Billy Simmonds – winner of the 2009 Mr. Universe title, is an Australian Professional Natural Bodybuilder, Powerlifter, Martial Artist and Vegan.
“Vegan Bodybuilding is not only possible, its optimal,” he says, “within three years from first lifting weights properly and walking on a Bodybuilding stage as a novice, I had won Mr. Universe and become a Pro Bodybuilder. Steroids? Meat? Not a chance.”
Not a straight line – but never a full circle. I walked away from eating meat in my late teens and in recent years I’ve gone 100% plant based, which has prompted me to learn more about the foods I should eat to balance my needs as a bodybuilder.
Feeling clean, energised, humble, and empathetic. I get to eat the very best foods on earth and know that if something isn’t easy then it’s probably worth it.
Some people are surprised that I don’t eat as much as they would imagine! For an example – I love to combine a third of a cup of seeds like Pepitas or Hemp Seeds with a cup of Lentils or Chickpeas, mixed with spinach, beetroot, and cucumber and some apple cider vinegar. It’s a simple way of eating – and meets my protein needs and keeps the carbs ‘clean’.
Other than that I love fruit, vegies and whole foods.
I lift large, heavy things repeatedly and go and sprint outdoors twice per week.
In the spirit of breaking stereotypes I have gone on to win Powerlifting competitions, and break two strength world records on national TV in front of 30 million home viewers!
It’s pretty hard to argue with me now and that’s the vision I had back when people may have doubted its legitimacy. I was motivated to prove it could be done so I used that ‘negative’ energy to my advantage.
Partly because I was told I couldn’t be one (as a veg), partly because you peak later in life (the best drug free bodybuilders are in their late 30’s early 40’s) and partly because it gives me something competitive to focus on in an activity I really enjoy. They call weight training Western Yoga you know!
Base it around your favourite healthy vegan foods, that way you enjoy the process. Learn what to replace foods with that you’re no longer eating (tempeh instead of meat, beans and legumes instead of eggs) so your body doesn’t crave certain nutrients like protein.
Don’t just think because a food is vegan it’s necessarily healthy either – focus on whole foods otherwise you’ll not get the full appreciation of how beneficial the lifestyle can really be.
Also remember why it’s important to you and why you decided to do it in the first place. Your journey is yours alone, and at many times you’ll need these reasons as an anchor to help you through.
Billy Simmonds provides specific nutrition and training advice for people and can be contacted via billy@billysimmonds.com.
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Very inspirational thankyou ?
Great food for thought ? thank you and congratulations on your achievements
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