(Photo courtesy of Kendrick Farris)
UPDATE 12/2/16: Due to his competition schedule, Kendrick will be unable to attend the 2017 Holistic Holiday at Sea cruise.
Adopting a vegan diet can have a profound impact on your mind and body. And if you’re active in sports or physical activities, that change can make a huge difference to your level of performance. Athletes who exclusively eat plant-based meals report that they think more clearly and truly see an improvement in their abilities. Over the years, Holistic Holiday at Sea has welcomed many athletes and bodybuilders to our special lineup of panelists and presenters. For the 2017 Holistic Holiday at Sea, March 11–18, we are excited to announce that three-time Olympian Kendrick Farris will be joining us.
Weightlifting Since Age 11
Growing up in Shreveport, Louisiana, Kendrick (now 30) began weightlifting at age 11 and competing at age 12. He says he got serious about it during his senior year of high school.
After earning national titles in 2006 and 2007, Kendrick went on to take home first place titles in 2010 and 2016 Pan-American Championships. He also won first in the 2015 Pan-American Games. He placed 8th in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing and 10th in the 2008 Summer Olympics in London. Most recently, Kendrick competed in the 2016 Summer Olympics as the only male weightlifter on the US team.
While vegan weightlifters often make headlines for this seemingly surprising combination, the two lifestyles are actually very complementary. For Kendrick, going vegan wasn’t a tough decision to make.
Veganism Helps Promote a Healthier, Longer Life
In 2014, shortly after his second son Kingsley was born, Kendrick decided to go vegan. He shares, “My son’s birth gave me a new perspective on life. I wanted to make sure I was around to see him grow up, get married, have kids, etc. and the vegan lifestyle was the healthiest thing I could do for my body.”
Since then, Kendrick says, “I just feel better overall—spiritually, physically, and mentally.” Kendrick doesn’t adhere to a super strict diet or overthink it. “I just eat what I want. I am not one that counts calories and I am not extremely strict. I eat when I’m hungry, because meals are used for fuel for the body. I just make sure I know all the ingredients in the food I buy or ask questions if I am out to eat.”
Homemade Goodness
His wife Katrina cooks vegan meals at home every day. She says, “I don’t use vegan cookbooks necessarily. I mostly find vegetarian recipes from some of my favorite blogs and/or use family recipes and tweak them so they are vegan. For example, I would substitute bananas for butter called for in a baking recipe or plant-based cheese when cheese is called for.” Katrina’s favorite recipe of avocado quesadillas is coincidentally Kendrick’s favorite dish as well.
With food as his fuel, Kendrick spends 3–5 hours on his workout routine daily. On a typical day, Kendrick says his schedule is to wake up, pray, eat breakfast, take his son to school, go outside, read and meditate, workout, pick up his son, share dinner with his family, spend time with them after dinner, pray, and then go to bed.
When asked about what’s next, Kendrick says he wants to take care of his family. “I’m not sure where my journey will take me next, maybe to my 4th Olympic team and maybe another route. I’m not sure. Right now I’m just enjoying and making up for lost time with my friends and family. I will begin competing again in 2017 as this is the off-season for us right now, and I do not have any competitions scheduled.”
UPDATE 12/2/16: Due to his competition schedule, Kendrick will be unable to attend the 2017 Holistic Holiday at Sea cruise.
