Podcast Summary
Defying Common Beliefs: Building Muscle and Achieving Optimal Health with a Plant-Based Diet: A plant-based diet can lead to muscle growth and optimal health, debunking the myth that animal products are essential for athletic performance.
Building muscle mass and achieving optimal health and performance is not dependent on consuming meat and dairy. Nimai Delgado, an IFBB pro bodybuilder, has built an impressive physique while maintaining a fully plant-based diet. This goes against the common belief that animal products are necessary for health and athletic performance. Nimai's success serves as proof that daily habits outside the gym, particularly diet, hold significant value. By focusing on a healthy, balanced diet, individuals can improve their overall well-being and potentially unlock new experiences in life. The podcast also highlights Momentous' 100% plant-based protein, which provides a complete amino acid profile and is trusted by top athletes.
Personal journeys leading to remarkable accomplishments and inspirational movements: Personal growth and perseverance can lead to significant impacts in business or inspiring movements
Personal journeys can lead to remarkable accomplishments and inspirational movements. Joe, the founder of Go Brewing, was inspired by a speech he heard at an event a few years ago, leading him to start his own alcohol-free NA beer company. Nimai Delgado, a vegan athlete, also started with a personal mission to stay fit and healthy, but has since turned it into a full-blown movement, inspiring people of all kinds with his impressive gains and teachings. Both Joe and Nimai have made significant impacts in their respective industries and continue to inspire others through their dedication and passion. Their stories serve as a reminder that personal growth and perseverance can lead to remarkable outcomes. Whether it's starting a business or inspiring a movement, the potential for positive change is always present.
Personal experiences shape beliefs and lifestyle choices: Witnessing a traumatic event or encountering a new belief system can significantly influence one's beliefs and lifestyle choices, leading to deep conviction and dedication.
Personal experiences and encounters can significantly influence one's beliefs and lifestyle choices. This is exemplified in the story of the speaker's mother, who was traumatized by witnessing an animal being slaughtered at a young age and subsequently chose to become a vegetarian. Her decision was further reinforced when she was introduced to Hinduism and its teachings against causing harm to living beings. Despite facing opposition from her family and living in a meat-loving culture, she and her future husband dedicated themselves to spreading the message of vegetarianism and Hinduism in Argentina and Brazil. Their commitment to their beliefs led them to join the Hare Krishna movement and live in temples, raising their children in that environment. This story illustrates the power of personal experiences and the depth of conviction that can result from them.
Immigrant parents' determination to provide better opportunities: Parents' commitment to their beliefs and values, despite facing challenges, instilled resilience and determination in their children.
Despite facing numerous challenges, including cultural differences and discrimination, the speaker's parents were determined to provide their children with better opportunities by immigrating to America and raising them in a faith-based community. They lived in various locations, including Florida, Mississippi, and even encountered obstacles such as having their car stolen, but they remained committed to their beliefs and values. The speaker grew up in a unique environment, surrounded by a Hindu community, and was raised with traditional practices and a focus on respect for all living beings. However, life outside the community was not always welcoming, and the family faced discrimination and even acts of hate. Despite these challenges, the speaker's parents instilled in them a strong sense of resilience and determination.
Growing up different: A tale of self-acceptance and resilience: Instilling self-worth and identity in children is crucial, even in the face of adversity and peer judgment.
Growing up with unique beliefs and practices in a community different from the mainstream can be a challenging experience. The speaker, who grew up in a faith-based community in the deep South, was assimilated into public school at a young age and faced the reality of being different from her peers. Despite this, she learned to accept her differences and remain true to her upbringing, thanks to her parents' encouragement to love and respect herself and others. This required a high level of self-awareness and confidence, especially in the face of bullying and peer pressure. The speaker's story highlights the importance of instilling a strong sense of self-worth and identity in children, even when they face adversity and judgment from their peers.
Learning to Stay True to Oneself: Understanding and believing in core values leads to living authentically and making decisions that align with ethics and the interconnectedness of all life.
The speaker learned to stay true to herself and maintain her boundaries, even when faced with pressure to conform. She did this by understanding and believing in her core values, which were rooted in her beliefs about ethics and the interconnectedness of all life. This led her to adopt a vegetarian lifestyle as a way to reduce harm and suffering in the world. The speaker also learned to deflect and adapt to social situations in order to maintain her sense of self while still desiring acceptance. She encourages reflection on one's core values and encourages questioning whether they are truly one's own or simply what one has been told. The concept of cause and effect, or karma, also plays a role in her decision-making process. In essence, the speaker's journey involves finding the courage to be herself and live in accordance with her beliefs, even when it's challenging.
