When Carl Lewis bound his way to nine Olympic gold medals no one would have guessed he was running on fruit salad. Whether for philosophical reasons, environmental concerns, or improved health, more Kiwi’s are choosing a plant powered diet to help them enjoy better, more productive lives. As the science rolls in and public perception changes the idea of munching down on a big bowl of plant food seems increasingly appealing to many carnivorous salad doubters.
Many people find it surprising to discover that it is possible to achieve amazing physical endurance and muscle strength whilst relying on the humble plant world for nutrition. In my daily work as a physiotherapist and endurance coach I am often asked for my opinion on the role of diet in relation to health, growth, stamina and recovery. As a past carnivore I thought some people may benefit from my personal journey into veganism. Changing the way I ate was the first step, and the platform for me to start my wellness journey.
The journey towards eating more plants started about eight years ago. It was a dark time for me, as any runner who has suffered a significant injury will be able to relate. I had planned to run the Kepler trail and was looking forward to an epic boy’s trip in the deep South. Then suddenly I tore a meniscus, and my dream was smashed. My surgeon (who was also my running buddy) informed me that I shouldn’t be running for at least six months, and that my running future would have to be “managed”. Glum was not really the word for how I felt, it was more like bereaved. Not only would I miss the Kepler, but I was banned from running for months on end and faced the real possibility of not being able to run to my potential!
After a period of mourning I became bored with my own miserable behaviour and decided to take a more pro-active approach to my recovery. At that time my uncle Murray was battling bowel cancer and had begun to delve into the mysterious world of plant-based whole-food eating. Murray had started a blog to encourage his friends and family to consider changing their own diets and lifestyles. One of Murray’s best blogentries really hit home“The cards are stacked firmly against prevention–who wants to be advised to change the lifestyle and eating habits of a lifetime... you may think you could never in a million years cut down or cut out sugar, processed foods-particularly processed meats, dairy products, excess alcohol, fast foods, and replace it with a diet of fresh fruit and vege -particularly green leafy veges, berries, nuts, green tea , and smoothies...”I had to cringe while reading this as I suddenly recalled all the big breakfasts, steak and chip dinners and other crap I had fed myself over the years. A light-bulb went on. I felt a strong desire to change, and to treat my body with the respect it deserved. How could I possibly complain about my then 38-year-old body letting me down when I had done so little to fuel it well? Although I couldn’t run,I threw myself into cycling and swimming, and started seeking more information about plant-based nutrition. Many of the things Murrey was presenting on his blog seemed to make good sense and even better science.I was intrigued and being naturally inquisitive I started conducting my own personal study.
Around this time I discovered the vegan ultra athlete and author Rich Roll and his plant-based, whole-food approach to eating. His own amazing journey to improved health formed the final incentive in my decision to try and change my diet. Initially I just ate a lot more vegetables and fruit and cut down my meat intake to once a week. I also started eliminating the more processed meats, like sausages and bacon from my diet entirely and replaced my artificial biscuit and chip snacks with nuts, seeds and fruit. Over the next 10 weeks, with less training than usual, I lost 12kg in bodyweight, gained energy, had less muscle soreness after exercise, and experienced a newly improved clarity in thinking. This initial experience led me to tweak my eating even further towards a plant based diet (reduction and then elimination of dairy).
