The Vegan Bodybuilder

The Vegan Bodybuilder: How a Plant-Based Diet Fueled an Unlikely Champion  

The Meathead Who Went Vegan

In 2015, Derek Simnett was a certified personal trainer and nutrition coach—but he had a secret. Despite his muscular physique and athletic performance, he was struggling with digestive issues, fatigue, and joint pain. Doctors told him it was just "part of getting older," but at 28, Derek refused to accept that.  

Then, one day, a bodybuilding client of his—who happened to be vegan—challenged him:  

You preach health, but you eat dead animals. How does that make sense?

Derek, a lifelong meat-eater, scoffed. There’s no way you can build muscle without meat.

But the seed was planted.  

The 30-Day Vegan Experiment  

Skeptical but curious, Derek decided to try a 30-day vegan challenge. He expected to feel weak, lose muscle, and give up.  

Instead, the opposite happened.  

- His digestive issues vanished.  

- His energy levels skyrocketed.  

- His recovery time after workouts improved.  

- His skin cleared up.  

Most shocking of all? He was gaining muscle—without meat.  

The Backlash

When Derek posted about his experiment online, the fitness community erupted.  

- You’ll lose all your gains!  

- Vegans are weak! 

- Where do you even get protein?!

Even his own clients doubted him. But Derek had bloodwork, progress photos, and strength records to prove them wrong.  

The Transformation  

Within one year, Derek:  

✔ Increased his strength (deadlifting over 500 lbs—plant-powered).  

✔ Built more lean💪than ever before.  

- Became a certified vegan nutritionist to help others.  

His YouTube channel exploded as he documented his journey, debunking myths about vegan fitness.  

The Ultimate Test: Competing as a Vegan Bodybuilder

In 2018, Derek stepped on stage at a natural bodybuilding competition—the only vegan in his category.  

The judges were stunned.  

Not only did he place in the top 5, but he also proved that vegan bodybuilding wasn’t just possible—it was optimal.  

The Science Behind It

Derek’s success wasn’t magic. Studies now show:  

- Plant-based diets reduce inflammation, speeding up recovery.  

- Athletes on vegan diets often have better endurance and cardiovascular health.  

- High-protein plants (like lentils, tofu, and quinoa) build muscle just as effectively as meat.  

Where Is He Now?

Today, Derek is a leading voice in vegan fitness, coaching athletes, bodybuilders, and everyday people on how to thrive on plants. His story has inspired thousands to rethink protein, strength, and health.  

The Lesson?

You don’t need steak to be strong. Sometimes, the biggest gains come from letting go of old beliefs.