Adapting to diverse environments and hiding unique background to fit in: This individual's ability to blend in and assimilate helped them navigate diverse social circles and succeed in various activities, ultimately leading to a professional career.
Assimilation and blending in were crucial survival techniques for this individual growing up in a diverse and often challenging environment. From a young age, they learned to adapt to different social circles and hide their unique background to fit in. This skill served them well in high school, where they maintained a chameleon-like presence and kept their various friend groups separate. However, they only revealed their true selves to a select few. Their determination and adaptability allowed them to excel in various activities, including soccer and aggressive inline skating, and eventually tour the country as a professional skater. Despite the challenges they faced, they found a way to thrive and make their mark in the world.
Personal experiences can be a catalyst for starting a fitness journey: Personal experiences, like a breakup, can inspire individuals to start a fitness journey and make positive lifestyle changes
Personal experiences and life events can significantly influence one's fitness journey. The interviewee shared how they were a small kid in high school, felt socially inclined to go to the gym, but lacked knowledge about working out. They went to college, studied engineering, and continued to party and eat unhealthily, leading to weight gain. However, after a breakup in their last year of college, they gave up alcohol, sought guidance from personal trainers, and learned more about training, resulting in significant progress. This experience demonstrates how personal experiences, such as a breakup, can serve as a catalyst for starting a fitness journey and making positive lifestyle changes.
Finding fulfillment in unexpected places: Despite initial disappointments, personal motivations and determination can help us adapt and find meaning in new situations.
Sometimes, opportunities may not turn out exactly as we expect, but our personal motivations and determination can help us adapt and find fulfillment in unexpected places. The speaker, a mechanical engineer, accepted a job offer in California with the intention of finding a well-paying position. However, the job ended up being in Bakersfield, a rural oil and gas town with limited opportunities for social and personal growth. Despite the initial disappointment, the speaker's drive to improve his family's circumstances and find a more open-minded community kept him committed to the move. He found that, while the job was not fulfilling, he could still find meaning in his gym routine and eventually made friends there. The experience taught him to be adaptable and to seek out the positive aspects of new situations, even when they don't align perfectly with our initial expectations.
Finding a supportive community aids personal growth: Joining a gym led the speaker to a bodybuilding community, which provided mentors and inspired him to optimize workouts and nutrition. However, a demonstration challenged his beliefs and led him to reconsider his lifestyle.
The speaker discovered the importance of finding a supportive community in his fitness journey. He initially joined a gym in Bakersfield to meet new people and learn more about the town. However, he ended up connecting with bodybuilders and became part of the bodybuilding community there. These mentors helped him progress in his workouts and inspired him to optimize his nutrition. The speaker tried to increase his protein intake as a vegetarian by consuming more whey protein shakes, but soon realized that his stomach couldn't digest them. Eventually, he encountered a vegetarian vs. animal rights demonstration in Huntington Beach that made him question his consumption of dairy products. The encounter led him to reconsider his vegetarian lifestyle and possibly explore veganism. Through this experience, the speaker learned that having a supportive community can significantly influence personal growth and help individuals achieve their goals.
Unexpected encounters with information can lead to lifestyle changes: Personal experiences and discoveries can influence decisions, even leading to adopting new lifestyles like veganism, and exploring various resources can debunk common myths
Personal experiences and exposure to information can significantly influence our decisions and lifestyle choices. The speaker shares an experience of watching a video about the dairy industry which led her to give up dairy and eventually adopt a plant-based diet. Although she had never considered veganism before, the video planted a seed of awareness and the subsequent discovery of health benefits solidified her decision. This illustrates how impactful and unexpected encounters with information can lead to meaningful changes. Additionally, the speaker's determination to optimize her nutrition and body led her to explore various resources and experiment with her diet, ultimately debunking common myths about building muscle without animal products.
Discovering unexpected passions through disconnection: Embracing new experiences and challenges can lead to personal growth and unexpected discoveries, even when we initially resist them.
Sometimes, disconnecting from something we once identified with can lead us to unexpected discoveries. The speaker shares his experience of distancing himself from the Hare Krishna movement and later finding himself in the world of bodybuilding. He describes how he initially resisted the idea of competing in a bodybuilding show but eventually gave it a try as a way to find passion in his life. Through this experience, he learned the importance of nutrition in achieving his fitness goals and became a data-driven, spreadsheet-loving competitor. Despite entering a new subculture with unfamiliar rules and expectations, he embraced the challenge and discovered a sense of accomplishment and self-confidence.
