Athletes are normally very particular about their bodies and what they put in them. After all, without healthy bodies, it is hard to do what they do.
But, I realized there are quite a few athletes that eat a strictly vegetarian diet. Some people wonder if a no meat diet is good for you. It certainly hasn’t done these athletes any harm:
Bill Pearl
Pearl is a four-time Mr. Universe. He didn’t become a vegetarian until he was 39, but guess what? He won his final Mr. Universe two years later, at age 41.
Bode Miller
Skiier Miller not only grew up as a vegetarian, but owns his own organic farm in New Hampshire.
Carl Lewis
Lewis, the holder of 9 gold medals for track, is a vegan. He said, “Your body is your temple. If you nourish it properly, it will be good to you and you will increase its longevity.” Since his career lasted 17 years, I’d say he’s right.
Ronda Rousey
Rousey didn’t become a vegan until she won a medal in judo in the 2008 Olympics. However, since going vegan, she is now an MMA fighter, currently ranked #1 in her weight and the Strikeforce womens’s bantamweight champion.
Martina Navratilova
Tennis pro Navratilova is a vegetarian who has appeared in PETA ads. However, wanting more protein while on the road, she sometimes incorporates fish into her diet.
Mike Tyson
Yes, Iron Mike is a vegan. He wasn’t during his boxing days, but today, he’s sober, vegan, and perhaps in the best shape in years.
Joe Namath
That’s right, Broadway Joe is a vegetarian. Namath also points out that Fred Dryer, who played for the Giants and Rams, is also a vegetarian.
Scott Jurek
Jurek is an ultramarathon runner who has won many titles, including the silver medal at the 24-Hour World Championships in 2010. He ran 165.7 miles in 24 hours – eleven years after he became a vegan.