Lean & Green: Jake Shields

TheDiscerningBrute — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 05:23:16 +0000

He's anything but beefy. Jake Shields is the clean cut, handsome, Mixed Martial Arts champ that has more buzz floating around him than a beehive. Raised in the mountains of northern California, home-schooled, and brought up vegetarian since birth, Jake is rocking both the MMA world and the vegetarian community. He is the Elite XC Welterweight Champion, and he holds one of only three Gracie Jiu-Jitsu black belts ever earned. Jake voted Yes on Prop 2 in California, and he's just opened his own gym in Berkley, where he teaches jiu jitsu and plans on taking his career all the way to the top. Like Mac Danzig and the Diaz brothers, Jake Shields is yet another pro fighter responding to the cliché myth that vegetarians are weak with a swift kick to the head. I got a chance to catch up with Jake recently about fighting, food, and teaching. Here is the interview:

Discerning Brute: Why do you fight? Jake Shields: I've always loved to compete and MMA is competition to the max. DB: There are so many myths about being vegetarian like you can't get enough protein or you will be sick and weak. How would you respond to this as an athlete? JS: Well I'm a life-long vegetarian and the diet obviously works. I also have two brothers that are strong and healthy. But you do have to have a good balanced diet and eat healthy foods. There's plenty of ways to get protein other than eating meat.

DB: What was it like growing up veg? JS: Never really felt any different. I never thought anything about it and nobody ever bothered me about it. DB: What's been your greatest accomplishment as an athlete? JS: A lot of different things come to mind in grappling and MMA. But winning the RUMBLE ON THE ROCK TOURNAMENT was probably one of the best. It was an eight man tournament with 5 top ten fighters, Anderson Silva, Frank Trigg, Yushin Okami, Carlos Condit, Dave Menne & Renato Verissimo. I fought two really tough fights in one night against Yushim Okami and Carlos Condit in the finals.

DB: What kind of slack have you taken from teammates or opponents about your veg diet? Was your lifestyle ever an issue with your trainers or coaches? JS: I haven't really ever had any problem with anyone about my diet. The only problem is sometimes it's hard to find good food when I'm traveling. DB: What advice would you give anyone who wants to start training in martial arts? JS: Find a good school and go for it. Train hard.

DB: What other veg fighters have you met or do you know. Is there a camaraderie there? JS: There's actually a number of them. Nick and Nate Diaz are practically vegetarian. There's a lot of camaraderie among all the fighters, veggie or not. DB: Would you consider fighting Mac Danzing in a VeggieBattle? That would be fun! Ya, that'd be great--then I'd be King of the Vegie Fighters! But he'd have to come up, I'm not going down in weight.

DB: What's next in your plans. Do you have an ultimate goal? A retirement plan? JS: I just want to fight the best and be the best. I really love fighting. I won't be retiring until I don't love it anymore. I also like to teach. I've been teaching Gracie jiu jitsu and MMA since 2002 and just opened my own gym in Berkley a couple of weeks ago. DB:Complete the sentence: In a perfect world... JS: ...I'll be the UFC Champion next year. For more info on Jake, click:

DB's Etiquette Recommendation: There are tons of resources for vegan MMA Gear. Both Vitamins & Minerals of Brazil, and Everlast make decent non-leather MMA gloves. In addition, Combat Sport International, has 3 styles of vegan gloves, and UFC has several vegan gloves.

Fresh Friday Finds

TheDiscerningBrute — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 14:04:07 +0000

1. Hipster: The Dead End of Western Civilization Amazing article from Adbusters on the counter-cultural void that is Hipsterdom.

2. The Vegan Collection Affordable, sweatshop-fee, vegan shoes for men. The Vegan Collection is versatile - dress it up with a suit, or go with a pair of jeans. They're under $50, and 25% of profit goes to animal advocacy.

3. Hey Alaska, Stop Murdering Wolves! As many Alaskans already learned via media reports, 14 one-month old wolf pups recently were killed by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game in a practice known as "denning". Denning is the practice of killing wolves in or around their den, in this case by shooting them in the head. 14 adults were also killed. Please, as soon as possible, contact Alaska Governor Sarah Palin expressing your objections to this unethical and illegal decimation of Alaska's wolf population. 4. Green Depot Perhaps an alternative to Home Depot (formerly known for it's use of old-growth timber, and now it rampant greenwashing - among other shady practices) can inspire people to consider the enviroment when making home repairs and adjustments. Green Depot promises to be a good steward...that is aside from those "eco-friendly" insect killers and wool rugs. Maybe the best solution is to just not buy anything new at all. Check out Build It Green in New York - an entirely recycled/thrift Depot-style, DIY store.

5. Vegan, Lesbian Hollywood Wedding! Newlyweds and newly-vegans Ellen Degeneres and Portia De Rossi got married and had a totally vegan wedding featuring a vegan red velvet cake by Sweet Lady Jane. How was I not invited?

6. Fur Real?

Gwyneth Paltrow recently turned stomachs when she appeared draped in fur and exotic skins in a campaign for Tod's. The strangest thing about it is that she surrounds herself with vegan and vegetarian friends and family including her very own vegetarian husband Chris Martin of Coldplay. Friend Stella McCartney is pissed, Moby is pissed, and I am pissed too. Vaginally and anally electrocuting a struggling fox until it is dead is the furthest thing from sexy. Hey Gwyneth, you might want to brutally bludgeon and stomp my dog, then turn him into a giant set of furry ear-plugs to block out all the shit you're gonna hear for doing this campaign.

7. AuH2O

New York's East Village is home to the recycled eco-boutique AuH2O. They even do custom alternations on the spot with no charge!

84 E. 7th St. (b/t 1st and 2nd Ave) New York, NY 10003 (212) 466-0844 E-mail: kate@auh2odesigns.com

8. Star Wars' Environmentalist Origin

Derrick Jensen is an amazing, truthful, and brilliant writer. But comedian? Who knew? Derrick files his grievances with the ineffectiveness of "non-violent civil disobedience" and many other the useless hoops activists jump through to change those who are destroying the planet. 9. Need a reason to boycott the Olympics? How about several reasons...?

10. Olympic Judo Medalist is Vegan. NBA star is Vegetarian.

I can't tell you how many times people insist that it is not possible to be a veg athlete. Who was the first NBA player to win championships with three different teams? If you said John Salley, then bravo. But you know what else John Salley is? A vegetarian. Also, Beijing 2008 Gold Medalist Ronda Rousey, who is the first US woman to win an Olympic medal in Judo, is a vegan. Click here to learn about other veg athletes.

The Discerning Brute: fashion, food & etiquette for the ethically handsome man » vegetarian athlete

Lean & Green: Jake Shields

Fresh Friday Finds