Description
A “wake you up” manifesto and plant-based lifestyle plan to buck the system that keeps us fat, sick, and tired—from the Badass Vegan.
As John Lewis, aka “The Badass Vegan,” says, when most people meet him, vegan isn’t the first word that comes to mind. He’s six-foot-six, African American, with the build of a guy who played Division I college basketball. Not bad for someone who hasn’t had any animal protein in fifteen years.
Lewis became a plant-based eater when he saw how the conventional American diet was utterly failing his community. As he describes, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and chronic pain are killing Black people faster than any gun. The issue of food injustice is huge and complex, but as Lewis tells his strong community of followers, one solution is simple: Wake up now and do better in your own life. Want to give the middle finger to the processed food and pharmaceutical industries that are keeping you fat, sick, and tired? Go plant-based.
Badass Vegan offers an irreverent and eye-opening four-part master plan to help readers shift their mindset and enjoy the massive health benefits and pure pleasures of a plant-based lifestyle. Lewis demystifies going vegan and makes it realistic—even if you’re intimidated by a whole avocado (Lewis once was, too)—with rock-solid advice on stocking a pantry, getting your nutrients, building strength, shedding excess weight, and ultimately creating sustainable change for a lifetime of health. Complete with 75 recipes for delicious food that’ll keep you motivated, from Jack U Up Street Tacos to Cucumber Watermelon Smoothies and Kimchi Nori Maki Rolls, Badass Vegan is a timely and profoundly needed manifesto for living a life with a lower risk for disease and making a positive impact on the world.
About the Author
Shaquille O'Neal is one of the world’s most successful athletes-turned-businesspeople, whose accomplishments on and off the court have translated into his highly sought-after consumer brand. As an entrepreneur, sports analyst, DJ, restaurateur, and brand ambassador, O’Neal brings his signature “Business of Fun” mantra to each of his endeavors.
The fifteen-time NBA All-Star’s unprecedented athletic career spanned nearly two decades and earned him countless awards and honors, including NBA Most Valuable Player, NBA Rookie of the Year, four NBA championships, and a first ballot NBA Hall of Famer. Currently, O’Neal is an analyst on TNT’s Emmy Award–winning Inside the NBA. O’Neal, who has a PhD in leadership and education, established The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation, which provides resources for underserved youth. He also gives back through a number of annual philanthropic programs, including Shaq-to-School, Shaqsgiving, and Shaq-a-Claus.
The launch of his Las Vegas eatery Big Chicken further elevated O’Neal’s visibility as a successful restaurateur. In 2015, O’Neal partnered with Authentic Brands Group (ABG), a brand development, marketing, and entertainment company. The transformative alliance focuses on managing and growing O’Neal’s brand around the world and building on his legacy through strategic partnerships that tap into his tremendous personality and broad appeal.
Rachel Holtzman is a former book editor turned cookbook coauthor.
Matthew Silverman and Matthew Piekarski are Shaquille O’Neal’s executive chef partners.
Eva Kolenko is a food-centric, lifestyle, portrait, and travel photographer whose work has been featured in many print and digital advertising campaigns, magazines, and cookbooks. She is based in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she also pursues her passion for kitchen gardening.