Competitive bodybuilders. Owners of Richmond, VA plant-based personal training studio, Root Force Personal Training since 2009. Authors of The Vegan Muscle and Fitness Guide to Bodybuilding Competitions. Between us we’ve got three degrees in subjects from biology to mathematics (a fourth is in the works), various personal training certifications, two vegan kids, and a vegan dog named Joe. Our mission: to generate as many fit vegan role models as possible to get the message across that a plant-based diet isn’t a handicap in the world of athletics – it’s an advantage! Follow us on Facebook or Instagram!
Derek:
I’m originally from San Diego, CA where I spent all my free time in athletic pursuits from organized sports to martial arts to surfing and kayaking. I took up weightlifting in early high school and this love of weight training carried me naturally into bodybuilding as my physique developed. I also realized early on that I have a contagious enthusiasm in the gym: I can’t wait to get everyone around me as excited as I am about fitness.
I have become increasingly passionate about health and, as I continue to learn about biology, I am awed by the amazing intricacy of all aspects of life coming together so that it may thrive. This is why a holistic approach to health is the only approach that makes sense to me and the only way that will guarantee phenomenal and lifelong results. When I met Marcella seven years ago (on World of Warcraft!) and began educating myself about veganism and reading the works of Dr. Campbell and Dr. Fuhrman, I saw the scientific literature in support of a plant-based diet and knew there was no going back. I have since been spreading the word and striving to lead by example using fitness and bodybuilding as a means to demonstrate the amazing health benefits of a whole foods plant-based diet.
ACE Certified Personal Trainer
Certified Corrective Exercise Specialist
Certified Muscle Activation Techniques Practitioner
BS in Biology from Virginia Commonwealth University
Certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition from Cornell University
World Natural Bodybuilding Federation and Naturally Fit Federation Men’s Physique Pro
Founding Member of Team Plantbuilt
My competion history:
2011 NPA Master’s Universe: Men’s Open Middleweight – 3rd
2011 NANBF Washington State Natural: Men’s Open Middle Height – 3rd
2012 OCB Bodysculpting Open: Men’s Novice Tall Class – 1st, Men’s Open Tall Class – 2nd2013 OCB Battle of Tidewater: Men’s Bodybuilding Open Tall Class – 4th2013 INBF Southwest Natural: Men’s Bodybuilding Light Heavyweight – 1st2014 INBF Southwest Natural: Men’s Physique – 1st, WNBF Pro Card Awarded2015 WNBF Pro Universe: Pro Men’s Physique – 2nd2017 Naturally Fit Super Show: Pro Men’s Physique – 2nd2017 NCP Jay Cutler Classic: Classic Physique Novice – 1st, Classic Physique Open – 2nd (National Qualification), Men’s Physique Open – 5th2017 WNBF Pro Universe: Pro Men’s Physique – 5th
Breaking Muscle Article: How To Build Muscle on a Plant-Based Diet
The Big Inside FTNS Radio Interview
Nutritionfacts.org Video on Plant Based Bodybuilding
Vegan Health and Fitness magazine
ACE Fitness Article: Can Vegan Athletes Match Their Meat-Eating Competitors?
The Daily Beet (Engine 2 Diet Blog)
Marcella:
My best friend gave me a copy of Diet for a New America to read ten years ago and I promptly cleared out my fridge of every scrap of meat and dairy and never looked back. Ethics was and continues to be my primary motivator, but as an analytical, logical – even “science-y” – sort of person, I’m also powerfully motivated by the diet’s efficiency and sustainability and the compelling biological evidence in it’s favor. It also didn’t hurt that, after a lifetime of obesity and chronic illness, a plant-based diet brought me to a healthy, energetic place for the first time ever!
I’m excited that so many more people are exploring veganism, whether it’s as a way to be healthier and more athletic or for ethical and environmental reasons: I want to be a part of that change.
About me:
PhD Candidate, Systems Modeling/Mathematical Biology
MS Applied mathematics, BS Applied Mathematics/Physics from Virginia Commonwealth University
Vegan for 16 years
Amateur vegan bodybuilder
Dancer
Things I’ve been in:
Vegan Health and Fitness magazine
The Daily Beet (Engine 2 Diet Blog)
WHAT// Vegan Physique Competitor, Personal Trainer, Medicine Student, Vegan Society Mentor
WHERE// London, UK
WHY// A strong passion for animals and human health and fitness
EXPERIENCE/ KNOWLEDGE:
ACT Certified Personal Trainer
BSc Human Biomedical Science
PERSONAL:
I’ve always been into health & fitness but when I began working out on a vegan diet I reached my performance and weight-loss goals insanely fast. I reached a new level of confidence with my body as well as feeling awesome! I’m now a personal trainer and I love helping people realise the best versions of themselves through diet and exercise.
