logo
episode-header-image
Jun 2021
2h 40m

Crush It As A Plant-Based Athlete: Matt ...

Rich Roll
About this episode

How can you possibly excel as an athlete on a plant-based diet? Where do you get your protein? Don’t you need meat to be fit?

If you’re a long-time whole food, plant-based enthusiast, chances are you’ve been asked these questions more times than you can count. For the rest of you, let’s put these questions to the test.

My comrades for this inquiry are friends Matt Frazier & Robert Cheeke, here to testify on how to absolutely kick ass and take names as a plant-based athlete.

The occasion for this conversation is the publication of Matt & Robert’s aptly titled new book, The Plant-Based Athlete—the ultimate primer on maxing peak performance the plant-based way, a drum you I’ve been beating for years.

Long-time listeners will remember Matt from from RRP 54 in the early days of the podcast. A plant-based marathoner and ultrarunner, he’s the man behind everything NoMeatAthlete.com—the wildly popular community, blog, books, and podcast.

Making his first and long overdue appearance on the show, Robert is a former champion vegan bodybuilder, public speaker, founder of Vegan Bodybuilding & Fitness, and a solid dude who’s been crushing it on nothing but plants for more than 25 years.

Today, Matt and Robert bust myths and break down the basics of plant-based performance. We talk about optimizing athleticism from strength training to endurance. We discuss proper fueling and recovery techniques. We get into responsible supplementation, balancing macros, enhancing micronutrient intake, and the importance diversifying your microbiome. Plus, we dive into the latest science and research behind why plants reign supreme when it comes to peak gains.

Of course, we also bust some common myths, including the big one: where do you get your protein?

Whether you’re seeking to break a strength plateau, hit a PR, compete in your first ultra event, or simply lose a few, shape up and feel better—this is the intensive, in-depth, masterclass on plant-based performance you’ve been waiting for.

And it might just change your life.

To read more click here. You can also watch our exchange on YouTube. And as always, the podcast streams wild and free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

It was a blast hosting these awesome humans and long-time friends. I sincerely hope you enjoy the exchange.

Listen, Watch & Subscribe

Apple Podcasts | YouTube | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts

Thanks to this week’s sponsors:

Boll & Branch: The first honest and transparent bedding company that only uses sustainable and responsible methods of sourcing and manufacturing. Go to bollandbranch.com today for 15% off your first set of sheets when you use promo code richroll at checkout.

LMNT: A science-backed electrolyte drink mix with everything you need and nothing you don’t. The formula is super high-caliber, it’s plant-based with no sugar, fillers, gluten, or sketchy ingredients. For a limited time receive a FREE LMNT sample pack—just cover 5$ for shipping. Try it out at drinkLMNT.com/RICHROLL.

Native: Safe, effective protection against odor & wetness. For both men & women, Native is deodorant that isn’t a chemistry experiment–no aluminum, parabens, phthalates or talc. Visit nativedeo.com/roll or use promo code roll at checkout, and get 20% off your first order.

Vivobarefoot is on a mission to make perfect footwear for humans and the planet, with a great range of shoes for kids and adults, and for every activity from hiking to training and daily wear. Wearing barefoot shoes is a profound transformation. To reconnect with your natural movement, go to vivobarefoot.com/richroll and use the code RICHROLL to get 20% off your order.

SHOW NOTES:

HOW CAN I SUPPORT THE PODCAST?

Tell Your Friends & Share Online!

Subscribe & Review:  iTunes | Spotify | Stitcher | Soundcloud | Google Podcasts

Donate: Check out our Patreon account

Support The Sponsors: One of the best ways to support the podcast is to support our sponsors. For a complete list of all RRP sponsors and their respective vanity url's and discount codes, visit my Resources page and click "Sponsors".

Thank The Team: I do not do this alone. Send your love to Jason Camiolo for audio engineering, production and show notes and interstitial music, Additional music by Moby, Margo Lubin and Blake Curtis for video, editing and graphics; portraits by Davy Greenberg & Grayson Wilder; copywriting by Georgia Whaley; and theme music by Tyler Piatt, Trapper Piatt & Hari Mathis.



