One of the biggest barriers in encouraging others to adopt vegan diets is the perception that being vegan is difficult and/or unhealthy. Most vegans are walking testimonials that veganism is a healthy choice, but it often takes extreme examples to prove a point. Check out Robert Cheeke, Tonya Kay, and Brendan Brazier, in a new DVD called Vegan Fitness. Robert is a competitive bodybuilder, Tonya is a dance instructor and performer, and Brendan is a professional triathlete. They are all in peak physical condition, and each excels in different areas of athleticism. Robert focuses on building large muscles and getting “ripped” for competition, Tanya focuses on movement diversity within a wide variety of fitness genres, and Brendan focuses on strength and endurance (running, cycling, and swimming, up to 8 hours per day!). These athletes know better than anyone that the food they eat directly fuels their athletic performance. In Vegan Fitness, we learn from Robert, Tonya, and Brendan what to eat, when to eat it, and where to buy it. This 30 minute documentary doubles as a top-notch exercise instructional video – with extensive coverage of the training regimes utilized by Robert, Tonya, and Brendan. A perfect gift for anyone reticent to try a vegan diet for health reasons.

Vegan Fitness is available for $25 from Downbound.ca.