Spotlight: Manly Vegan

I am excited to feature the Manly Vegan today. Recently a few guy friends of mine have gone vegan and use Manly Vegan as a frame of reference. From what I can tell there are still stereotypes about men being weak if they don’t load up on meat and potatoes. What I would say is that type of behavior will have you to being the stereotype of gaining weight, developing disease and ED. Here is Jake’s story about why he became vegan, tips for guys and what’s up next for the Manly Vegan.

P.S. Coming from women’s point of view… I think vegan guys are hottier!

1. What was the spark for you to live a vegan lifestyle?

When I was 20 years old I was diagnosed with testicular cancer. My father got his hands on the book “The China Study” given to him by a friend. After he read he basically didn’t give me a choice but to read it.  Needless to say it changed how I look at things. My big question was “How could someone 20 years old in relatively good shape get cancer?” A 20 year old young man feels invincible to world – I did anyway. Going through that changed my life and how I look at it. I’m 25 now, cancer free for 4 years.

2.  What challenges do you think guys have going vegan? How do you work through them?

The list of challenges is quite long unfortunately so I will just talk about a couple.  Number one problem is socially you immediately will be judged and labeled with stereotypes.  I work in a very blue collar atmosphere; my co-workers are mostly all big burly men.  Our job is quite physical and many many calories are consumed in our 12 hour average work day. Translation: WE GET HUNGRY. When I break out a big salad at lunch with all kinds of things they have never even seen before its not uncommon for me to get a “wow you eat like a bird.” Most guys do not want to be compared to a bird.  One thing I try to do through my blog is show professional high performance athletes and even respected actors who are eating a plant based diet to achieve championship status.

Another challenge worth mentioning is knowledge. It has taken be a long time to build up my knowledge to where I dont get bored of what I keep stocked in my house.  This great planet we live on has provided a huge amount variety of plant based goodness. BUT you have to go out looking for it.  You simply cannot just Shop at Wal-Mart, Ralphs, Kroger, and all the other staples of American groceries.  Farmers Markets, Trader Joes, Whole Foods and growing your own garden will make eating this way so much more enjoyable. And my closing words: HEMP PROTEIN. I work out a lot and I have a greater need to rebuilt muscle then the average male. It’s awesome stuff.

3. What are your favorite vegan dishes to create?

Kale Waldorf is a current obsession of mine.  Really I’m so spoiled living in Los Angeles. So many amazing places to eat out or get delivery from I do not create as much as I should.

4. What is your #1 vegan living tip for guys?

Break a sweat and eat a salad every day.

5. What are some features on your website?

My website is quite basic. I have plans to launch video this summer!

6. What are some reasons why guys should go vegan?

Eating a plant based diet has positively affected every aspect of my life.  Professionally my work performance and results have greatly improved as a result of mental clarity and stamina. I have lost all kinds of weight and my athletic performance is through the roof. I spend LESS money on food month to month. I’m putting a greatly reduced strain on the environment. My sleep quality is top notch, 6 hours of sleep a night is all I need to feel rested and ready to wake up and kick ass.

Finally men, sexual performance. Breaking a sweat, losing weight, and replacing what my body burns with top notch plants. You mix that all together and the significant other in your life will notice.  If that’s not motivation enough…well it goes without saying.

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