Six years on from my annoying running injury, I am now loving a new way of eating. You could call it a “wholefood plant-based diet”, though it really isn’t a branded fad diet but a great way of life, and a flexible way of eating. I have come to relish plant-based natural foods and enjoy a mainly vegan diet at home and sometimes vegetarian when I go out.The amazing thing is that I used to be a double-meat kind of guy, all my favourite meals tended to have at least two types of meat in them, and yet I can truly say that I am eating exactly what I feel like without any sense of missing out. I honestly don’t crave meat at home or for takeaways. If someone had told me eight years ago that I would be choosing a vegan burger over an angus beef burger I would have laughed... and then ordered a angus beef burger. The biggest surprise is that I actually love the food I am eating, my weight is low and stable and I feel more energetic and creative than at any other time in my life. Even an ex-double-meat carnivore like me has to admit, these facts are hard to dispute. And did I mention, I’m running again? Yes, my change in nutrition and weight loss allowed me to build up my running again, to the point where I now have minimal ongoing knee symptoms, and have managed to run four marathons, including three sub three hour efforts, which is the best I’ve done since I was in my mid-20’s, and I’ve discovered Trail running which is just beautiful. As I glide into my late-forties I find myself living a more outward looking, gratitude focussed life to which I largely attribute a very simple change in diet. But don’t take my word for it. I’ve saved these last lines for Albert Einstein, arguably one of the smartest people in history to have the final say “Nothing will benefit human health or increase the chances for survival on earth as the evolution to a vegetarian diet”.
Brad Dixon is a sports physio, coach, and wellness evangelist based at EVERFIT Physio & Coaching. His passion is promoting enhancing daily habits that nudge people towards potential and save the planet. His book ‘Holistic Human’ is available here - https://everfit.co.nz/Store/Category/Book. The power is in our daily habits! Connect with Brad atwww.everfit.co.nz, Facebook, Strava, Instagram(@everfitcoach), and YOU TUBE https://youtube.com/c/EverFITcoach
REFERENCES
When Carl Lewis bound his way to nine Olympic gold medals no one would have guessed he was running on fruit salad. Whether for philosophical reasons, environmental concerns, or improved health, more Kiwi’s are choosing a plant powered diet to help them enjoy better, more productive lives. As the science rolls in and public perception changes the idea of munching down on a big bowl of plant food seems increasingly appealing to many carnivorous salad doubters.
Many people find it surprising to discover that it is possible to achieve amazing physical endurance and muscle strength whilst relying on the humble plant world for nutrition. In my daily work as a physiotherapist and endurance coach I am often asked for my opinion on the role of diet in relation to health, growth, stamina and recovery. As a past carnivore I thought some people may benefit from my personal journey into veganism. Changing the way I ate was the first step, and the platform for me to start my wellness journey.
The journey towards eating more plants started about eight years ago. It was a dark time for me, as any runner who has suffered a significant injury will be able to relate. I had planned to run the Kepler trail and was looking forward to an epic boy’s trip in the deep South. Then suddenly I tore a meniscus, and my dream was smashed. My surgeon (who was also my running buddy) informed me that I shouldn’t be running for at least six months, and that my running future would have to be “managed”. Glum was not really the word for how I felt, it was more like bereaved. Not only would I miss the Kepler, but I was banned from running for months on end and faced the real possibility of not being able to run to my potential!
After a period of mourning I became bored with my own miserable behaviour and decided to take a more pro-active approach to my recovery. At that time my uncle Murray was battling bowel cancer and had begun to delve into the mysterious world of plant-based whole-food eating. Murray had started a blog to encourage his friends and family to consider changing their own diets and lifestyles. One of Murray’s best blogentries really hit home“The cards are stacked firmly against prevention–who wants to be advised to change the lifestyle and eating habits of a lifetime... you may think you could never in a million years cut down or cut out sugar, processed foods-particularly processed meats, dairy products, excess alcohol, fast foods, and replace it with a diet of fresh fruit and vege -particularly green leafy veges, berries, nuts, green tea , and smoothies...”I had to cringe while reading this as I suddenly recalled all the big breakfasts, steak and chip dinners and other crap I had fed myself over the years. A light-bulb went on. I felt a strong desire to change, and to treat my body with the respect it deserved. How could I possibly complain about my then 38-year-old body letting me down when I had done so little to fuel it well? Although I couldn’t run,I threw myself into cycling and swimming, and started seeking more information about plant-based nutrition. Many of the things Murrey was presenting on his blog seemed to make good sense and even better science.I was intrigued and being naturally inquisitive I started conducting my own personal study.
