This article was originally published by Grist. To receive Grist’s weekly newsletter, sign up here. Over the past two years, Gigi Balsamico has emerged victorious at numerous strongman competitions in the eastern United States, including Maidens of Might, Rebel Queen, War of the North, and Third Monkey Throwdown. These competitions consist of six to eight weight-lifting challenges where competitors are judged based on criteria such as the amount of weight they can lift and the number of repetitions they can perform. Most recently, Balsamico claimed the top spot in her weight class at Delaware’s Baddest. At this event, she impressively lifted four 100- to 150-pound sandbags onto her shoulders after completing six repetitions of a 315-pound deadlift. As a grand finale, she harnessed herself to a Chevy Silverado attached to a food truck trailer and successfully dragged it 40 feet in just 40 seconds. Balsamico, who has been vegan for 11 years, is vocal about her lifestyle choice to challenge the stereotype that one needs to consume meat to be strong. Growing up in an Italian, meat-eating family, Balsamico initially had concerns about giving up animal products impacting her athletic performance. However, her love for animals and ethical beliefs led her to embrace veganism. As veganism gained popularity due to concerns about factory farming and its environmental impact, Balsamico found success in both her diet and athletic pursuits. She began competing in strongman competitions out of curiosity and has since dominated her age and weight class, winning first place consistently. Balsamico now coaches aspiring athletes in Pittsburgh and is a member of PlantBuilt, an international team of vegan strength competitors. She, along with her teammates, are using their athletic achievements to promote social change and challenge misconceptions about plant-based diets and strength. By showcasing their muscular physiques and competition results on social media, they aim to demonstrate that one can thrive on a plant-based diet while protecting animals and the planet. Eating fewer animal products, particularly beef, is considered one of the most impactful actions individuals can take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Research has shown that adopting a plant-based diet is one of the top lifestyle choices that can significantly lower carbon footprints. While some argue that strength athletes have higher protein requirements, nutrition experts suggest that plant-based sources can provide ample protein for muscle growth and maintenance. Despite misconceptions perpetuated by “bro science,” which often promotes animal-based protein sources for strength athletes, plant-based alternatives can be equally effective. Many vegan athletes carefully manage their diets to ensure they meet their protein needs, debunking the myth that animal products are essential for strength and performance.
