J. Anthony Riedelsheimer Interview Vegan Exercise Enthusiast

J. Anthony Riedelsheimer is the founder of VeganAthletePerformance.com and has been a vegan for almost a decade. He has helped, trained and inspired many people to adapt to wholesome plant based Vegan lifestyle. He is a vegan Cyclist, Triathlete, Ultra Runner, Musician, Environmental & Animal rights Activist who believes that living a Vegan lifestyle will make a difference for the better in all of our lives & the planet Earth. Anthony is also the CEO & Founder of the Music Factory – School of Music in Costa Mesa, California, USA.

Why Vegan?
How and why did you decide to become a vegan?
I started out as Vegetarian and was still experiencing certain health issues. After removing any animal type food combined with my active lifestyle I was able to overcome any of my health issues I experienced.

How long have you been vegan?
Almost 10 years.

What has benefited you the most from being a vegan?
Besides being a healthier and happier version of myself, I got involved with animal rights activism and Sea Shepherd to take on global issues I feel strongly about and which need to be addressed.

What does veganism mean to you?
I believe there are the different ways to adapt to a “Vegan” lifestyle. Some people trying it out for health reasons first, some come from the animal activist corner or perhaps both. For me, I started for health reason I experienced, that I couldn’t get resolved through a conventional medical approach. I think this was the beginning for me to become a lot more compassionate and aware of animal rights issues and what’s really going on. It motivated me to learn and study how we are being deceived and lied to by advertising from our medical society and government.  
I started to consume anything and everything to protect and educate others and especially protect my family as a father beyond just bringing home a paycheck. It’s about questioning the status quo, the system, breaking the chain for one single reason: “Conscious Evolution.”
 
Training
What sort of training do you do?
Cycling, Triathlon, Ultra Running.

How often do you (need to) train?
Pretty much every day. Some trainings day are designed for active recovery, which include Yoga, light swimming or massage.

Do you offer your fitness or training services to others?
I have trained and nutritionally advised many athletes in the past. Vegan Athlete Performance offers a nutritional and recovery service for  athletes. More then 2/3 of your success is based on nutrition and proper recovery. Vegan Athlete Performance & WellSport Systems is based on the "7 Areas to Reconcile to Restore and Optimize Performance & Recovery” which is the most  sophisticated recovery principal utilizing:
1. Inflammation and oxidative stress management
2. Metabolic Detoxification
3. Daily Management of Stressors ie nutrition, emotions, mental etc
4. Maintaining cell structure & shape
5. Restore and balance whole body symmetry
6. Implementing appropriate whole body exercise and training
7. Low caloric and high density nutrients

Strengths, Weaknesses & Outside Influences
What do you think is the biggest misconception about vegans and how do you address this?
(see above)

What are you strengths as a vegan athlete?
Quicker recovery and able to sustain longer, harder trainings or race efforts.

What is your biggest challenge?
Not to lose sight of what I’m trying to accomplish in this movement. There are a lot of wonderful and passionate people trying to spread this compassionate message about Veganism and environmental issues. My goal is it not to constantly preach or trying to convince everybody else about what I'm doing or believe in. Veganism is not this new miracle diet or lifestyle. It's been around for a long time. I believe everyone is on this timeline of perceived consciousness and when the time is right, a person will make a change. All I can do is walk the walk to my best ability and inspire others. If you want to change the world, you've to change yourself first. If I'm mad or angry of someone else's worldview or philosophy or allow myself to think I'm superior, I believe, I'm just as ignorant as that person. L.O.V.E.!

Are the non-vegans in your industry supportive or not?
Overall, yes!

Are your family and friends supportive of your vegan lifestyle?
Yes. They know me and how much passion I have and support it.

What is the most common question/comment that people ask/say when they find out that you are a vegan and how do you respond?
I think everyone who is on a plant-based diet faces the same questions. “Where does your protein coming from?” “Isn’t it too hard to do?” “What do you eat besides carrots and salad?” …and the list goes on. I respond sincere and respectful. A lot of people are trapped in the “Myths of Nutrition” which have been strategically implemented by the food industry and governing bodies. It’s a billion dollar industry with a sophisticated marketing team.

Who or what motivates you?
To leave a better world for my children. Successful - Compassionate – Evolution.

Food & Supplements
What do you eat for:
Breakfast - green smoothies, salads, quinoa, oatmeal   
Lunch - green smoothies, lentils and bean dishes, fresh green juices
Dinner - green smoothies, salads, soups, fresh green juices
Snacks - gluten free and alkalizing green bars, raw nuts
 
What is your favourite source of:
Protein - Quinoa, beans, lentils, tempeh, tofu, raw vegan protein powder
Calcium - A variety or dark leafy vegetables ie Broccoli, kale
Iron - Spinach, legumes
 
What foods give you the most energy?
Raw Superfoods (Macca Powder). Green smoothies and juices.

Do you take any supplements?
Yes. Cordyceps Mushrooms, Resveratrol and proprietary Ayurvedic recover formula by my company Vegan Athlete Performance, BBAA and L-Glutamine.

Advice
What is your top tip for:
Gaining muscle - Proper wholesome plant-based nutrition and you’ve to stress and overload your muscles according to your overall goal. Hydrate with clean alkalized water.
Losing weight - Detoxing your body with juice cleanses and colonic hydrotherapy. Proper wholesome plant-based nutrition and exercise schedule - depending on your current physical health and goal. Hydrate with clean alkalized water.
Maintaining weight - Eat for your goals. Eat clean wholesome plant-based nutrition. Hydrate with clean alkalized water.
Improving metabolism - Green Juice cleanses to start out. Get rid of toxins in your body (colonic hydrotherapy) and continue to fuel with clean wholesome plan-based nutrition.
Toning up - Byproduct of a healthy lifestyle.
 
How do you promote veganism in your daily life?
VeganAthletePerformance.com and iTunes/Podcast

How would you suggest people get involved with what you do?To find more out about my Vegan journey and involvement in the Vegan Movement go to VeganAthletePerformance.com