Hometown: North Vancouver, BC

Current Residence:  North Vancouver, BC

Sport: triathlon

Pro/Elite since: 1998

Date of Birth: March 1^st, 1975
 
Favorite fruit: Apple

Favorite veggie: spinach

Hobbies/Other sports: typing stuff on my computer

1. Why did you choose to stop eating animal products? When?

I stopped eating meat in 1990, all animal products in 1999. Although I stopped drinking milk in 1990 as well, I continued to eat cheese until about 1994. After that I was near vegan but still ate some things that had cheese in them until 1999 when I became a "strict vegan".

2. What has been your experience as a vegan athlete? Have you noticed any performance or health benefits or problems?

Faster recovery times are the primary advantage I've noticed. Since I'm able to recover faster I can train more which of course leads to greater gains. The only negative thing I can say about a vegan diet is the convenience factor. It's of course hard to find balanced vegan food when eating out. Really though it's a small price to pay for the advantages. As more people are becoming vegan it's getting easier to find good food while traveling or eating out.

3.  Have teammates and other athletes been supportive or critical?

At first other athletes told me I should really start eating meat. Now of course, they realize that vegan is a completely viable diet for high performance athletes. However some people still don't get it. They'll say, "I can't believe how much training you are able to handle, I could never recover from that kind of work load", then, when they see me eating something "different", they say, "Why do you eat that kind of stuff". The connection is often not made. Maybe what I eat has something to do with it? Could this be? Fine with me.

4. A brief history of your athletic career. 

Started running is 1990, doing duathlons in 1993, triathlons in 1994, Ironman and marathons in 1998.

5. Most memorable results or achievements

2003 – 1^st 50km Canadian Ultra Marathon Championships

2002 – 8^th Ironman Utah

2001 – 11^th Ironman Canada

2001 – 3^rd Canadian ½ Ironman Championships

1998 – 2^nd Royal Victoria Marathon.

6. Why did you join OA’s PRO-Activist team? 

I like that fact that Organic Athlete has taken the initiative to bring like minded athletes together and to serve as a resource for all who seek information. 

Website: http://www.brendanbrazier.com