Mike Mahler
holding two kettlebells

Mike Mahler

An American strength and conditioning coach, kettlebell instructor and freelance journalist. He has trained many UFC fighters, including former heavyweight champion Frank Shamrock. He is a regular contributor to Hardcore Muscle Magazine, Testosterone Magazine, Ironman Magazine and Exercise for Men. He is the author of the book Live Life Aggressively - What Self-Help Gurus SHOULD Be Telling You, which is a hardcore approach on how to take charge of your life and the importance of brutal self inventory in order to evolve and thrive. You can find his website at this link.

Quotes by Mike Mahler:

"I have the strength and size to back up the fact that you can get strong and have a muscular body on a vegan diet."

"I have been a vegetarian for almost twenty-one years and a vegan for close to fifteen years. My path to the vegan diet started many years ago. First when I was fifteen I was really into a NYC Hardcore band called The Cro-mags. One day I was reading an interview with the founder Harley Flanagan in which he discussed the reasons why he adopted a vegetarian diet. He stated that you couldn’t talk about peace while eating a steak as the animal you’re eating died in agonizing pain."

"My parents once took me to a game park in Kenya. When I saw a variety of incredible animals in their natural habitats, I realized that this is how animals should be living their lives. Not on some miserable factory farm being treated inhumanely. After the trip to Kenya I felt the power of believing in something strongly and wanted to do something to alleviate animal suffering."

"While I am an ethical vegan, there is no doubt in my mind that a vegan diet is healthy and that I can get everything that my body needs for my intense lifestyle."

"Animal protein is directly correlated with being big and strong and that message is sold to the public very effectively."

"Meat is loaded with a lot of toxins especially if the meat is not 100% organic. The animals are fed garbage and then you eat the animals. Eating unhealthy animals and thinking that it is healthy is asinine."

"Getting everything I need to fuel my workouts and life is really not that hard at all on a strict vegan diet if you know what you’re doing. For example one cup of lentils has around 26 grams of protein. Add two tablespoons of hempseeds, which has around 11 grams of protein and now you have a meal loaded with 37 grams of high quality protein."

"For athletes, 0.7 to 1 gram of protein per pound of lean muscle is optimal for increasing strength and size. For example, if you weigh 180lb and have ten percent bodyfat, then you should shoot for 150-160 grams of protein to build more muscle. If you want to maintain your size, then 100-120 will probably be sufficient"

"I cook a good amount of legumes with a variety of vegetables every night for a high antioxidant meal loaded with quality nutrition. Add some nuts or seeds when the meal is cooked and you have a winner."

"For convenience I also like to use high quality protein powders such as Sunwarrior Rice Protein and Pure Advantage Pea Protein powder. Protein shakes loaded with frozen fruits and coconut milk is a great way to start the day."

"Vegans like anyone else need to load up on healthy sources of fat. Without enough fat in your diet, your skin will dry up, your energy will plummet, and you will look like death. Getting 20-30% of your calories from fat is a good way to go. Load up on healthy fats such as: flaxseed oil, olive oil, almonds, walnuts, almond butter, and avocadoes."

"Muscle building is all about creating an optimal hormone environment. You need the right amount of testosterone and growth hormone in particular to build muscle. Thus, in addition to eating the right amount of food, you need to make sure you get eight hours of deep sleep every night. A proper strength-training program with a focus on compound exercises is a must. Barbell squats; deadlifts, presses, rows, and pull-ups provide the most bang for your buck."

"I think strength and compassion are one and the same. I have met some very tough people and they are all very compassionate people."

"Part of being strong is also having the courage to stand up for what you believe and actually living it."

Quotes are from his 2004 article Getting Big & Strong on a Vegan Diet, his 2006 interview with The Discerning Brute, his 2010 interview with Mike Arone Fitness and his 2011 interview with Cameron Conaway.