Preparing for a bodybuilding competition: Peak week: Bodybuilders undergo a rigorous process, called peak week, to minimize water retention and maximize muscle definition for competitions. This includes water loading, carb depletion, complete water avoidance, and carb loading.
Bodybuilders go through a specific process, called peak week, in the final days before a competition to reduce water retention and enhance muscle definition. This involves water loading and carb depletion early in the week, followed by complete water avoidance towards the end. The body responds by releasing hormones to expel water, leading to increased urination and dehydration. Carb loading is then practiced the day before the competition, which attracts water to the muscles, creating a fuller, more defined appearance. This process is demanding and expensive, but bodybuilders endure it to present their best physique for a brief period during the competition. The analogy used is that of landing a plane, where the bodybuilder gradually prepares for the competition over several weeks, carefully managing their diet and training to optimally present their body on the day of the show.
Discovering the deeper meaning behind bodybuilding: Bodybuilding goes beyond physical transformation, offering self-worth, personal growth, and even therapy. Surprisingly, many bodybuilders are vegan or plant-based, challenging stereotypes.
Bodybuilding is more than just physical transformation; it's a unique blend of self-worth, narcissism, and personal growth. Bodybuilders often start with the dream of having an insanely attractive physique, but many fall in love with the process and find it becomes their meditation and therapy. The first competition can be a transformative experience, filled with new challenges like tanning and posing, and even winning multiple awards can come as a surprise. However, the most common question that arises after a successful competition is about nutrition, specifically the fact that the bodybuilder is vegan or plant-based. This can be shocking to those in the bodybuilding community who associate the sport with heavy animal consumption. Despite these challenges, bodybuilders share a commonality in their dedication to self-improvement and the pursuit of excellence.
Going Vegan Boosts Gym Performance and Recovery: Adopting a vegan diet during bodybuilding training can lead to improved performance, faster recovery, and significant long-term gains.
Going vegan during bodybuilding training can lead to improved performance and faster recovery. The speaker shared their personal experience of feeling better in the gym after eliminating dairy and adopting a vegan diet. They noticed a reduction in digestive issues and soreness, allowing them to train more frequently and see better results. This expedited recovery process can lead to significant performance gains over time. It's important to note that everyone has their own sense of normal, and many people may not realize that feeling less sore and more energetic is possible. By sharing their journey, the speaker aims to inspire others and show that a plant-based diet can enhance athletic performance.
A plant-based diet can lead to increased energy and success in bodybuilding: Transitioning to a plant-based diet can bring newfound energy, mental clarity, happiness, and productivity, allowing individuals to succeed in bodybuilding competitions despite dietary restrictions.
Transitioning to a plant-based diet can bring about newfound energy and a sense of thriving, leading to improved mental clarity, happiness, and productivity. This was the experience of a bodybuilder who started competing in local shows and eventually progressed to national competitions, proving that dietary restrictions do not limit one's ability to succeed. The journey to becoming a professional bodybuilder involved winning certain ranks in national qualifiers to earn a pro card. The drive to defy the skepticism and prove the possibility of building muscle and winning competitions without consuming meat became the motivation to share this alternative approach publicly.
Bodybuilder's Journey to National Recognition: Starting locally, a bodybuilder's hard work, emotional win, and team support led to a pro card, but the ultimate goal is consistent top placings for a chance at Mr. Olympia.
Social media played a significant role in helping a bodybuilder gain recognition and eventually compete at a national level. Starting from a local competition, he won his class and was awarded a pro card, feeling both emotional and accomplished. Representation and team support motivated him to work harder and continue competing. However, the next goal is to qualify for the Mr. Olympia competition, which requires consistent top placings in pro shows throughout the year. After a self-awakening moment, the bodybuilder moved to California with a renewed focus on his goals and passion for bodybuilding.
Following your passion leads to greater fulfillment: Quitting a job to follow your passion can lead to unexpected rewards and positive change, both for yourself and others.
Following your passion and living authentically to your values can lead to greater fulfillment and impact, even if it means leaving a well-paying job or stepping out of your comfort zone. The speaker's experience of quitting a job in the industry to focus on spreading awareness about veganism led to a profound impact on someone's life, highlighting the importance of staying true to your purpose. Despite the initial challenges and uncertainty, the speaker's decision ultimately brought them greater happiness and a sense of fulfillment that surpassed the material comforts of their previous job. It's a reminder that sometimes, taking a leap of faith and investing in your passions can lead to unexpected rewards and positive change, both for yourself and others.
Pursuing Material Success vs. Inner Fulfillment: Believing material success will bring happiness can lead to enslavement and financial strain. Instead, focus on inner satisfaction and meaning in your pursuits.