Around this time I discovered the vegan ultra athlete and author Rich Roll and his plant-based, whole-food approach to eating. His own amazing journey to improved health formed the final incentive in my decision to try and change my diet. Initially I just ate a lot more vegetables and fruit and cut down my meat intake to once a week. I also started eliminating the more processed meats, like sausages and bacon from my diet entirely and replaced my artificial biscuit and chip snacks with nuts, seeds and fruit. Over the next 10 weeks, with less training than usual, I lost 12kg in bodyweight, gained energy, had less muscle soreness after exercise, and experienced a newly improved clarity in thinking. This initial experience led me to tweak my eating even further towards a plant based diet (reduction and then elimination of dairy).
Six years on from my annoying running injury, I am now loving a new way of eating. You could call it a “wholefood plant-based diet”, though it really isn’t a branded fad diet but a great way of life, and a flexible way of eating. I have come to relish plant-based natural foods and enjoy a mainly vegan diet at home and sometimes vegetarian when I go out.The amazing thing is that I used to be a double-meat kind of guy, all my favourite meals tended to have at least two types of meat in them, and yet I can truly say that I am eating exactly what I feel like without any sense of missing out. I honestly don’t crave meat at home or for takeaways. If someone had told me eight years ago that I would be choosing a vegan burger over an angus beef burger I would have laughed... and then ordered a angus beef burger. The biggest surprise is that I actually love the food I am eating, my weight is low and stable and I feel more energetic and creative than at any other time in my life. Even an ex-double-meat carnivore like me has to admit, these facts are hard to dispute. And did I mention, I’m running again? Yes, my change in nutrition and weight loss allowed me to build up my running again, to the point where I now have minimal ongoing knee symptoms, and have managed to run four marathons, including three sub three hour efforts, which is the best I’ve done since I was in my mid-20’s, and I’ve discovered Trail running which is just beautiful. As I glide into my late-forties I find myself living a more outward looking, gratitude focussed life to which I largely attribute a very simple change in diet. But don’t take my word for it. I’ve saved these last lines for Albert Einstein, arguably one of the smartest people in history to have the final say “Nothing will benefit human health or increase the chances for survival on earth as the evolution to a vegetarian diet”.
Brad Dixon is a sports physio, coach, and wellness evangelist based at EVERFIT Physio & Coaching. His passion is promoting enhancing daily habits that nudge people towards potential and save the planet. His book ‘Holistic Human’ is available here - https://everfit.co.nz/Store/Category/Book. The power is in our daily habits! Connect with Brad atwww.everfit.co.nz, Facebook, Strava, Instagram(@everfitcoach), and YOU TUBE https://youtube.com/c/EverFITcoach
When Carl Lewis bound his way to nine Olympic gold medals no one would have guessed he was running on fruit salad. Whether for philosophical reasons, environmental concerns, or improved health, more Kiwi’s are choosing a plant powered diet to help them enjoy better, more productive lives. As the science rolls in and public perception changes the idea of munching down on a big bowl of plant food seems increasingly appealing to many carnivorous salad doubters.
Many people find it surprising to discover that it is possible to achieve amazing physical endurance and muscle strength whilst relying on the humble plant world for nutrition. In my daily work as a physiotherapist and endurance coach I am often asked for my opinion on the role of diet in relation to health, growth, stamina and recovery. As a past carnivore I thought some people may benefit from my personal journey into veganism. Changing the way I ate was the first step, and the platform for me to start my wellness journey.
The journey towards eating more plants started about eight years ago. It was a dark time for me, as any runner who has suffered a significant injury will be able to relate. I had planned to run the Kepler trail and was looking forward to an epic boy’s trip in the deep South. Then suddenly I tore a meniscus, and my dream was smashed. My surgeon (who was also my running buddy) informed me that I shouldn’t be running for at least six months, and that my running future would have to be “managed”. Glum was not really the word for how I felt, it was more like bereaved. Not only would I miss the Kepler, but I was banned from running for months on end and faced the real possibility of not being able to run to my potential!
