In the Heroic Elite program, a 101-day sprint to become our best selves in energy, work, and love, health takes center stage. Why? Because to thrive in our careers and relationships, we need vibrant energy—and nutrition is a cornerstone of that vitality. The December 2024 Elite Update from Heroic (https://www.heroic.us/elite-update-dec24) highlighted the transformative journeys of participants, many of whom overhauled their nutrition to unlock peak performance. The result? A surprising revelation: in the vegan vs. carnivore debate, both can win—if you ditch the processed junk.

The Elite Nutrition Journey

From January to mid-April 2025, Elite participants were encouraged to find a nutrition plan that fit their lives. The advice was simple: if your current diet fuels you and you feel great, stick with it. But if you’re battling weight, inflammation, pain, or low energy, it’s time to upgrade. With Heroic’s founder and CEO, Brian Johnson, thriving on a near-pure carnivore diet, many participants, including myself, explored high-protein, low-carb approaches like carnivore or paleo. Others, however, took different paths, including veganism, sparking a fascinating exploration of what truly works.

My Nutrition Evolution

Years ago, I tried veganism for nearly two years. I felt good—energized and aligned with my values—but it came with challenges. Creating flavorful, satisfying meals was time-intensive, and getting enough protein led to weight gain. Eventually, I shifted to a high-protein, meat-heavy diet. I loved it, found it easy, and shed pounds effortlessly, reaching my high school weight. But some stubborn belly fat lingered.

When I joined the Heroic Elite program in January 2025, I doubled down on research and leaned into an even higher-protein, low-carb approach. The result? More belly fat melted away, and my energy soared. Protein-packed meals became my go-to, and I felt unstoppable.

The Vegan Revelation

Then came a game-changer. At the April 2025 Heroic Arizona monthly meeting, Rodney Smith of Grow Space Kitchen (https://www.growspacekitchen.com/) led a vegan cooking demonstration. I was skeptical—could vegan food really rival the satisfaction of my high-protein meals? To my astonishment, the dishes were vibrant, delicious, and satisfying. It was a wake-up call. My mind opened to a profound truth: the real magic of both vegan and carnivore diets lies in what they eliminate—processed foods, sugars, and the “crap” peddled by Big Food.

The Surprising Winner: You

The vegan vs. carnivore showdown isn’t about one being better—it’s about finding what works for you. My high-protein, low-carb diet fits my lifestyle and love for meat, helping me lose weight and feel great. But Rodney’s vegan dishes showed me that plant-based eating can be just as powerful, flavorful, and effective for others. The common thread? Both approaches ditch the processed junk that fuels inflammation, weight gain, and low energy.

The Takeaway

The Heroic Elite program taught us that nutrition isn’t one-size-fits-all. Whether you thrive on steak or kale, the key is to choose a plan you enjoy and stick to it—while ruthlessly cutting out sugar and processed foods. Do that, and you’ll not only feel better but also live longer, with the energy to crush it in work, love, and life.

So, vegan or carnivore? The surprising result is both win. Find your path, eliminate the junk, and become the hero of your own story.