Community Highlights: Meet Steve Hess of The Militant Vegan

Today we’d like to introduce you to Steve Hess.  

Hi Steve, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ll start my story by telling you how and why I got into fitness and veganism. Growing up, I had an early fascination with martial arts. I started strength training when I was 18 because I was tired of my older brother outmuscling me. I had a pretty standard American diet as a kid, and I cringe today at some foods I would put in my mouth. I was fortunate to work at a GNC while earning my finance degree at Georgia State University. At GNC, I learned a lot about nutrition and diets and how it impacts our performance. That’s when I started questioning the commercial food system and began to have a general concern for the well-being of animals that I was blindly consuming. I began feeling guilty about eating meat, so I stopped eating beef and pork when I was 24. It was also around that time that I followed my desire to be stronger or more physically capable, so I started training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. 

After graduating from college, I worked in finance in corporate America for about six years. I was still active in martial arts and strength training while fighting in amateur MMA events in the Southwest. I realized my passion didn’t lie with finance, so I decided to make a career change that involved the things I loved doing. I became a full-time personal trainer in 2010 and had no regrets. I don’t view my work as work, as I generally care about my clients and helping them achieve. 

I became a vegan at 34 years old, cutting out eggs and dairy as the last animal products in my diet. I am currently 43 years old and in better shape than my 20s. I achieved my second-degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2022 after 19 years. I competed as a professional MMA fighter on a vegan diet. Over the last 20 years, I have learned more about myself through my training journey and becoming vegan. It has forced me to be a better person, and I strongly value integrity, honesty, compassion, respect, and empathy towards others. I think there is a movement growing of people starting to wake up about the state of the world and realize that things need to change. 

I believe there is a direct connection between what people eat and how they feel. I think that I can offer a voice to those seeking help by becoming a part of this movement with a spiritual element that I am passionate about. I truly believe one of the reasons I’m on this Earth is to help raise the vibration of the planet in my way by guiding others to be their best selves. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
No, I would say nothing I have earned in life, whether through martial arts or business, has been easy! Both require discipline and mental fortitude that can handle adversity and set back. There have been many ups and downs. 

I can think of one recent setback with a tech issue with my website: I lost business because it wasn’t working correctly. I found this out the hard way through upset customers. 

Setbacks like this are common and almost expected. You find a way to find a solution. 

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about The Militant Vegan?
The Militant Vegan is a plant-based/vegan supplement and health company. Founder Steve Hess formulated The Militant Vegan protein powder based on his experience competing for pro-MMA as a vegan athlete. The powder is organic, has no fillers or chemicals, and sells in recyclable kraft bags containing no plastic waste. 

Steve created the formulation based on his experience competing as a professional MMA fighter on a vegan diet. 

In addition to protein powder, Steve offers in-person coaching and online nutrition and training. 

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I am in different networking groups and pay for coaching in other areas such as marketing. I am currently in a paid online group for marketing 

Pricing:

• $35 Small Bag Of Plant-Based Protein
• $65 Large Bag of Plant-Based Protein
• $5 Single Serve Plant Based Protein Packet
• $1500 Three-Month Online Nutrition Program

Contact Info:

• Website: www.themilitantvegan.com
• Instagram: the.militantvegan
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steve.hess.188