Meet 5 Vegans Who Are More Badass Than You

People have a tendency to think of vegans as annoying, West Coast hippies who only want to destroy the dining world as you know it. People just assume they’re frail, meek, mumbly softies who, in a nasally voice, ask, “Oh no, is there cream in this?” But those are just (lazy) stereotypes. To further prove the point, here are five tough, wild, and/or reckless dudes you had no idea were vegans. They should definitely remain near the bottom of your list of desired enemies.

1. RZA
Rapper

Wu-Tang Clan’s de facto leader is a notable vegan, having even worked with Peta to promote the meatless lifestyle. In one interview with the animal rights organization, the hip-hop innovator said, “I don’t need a dead animal or dead piece of flesh to go into my live body. There’s nothing on this planet that doesn’t want to live. I had animals as friends. They was happy to see me in their own animal way. I’m quite sure they did not want to be on my plate.” He also once rapped, “Ruler Zig-Zag-Zig Allah jam is fatal, quick to stick my Wu-Tang sword right through your navel.” Rza ain’t nuthing ta f’ wit.

2. Steve-O
Stuntman

The assumed indestructible Jackass star actually became a vegan because of his crew’s antics. Typing veganism into his desire to get clean, the wildman explained to Rolling Stone that he was doing so many drugs that he was hearing voices, finally watching a Krishna monk discussing “how it’s difficult for Westerners to be saved because there’s such little respect for life on the planet.” He ultimately found his developing belief system inconsistent with the way Jackass that messed animals in their hijinks. He’s since narrated a video for Farm Sanctuary, a group that saves farm animals from the slaughterhouse.

3. Samuel L. Jackson
Actor

Inspired after reading Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn’s book Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease: The Revolutionary, Scientifically Proven, Nutrition-Based Cure, the authoritative performer cited health reasons for going vegan, adding that he was “just trying to live forever.” He also lost a considerable amount of weight because of the diet, and Nick Fury only seems to be getting tougher.

4. John Joseph
Musician

Fronting a hardcore band that came out of 1980s New York is a pretty immediate hand-over of cred. Add in some love for practicing boxing and you’ve got the on-and-off singer for the Cro-Mags. He’s also written a book called Meat is for Pussies: A How-To Guide for Dudes Who Want to Get Fit, Kick Ass, and Take Names, which is pretty self-explanatory.

5. Jake Shields
MMA Fighter

Typically vegan (definitely vegetarian), the welterweight strongman is open about his day-to-day diet to show the challenges of getting so much protein without compromising a healthy lifestyle. His food intake wasn’t the starting point though, as he explained, “I never even really thought about eating meat. It’s something that always seemed a little gross to me, especially with the way animals are treated and what not. The older I got, the more I started doing a little research, and started realizing all the health benefits as well.”