Only Male USA Weightlifter To Qualify for Rio Olympics Explains Why He Chose To Go Vegan

Kendrick Farris, a three time Olympic weightlifter, weighs more than 200lbs and can lift more than double his weight.

For the last two years Farris has been a vegan. Since then he's not lost any strength - in fact he's packed on even more muscle, moved up a weight class and set an American Record total at the 2016 Olympic Trials in Salt Lake City.

"A vegan diet means not dealing with any animal products, and obviously not dealing with any meat. I don't even count calories, I just keep hydrated and eat when I'm hungry" says Farris.

Asked whether or not he missed meat, Farris replied "I like burgers, I still have black bean burgers, mushroom burgers; I'm not missing out on anything - there's so many options you can have"

"People think if they change to a vegan diet their body will just wither away" he laughed. "I weigh over 200lbs."

And as the only male weightlifter from the USA to qualify for the Olympic Games this year, Farris certainly doesn't appear to be lacking in any protein or energy. No meat, no problem.