Material success and external validation may not bring true happiness and fulfillment. The speaker shares his personal experience of pursuing a career as a bodybuilder, believing it would bring him happiness, but instead found himself feeling enslaved by the lifestyle and the financial strain. He also discusses the misconception that being a professional bodybuilder leads to financial wealth, when in reality, it often costs more than it earns. Instead, the speaker encourours finding inner satisfaction and meaning in one's pursuits. He also shares how he transitioned from engineering to starting his own online coaching business, VeganFitness.com, to reach and help a larger audience with his plant-based lifestyle and fitness goals.
Making Veganism Cool and Approachable for Young People: Highlighting short-term benefits and using influencers can make veganism appealing to young people, leading to potential long-term health benefits.
In order to effectively encourage young people to consider a vegan lifestyle, it's important to make veganism seem cool and approachable. This can be achieved by highlighting the benefits, such as improved athletic performance and better physical appearance, that can be experienced in the short term. Influencers, particularly athletes, have a significant impact on this demographic, and can help spread the message that trying a plant-based diet is worth it. The long-term health benefits are an added bonus. The speaker's own experience of being featured in Muscle & Fitness without credit, but still using the opportunity to promote veganism, demonstrates the potential power of this approach.
Unexpected cover feature on Muscle and Fitness as a vegan bodybuilder: Unexpected magazine cover led to 10-page spread and international recognition for vegan bodybuilder, highlighting the power of community support and potential for veganism in unexpected places.
The experience of being featured on the cover of Muscle and Fitness magazine as a vegan bodybuilder was unexpected and overwhelming. Nimai Delgado went into the photo shoot assuming it would be a small article, but instead, he spent hours posing, flexing, and adjusting for the perfect shot. The exhausting process was worth it, however, when he saw the finished product and the positive reaction from the vegan community. The cover featured the word "vegan," marking a significant shift in the magazine's focus and opening doors for future vegan athletes to be featured. The unexpected success led to a 10-page spread in the magazine and translations into different languages, reaching audiences in various countries. The experience showed the power of community support and the potential for veganism to be recognized and celebrated in unexpected places.
From processed protein to whole foods: Calculate protein intake based on lean body mass, not total mass. Aim for around 150 grams daily, regardless of bulking or shredding.
Bodybuilder and influencer, [Name], shares his personal journey from relying on processed plant-based alternatives for protein to focusing on whole foods. He used to believe in consuming large amounts of protein for muscle growth, but after researching clinical studies, he realized that there's an optimal point and anything above that doesn't benefit him. Now, he calculates his protein intake based on his lean body mass, which is his total mass minus body fat percentage. He keeps his protein intake at around 150 grams, regardless of whether he's bulking or shredding. He encourages others to do the same and not to base their protein intake on total mass, as body fat doesn't need to be fed. He arrived at this conclusion by studying various clinical studies that show that after a certain point, consuming more protein doesn't provide additional benefits.
Maintaining muscle mass during weight loss: To lose weight while preserving muscle mass, optimize protein intake from whole foods, calculate based on lean body mass (0.8-0.9 times), and include whole food carbs in your diet, focusing on vegetables, legumes, and grains.
When preparing for a competition or aiming for weight loss, it's crucial to maintain muscle mass while reducing body fat. This can be achieved by optimizing protein intake, ensuring that most of it comes from whole foods rather than supplements. Protein sources should be calculated based on lean body mass, aiming for 0.8 to 0.9 times that amount. Carbohydrates, another essential macronutrient, should not be eliminated entirely, as they serve as a primary energy source. Instead, focus on whole food carbs, avoiding highly processed and sugary options. A clean, balanced diet rich in whole foods like vegetables, legumes, and grains will help you lose weight while preserving muscle mass.
Essential Nutrition for Optimal Performance: A balanced diet of whole foods is crucial for performance and recovery. Skepticism towards supplements is advised, and regular blood work is recommended to maintain balance.
A balanced diet, rich in whole food plant-based carbohydrates and micronutrients, is essential for optimal performance and recovery. The speaker emphasizes the importance of skepticism towards supplements, advocating for investigation into their effectiveness before consumption. He takes a few supplements, including BCAAs, vitamin D3, and DHA/EPA, and occasionally creatine, which he believes have proven benefits. The speaker encourages regular blood work to identify potential health issues and maintain balance in one's supplement intake. He does not condone the use of steroids and urges caution against believing everything on the internet.
