain-trail running, and snowshoeing
Diet: Raw vegan since 2005
Favorite Protein Source: “You don’t need protein, you need amino acids. Fresh fruits and veggies are loaded with amino acids, so I cut out the middleman.”
Story: When Tim VanOrden (above photo) decided to go raw, he found himself with more energy than he knew what to do with. “(Being raw) created the athletic inspiration. I had all this extra energy,” he says. “I’m a vegan and a raw foodist first, and I’m an athlete to prove a point.” VanOrden, who didn’t become a competitive athlete until the age of 38, credits his raw diet with the repair of sports injuries from his high-school years and the disappearance of his athletics-induced asthma.