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Lewis Hamilton might seem more at home on a racetrack than in a salad bar, but this six-time Formula One champion has been powering through on chickpeas and chia seeds since 2017. Who said you can’t win championships on a vegan diet? Hamilton not only dispels that myth but does so while advocating for the planet. Here’s how Hamilton turned into a vegan icon, passionately promoting not just veganism but environmentalism and animal rights as well.
Why Did Lewis Hamilton Go Vegan?
Lewis Hamilton’s transition to veganism began in 2017 after he watched the documentary “What The Health,” which exposes the health hazards and ethical concerns of the meat and dairy industries.
Hamilton wrote on Snapchat in September 2017, “going to watch ‘What The Health’ tonight. I’m on a mission to go vegan, people.” while voicing his concerns about animal cruelty and environmental issues.
Speaking to CNN later that year, Later on, Hamilton spoke about his decision, explaining he felt the best he’d ever felt. “I feel incredibly clean and healthy,” he said. “There are things I see my friends eating, and I used to eat it, but now I feel sick because I have to read about it and have read some of the science.”
A vocal advocate for veganism
Throughout the year, Lewis Hamilton has leveraged his significant influence on social media to champion animal rights, urging his over 13 million Instagram followers to take action on various issues. He has called for a boycott of dolphin shows, condemned the trophy hunting industry, and voiced strong opposition against the leather industry, expressing his horror particularly at whale hunting by declaring, “this is not in any way, shape, or form, ok. This is disgusting.”
Following his outspoken posts, Hamilton addressed the gravity of his messages, asking his followers, “If I don’t post this, who is going to?” He stressed the importance of his platform, adding, “Who’s going to care for these animals? I’m sorry but I have this platform and I can’t waste it.”
Hamilton also extends his advocacy to his personal life, particularly through his care for his rescue dog, Coco. Coco, an English bulldog, was born with severe disabilities and was destined to be euthanized. Hamilton, however, saved her life and now she receives weekly acupuncture treatments and enjoys a loving home. She even has her own Instagram account shared with Hamilton’s other dog, Roscoe.
He also says his dog Roscoe follows a vegan diet too. “Roscoe is now fully vegan,” wrote Hamilton. “Since he has gone vegan, his coat is much softer, his paws have healed up, he is no longer limping with pain of arthritis and his breathing has opened up.” Hamilton’s actions reflect his deep commitment to animal welfare, both publicly and privately, embodying the change he advocates for in the world.
Previously, Lewis Hamilton faced criticism from animal rights groups for posing with an endangered tiger at the Black Jaguar White Tiger Foundation in Mexico. However, he has since become a passionate advocate for animal rights, frequently using his social media platform to raise awareness and speak out on behalf of animal welfare.
Environmentalism
Lewis Hamilton’s journey towards veganism was deeply intertwined with his concerns for the environment, highlighting the negative impacts of animal agriculture, such as significant greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation.
Acknowledging the urgency, he expressed his despair over environmental degradation on Instagram, stating, “I’m sad right now with the thought of where this world is going. Agriculture farming is the largest pollutant we currently have by over 50 percent, far more than our travel industry combined. Go vegan, it is the only way to save our planet today.”
Despite facing accusations of hypocrisy due to his Formula One career, Hamilton has been proactive in mitigating his personal environmental impact. He committed to carbon neutrality and emphasized his efforts to reduce air travel, opting for commercial flights more frequently. He told the Sun, “I fly a lot less now. I’m trying to fly less through the year, I’m mostly flying commercial, so that’s been a big change in my habits.”
Lewis’s vegan investments
In 2019, Lewis Hamilton invested in Neat Burger, a pioneering vegan fast food chain based in the UK, marking its ambition to become the first international burger chain of its kind. This initiative has seen the opening of branches in London, New York City, and Dubai, with plans to expand into Italy and the Middle East. The venture has also attracted backing from notable figures like Leonardo DiCaprio.
Hamilton shares his enthusiasm: “I’m very passionate about being kinder to our world and also really respect Neat Burger’s commitment to more ethical practices and supporting small businesses, so this is something I’m also really proud to support. As someone who follows a plant-based diet, I believe we need a healthier high street option that tastes amazing but also offers something exciting to those who want to be meat-free every now and again.”
Neat Burger is strategically located on Princes Street, Westminster, positioning itself as a pioneer in offering tasty, ethical food choices on the high street.
Lewis Hamilton also co-produced the 2018 documentary “The Game Changers,” directed by Louis Psihoyos and produced by James Cameron. The film, available on Netflix, explores the myth that athletes need meat for protein, featuring insights from various sports figures, including Hamilton and Arnold Schwarzenegger, as it follows elite trainer James Wilks around the globe.