A Journey to Strength: Becoming a Plant-Fueled Fighter

in strengthtraining •  8 years ago 

First of all, hello everyone! My name is Jam, and I'm an 18-year-old writer. Obviously, like many of us, I'm much more than just a lover of wordsmithing -- but that's probably the best way to describe myself at the moment.

After a few years of tedious copywriting, my career is looking at turning into a rather dreary daily slog of endless content production for low pay. Deciding that, at my young ripe age I should take advantage of my free lodgings and daily meals, I've kicked what little entrepreneurship I have within me into high gear and decided to combine my two favorite things -- typing away furiously and enthusiastically at the keyboard, and training my ass off on a daily basis.


For years now, it's been a personal ambition of mine -- nay, a fantasy even -- to become a fighter. I didn't care if I was going to be an amateur or an elite athlete -- I want to get on the mat, and learn as much as possible about grappling, striking, moving. I'm enamored with Wing Chun and Baguazhang alike, and half a dozen other arts from Krav Maga for disarming, to BJJ for submission holds and grappling. I've had Aikido, Taekwondo, and even fencing for a little while.

Thing is, my circumstances make things a little difficult at the moment with regards to my martial arts prospects. There's possibly one dojo in my immediate area, and several trainers commanding prices I cannot begin to afford. I don't make much, and parts of it go towards making it through the month, month after month -- like everyone else, life is hard, and we can't all get what we want.

But that's not deterring me. I've started my blog to chronicle my journey to becoming a fighter -- not to antagonize others, be the biggest guy on the mat or win medals, but because I'm passionate about learning to become a force of nature. To gain strength, to master techniques, and hopefully one day, instruct others and tweak my knowledge to create a new style. Martial arts to me is like dancing -- but as a rather terrible dancer, I much prefer doing drills and lifting weights.

I'd say that as a vegan, my journey is made a little bit more difficult, but that isn't true. I have no problem getting stronger or improving in endurance and speed despite living several years without animal products, and I don't mention it often. But it is a point of pride in that an increasing number of athletes today are disproving that veganism altogether builds inferior athletes. My diet does matter to me, but it won't matter to my training. Protein is protein, fat is fat, carbs are carbs -- and reps are reps.

I don't want your money -- not until I have more to offer -- I just want your readership. If you're interested, then I'd love for you to check out what I've got to tell and show (right here at http://jamalpollok.com), and if you've got experience being a fighter or training them, then more than anything I'd wholeheartedly love your advice.

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  ·  8 years ago Reveal Comment

I think it's great what you are doing, I am a writer not a fighter, although I had to fight several fights in life, but I call myself a Life Artist, cause sometimes you need a lot of imagination and improvisation to win the challenges of life. And also I live vegan. Keep on going.

Must not be being a vegan fighter. Vegan diet makes it more difficult to get the necessary protein but all the best to you.

I really, really wouldn't worry that much about protein as a vegan. It's extremely overrated. If you look at any amount of research regarding protein consumption among athletes, most are taking too much -- they're basically pissing it back out -- and the stronger they get, the less they need to keep their musculature. It's all marketing. Getting .8 grams per pound of bodyweight of complete protein is enough for me, and not a tough target to hit. I worry slightly more about consuming enough calories to train as hard as an athlete should. I'm not sure how much I'm eating at the moment, but even if I'm hitting about 3,000 calories a day that'll barely be enough for my current training program. Remember, I'm training to fight, not to build muscle for hypertrophy. I don't need my body to focus on protein synthesis all that much -- even during strength training, a lot of effort is going towards improving motor neuron efficiency, rather than aesthetics. A proper amount of micronutrients and carbs for recovery is more important than jumping all over the protein train.

Well said, especially since our obsession with protein has caused an increase in kidney failure. It's the balance that does it and an alert mind. You just can't sleepwalk through life without listening to your body.

And @ace108 there if you take your protein from beans instead of flesh you will:

Lower cholesterol
Control blood sugar
Help prevent type 2 diabetes
Regulate bowel movements
Help prevent diseases of the bowel
Reduce your risk of heart disease
Nourish a healthy microbiome in your gut.

You can get enough proteins on a plant-based diet no worries here. You need to get your facts straight @ace108

  ·  8 years ago (edited)

I did say you cannot. I just think it's more difficult.

It's not true

It's not true

Good luck on your journey Jam I am sure you can do it

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