Hello, I’m Maria Fernanda Garcia Alves. I’m 24 years old, from Brazil, and I’ve been vegan for four years. I’m also a wheelchair tennis para-athlete and a member of the Brazilian national team. Today, I’d like to share my journey into veganism, my experiences as a para-athlete, and demonstrate that it’s absolutely possible to excel as an athlete at a high level while maintaining a vegan lifestyle. It’s a pleasure to share my story with you!
My Journey in Sports
From a very young age, I knew I would pursue athletics, initially thinking it would be in swimming, which I started at the age of three, while still in preschool.
In January 2005, when I was four years old, my family and I experienced a serious car accident. A runaway pickup truck crossed the median strip and collided head-on with our car. While the seatbelt saved my life, the impact left me paralyzed.
About a year later, with the support of my godmother, I returned to swimming. Swimming provided me with a sense of freedom. At the age of 12, I discovered wheelchair tennis through the same NGO where I swam. Captivated by this new sport and unable to juggle two sports due to school commitments, I transitioned from swimming to tennis, and this passion has profoundly influenced my life ever since.
Where It All Began
The word that defines my introduction to veganism is connection.
Before, I was on autopilot: meat was on my plate and I ate it without thinking about its origin, animal suffering, or the environmental destruction involved. I didn’t make that connection.
One day, I noticed my mother no longer ate meat and I asked her why. Simply and objectively, without pressuring me, she explained that her decision was for the animals. This conversation resonated deeply with me, and from that moment on, I decided that I could no longer contribute to animal suffering.
My Transition to Veganism
To begin, on November 17, 2018, I removed all meats from my plate, becoming ovo-lacto-vegetarian. Two years later, I completed my transition and became vegan. From then on, I began studying the importance of veganism for health, the planet, and most importantly, for the lives of animals. I knew I would face criticism and questions, and that many people would even try to convince me to abandon veganism, so I needed solid arguments.
I received a lot of support from friends and family, but in the sports environment, my workplace, I suffered a lot from tasteless jokes and teasing, and felt misunderstood. In favor of non-violent communication and certain that open and respectful dialogue is always the best path, I spoke with the athletes and coaches, asking for respect for my choice, and I was heard.
Is It Possible To Be a Professional Athlete and Maintain a Plant-Based Diet?
When we decide to change something, regardless of what it is, fear is inevitable. My main fear was not having enough energy to endure games and training. But with a balanced diet rich in plant proteins, I felt a huge difference in my energy and performance on and off the courts. I must emphasize that I had and have the support of my nutritionist, who is an athlete, vegan, and a source of inspiration and assurance that I am on the right path.
My quality of life improved significantly after transitioning to veganism. I felt less inflammation, my gut functioned better, and I felt lighter. My recovery after training and games became much faster, and my performance improved. In addition to saving the lives of animals, which was the main reason for my decision, I realized that veganism gave me a competitive advantage over other athletes because my performance improved greatly. In high-performance sports, every detail matters and makes a big difference.
My Mission
There are several forms of activism, and my activism for veganism is through example, demonstrating the results both on and off the court, and respectful and open dialogue. I show that it is possible to be a high-performance athlete, perform excellently, and be vegan. I always seek to dismantle the idea that veganism and sports cannot go hand in hand, gradually demystifying this belief.
When I step onto the tennis court, I am not just representing the athlete Maria Fernanda Alves or Brazil. I am also representing veganism, demonstrating to the world that all animals’ lives matter. Choosing to exclude them from our plates, clothing, and belongings is a significant decision that benefits not only animals but also humanity and the planet. I take great pride in this commitment and will continue to advocate for it indefinitely.
Thank you for reading!
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