Posted April 14, 2011 by Megan Rondeau
WrestleMania probably isn’t the first place you’d look to find a vegan—right? Wrong. Self-proclaimed animal lover and WWE® Superstar Daniel Bryan™, is here to smash any stereotypes you think you have about what it means to be a vegan athlete. He recently sat down with peta2 to discuss how his vegan diet has helped get him in the best shape of his life. Check out part one of our two-part interview, and stay tuned for more!
Growing up, Daniel Bryan always knew performing for WWE would be in his future, telling peta2, “I was passionate about it from the time I was real young … I was always dying to do it. And then when you get this realization … like, wait a second, you can actually do something, then it just takes on this whole new thing.” Once the realization hit, there was no looking back. From breaking into the indie wrestling circuit, to becoming a WWE NXT rookie and training with his idol Shawn Michaels, to winning the WWE United States Championship, it’s safe to say Daniel is on top of his game.
Becoming a WWE Superstar requires serious athleticism and unrivaled dedication to staying in peak physical condition, so naturally, that means cutting fatty animal products out of your diet, which is exactly what Daniel did. “Last year, I was having so many health problems and I had a really weak immune system. This has been since I was a kid. I mean when I was in school, sometimes I would miss a full month of school, just being sick and that sort of thing. With WWE, just being on the road all the time, your immune system just gets worn down. In 2009, I ended up getting three different staph infections and two different other skin infections. I went to the doctor … He gave me a couple options of what we could do but one of things he said that helps out his patients a lot is trying to go vegan. I said I’m open for anything at this point … So, anyway I started going vegan then, and this whole year my energy levels have been great, I haven’t gotten any skin infections. Right now I’m 198 lbs which is the heaviest I’ve weighed since 2003 … I’m stronger right now than I’ve ever been … I’m dead-lifting more than I ever have before.”
Aside from the overwhelming health benefits of a vegan diet, it’s also the best thing you can do for animals. Daniel has always been sympathetic to animals, saying, “I’ve never been a hunter, I’ve never been a fisher, anything like that.” He’s even spent time working with animal shelters, where every year 6-8 million cats and dogs are handed over, and nearly half are euthanized for lack of a good home.
Stay tuned for part two of this interview and for contest details that will score some lucky fans the ultimate WWE prize pack!
peta2 Street Team Coordinator + lover of vegan food, cats, animal rights, Dawson's Creek, and Harry Potter.
Too long to explain here, it's long enough for a novel.
Well let's just say life ain't always beautiful but it's a beautiful ride. I love all my pets and would do anything for them. I have one dog, two cats, a ferret and my babygirl shaymin,(the cutest hedgehog alive) I'm into all different kinds of music. I'm a singer myself and love art.
Father loves to farm, be self sustainable, loves to read, he's a antiques/vintage auctioneer, art student, and looks like mr. Rogers. My mother is a Montessori teacher and is amazing with children, all about local organic foods, loves gardening, cooking etc. my sister who is nine years older than me was into indie music and introduced me to all sorts of things at a young age. This all rubbed of on me and from that base I grew into similar things. I'm an INFJ
I'm tall, a geek, nacho - obsessed, I love sewing and Cath Kidston, also I'm vegetarian (wannabe vegan.)
Jersey girl now I'm all country.
I love animals about as much as rock, heavy metal, tea, and coffee. Hoping to make a difference and help animals through PETA!!!
I want to get into marketing but not have to rely on people which have different morals and worldviews than I do to hire me. While I'm figuring this out, I want to show everyone what I believe in and spur them into action against injustices.
Life On A Tour Bus
I am Angela. When I am not helping animals I am listening to music, reading, or playing video games. My spirit animal is a fox and I love nature. What else is there to know? Want to know anything about me, need advice or anything message me :)
xo
768 days ago
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I grew up with WWE, & I still watch it with my dad.
I never knew there was a vegan wrestler ever.<3
It goes to show, being a vegan isnt just good for the animals, its good for your body too<3
770 days ago
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wow daniel amazing i love that guy so much!!! he my fave wwe superstar. <3
771 days ago
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I went a long time without watching the WWE, so imagine my surprise when I see him and Michael Cole announces him as a nerdy ‘vagan’. I know there is another female wrestler {diva} who is also vegan. Rock on.
771 days ago
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YAYYYY WWE!!!! Even though he’s a nerd
771 days ago
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this is one of the reasons daniel bryan is one of my favorite wwe superstars…db>>>>>cena
771 days ago
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I love wwe!! and daniel <3