Interviewer: Jill Edwards, MS, DipACLM
Olympian: Scott Stoll, MD, FABPMR
Q: Can you share with us your journey to becoming an Olympic bobsledder and how that experience has influenced your approach to health and nutrition?
Dr. Stoll: It was a childhood dream come true to walk into the opening ceremonies in 1994 that started with a passion for sprinting and watching bobsledding as a little boy. In 1992, I was watching the Olympics with a friend and I said, “I’ve always wanted to bobsled.” My friend called the Olympic training center and the next thing I knew, I was off to participate in a tryout for the bobsled team. I scored well enough that I made it to the push trials and eventually on to the World Cup circuit and Olympics. Looking back, I realize that I thought I understood nutrition and performance but I was listening to locker room science and didn’t understand how powerfully nutrition can optimize cell function, boost immune function and support and prevent injuries.
Q: What inspired you to transition to a plant-based diet, and how did you initially adjust your nutrition to support your athletic performance?
Dr. Stoll: Unfortunately, I didn’t learn about the performance advantage of a whole food, plant-based diet (WFPBD) until after my Olympic days. It was my patient’s need to improve their own daily “performance” that inspired me to dive into the science and discover the secret for all groups, more plants, better performance, health, vitality, energy balance, immunity, and strength.
Q: Can you describe any noticeable changes in your performance, recovery, and overall health after adopting a plant-based diet?
Dr. Stoll: Today I feel better on a WFPBD than I did at age 30 with reduced soreness after exercise, quicker recovery, fewer injuries and when I am injured I recover quickly, more rapid strength gains, and better endurance to name just a few.
Q: Could you walk us through a typical day of eating for you during your training? How do you ensure you’re getting all the necessary nutrients to support your athletic needs?
Dr. Stoll: The good news is that if you are eating enough calories from a diverse WFPBD, you will generally meet all the macro and micronutrient needs of your body. Protein sources like beans, seeds, tofu/edamame and all plants supply the protein – packed with fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals and, importantly, without the saturated fat, cholesterol, and inflammatory components of animal products.
Q: What advice would you give to athletes who are considering a plant-based diet but are concerned about maintaining their strength and endurance?
Dr. Stoll: Remember that a carefully planned WFPBD, taking time to plan for well balanced meals, is a competitive advantage. If you take the time to try it for 2-4 weeks, you will never want to go back to your previous diet.
Q: Could you share your favorite pre- and post-workout plant-based meals that help fuel your training sessions and aid in recovery?
Dr. Stoll: I love smoothies for both pre and post meals, complete with greens, small amounts of frozen fruit, some nut butter or tofu post workout for calories and protein. Some add-ins like organic cocoa powder and dates can add delicious flavor and nutritional punch.
Q: In your opinion, how does a plant-based diet impact an athlete’s career longevity and risk of injury?
Dr. Stoll: There is a growing body of evidence that a plant-based diet prevents and protects against injuries, improves blood supply, adds elasticity to tissue, enhances mitochondrial function (power generators of the cell), and mobilizes the cells involved in supporting and repairing cartilage.
Q: Beyond your personal achievements, how are you using your platform to advocate for plant-based nutrition in the athletic community, and what resources do you recommend for athletes interested in making the transition?
Dr. Stoll: Through a partnership between The Plantrician Project and Switch For Good, we are launching a new workshop called Project Adapt at the annual International Plant-Based Nutrition Healthcare Conference to help spread the good news and solid science about plant-based nutrition and human performance.
A fantastic resource that I had the honor to contribute to is “Let The Plant-based Games Begin” which was written in collaboration with the International Olympic Committee to serve as the definitive playbook to help athletes make the transition successfully. A team of doctors, nutritionists and dietitians provide scientific evidence that reassures athletes that they’ll get more than enough protein, carbohydrates and healthy fats to enhance their athletic performance while their research reveals that eating plants will significantly speed up recovery time, reduce inflammation, and help alleviate muscle and joint soreness.
Scott Stoll, MD, FABPMR
Dr. Stoll is board certified physician specializing in sports and regenerative musculoskeletal medicine and is a recognized as an international leader in lifestyle medicine and whole food plant-based nutrition. He is the co-founder of the Plantrician Project, the International Plant Based Nutrition Healthcare Conference, the International Journal of Disease Reversal and Prevention, and the Regenerative Health Institute, a unique collaborative project with the Rodale Institute that integrates a regenerative vision of human health, agriculture, and the environment. He was a member of the 1994 Olympic Bobsled team and served as a team physician for the United States Bobsled and Skeleton Team and Lehigh University. Dr. Stoll served as a member of the Whole Foods scientific and medical advisory board and consults with healthcare organizations globally to integrate lifestyle medicine solutions.
