“I’ve never eaten meat”

Trpti’s journey to become a leader in fitness as a vegan bodybuilder began unexpectedly from her work as a professional artist.

Trpti has always been a passionate artist, starting from a young age, she’s worked and studied hard to achieve a Diploma in Illustration and Design. During a break from artistic endeavours, while weighing up her options, she developed an interest in health and fitness. This led to Trpti becoming a leader in the vegan bodybuilding world.

Trpti’s path to being a vegan bodybuilder started during a break from her work as a professional artist.

While Trpti has always pursued a healthy lifestyle, she only truly started down this path while she was taking time away from her work and study. Taking a break after completing her Adv. Diploma, Trpti focused on her physical health, leading to her becoming a winning competitive vegan bodybuilder.

Meatless Movement had a chat with her recently.

Tell us more about yourself, please

Here’s a little about me. I am a studied Artist with an Adv. Diploma in Illustration and Design, and have been drawing as far back as I can remember. After study I needed a break from drawing as I felt a lot of pressure, so I channeled my attention into fitness which I have continued up to now.

I started modeling several years ago when I gained a greater appreciation for my body and feeling more connected with it from the years of health and fitness. My body may have looked very similar as I’ve always been slim but how I viewed and respected my body was different. I love to channel my creativity into shoot concepts, styling, fashion. I also love my body paint, nude and boudoir shoots, which stem from many years of life drawing and appreciating the beauty of the human body and embodying sensuality.

I’ve never eaten meat

Here’s a little about my journey to becoming vegan. I’ve been vegan for about 7 years now, but before that I was vegetarian and grew up in a vegetarian household.

When I was younger at school, the other kids asked why I was vegetarian – as at that school I was the only one. I would answer: “Because my whole family are.” But it got me thinking – why am I?

At home, we had what felt like our own mini zoo as we had many pets. Growing up, my pets were just extra family members to be cared for. I’ve always felt a lot of empathy and loved to care for animals.

As I got older, the questions still continued. “Why are you vegetarian?” My answer changed to “If I wouldn’t hurt any animal myself – how could I get someone else to do so on my behalf”.

Being vegetarian for me was in line with my values, and I was content with that. I would get offered meat and asked to try it – but it has never interested me. My siblings also made up their own minds, some stayed vegetarian, while some have tried meat.

When I was a young adult, my diet kept evolving. I stopped drinking soft drinks that my family drank at home. I started eating more vegetables and over time adjusted my diet by listening to how my body felt after eating particular things, and by being more aware of ingredients in particular foods. I still ate dairy, but in minimal amounts as my body didn’t feel good after I ate it.

Why did I make the move to be vegan?

I made the choice after seeing footage and doing research about the practices within the dairy industry. I was so upset and decided that day to become vegan to be in line with my core values.

When I started, it was hard to always be mindful about ingredients in foods. It has taken many years to adjust, and in that time, I tried to be kind to myself. At times I go backwards and have to remind myself of the reasons I made the switch to become vegan in the first place. I find this a useful way to remain within accordance with my personal values.

Being vegan won’t change anything!

It’s true you’re not in the abattoirs saving the animals, but money talks. Every time you spend money you are casting your vote. If you buy plant-based products, more of those products will be made as there is more demand – if you buy meat and dairy, then you are instead voting for that. As more people have turned vegan in the last 20 years, there has been an explosion of vegan products on the market.

Can you be a healthy vegan?

When I started in fitness, I was doing Body Pump classes and getting into rock climbing which I continued for 10 years, in which time I built a lot of muscle. Two years ago, I decided to start bodybuilding, including coaching and a meal and exercise plan. I gained about 8kg of muscle and lost 8kg of fat in the first year and competed in my first competition – all while following my vegan diet.

A common misconception about vegetarians and vegans is that they are physically weak or unhealthy. In my experience, being healthy is a combination of a lot of habits, and not solely reliant on dietary choice. I have been healthier than people I know my entire life.

Following a vegan diet may mean you need to monitor some of your vitamin levels more closely and be sure to supplement vitamins you will not be getting from meat consumption.

If you’re wanting to follow a plant-based diet, it is important to be kind to yourself as you adjust. Habits and lifestyle changes happen at different rates for different people. It doesn’t help to be mean to yourself if you are not where you want to be, it is more helpful to stop and take a minute to remember why you are doing it in the first place. Motivations are stronger when there are clear reasons in place.

Here are some foods I have found to work for me in my transition to following a vegan diet.

TVP (57% protein 43% carbs 0% fat)
Tempeh (31% protein 43% carbs 25% fat)
Tofu (41% protein 48% fat 12% carbs)

All good sources of protein and can replace meat in meals. they will take on the flavour you add to them, so sauces and seasonings can be used if you don’t like the subtleness of their taste.

Vegan protein powder (64% protein)
Can be added to smoothies, oats, or just added to water.
Nutritional Yeast (63% protein)
High nutritional value, it has a cheesy taste and can be added to sauces or as a seasoning.
Vitamin B12 tablets
It’s harder to get certain B vitamins from a plant-based diet, so it’s best to give a little boost by taking vitamin B daily to keep healthy levels.

Nut milks

There are many different types and it’s good to try them all and experiment, I don’t have a preference and use them all depending on the taste/consistency I want.

You might think that to be plant based you have to say no to any kind of treats, whether it’s ice
cream, cake or biscuits. I’ve found there are usually vegan options you might just have never
noticed, here’s a few that are vegan for anyone with a sweet tooth.

Vegan Magnums
Pringles
Oreos

Thank you to everyone who read to this point, it was an absolute pleasure to get to write this
article and I wish you all the best in your own vegan journeys.