After a period of mourning I became bored with my own miserable behaviour and decided to take a more pro-active approach to my recovery. At that time my uncle Murray was battling bowel cancer and had begun to delve into the mysterious world of plant-based whole-food eating. Murray had started a blog to encourage his friends and family to consider changing their own diets and lifestyles. One of Murray’s best blogentries really hit home“The cards are stacked firmly against prevention–who wants to be advised to change the lifestyle and eating habits of a lifetime... you may think you could never in a million years cut down or cut out sugar, processed foods-particularly processed meats, dairy products, excess alcohol, fast foods, and replace it with a diet of fresh fruit and vege -particularly green leafy veges, berries, nuts, green tea , and smoothies...”I had to cringe while reading this as I suddenly recalled all the big breakfasts, steak and chip dinners and other crap I had fed myself over the years. A light-bulb went on. I felt a strong desire to change, and to treat my body with the respect it deserved. How could I possibly complain about my then 38-year-old body letting me down when I had done so little to fuel it well? Although I couldn’t run,I threw myself into cycling and swimming, and started seeking more information about plant-based nutrition. Many of the things Murrey was presenting on his blog seemed to make good sense and even better science.I was intrigued and being naturally inquisitive I started conducting my own personal study.
Around this time I discovered the vegan ultra athlete and author Rich Roll and his plant-based, whole-food approach to eating. His own amazing journey to improved health formed the final incentive in my decision to try and change my diet. Initially I just ate a lot more vegetables and fruit and cut down my meat intake to once a week. I also started eliminating the more processed meats, like sausages and bacon from my diet entirely and replaced my artificial biscuit and chip snacks with nuts, seeds and fruit. Over the next 10 weeks, with less training than usual, I lost 12kg in bodyweight, gained energy, had less muscle soreness after exercise, and experienced a newly improved clarity in thinking. This initial experience led me to tweak my eating even further towards a plant based diet (reduction and then elimination of dairy).
Six years on from my annoying running injury, I am now loving a new way of eating. You could call it a “wholefood plant-based diet”, though it really isn’t a branded fad diet but a great way of life, and a flexible way of eating. I have come to relish plant-based natural foods and enjoy a mainly vegan diet at home and sometimes vegetarian when I go out.The amazing thing is that I used to be a double-meat kind of guy, all my favourite meals tended to have at least two types of meat in them, and yet I can truly say that I am eating exactly what I feel like without any sense of missing out. I honestly don’t crave meat at home or for takeaways. If someone had told me eight years ago that I would be choosing a vegan burger over an angus beef burger I would have laughed... and then ordered a angus beef burger. The biggest surprise is that I actually love the food I am eating, my weight is low and stable and I feel more energetic and creative than at any other time in my life. Even an ex-double-meat carnivore like me has to admit, these facts are hard to dispute. And did I mention, I’m running again? Yes, my change in nutrition and weight loss allowed me to build up my running again, to the point where I now have minimal ongoing knee symptoms, and have managed to run four marathons, including three sub three hour efforts, which is the best I’ve done since I was in my mid-20’s, and I’ve discovered Trail running which is just beautiful. As I glide into my late-forties I find myself living a more outward looking, gratitude focussed life to which I largely attribute a very simple change in diet. But don’t take my word for it. I’ve saved these last lines for Albert Einstein, arguably one of the smartest people in history to have the final say “Nothing will benefit human health or increase the chances for survival on earth as the evolution to a vegetarian diet”.
Brad Dixon is a sports physio, coach, and wellness evangelist based at EVERFIT Physio & Coaching. His passion is promoting enhancing daily habits that nudge people towards potential and save the planet. His book ‘Holistic Human’ is available here - https://everfit.co.nz/Store/Category/Book. The power is in our daily habits! Connect with Brad atwww.everfit.co.nz, Facebook, Strava, Instagram(@everfitcoach), and YOU TUBE https://youtube.com/c/EverFITcoach
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