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AUSTIN, Texas — A vegan fitness guru says the perception that a plant-based diet is “feminine” is wrong and blames BBQ culture for stopping men from giving up meat. Scott Burgett adds he was the “typical omnivore” before he saw a Netflix documentary which changed his whole outlook.
The 33-year-old father of one went vegan in 2016 and says he’s now in the best shape of his life. The Austin, Texas native now wants to show other men that veganism doesn’t decrease your “manhood.”
“Men are afraid to lose identity as a man. Most men make fun of it,” the fitness coach says in an online video.
“Meat is usually associated with BBQs and there is this huge masculine culture that men grill. They interpret veganism as being a sissy and feminine. It’s the fear to lose their manhood. They are afraid of being made fun of. The fear of judgement.”
After watching the documentary “Cowspiracy” with his wife, Cally, Scott threw all their meat and dairy out and has lived off a plant-based diet ever since.
“I saw the scene with all they show the fate of chickens. It floored me. I started balling,” Burgett says. “I just thought, ‘We’re done’. I made the decision to clean out all of the freezer and fridge.”
Fitness-obsessed Scott now helps others get fit on a vegan diet. However, he is raising his son, Shepp, to eat both meat and vegan food so he can “decide when he’s older” and be “raised to think independently.” His wife Cally has now reverted to a “flexitarian” diet.
“We’re going to raise him and expose him to both,” Scott continues. “Cally and I can be different and still make it work.”
Since going vegan, Scott says he feels physically and mentally in the “best” shape.
“I’m in the best shape I have been. Aesthetically and in mind. I show up with energy.”
The fitness coach does a range of physical activity from four workouts a week to walks, yoga, and volleyball sessions.
“I seek out activity. A lot of vegans can be aggressive. My goal is to show you how good you can look and feel. I’m not shaming you – it’s not going to help. Every step counts.”
South West News Service writer Emma Dunn contributed to this report.