I became vegan 2 years ago when my brother’s girlfriend became vegan and I started researching on the internet to find out why. I was then vegan after a few days of researching animal cruelty, health benefits of plant-based lifestyles and finding vegan bodybuilders online. I couldn’t find a logical reason to eat meat/dairy anymore. I then changed my career from Doctor of Human Medicine towards Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
Check out Max’s transformation here!
WHO// Forest Crosbie
WHAT// Vegan Men’s Physique Competitor, NASM Certified Personal Trainer, Fitness Nutrition Specialist
WHERE// Melbourne, Australia
WHY// A desire to achieve the purest possible lifestyle
KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE:
NASM Certified Personal Trainer, Fitness Nutrition Specialist
Over a decade of strength training experience
Vegetarian Since Birth
PERSONAL:
I was fortunate enough to grow up in a vegetarian household, and I carried that lifestyle through into adulthood as well. As my passion for health and wellness grew and I learned more about the profound impact of diet, both on personal well-being and the environment as a whole, veganism was the only choice that made sense to me. I discovered Derek and Marcella’s work early in my research on plant-based nutrition, and was immediately inspired by what they do.
It is now my distinct privilege to be able to share the knowledge and experience I’ve gained over the course of my fitness journey, and to serve as a role model for others seeking to improve their quality of life through the power of the vegan diet. I enjoy working with people of all ages and backgrounds in the pursuit of their fitness goals, and I am excited to be a part of the VM&F team and participate in the global vegan movement!
Competition History:
2017 Naturally Fit Super Show: Men’s Physique Novice – 1st, Men’s Physique Open – 4th
View Comments (46)
Dear Derek and Marcella,
I hope this message finds you well.
I'm a UK-based personal trainer turned award-winning freelance health and fitness writer, as well as being a lifelong vegetarian turned vegan. Over the years, I've worked with plenty of clients following plant-based, and some mostly plant-based diets, getting the best out of them even as they managed to stay happy, healthy, and ethically minded.
Vegan fitness is obviously a big, big deal to me. I wholeheartedly love and support your mission to generate as many fit vegan role models as possible.
Given this is where I honestly I think this is where the future is taking us, I want to move more into writing specifically for a plant-based dieting audience. I was wondering if you have any need of any freelance writing on any areas related to vegan health and fitness? Or if you might be accepting pitches?
I would love to chat if you think we might be able to work well together. If not, thanks for your time anyway.
Best,
James
Please cancel this post -- I received my refund. Thanks for all your help. Have a great day.
I was introduced to you through Matt Frazier's No Meat Athlete through his trial subscription -- which just ended. I asked him and his customer service to cancel it. yet he has charged me beginning today. Could you please ask him to refund me?
Here's what I wrote : Matt, can you please refund me for charging me for the free subscription? I asked Customer Service and emailed you to cancel my trial subscription and received no reply from either you or your website. As promised, if you don't cancel my subscription, I will go on every YouTube video and let others know of the quality of your website -- you don't honor your word, and therefore, I'm letting people know -- that you will not answer their emails, but you will just charge their accounts without hearing their request to cancel their trial subscriptions.
Hi I'm a 54 years old woman with no weightlifting nor resistance training experience. I have a difficult time understanding portion control and don't know anything about macros.
Can you tell me how much it would be for your 12 week transformation program? I need someone to tell me how to do the workouts/exercises and how to burn fat and how to set up a meal plan with appropriate macros?
Hi Yuderky,
Thank you for reaching out! Congratulations on getting started - it can be intimidating asking for help when you don't have experience in structured fitness. I think we can definitely help you get to work on your goals, and yes the 12 week package is a great place to start. We'd be happy to schedule a free consultation if you'd like to go over your goals with us and see which option is the best fit.
It's difficult to find educated people in this particular topic, however,
you sound like you know what you're talking about!
Thanks
Thanks, we try!
Hi Derek!
