I’ve been playing football for most of my life, and became vegan more than two years ago. I had no idea how it would impact my performance, but I found that it only helped. After a few months of eating vegan, I found that I had more energy, shorter recovery time after workouts, and increased stamina. Several consistent, nagging injuries I had for years became less of a problem.

I now work with Vegan Outreach, traveling the country as a public speaker and humane educator. I also focus much of my outreach to communities of color to create a more inclusive movement.

AMA anything about football, athletics, veganism, or diet/nutrition!

Proof: picture and my website

Comments: 757 • Responses: 12  • Date: 

jarferama3397 karma

How do you think more athletes, particularly in contact sports, could be convinced to go vegan? Have you gotten anyone to try it?

The300PoundVegan200 karma

contact sports are usually short lived. for example we say NFL stands for not for long. our bodies begin to deteriorate because of the heavy contact also 99% of players know nothing about nutrition so they eat bad and die early from food related illnesses like heart disease diabetes etc, and because of this the average age of death for a football player is only 56 years of age. i have gotten plenty of players to try it and many looking to go vegan after they retire. its not hard to get them to change when they hear these statistics. also cholesterol only found in animal products causes erectile disfunction.

Singularity2soon80 karma

What is your opinion of products from Companies like Gardein and Beyond Meat that strives to replicate the taste and texture of meat using plant based products?

The300PoundVegan254 karma

i didn't know how to feel about those products in the beginning either, but these products have proven to be a great conversion tool. it replaces things like the chicken nugget thats not really chicken anyway. every garden patty or beyond meat product eaten is an animal saved and a mind opened up to the possibility of adopting a cruelty free life style without much change

rubix_redux72 karma

Why did you choose Vegan Outreach over all other groups doing animal advocacy? I love Vegan Outreach, just curious why they stood out to you!

The300PoundVegan239 karma

Vegan Outreach is the only AR group that wanted to do a Diversity Program the right way. Not only are they trying to be more racially diverse they also have more than 50 percent of their board are women. they are ahead of the curve on everything. i love a group that doesn't run away from a challenge, they remind me of myself.

westernhaiku64 karma

What's a typical day of food and exercise for you?

The300PoundVegan119 karma

my workout and eating schedule are always changing. now i work out twice a day. the first workout is lifting second is boxing or some sort of agility training then i stretch out at the end of the day with a yoga session or rolling out. for eating i try to reach my goal of 8000-10000. if i don't hit my goal for calories i start to drop weight

Evil_lil_Minion45 karma

for eating i try to reach my goal of 8000-10000. if i don't hit my goal for calories i start to drop weight

What are you working towards that makes you want to stay at 300 pounds?

The300PoundVegan250 karma

i am an in your face example that you don't have to take a life to gain muscle. when i am speaking in front of hundreds of people they need to see what vegan muscles look like. also i am a free agent i am not retired

rachelatcheson51 karma

Hi David! What inspired you to become vegan?

The300PoundVegan170 karma

i was suffering from extreme tendonitis, high blood pressure nerve damage at 23yo watched the Forks over Knives doc and realized i was feeding all of my illnesses with the food i was putting in my body. my wife had been vegan for six years before me so that had a lot to do with it but i didn't change until i began to educate myself

mister_pjm48 karma

Thanks for the work you do, David!

As a fellow plant-based-eater, how would you say is the best way to truly feed one's passions for the industry?

I'll be starting my first backyard garden this month, but would love to have my sights set on some other goals! Holler if you're in Seattle and need a vegan food tour.

The300PoundVegan75 karma

the best way to truly expand your passion for the industry is to spread your knowledge of healthy eating. maybe using your garden to teach others how to garden so they can start their own. one drop of knowledge creates a ripple effect.

analburps39 karma

Hi David! I follow you on Instagram and think you're super rad and I love the work you do spreading all that vegan love and knowledge! So my question is, What is your favorite dish to roll into events with? Especially those where there are tons of omnis in attendance.

The300PoundVegan83 karma

nachos. none can say no to nachos

XBidoofX38 karma

Hi David, as an NFL player and someone trying to maintain your 300 pound weight, what kind of foods to you eat in order to get the number of calories that you need in a day? How many calories per day do you generally need to get?

The300PoundVegan93 karma

i rely heavily on grains and legumes for calories/ protein / and protein everyday i try to eat between 8000-10000 calories. i also eat lots of greens and loads of water. its not hard you just have to eat ...alot

funcrunch18 karma

How do you respond to racism, erasure and tokenizing of people of color by many prominent vegan and animal rights groups and activists?

The300PoundVegan99 karma

i respond to the racism tokenizing of this movement by working hard to diversify the movement, because right now the Vegan Movement does feel like a country club.

Crotchfirefly9 karma

If you suddenly developed a soy allergy, how would that affect your diet?

The300PoundVegan41 karma

i don't eat a ton of soy now so not really. i would just have to be careful at veggie grill lol

outtyn1nja-42 karma

How long, typically, does it take you to mention that you're a vegan when you meet new people?

The300PoundVegan39 karma

once we start talking about food or working out it always seems to work itself in somehow, i make sure of it lol