Mike Tyson's Vegan Transformation: Unlocking Diet Secrets

Former professional boxer Mike Tyson has been a vegan in the past. In 2010, Tyson decided to adopt a plant-based diet to deal with weight issues and health problems caused by a diet of steaks, alcohol, and drugs. However, in 2020, he reintroduced meat into his diet, specifically wild game such as elk and bison, which he claims makes him feel stronger. Tyson restricts meat consumption to his training days and stops eating meat after a fight.

Mike Tyson's reasons for quitting veganism

Mike Tyson, the former heavyweight boxing champion, was a vegan for a long time and promoted the vegan lifestyle on several occasions. However, he eventually resumed eating meat and is no longer a vegan.

Tyson first adopted a vegan diet in 2010, and he credited this dietary change for helping him lose weight and improving his health. In a 2013 interview with Oprah Winfrey, he said, "Becoming a vegan, it gave me another opportunity to live a healthy life ... High blood pressure, almost dying, arthritis, and once I became a vegan all that stuff diminished." He elaborated in a 2019 interview with GQ Sports, stating, "I don't eat anything that has a mother and father ... If you were created through a mother and father, through any kind of intercourse, I won't eat you. So that means I only eat vegetables and stuff."

However, Tyson later quit veganism, citing a desire to regain his strength and achieve a certain body shape. In an episode of Joe Rogan's podcast in 2020, Tyson revealed that he had started eating meat again, specifically elk and bison, in preparation for his boxing comeback. He said, "I stopped because of the training and because of what I wanted my body to look like and the strength that I wanted to possess ... I only eat elk and bison — wild stuff — and I’m starting to feel fit." He also mentioned that he believed certain vegetables, such as kale, were "poisonous" for him, and did not agree with his blood type and health conditions.

Tyson's decision to quit veganism sparked a debate about the benefits and drawbacks of plant-based diets, especially for athletes. While some boxers have successfully followed vegan or vegetarian diets, Tyson felt that he needed to include meat in his diet to regain his strength and achieve his desired physical condition.

Tyson's new diet

After struggling with addiction to drugs and alcohol, which led to him gaining a significant amount of weight, Mike Tyson decided to turn his life around. In 2010, Tyson switched to a completely vegan diet, which he promoted on several occasions.

In a 2013 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Tyson explained that his newfound stability combined sobriety, religion, and veganism to help him achieve a healthier life. He said: "Becoming a vegan gave me another opportunity to live a healthy life. I was so congested from all the drugs and bad cocaine, I could hardly breathe. High blood pressure, almost dying, arthritis, and once I became a vegan all that stuff diminished." Tyson also added that he lost over 100 lbs after becoming a vegan.

However, in 2020, Tyson revealed on Joe Rogan's podcast that he was no longer following a vegan diet. He said: "I stopped because of the training and because of what I wanted my body to look like and the strength that I wanted to possess. I only eat elk and bison — wild stuff — and I’m starting to feel fit. I look at it for what it’s for [...] to take care of the body."

Tyson also added that he believed that a diet containing vegetables and blueberries was "really poisonous" for him, and that it did not agree with his blood type and health conditions.

The impact of his diet on his boxing

Mike Tyson's diet has had a significant impact on his boxing career and overall health. After retiring from boxing in 2005, Tyson struggled with addiction to drugs and alcohol, which led to significant weight gain.

In 2010, Tyson adopted a vegan diet to deal with his weight issues and improve his health. He told Oprah Winfrey in 2013 that going vegan gave him "another opportunity to live a healthy life". He also credited veganism for helping him overcome high blood pressure, arthritis, and congestion issues caused by drug abuse. Tyson's health improvements were so significant that he even considered returning to the boxing ring.

However, in 2020, Tyson decided to ditch his vegan diet. He told Joe Rogan that he felt his strength was compromised by not eating meat. He resumed eating meat, specifically elk and bison, to prepare for his boxing comeback in 2021 against Roy Jones Jr. Tyson wanted to achieve a certain physique and believed that a non-vegan diet would help him attain it.

The impact of Tyson's diet on his boxing is evident in his ability to return to the ring after a 15-year hiatus. While his performance drew praise, it is unclear if his diet directly contributed to his success in that match, as it ended in a draw.

Some boxers and athletes have found success with vegan or vegetarian diets, citing faster recovery, injury prevention, and overall health improvements. However, Tyson felt that, for him, a non-vegan diet was necessary to achieve his desired strength and physical appearance.

His training regime

Mike Tyson's training regime has evolved over the years, with the boxing legend adapting his workouts to suit his changing lifestyle and goals. In 2020, Tyson revealed that he was no longer following a vegan diet, having first adopted veganism in 2010.

During his vegan years, Tyson's training regime was intense and focused on getting him back into the ring. He shared details of his routine during an Instagram Live with rapper T.I., saying: "I've been hitting the mitts for the last week. That's been tough, my body is really jacked up and really sore from hitting the mitts." Tyson also revealed that he was doing two hours of cardio, spending an hour each on the bike and the treadmill, followed by some light weight training, and then boxing training.

Tyson's commitment to his training was clear, and he spoke about his desire to get back into the ring for some exhibition bouts, saying: "I think I'm going to box some exhibitions and get in shape. I want to go to the gym and get in shape to be able to box three or four-round exhibitions for some charities and stuff."

However, in 2020, Tyson decided to resume eating meat, specifically elk and bison, as he felt it better supported the strength and physique he wanted. He made this change as he prepared for his boxing comeback, facing Roy Jones Jr. in November 2021. Despite this dietary shift, Tyson's training regime remained rigorous, and he drew praise for his performance in the ring, even at the age of 53.

Other celebrities who have quit veganism

Mike Tyson, the former heavyweight boxing champion, has abandoned his vegan diet. Tyson, who is known for his intense training regimen, previously followed a plant-based diet for health reasons. In an interview, he stated that becoming vegan gave him "another opportunity to live a healthy life" as it helped him overcome issues such as congestion, high blood pressure, and arthritis. However, he has now reintroduced meat into his diet, specifically wild game like elk or bison, as he believes it makes him feel stronger.

• Miley Cyrus: She quit veganism as she felt her brain "wasn't functioning properly." She now includes fish in her diet, despite initially going vegan upon learning about the intelligence of fish.
• Liam Hemsworth: Hemsworth went vegan in 2015, influenced by his then-wife Miley Cyrus. However, he experienced health issues and developed a kidney stone, which he attributed to his vegan diet. He now consumes animal products and has had to "rethink what I was putting in my body."
• Anne Hathaway: Hathaway adopted veganism for a period but abandoned it while dining with her co-star Matt Damon in Iceland. She chose to follow his lead and ate fresh fish, claiming it made her feel like her "brain was rebooting."
• Simon Cowell: Cowell switched to a plant-based diet after a health scare in 2017 but ditched it after a motorbike accident and indulged in traditional English comfort foods during his recovery.
• Waka Flocka Flame: The rapper has revealed he is no longer vegan, stating that he considers himself a "conscious eater" and doesn't want to put a label on himself.
• Samuel L. Jackson: Jackson quit his vegan diet in 2015 after being threatened by movie bosses to gain weight for his role in the Tarzan movie. He now includes protein meals in his diet a few times a week.

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