See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Up next
May 2022
Dr. Will Bulsiewicz On All Things Microbiome: Heal Your Gut, Sidestep Disease & Thrive
One of the most popular guests in the history of this podcast, Dr. Will Bulsiewicz ‘Dr. B' joined me back on episode #538 for a deep dive on the gut and honing our immune systems. Today we dive even deeper with a comprehensive investigation of the microbiome, why it’s important, ... Show More
3h 3m
May 2022
Roll On: Kristian Blummenfelt, The Ministry of Truth, & Sustainable Self-Growth
Welcome to another edition of ‘Roll On’, wherein Rich Roll and journalist & author Adam Skolnick riff on matters of interest across sports, culture, entertainment, and self-betterment.  Specific topics discussed in today’s episode include:Adam's latest NYT piece A Free Diver’s Tr ... Show More
1h 46m
May 2022
Gemma Newman, MD On Optimizing Hormone Health
Today’s episode explores nutrition, lifestyle  and overall well-being with a particular focus on hormone health – particularly (but not exclusively) women’s hormone health, aging, and reproductive care – with Gemma Newman., MD. A Senior Partner at a family medicine practice in th ... Show More
2h 8m
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2022
Simon Hill On Optimizing Plant-Based Nutrition For Health, Longevity & Athletic Performance
It’s one thing to go vegan. It’s another thing to go plant-based. But optimizing a plant-based diet for health, longevity and athletic prowess is another thing altogether. So today we dive deep into the finer specifics of fueling for peak well-being and performance. To help set u ... Show More
3h 10m
Aug 2023
EP 152: Build Athleticism While Maintaining Muscle, Athlete For Life Nutrition, Thoughts on TRT, & Overcoming Fear
I’m going to be doing at least one Q & A episode to dive deeper into some questions I receive on topics that deserve more than a quick response and will give actionable steps to apply into your training and life. I dive deeper into the conjugate training method and how I use it, ... Show More
1h 30m
Jan 2022
This Is How You Build MUSCLE, Live LONGER and Stay FIT with these Muscle Building TIPS | Gabrielle Lyon
What does living a longer, healthier, and more fulfilling life mean to you? How can you achieve that goal and does achieving that goal start the same for everyone? Per usual there is an abundance of information out that can be highly contradictory to each other and there is also ... Show More
45m 33s
Jan 2022
Rip Esselstyn: In Plants We Trust
A cornerstone of this podcast is celebrating the power of a plant-based lifestyle. Today we do just that with one of the movement’s most influential founding fathers. That father is none other than the great Plantstrong pioneer himself, Rip Esselstyn—returning for his second appe ... Show More
2h 16m
Feb 2024
DJ Madson - TRT for women & men, PEDs in bodybuilding
DJ Madson (@coachdjvanillaface) is a Marine Corps veteran, published author, health coach, and keynote speaker. She has returned to school for pharmacology and currently provides free community nutrition education as a Master Wellness Volunteer via AgriLife. In her free time, she ... Show More
45m 16s
Jan 2024
581: Key Signs Your Body Needs More Nutrients & How to Fix the Deficiencies | Chris Kresser
Watch the full video interview on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/unGbBF57fd0 Chris Kresser M.S., L.Ac. (IG: @chriskresser) is the co-founder of the California Center for Functional Medicine and the founder of Kresser Institute. He’s the host of the top-ranked health podcast Revol ... Show More
2h 5m
Jan 2023
Heal Your Body And Build Strength In A Sustainable Way
Do crunches work? Should you warm up prior to working out? Dr. Patrick DeFazio and David Fabrizio join Dr. Phil on his Phil in the Blanks podcast to discuss how you can do simple activities to reduce the risk of injury when playing sports or working out. Listen in to find out how ... Show More
51m 2s
Jan 2017
The Best Time Of Day To Exercise, How To Be The Fittest Old Person, Top 5 Cheap Ways To Train For Altitude & More!
https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/363 January 25, 2017 Podcast: 363: The Best Time Of Day To Exercise, How To Be The Fittest Old Person, Top 5 Cheap Ways To Train For Altitude & More! NEW! Click here for the official BenGreenfieldFitness calendar of events. Have a podcast question ... Show More
1h 28m
Sep 2023
Bronson Dant | Why Protein Is The Most Important Macronutrient on Keto, The Importance of Lean Muscle Mass & More! KKP: 651
Today, I am blessed to have here with me Bronson Dant. He has been coaching and training people in health and fitness for almost 10 years. He started CrossFit around his 40th birthday and quickly fell in love with the variety, community, coaching, and results. It didn’t take long ... Show More
59m 15s
Jan 2024
197: How Vegetarian And Vegan Athletes Can Master Nutrition To Perform Optimally
In episode 197 Sam Thompson, Sport Nutritionist and PhD Candidate at the University of the West of Scotland and Celtic FC, joins us. Specifically Sam will be looking at: What plant based diets are The advantages and disadvantages to vegetarian and vegan diets How to avoid key pit ... Show More
28m 41s