“…my mother started to eat clean whole vegetarian foods and exercise.
She regained her full health and is in remission to this day.”
Name: Zoe Feuerstein
Age: 22
Height: 5’6”
Weight: 130lbs
Birthplace: Seattle, Wa
Current Residence: Issaquah, Wa
Sport: Vegan Bikini Bodybuilding Competitor
Facebook:@zoe.feuerstein
IG: @zoefeuer
Website: bodybyzoellc.com
Q: Tell us a little about yourself.
I am a certified personal trainer with a specialization in athletic
conditioning and nutrition for the average person to the athlete.
My hobbies include getting my sweat on, cooking, writing, and reading up on
the latest training science and behavioral science. Recently I was awarded
Unanimous 1st Placing @ Vancouver Natural USA Championship 2015.
I have a HUGE passion in life for helping people make
transformations to their body, mind, and spirit. I see each client as
a whole person and I connect on a deep level. My passion for training began
when my mom became seriously ill with lupus. Doctors told my family that my mom
was going to die from this illness.
As a result of visiting a naturopath, my mother started to eat clean whole vegetarian foods and exercise.
She regained her full health and is in remission to this day.
It was this powerful example of how focusing on your health can turn your
life around. That spurred my passion to become more than a personal trainer,
but a supporter, an advocate, an example, and an expert in helping others
change their lives via plant-based diet and exercise.
Q: Why did you decide to try a plant-based diet?
I started my plant-based lifestyle at three years-old. I had a
favorite toy chicken and when my mom told me that chicken nuggets were made out
of real chickens I never had meat again.
My upbringing instilled a deep sense of empathy for others and that’s
why I’m 100 percent vegetarian and 80 percent vegan.
Q: How did you become interested in bikini bodybuilding competitions?
As I said above, I’m passionate about fitness and creating positive
change in my own. I’ve see the power of it my whole life.
“It has saved myself, and others, from downward turns in life
such as addiction, depression, and loss of joy.”
I decided to compete because I liked the idea of having a goal that would
test my limits physically, mentally, and expand my knowledge on training
and nutrition. I was inspired by Layne Norton and his clients, such as Femme
Fittale.
I was introduced to them when friends at my local gym suggest that I
compete. I loved that it connected me with others in the industry and
pushed me to be my own personal best.
Q: What exercises would you choose if you could only do three?
Q: How would you describe your nutrition program?
Because I’m a National Level BodyBuilding Bikini Competitor my diet varies between on (fat cutting) and off
(muscle building).
All year I try to avoid:
- Processed
sugars
- Corn syrup
- High amounts
of processed carbs
- Gluten
- GMO’s
All year I try to eat:
- Fiber via
lots of fresh veggies
- Low GI fruits and whole grains
- Lean proteins at each meal
- Small doses
of quality
fats throughout the day
- Spices for
flavor instead of excessive oils and fats
Off-Season/Muscle Building:
- I eat more
carbs, fruits, and fats
- I don’t track
my portions and listen to body as I slowly build up my portion sizes
On-Season/Fat loss:
I replace most grains with greens and up my protein.
Q: What does your daily meal plan look like off-season/muscle
building?
I aim for 130 grams of protein per day, 200-300 grams of carbs,
three servings of fat, and three liters of water per day. I take a
multivitamin, omega 3’s, and 25 grams of fast digesting protein powder for
post-workout.
- Breakfast: Oatmeal, protein powder, berries, and chai seeds.
- Lunch: 1/3
cup tofu or a block of tempeh with 1-2 cups whole grains and greens.
- Dinner: 1/3
cup tofu or a block of tempeh with 1-2 cups whole grains and greens.
Q: What kind of supplements do you use?
- Quest protein bars (plant-based) for food
emergencies
- MRM Veggie
Elite or Raw Fusion Protein Power (mornings and post-workout)
- Omega 3s for
my skin, nails, and joints (also to help lose belly fat)
- Vitamin B and multivitamin
Q: How do people react when they find out you are vegetarian?
They say, “No, Way?! How do you get your protein, I can tell that you
do, but how?”, and “You should eat meat it’s holding you back from being as
good of an athlete.”
Q: What are some common misconceptions about vegetarianism?
The most common one is that were all rigid, judging, weak,
unhealthy, and void of any athletic ability.
People think that we just eat vegetables and grass. They can’t imagine that we
enjoy many restaurants and have more energy than our meat loving friends.
Q: What advice do you have for people who are just starting out
with training?
“Get a quality trainer or coach, even if you can only afford it for a
short amount of time it’s worth ever penny.”
Even one session with a quality trainer will save you months of pointless
efforts in your diet and nutrition. I always ask people, if
you had a sink to fix, but never fixed a sink before, would you try to fix it
yourself or hire a professional to help?
Q: What advice do you have for people who are thinking of
becoming vegetarian?
“Go on Amazon.com and buy some of the highest rated cookbooks. Start
cooking a few vegan meals a week, soon you’ll have a
variety that you love.”
Then the switch is easy. Also learn how to cook legumes, tofu, and tempeh
ASAP, these will be your staple proteins.
For more ideas related to vegan bikini competition prep, watch this
video - How to Prep
for a Bikini Bodybuilding Show as a Vegan
Author
Bio:
Chris
Willitts (creator of V3), is the founder and owner of Vegetarian Bodybuilding.
V3 Vegetarian Bodybuilding System
is a mixture of science and author’s advice, providing users
with optimal diet and exercise. This system is designed for vegans and
vegetarians only.
A
lot of research has been put in this program. Furthermore, a lot of
professional bodybuilders and athletes tried and tested the program, praising
its progressiveness and efficiency.
The
program is about taking control of your own body and health according to your
potential and needs. And worry not; you’ll get plenty of proteins with this
system. It will boost you with energy, and you’ll feel just a strong as any
carnivore would (perhaps even stronger, depending on how much you invest in
your exercise). It avoids vitamins deficiency and provides you with a lot of
proteins, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Instead
of saying things like “I think a plant-based diet is good for athletes and
bodybuilders,” the V3 Vegetarian Bodybuilding System claims “I know a
plant-based diet is good for athletes and bodybuilders, and I have results to
prove it.”
To
find out more, visit the website at V3 Bodybuilding – Vegan Bikini Competition Prep
