“But how do you get your protein?” Yeah, yeah. It’s the most common questions asked of vegans. It’s also the most annoying question asked of vegans. Uh, like, you know, legumes and vegetables and tofu?
I say we direct future protein queries to Patrik Baboumian. Baboumian, a German strongman (is there a better word for this line of work?) recently earned the honor of hauling the heaviest load—550 kg of weights– ever yoked to a human being. He accomplished this feat last week at the Toronto Vegetarian Food Festival. He lasted for 10 meters.
I’m not terribly big on encouraging people to go vegan because they can carry loads of iron. But, even in more educated layers of society, the myth persists that vegans are in some way or another malnourished weaklings. Somebody such as Baboumian—not to mention thousands of other world class athletes—effectively spread the word that veganism, when done right, can be a diet that maximizes our health and, for those who care, strength.
Plus, it doesn’t hurt that Baboumian justifies his public display of super-human strength in rather inspiring terms: “One day, I just thought, if you see a bird with a broken leg, you really have the urge to do something about it and help the bird,” explained Patrik. “Then, at the same time, you go to a restaurant and eat a chicken or something. It doesn’t make any sense.”
Nice. I’m happy to be on his team. Haul away, Patrik.
