The Game Changers

If it’s on a Netflix documentary it must be true, right?

If you haven’t seen it, The Game Changers was recently released on Netflix and highlights the benefits of a plant-based diet for athletes. It’s very well produced which creates a “white coat syndrome” and lends well to credibility which is why I think that the strongman world is in a stir over this documentary.

I felt we would be in for a rough ride with this one early on though, as the leading argument was that the gladiators of ancient Rome at a mostly plant-based diet. The gladiators weren't elite warriors, they were mostly lower-class citizens or slaves.

While it may look compelling, there’s a strong agenda, and the evidence is heavily cherry-picked to support the belief that plant-based is the way to go for athletes without offering any opposing arguments.

In the world of strength sports which we care most strongly about, there are some great lifters who choose a plant-based diet and do very well. Olympic weightlifter Kendrick Farris and strongman Patrick Baboumian are highlighted in this documentary. Kendrick really is at the top of his sport for team USA but calling Patrick Baboumian one of the strongest men in the world is a long stretch. None of the true top athletes in strongman are skimping on the meat in the name of performance and I don’t think we will see anyone trying it anytime soon. An exclusively plant-based diet for maximal strength and performance in a strength sport is probably not the best option for most athletes.

But if you’re intrigued, try it for yourself and if it doesn’t help, change things up again. At least you’ve learned something new about what works best for you.