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It’s fair to say The Game Changers has been an astounding success so far.
The film, which is directed by Oscar-winner Louie Psihoyos and executive produced by Oscar-winner James Cameron, ‘documents the explosive rise of plant-based eating in professional sports’. It follows mixed martial artists James Wilks (also a producer) as he learns about the power of a plant-based diet, interviewing top athletes who have ditched animal products, and conducting various experiments.
While people of all genders have no doubt been inspired by the film, it’s well-known that men are outnumbered when it comes to being vegan or plant-based – so we have rounded-up some of the film’s most surprising converts.
1. Kai Greene
At the end of October, within about a week of the film’s Netflix release, major bodybuilder Kai Greene announced he was considering trialing a plant-based diet because of the movie.
Greene, a pro-bodybuilder as well as a personal trainer, artist, and actor, is best known for scooping second place at the 2012, 2013, and 2014 Mr. Olympia competitions.
On November 10, after extending the trial period of the diet, Greene revealed he was enjoying the plan, tweeting: “Don’t be mad that I can continue making gains all while staying consistent with my plant-based diet… Don’t knock it until you try it!
Don’t be mad that I can continue making gains all while staying consistent with my plant based diet… Don’t knock it until you try it!
THE DIET THAT WORKS IS THE ONE YOU STICK TO!!! pic.twitter.com/JuYweFPh7o— Kai Greene (@KaiGreene) November 10, 2019
2. Chris Froome
Four-time Tour De France champion Chris Froome revealed last week that he was giving plant-based a go after watching the movie.
He Froome took to Instagram stories claiming he has ditched animal products after watching The Game Changers, sharing an image of Ben & Jerry’s ice-cream on Instagram stories, and wrote: “Decided to go vegan since watching Netflix – The Game Changers. Ben & Jerry’s has got me covered.”
Some believe Froome was joking on social media – but others have pointed to his extensive history of experimenting with various diets in the past.
3. Roger Whiteside
Whiteside, the CEO of UK bakery chain Greggs, has become an unlikely media darling this year thanks to the release of a certain vegan sausage roll going viral.
Now Whiteside has revealed that he watched The Game Changers and is now curious about what a plant-based diet can do for him. Speaking at an awards ceremony, while accepting the North East Business Executive of the Year award, the CEO said: “If you’d asked me three weeks ago which roll I preferred I would have said the original sausage roll, but I’m now attempting to live on a vegan diet.
“I was encouraged to watch a film on Netflix called The Gamechangers – I watched it and thought this is interesting. Obviously there are arguments based around animal welfare and the environment, but this was all about the health benefits, and I thought I should give it a go.
“Avoiding meat is easy. The problem is avoiding dairy, avoiding milk and cheese is almost impossible. It would be okay if I had time to cook, but I don’t, so I have to have things that are quick and easy.”
4. Patrick Carrigan
Athlete Patrick Carrigan, forward for the Brisbane Broncos, confirmed to 9 News Queensland that he is trying out a plant-based diet
According to the network, firing up the BBQ for cooking huge quantities of meat is a ‘long-standing tradition’ for the team – but a handful of players are bucking the trend after watching The Game Changers.
“I grew up like that [eating meat,” said Carrigan, “but I’m just trying it out, mixing it up a little bit.”