From June 19 to June 29, 2025, I embarked on an unforgettable journey across the Midwest and West Coast to film with some of the most inspiring vegan strength and physique athletes out there. The trip took me from Wisconsin to Colorado, capturing the dedication and passion of these individuals who are redefining strength and muscle on a plant-based diet.
Wisconsin: Charlie Ziegler – Natural Vegan Bodybuilder
My first stop was in Wisconsin to film with Charlie Ziegler, a natural vegan bodybuilder who stands at 6’0″ and weighs around 205 lbs lean – utterly massive for a natural lifter! Charlie is a former competitive powerlifter with a remarkable over 700 lb deadlift. His dedication to strength training and veganism is truly inspiring. During our session, we discussed his transition from powerlifting to bodybuilding and how a plant-based diet fuels his performance.
Portland: Vegan powerlifting at Odd Barbell
Next, I traveled to Portland, Oregon, to film at Odd Barbell with powerlifting legend, Ryan Stills:
Ryan Stills: A 5-time IPF Master’s World Champion powerlifter, Ryan has been a dominant force in the sport for years. His commitment to veganism and strength training is evident in his impressive achievements. Ryan and I filmed a sit down interview (which Ryan absolutely crushed – the man loves the camera and the camera loves him!) and a full training session where he hit an >600 lb deadlift, easy.
Eugene, OR – natural vegan Bodybuilding Crew at Genuine Fitness
- Zachary Belknap: A WNBF Pro bodybuilder and NASM certified personal trainer, Zachary has earned multiple first-place titles in bodybuilding competitions. One of the first, high level vegan bodybuilders I ever heard of back in the day, as well!
- Amanda Adaline: A WNBF Pro bikini competitor, Amanda has made significant strides in the bodybuilding community. She has competed at the WNBF World Championships and has been a source of inspiration for many.
- Maddie McConnell: A 2-time WNBF Pro Figure World Champion and 2024 Yorton Cup winner, Maddie is a testament to the power of a plant-based diet in achieving elite athletic performance.
- Ethan McConnell: A WNBF Pro bodybuilder, Ethan has secured multiple overall wins in competitions. His journey alongside his wife, Maddie, showcases the strength of their partnership both in and out of the gym.
Reno, NV: Colin Ferriott & Eddie Baumgartner
In Reno, Nevada, I had the privilege of filming with two powerhouse athletes:
- Colin Ferriott: A strongman competitor, Colin’s training sessions were intense and inspiring. His dedication to the sport and his plant-based lifestyle were evident throughout our time together. I was excited to hear that he grew up listening to punk and hardcore and is heavily influenced by the messaging from a lot of those bands about a vegan lifestyle, as I can relate.
- Eddie Baumgartner: An equipped powerlifter and USPA National Champion, Eddie has set multiple state records in Nevada. We filmed in Eddie’s home gym and as someone who loves some grit, it was awesome!
Loveland, CO: Melissa Busta
In Loveland, Colorado, I was welcomed with open arms by strongwoman Melissa Busta and her partner, vegan bodybuilder Phil Ficarro. Melissa’s hospitality was overwhelming, and she graciously allowed me to stay in her guest cottage during my visit. We filmed several training sessions and an in-depth interview, discussing her journey in strongwoman competitions and the role of a plant-based diet in her training. Phil, a dedicated vegan bodybuilder, assisted with the shoots wish was greatly appreciated. Hopefully we can film in the future!
Colorado Springs, CO: USAW Nationals with Gerald La Brilla & Ava Besterfield
The final leg of my journey took me to Colorado Springs for the USA Weightlifting Nationals:
- Gerald La Brilla: An Olympic weightlifter, powerlifter, and bodybuilder, Gerald’s versatility in strength sports is impressive. As a fellow anime nerd, we bonded over Dragon Ball Z, of course!
- Ava Besterfield: A highly competitive Olympic weightlifter, Ava set a new snatch record in her weight class at the competition. Her performance was a testament to the effectiveness of a plant-based diet in elite athletic performance.
Returning to NYC
After an exhilarating week of filming and connecting with these incredible athletes, I returned to New York City with a wealth of footage and inspiration. Each athlete shared their unique journey and demonstrated that strength and compassion can coexist on a plant-based diet.
If you’re interested in learning more about these athletes or watching the upcoming documentary, stay tuned for more updates!