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Food Fight: My Plant Powered Journey from the Bingo Halls to the Big Time
Over the course of his championship pro wrestling career, Austin Aries has become known for his high-flying athletic skills - and for being the rare vegetarian in a world full of meat eaters. In this revealing memoir, Austin recounts his all-American Midwest upbringing, his less-than-legal post-college career choices, the life-changing moment when he began his wrestling training, and the adventures he encountered over his decade-long rise through the ranks of the indie wrestling world. Along the way, Austin also details his ongoing food education and the personal awakening that gradually led him to swear off eating any and all animal products. But this book is not about veganism. It's not really about wrestling, either. It's about a decision every person has to make: Will you blindly color inside the lines that society has drawn for you? Or will you question the system, think for yourself, and have the bravery to make your own rules? Whether you’re ready or not, “Food Fight” just might change your life! About the Authors: Austin Aries has been a professional wrestler for more than a decade. Known as “The Greatest Man That Ever Lived,” over the course of his career on the independent scene Aries won multiple championships, most notably in TNA (World Heavyweight, World Tag Team, and 6-time X Division Champion) and Ring of Honor (twice). He has been a vegetarian for over a decade and a vegan since 2011. Mike Tully is a New York Times bestselling writer.
175 pages, Hardcover
Published March 1, 2017
1 person is currently reading
27 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 23, 2017
Food Fight: My Plant-Powered Journey from the Bingo Halls to the Big Time is a very intriguing marriage of professional wrestling and nutrition guided by Austin Aries’ views on the American food system, his path to plant-based eating, and his personal story of how he became a professional wrestler. As a personal trainer, health coach, and an advocate of healthy living, as well as an avid wrestling fan for thirty years, I found the book resonated with my personal wellness path while at the same time providing some cool insight into the life of a professional wrestler. I have read at least 20 other wrestling autobiographies as well as countless health and wellness volumes from prominent doctors and researchers, and Food Fight has to be the only book in existence that combines these two genres in an in-your-face, matter-of-fact manner. Aries does not hold back any punches as he dissects the major issues with today’s American food system.
In the first half of the book, the reader is afforded a candid look into the upbringing of Aries and the different life events that lead to him becoming a professional wrestler. Running parallel with his journey into the world of pro wrestling is the process of how Aries transformed from a blind consumer of the modern American diet to a conscious vegan.
The second half of the book is a discourse on food and the problematic American diet. Through his path into plant-based eating, Aries provides a compelling argument for a healthier way of life. Aries delves deeply into the consumption of animal products, preservatives in manmade foods, food industry propaganda, and other issues with today’s food system, contrasting that with a healthier way of eating. What differentiates Food Fight from other health/nutrition books is that the author clearly identifies his personal health path, which is easy for the reader to relate to. My personal journey has led to a life as a pescatarian, and it was similar to Aries’ journey, a slow and steady transformation instead of the all-or-nothing, quick-change approach to dietary modification that tends to lead to failure. Like any life journey, events happen along the way which shape who we are, what we believe, and how we live our lives. Austin Aries clearly outlines his path-altering events that led to a plant-based way of life and seems hopeful that his story can be the spark that helps the reader take a deeper look into their way of eating.
Most individuals find it very difficult to grasp the association between the food they consume and how it affects every cell in their body. Considering that, it is even more difficult to get the idea across that what we choose to eat every day is the most important decision that we make. Food Fight does an admirable job attempting to get these concepts across in a no holds barred fashion. For a compelling look into the American food system, a journey into the mysteries of professional wrestling, and one athlete’s path to a plant-based, health conscious way of living, give Food Fight an honest read, it’ll be worth your time.
In the first half of the book, the reader is afforded a candid look into the upbringing of Aries and the different life events that lead to him becoming a professional wrestler. Running parallel with his journey into the world of pro wrestling is the process of how Aries transformed from a blind consumer of the modern American diet to a conscious vegan.
The second half of the book is a discourse on food and the problematic American diet. Through his path into plant-based eating, Aries provides a compelling argument for a healthier way of life. Aries delves deeply into the consumption of animal products, preservatives in manmade foods, food industry propaganda, and other issues with today’s food system, contrasting that with a healthier way of eating. What differentiates Food Fight from other health/nutrition books is that the author clearly identifies his personal health path, which is easy for the reader to relate to. My personal journey has led to a life as a pescatarian, and it was similar to Aries’ journey, a slow and steady transformation instead of the all-or-nothing, quick-change approach to dietary modification that tends to lead to failure. Like any life journey, events happen along the way which shape who we are, what we believe, and how we live our lives. Austin Aries clearly outlines his path-altering events that led to a plant-based way of life and seems hopeful that his story can be the spark that helps the reader take a deeper look into their way of eating.
Most individuals find it very difficult to grasp the association between the food they consume and how it affects every cell in their body. Considering that, it is even more difficult to get the idea across that what we choose to eat every day is the most important decision that we make. Food Fight does an admirable job attempting to get these concepts across in a no holds barred fashion. For a compelling look into the American food system, a journey into the mysteries of professional wrestling, and one athlete’s path to a plant-based, health conscious way of living, give Food Fight an honest read, it’ll be worth your time.
February 10, 2018
Was very short and had to import this from the states so was quite expensive.
I love Austin Aries and is generally one the best of all time who should be a household name. However although I did enjoy finding out why he turned to wrestling, his criminal past and who he started in the business with. But unfortunately this is less about his experience in wrestling and stories from the road and more about his decision to go vegan and his diet.
It’s a shame as was looking forward to hearing about his time in ROH and the rivalry with Age of the Fallen but I didn’t really get much out of this book.
I love Austin Aries and is generally one the best of all time who should be a household name. However although I did enjoy finding out why he turned to wrestling, his criminal past and who he started in the business with. But unfortunately this is less about his experience in wrestling and stories from the road and more about his decision to go vegan and his diet.
It’s a shame as was looking forward to hearing about his time in ROH and the rivalry with Age of the Fallen but I didn’t really get much out of this book.
June 1, 2025
Good read. Very thoughtful subject.
Have met Austin Aries on a couple of occasions and he is an absolute gent and happy to talk about the subject of veganism and not try and force it down your throat and make a debate from it about what is right or wrong.
Have met Austin Aries on a couple of occasions and he is an absolute gent and happy to talk about the subject of veganism and not try and force it down your throat and make a debate from it about what is right or wrong.
December 21, 2017
Trying a plant based diet next year!
August 30, 2017
Wanted a lot more wrestling stories. His journey to veganism was interesting though and he's a great advocate for ethics and animals rights while also promoting the health side. He's one of my faves so I will check out the future books he hinted at writing.
July 2, 2018
Bought it to learn a little more about my friend Austin Aries. Didn't expect to learn as much as I did. I can't say I'll go vegan tomorrow, but I am going to try to make a concerted effort to be more conscious about what I put in my body.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews