To talk to today’s guest, you may not guess he’s an extremely accomplished mixed martial artist. Modest, thoughtful, and incredibly insightful, Mac Danzig is a true maverick – a warrior poet and animal rights proponent who defies stereotypes and can wax philosophical about anything from human nature to photography, even skateboarding. A 2nd-degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, he came to prominence while winning season six of the Ultimate Fighter and made his mark in the ring as a dominant grappler and proficient striker. In addition to his success in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, he appeared in the revolutionary documentary Forks Over Knives, where he discussed the benefits of a plant-based diet and how it affected his health and his career as an athlete.
Today, Mac has his own MMA studio where he passes on what he’s learned to a new generation, and we’re really happy to have him on!
Listen to Episode 211 with Mac Danzig
What we discuss in this episode:
- His childhood and how removing dairy from his diet drastically improved his health
- The transformative impact working at an animal sanctuary had on him
- The ways a vegan diet improved his athletic performance
- His favorite sources of protein
- Insight into the world of MMA
- His insights into training for fights
- His experiences with concussions
- How he transitioned from MMA to opening his own gym
- How he approaches the topic of veganism with his students
Resources:
- Mac Danzig gym: Danzig MMA
- Mac Danzig photography: https://www.flickr.com/photos/california4life/
The Plant-based Playbook IS HERE!
Let the Plant-based Games Begin, the first-ever guidebook dedicated to optimizing athletic performance with plant-based fuel. We developed the Playbook in consultation with the IOC’s Office of Sustainability to help coaches, dietitians, and athletes understand how to embrace plant-based nutrition.
Researched and written by a diverse group of highly credentialed researchers, clinicians, and athletes, the Playbook leverages peer-reviewed science and real-world experience to illuminate the physiological benefits of a plant-based diet. The Playbook also includes robust, field-tested tools and resources for meal planning and other practical implementation techniques.
You can download the Playbook here: https://switch4good.org/plant-based-playbook/
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