The Vegan Body Revolution Show · Thomas Tadlock

Shredding Strategies With Big Super Heavyweight Vegan Bodybuilder Ryan Nelson

March 6, 2015·42 min·4 clips
Meet Ryan Nelson, the world's biggest vegan bodybuilder, as he shares his shredding secrets just weeks before competition.
This episode features host Thomas Tadlock interviewing professional vegan bodybuilder Ryan Nelson, who is preparing for a competition. Tadlock runs the Vegan Body Revolution platform, which focuses on plant-based fitness and physique development. Nelson is described as the world's biggest professional vegan bodybuilder and a former professional indoor football player. The conversation centers on Nelson's current pre-competition "shredding" phase, which he is a few weeks out from. They discuss his specific dietary strategies to reduce body fat while maintaining muscle on a 100% plant-based diet. Nelson details his training regimen adjustments during this cutting period. He explains his approach to macronutrient manipulation, particularly regarding carbohydrates and protein. The episode covers his supplementation routine with vegan-friendly products. Nelson shares his methods for managing energy levels and recovery while in a caloric deficit. He also addresses common challenges vegan athletes face during contest preparation. A key insight is Nelson's emphasis on practical application over theoretical discussion for achieving a muscular, lean physique on a vegan diet. He provides concrete examples of food choices and meal timing that work for him. The interview reveals the specific demands of preparing for high-level NPC bodybuilding competitions as a vegan. Nelson's status as a top-three placer in multiple NPC shows lends authority to his strategies. His experience as the 2013 Personal Trainer of the Year in Minneapolis informs his coaching perspective. The episode positions Nelson's current prep as a real-time case study for listeners to model. The tone is highly motivational and instructional, focused on direct application. The style is a casual, interview-based conversation between two fitness practitioners. Listeners interested in bodybuilding, contest preparation, or maximizing athletic performance on a plant-based diet would find this episode highly relevant. Those seeking philosophical discussions about veganism or general nutrition theory might find the content too narrowly focused on physique-specific tactics.
Listen to the show on