10 Quick Questions with Vegan Athlete James Newbury

10 Quick Questions with Vegan Athlete James Newbury

In this latest chat, we speak with James Newbury a 4x former ‘Australia’s Fittest Man’ winner and plant-based advocate.

If you have ever wanted to learn how to perform on a vegan or plant-based diet then James is the guy to learn from.

We chat with him about training, creating a product, and how his vegan journey started.

Enjoy the chat.

Tell us how your plant-based / vegan journey began, and what sparked it.

I went vegan overnight. I stopped at a set of traffic lights and there was a big semi jammed with sheep pushed right up to the sides and it made me want to look away. I thought to myself I can’t just keep looking away, instead ill never consume animal products again. So I went straight to the shop and grabbed tofu and tempeh and here we are.

You won Australia’s fittest man 4 times, what do you attribute to this, how were you able to stay at the top of your game?

I’d put it down to consistency. I honestly don’t think going vegan made me any better or any worse in terms of performance. I still hit the same running, swimming, and lifting numbers I did when I was 5th fittest in the world the only thing lacking now is the training volume and that just comes down to priorities and circumstances.

For aspiring new vegans or those going plant-based, what advice would you give them? Especially those who train and compete?

I would research as many plant-based athletes as possible and allow yourself to learn. Perhaps get a plant-based nutrition coach. Podcasts have a ton of cool info. You must surround yourself with a supportive group of people to make it in any sport.

We heard you might be releasing a product soon, can you tell us anything as yet?

I haven’t been this excited since the 2019 CrossFit Games! I will be releasing my very own 100% plant-based protein with a unique gut matrix to ensure the plants are broken down fully and are bioavailable. This plant-based protein blend of organic rice, organic pea, watermelon seed, and pumpkin seed is just as much a gut tonic as it is a protein booster! Stay on the lookout for PLNT 🌱

When I’m not training you will find me…

Typically recording podcasts for PLNT, working on businesses, tinkering with old cars, hitting golf balls with my gf. I am really wanting to find a way to make one of my old International scouts electric ⚡️

My favourite place(s) to train / run or compete is…

One of my all-time favourite places to train is Wanderlust Bali. that place is magic. Dave is an old mate from way back in 2012 and a damn good bloke. His facility is next level.

After a huge training session, I like to eat/drink…

I am a smoothie monster. I loveeeee smoothies. Coconut water, peanut butter, protein, creatine, 3 bananas, berries.. yum

My plant based inspiration is…(person, animals etc)

I am really inspired by people like Rich Roll, Nimai Delgado, James Wilks and people fighting against myths surrounding plant-based diets.

In 3 – 5 years I hope to be…

I hope to be still educating people on gut health, how to navigate plant-based eating, and savings animals from suffering.

I am a plant-based athlete because…

I am a plant-based athlete because animals deserve better.

James, thank you so much for sharing just a fraction of your story and your training with us. To learn more about James and all the things he is up to (including PLNT) visit his Instagram Page Here

And to read about more amazing vegans visit our vegan chats area too!

LGV!