Brooke Sellers, a vegan bodybuilder, became the Overall Bikini Champion at Tennessee\u2019s 2025 NPC Knox Classic competition earlier this month.<\/p>\n
According to NPC, the Bikini Category focuses on a strong \u201cfoundation of muscle\u201d and conditioned core, rather than the muscle definition found in fitness and figure. In addition to winning the overall Bikini category, Sellers also took first place in Open Class D and Novice Class B.<\/p>\n
Read more: <\/strong>5 Elite Vegan Athletes Weigh In On The Best Foods For Protein<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Sellers has been vegan since 2018 and a competitive bodybuilder since 2022. She coaches other vegans online under the name Miss Meatless Muscle<\/a>, and has worked with more than 600 clients. She co-hosts the Vegans Who Lift podcast with John Thomas, aka The Body Building Vegan, and created a high-protein cookbook.<\/p>\n Sellers told Plant Based News<\/em> (PBN<\/em>) that she stopped eating meat after deciding that \u201ccontributing to the suffering of animals\u201d did not align with her values, and said that she sees competitive bodybuilding as a form of activism for the vegan community.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I started, I was told I could never compete or be a bodybuilder without animal products,\u201d Sellers told PBN<\/em>. \u201cProving that wrong has been more than a personal achievement. It\u2019s about showing that you can succeed without meat or dairy and without contributing to animal suffering.\u201d<\/p>\n Vegan athletes<\/a> are more common than ever, including within bodybuilding and weightlifting. In July, vegan athlete Tom Butts became Britain\u2019s strongest man<\/a> within the 90kg category, and last year saw vegan bodybuilder Maddie McConnell<\/a> become the World Natural Bodybuilding Federation Women\u2019s Pro Figure World Champion.<\/p>\n Read more: <\/strong>The Best Vegan Protein Powders In 2025<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Earlier this year, a study found no difference<\/a> in muscle fiber synthesis between people following an omnivorous diet and those following a vegan diet. The research indicates that eating meat and other animal products has no inherent benefit for muscle gains \u2013 contrary to popular belief<\/a> \u2013 as long as a nutritious diet is followed.<\/p>\n \u201cIn a sport so centered on animal products, I\u2019ve found there\u2019s still room for vegans to thrive,\u201d said Sellers. \u201cI want people to see that you don\u2019t have to give up your passions or dreams to be vegan. You can thrive, push boundaries, and succeed all while staying true to your values and your beliefs.\u201d<\/p>\n Read more: <\/strong>Vegans \u2018More In Line\u2019 With Nutritional Recommendations, Says Study<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nProtein and being a vegan bodybuilder<\/h2>\n
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/plantbasednews.org\/app\/uploads\/2025\/08\/vegan-bodybuilder-brooke-sellers-3-1200x900.jpeg\")