#328: Becoming an Impactful Vegan with Robert Cheeke
“I wrote about the Sri Lankan monk because of his connection with parliament in his country and being well respected, well connected. And because he's a compassionate vegan who at the time I talked to him in a FaceTime interview. He was spayed and neutering, you know, dogs on the streets in Sri Lanka. But he basically by himself through standing up and speaking up and having authority in his country prevented 100,000 primates from being deported to China to be used in animal testing laboratories.” –Robert Cheeke
In this episode of I AM HUMAN we learn from Robert Cheeke about effective altruism, how our personal biases can get in the way of doing the most good, how we can best determine what organizations to allocate resources to and how we can lead by example. This is a very powerful and important episode especially if you want to learn how to decrease the suffering of animals in the most effective way.
Robert's journey is not just about personal transformation but also about the broader impact we can have by making mindful, strategic choices. He shares how his upbringing among animals ignited his commitment to stand against animal suffering and how even small compromises can make veganism more accessible and effective. By sharing his experiences, Robert explains that leading by example can inspire others to make compassionate choices, even if those choices aren't perfect. We take a closer look at the stark contrasts in global resource distribution and the importance of effective giving. We discuss organizations like The Humane League, Dharma Voices for Animals, and the Good Food Institute, showcasing their influential work in reducing animal suffering. By reflecting on these insights, we recognize the potential for significant positive change through conscious consumption and supporting high-impact charities. Tune in to discover how authenticity, optimism, and gratitude can help foster a more compassionate world.
Robert Cheeke grew up on a farm in Corvallis, Oregon, and embraced a vegan lifestyle at age 15 in 1995. Today, he is a prominent figure in the fitness world, authoring influential books such as *The Plant-Based Athlete* and *The Impactful Vegan*. Dubbed the "Godfather of Vegan Bodybuilding," Robert has played a pivotal role in the industry since 2002. As a natural bodybuilding champion and a key contributor to major vegan platforms, he tours globally, sharing his journey from a skinny farm kid to a renowned vegan bodybuilder. Robert lives in Colorado with his wife and two rescued Chihuahuas.
Discussion points:
(00:00) Guest intro, background, Robert’s path to veganism as a teen
(10:00) Bodybuilding and a vegan diet
(13:21) Do “perfect vegans” exist?
(16:30) Reduction of animal suffering is the priority
(19:00) Effective altruism and examples of doing the most good
(30:05) Personal bias can prevent altruistic acts
(40:38) Resources to identify effective altruistic organizations
(55:22) Leading by example
(1:05:42) Closing questions, what we wish people knew
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Robert Cheeke
Godfather of Vegan Bodybuilding
Robert grew up on a farm in Corvallis, Oregon where he adopted a vegan lifestyle in 1995 at age 15, weighing just 120 pounds. Today he is the author of the books, Vegan Bodybuilding & Fitness, Shred It!, Plant-Based Muscle, the New York Times bestseller, The Plant-Based Athlete, and his latest, The Impactful Vegan, to be released on June 25, 2024. He is often referred to as the “Godfather of Vegan Bodybuilding,” growing the industry from infancy in 2002, to where it is today. As a natural bodybuilding champion, Robert is considered one of VegNews magazine's Most Influential Vegan Athletes. He tours around the world sharing his story of transformation from a skinny farm kid to champion vegan bodybuilder. Robert is the founder of Vegan Bodybuilding & Fitness and maintains the website, VeganBodybuilding.com. He is a regular contributor to Forks Over Knives, The Center for Nutrition Studies, Vegan Strong, The Vegan Gym, and No Meat Athlete, is a former multi-sport athlete, and has followed a plant-based diet for more than 28 years. Robert lives in Colorado with his wife and two rescued Chihuahuas.
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Episode Resources:
Book: The Impactful Vegan by Robert Cheeke - https://amzn.to/4fbTMYJ
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