Limiting beliefs about natural potential: Hard work, sacrifice, and optimization are essential for achieving goals, rather than relying on shortcuts or external enhancements. Be cautious of assumptions based on appearances and focus on personal growth.
People often set unrealistically low expectations for what is possible naturally, and as a result, they frequently accuse others of using performance-enhancing substances. This perpetuates a limiting mindset and can prevent individuals from recognizing their own potential for growth. The speaker emphasizes the importance of hard work, sacrifice, and optimization in achieving one's goals, rather than relying on shortcuts or external enhancements. Additionally, people should be cautious about making assumptions based on appearances, as they do not have the full story. The speaker encourages focusing on personal growth and expanding one's consciousness, rather than dwelling on accusations or negativity.
Living a Healthy Life: Beyond Physical Fitness: Stay passionate, persistent, and seek support while making conscious lifestyle choices for a fulfilling and purposeful life.
Living a healthy and long life goes beyond just physical fitness and involves making conscious choices about one's lifestyle. The tragic death of bodybuilder Rich Piana serves as a reminder that personal choices can have significant impacts on one's health. It's essential to stay passionate and persistent in one's goals, even when progress seems slow. Additionally, having the support of loved ones is crucial in maintaining motivation and staying true to one's values. The speaker's experience of growing up in a spiritual community and applying its values to modern life demonstrates how one can use their background to inspire and connect with a younger audience. Ultimately, being mindful of how we speak about sensitive topics and striving to develop a new sense of consciousness can lead to a more fulfilling and purposeful life.
People's perspectives and beliefs change unexpectedly: People should not be judged based on appearances. Effective workouts require focus and consistency, not long hours at the gym.
People's perspectives and beliefs can change over time, often unexpectedly. This can be seen in the context of bodybuilding, where individuals may initially be motivated by physical appearance but later develop a consciousness for animal rights or health benefits. The speaker emphasizes that people should not be judged based on appearances or first impressions, as there may be more to them than meets the eye. Additionally, the speaker shares that he uses social media and bodybuilding as a platform to help others, not to convince them to change their lifestyle but to inspire them to feel better about themselves. He also emphasizes that effective workouts do not require long hours at the gym, and that focus and consistency are key.
Focusing on daily habits outside the gym is crucial for muscle growth: To build muscle effectively, prioritize healthy habits outside the gym, follow a periodized workout routine, and maintain a clear focus and consistency.
While working out is essential for building muscle, the time spent outside of the gym is even more crucial. You can only spend an hour or so at the gym, but you're outside of it for 23 hours. Therefore, focusing on your daily habits, such as diet, is vital for seeing results. Additionally, periodization training, which involves following a specific workout routine for an extended period before changing it up, can help stimulate muscle growth. Remember, every individual's body responds differently, so finding what works best for you is essential. Lastly, having a clear intention and focus when working out, as well as being consistent with your diet and daily habits, are key to making progress towards your fitness goals.
Focus on the foundational elements of a plant-based lifestyle: Fix your diet, go to the gym with intention, maintain consistency for significant results in a plant-based lifestyle
Focusing on the essential aspects of a plant-based lifestyle can lead to significant results. According to Nimai Delgado, this includes fixing your diet, going to the gym with intention, and maintaining consistency. Delgado emphasizes that these foundational elements follow the 80/20 rule, meaning they will yield the majority of the results with the least amount of effort. Additionally, Delgado is launching a new website, veganfitness.com, as an online resource for those interested in the plant-based lifestyle from an evidence-based perspective. He also recently launched the Generation V podcast to share stories and provide a more personal connection with his audience. Overall, Delgado's message is to focus on the fundamental aspects of a plant-based lifestyle and maintain consistency for optimal results.
Spread the Word about the Rich Roll Podcast: Support the show by sharing it with others and considering financial contributions through Patreon.
Learning from this episode of the Rich Roll Podcast is the importance of sharing and supporting the content that resonates with you. The host encourages listeners to spread the word about the show with their friends, family, and community. This can be done through social media, word of mouth, or even mentioning it to your Uber driver or yoga teacher. For those who wish to provide financial support, there is an option to do so through Patreon. The production of the show is made possible by a team of dedicated individuals, including Jason Camiolo for audio engineering, Blake Curtis and Margo Lubin for video and graphics, Reese Robinson for behind-the-scenes video and portraits, and d k david khan for sponsorship relationships. The theme music is by Anna Lemma. The host expresses gratitude to the listeners for their support and looks forward to bringing another inspiring guest to the show next week. So, in essence, if you find value in the Rich Roll Podcast, consider sharing it with others and supporting its production in whatever way you can.
