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Vegan bodybuilder Maddie McConnell recently became this year’s World Natural Bodybuilding Federation (WNBF) Women’s Pro Figure World Champion.
Read more: British Olympic Team To Promote Plant-Based Eating To Kids, Parents, And Teachers
McConnell competed at this year’s WNBF World Championships in Boston, Massachusetts, on November 24, where she took home first place in the Women’s Pro Figure category. This is the second time she has held the title of Figure World Champion after a previous win in 2022.
Speaking to Great Vegan Athletes at the time, she said it was her “greatest achievement” so far. She added: “I love proving to others that you can still be a highly competitive athlete and achieve a winning physique without the use of drugs [steroids] or animal products.”
McConnell competed at the OCB Pro Yorton Cup in September of this year, where she placed first out of 33 Women’s Pro Figure competitors, winning a USD $5,000 prize.
Read more: Vegan Athlete Group Unveils High Protein Meal Plan
Plants have ‘all the protein you need’
In total, competitive bodybuilder McConnell holds professional status in figure, fit body, and bodybuilding. She is also a member of the Vegan Strong Plantbuilt team, a collective of elite, plant-based athletes spanning a range of strength-based disciplines.
McConnell has said that she went vegan in 2019 after meeting fellow pro card-holding bodybuilder Zack Belknap, who adopted a plant-based diet in 2016. Vegan athletes of all kinds are becoming increasingly common, with many individuals reporting improved performance and recovery once they swap animal-based ingredients for plants.
McConnell recently told Viva! about her go-to meals during “prep” for competition season, which typically include at least 30 grams of protein per portion. She highlighted tofu, seitan, fresh fruits, and vegan protein powders as staple ingredients in many of her meals.
“Plant proteins have all the protein you need to be strong, healthy, and competitive,” added McConnell. “Plant protein is the best because it’s better for your health, better for the planet, and better for the animals.”
Read more: Vegan Athlete Takes Double Gold At World Arm Wrestling Championships