We are developing a web series that facilitates conversations between two individuals on a complex issue. This episode we are currently working on requires a Vegan Bodybuilder to address 'Hyper-masculinity'. Your conversation is behind the scenes (via online platform) and the resulting conversation is transcribed into a script and performed by actors for an episode. If this is something you might be interested in get in touch.
Here is a premise explaining short clip
https://vimeo.com/334364443
Warm Regards,
Sean & Alina
Hi, I'm Nicole I'm form Peru, my question is
I've been vegan for 3 months already and at the same time I've started to go to the gym my trainer says that now I need to consume protein by suplementing myself and I've been searching for one and I wonder if you know about a vegan suplement o kind of that.
I love your website :)
Hi Nicole: actually we would disagree that you need to supplement with protein powder. It's not necessary - you can get everything you need from whole plant foods. If you choose to take a protein supplement there are many vegan options such as Vega, Sunwarrior, or Plantfusion. Good luck!
I'm the founder of VegetarianBodybuilding.com and I wanted to check in with you guys...
I agree completely, it takes significantly more land, water, and food/plants to produce meat. Even if people can't connect with the inhumane practices being deployed (watch a documentary for crying out loud), the math here is pretty clear regarding the environment. It's unfortunate things like this have to get "politicized" when all that's required is objectivity and common sense. This shouldn't be a political issue, but I digress.
That said, as a compassionate vegan, I try to remove the hate from my voice when voicing certain truths about the matter. I think this is key in attracting more folks to listen in the first place.
Thank you for your part in this conversation.
Hi everyone
I have some question and I would ike to clarify them, I want to become vegetarian but in gyms the rule is: "you have to eat meat".
1) Some people against vegetarianism say that if we just consume a plant based diet, there would not be more land and it would colapse, it wouldn't be sustainable. So in your experience, if you have to consume 100g of protein, how would you compare in kg the quantities in meat and grains (plants)? Is it sustainable? if we just consume plants, do we need a lot of grains an plants to compensate the meat based diet?
2) I heard from a guy that "health is relative" and there are some people who have good health despite thier eating habits. I know this is true, but it is a tiny portion of the human race. So my question is: if genes hypotheticlly adapt to erradicate the dangers of junk food and bad life style (sleeping a lot, driking alcohol). Do we really need to do exercise? what are the benefits? People are starting to make "health" something relative because "genes adapt". Please tell me your comments.
3) where Can I find a good vegetarian diet, I live in Bolivia. Is it true that quinoa has the 8 essetial aminoacids?
Hi Pablo,
I'll answer your questions one by one:
1) Far, far more land, water, and plants are required for meat and other animal products to be produced. Here are some facts and figures for you:
- 7 kg of grain to produce 1 kg of beef
- 4 kg of grain for 1 kg pork
- 2 kg of grain for 1 kg poultry
- Between 1 and 2 kg of grain for 1 kg of fish
- It takes about 15,000 - 68,000 liters of water to produce 1 hamburger
- It takes about 109 liters of water to produce one soy burger
- It takes about 1000 liters of water to produce 1 liter of milk
- It takes about 246 liters of water to produce 1 liter of soymilk
- Approximate area required to grow 1 person's diet that includes animal products: 31,000-63,000 square feet
- Approximate area required to grow 1 person's VEGAN diet: 7,000 square feet
Some references that might be helpful for further information:
2) Yes, good health in spite of poor lifestyle choices is the exception to the rule, and the questrion will always remain - if someone hadf such good health eating poorly, just how long and disease free would their life have been with better diet and exercise habits? As far as genes adapting to new environmental stressors like poor diet and exercise, 1) Genetic adaptations require multiple generations to occur (generally thousands of years) and 2) the situation in which genetic adaptations opccur the most rapidly is one of survivorship. Since people's bad eating and lifestyle habits are not killing them before they reproduce, there is virtually no adaptation happening becuase everyone's genes are being passed on, not just the genes of people who can best tolerate modern diet and lifestyle practices.
3) Potatoes, beans, rice, vegetables, fruit, and other whole grains are all you need. All foods, except gelatin which is an animal product, contain all the essential amino acids. Eat a variety of foods rather than searching for foods that contain specific amino acid ratios - the idea that you need each food to contain a certain amount is an old myth that is taking too long to die!
Hi
I do you have further information for the second question (health and gene's adaptation?
Article from Dr. McDougall on epigenetics
Thanks so much