Top performance without meat: how CrossFitter Maddie Stewart excels on a vegetarian diet

In a sport built on strength, endurance and recovery, a meat-heavy diet can seem like a given for most athletes. Yet CrossFit athlete Maddie Stewart proves otherwise. For five years she has followed a vegetarian diet, and with multiple CrossFit Games appearances to her name, she demonstrates that top-level performance is perfectly compatible with a plant-based approach.

Vegetarian at the elite level: not a restriction, but a choice
In a recent interview, Stewart confirmed she has avoided meat for years. The switch took some getting used to at first, but it is now fully woven into her daily routine.

"It was mainly an adjustment in the beginning," she says. "Now it's just normal and easy."

Where many athletes worry about potential nutritional deficiencies, Stewart sees no issue. In her view, getting enough protein is straightforward, as long as you eat mindfully and plan your meals well.

What does her diet look like?
The foundation of Stewart's diet closely resembles that of most CrossFitters, with one key difference: meat is replaced.

Breakfast: usually eggs and standard sports nutrition
Lunch and dinner: similar to conventional meals, but with tofu instead of chicken or beef
Supplements: protein shakes to ensure adequate protein intake

Tofu plays a central role as her primary protein source, keeping her nutrition practical and familiar without complex dietary structures.

Protein without meat: how realistic is it?
The fitness world still widely assumes that animal protein is essential for muscle building. Stewart's results challenge that notion. She emphasises that total intake and consistency are what matter most.

"I get more than enough protein when I want to," she says.

This underlines a growing trend: even within high-performance sport, plant-based and vegetarian athletes are increasingly competing at the highest level.

A growing movement in CrossFit
Stewart is not alone. The conversation also touches on other athletes, including James Newbury, who has eaten a (partly) vegetarian diet during his career. While it remains far from mainstream within CrossFit, a growing number of athletes are experimenting with less or no meat.

This shift fits into a broader trend across elite sport, where nutrition is increasingly tailored to performance, recovery and individual lifestyle choices.

More than just diet
What makes Stewart's story particularly compelling is that her diet does not appear to limit her performance in any way. She recently finished near the top of the leaderboard and is targeting a podium finish at the CrossFit Games this year.

That makes her a powerful example for athletes who are uncertain about going vegetarian: it does not have to mean compromising on strength, recovery or competitive ability.

Conclusion
Maddie Stewart shows that a vegetarian diet is not an obstacle, but a fully viable choice within elite sport. With the right nutritional strategy, sufficient protein and a practical approach, you can compete at the highest level without meat.

For CrossFitters, and athletes in general, the message is clear: it's not about what you leave out, but about what you smartly add in. 💪