IT CAN BE DONE - You might want to skip this post

You've been warned.

In 2010 I decided to become a vegetarian.  If you watch enough documentarys about the meat industry, it's tough not to make some changes in how you eat.  Trust me on that one.  My life didn't really change much even after a few months of no meat, I still eat at every restaurant.  I even go to a steakhouse with friends and can find something to eat.  I never bring the topic up myself, people often can't avoid asking me about my menu choice though.  Last year I joined a training program which included Olympic Coaches and Swimmers, all who ate meat, and plenty of it.  I often wondered if my diet would support the training and my caloric needs.  Within a few months I was pretty sure I would survive.  Almost a year later I would see a Nutrition Specialist who confirmed I was doing just fine on food intake and caloric needs.  I kept my diet entirely to myself for the first 3 months, during which time I was clearly the slowest swimmer on the team.  I never wanted somebody to have any legitimacy in a mindset of "well he doesn't eat meat so he can't keep up".  I knew I was just as good with or without meat.  Months later, my teammates would slowly find out about my different diet through team dinners.  I never once brought it up because I wanted it to be a non-issue.  Over the course of the past 12 months.  I've achieved 23 lifetime best times while building muscle mass without any nutrition suppliments at all.  The most lifetime best times in my entire life over that time period.  My point is:

IT CAN BE DONE

I can not only survive but thrive on a diet that includes no meat at all.  I'm the fastest swimmer I've ever been, by far.  Regarding the last 2 years, I did it without vountarily harming a single animal.  I feel good about that.  Among my goals in life is to uplift othes and contribute information to the world while minimizing my negative impact on others and the earth.  I feel like I've accomplished that.  I aspire to be a vegan but I haven't figured out how to do that just yet.  I still eat eggs and cheese.  I'll get there though.

I'll just apologize to those who are offended by alternate diet type topics.  I felt the need to post this because many people told me I couldn't do what I've just done.  Modern dietary science supports my theory that one can survive just fine without meat.  I proved it and I'm proud of my accomplishments.  I recommend you eat whatever you want!