Redefining True Strength with Patrik Baboumian and Allied Scholars for Animal Protection
Insights from the September Meeting of the Rochester Area Vegan Society
Speakers and organizers at the September 2025 RAVS meeting.
On September 21, the Rochester Area Vegan Society (RAVS) gathered for its monthly meeting to explore what it really means to live with strength and conviction. The evening featured three powerful voices in the vegan movement:
Patrik Baboumian – Renowned vegan athlete, author, and advocate
Dr. Faraz Harsini – Biomedical & Food Systems Scientist, CEO of Allied Scholars for Animal Protection (ASAP)
Benny Smith – Programs Manager at ASAP
Together, they showed that true strength is not only about physical power. From athletic performance to direct advocacy, the speakers emphasized that choosing a vegan lifestyle supports personal health while also taking a stand against entrenched systems of exploitation.
Patrik Baboumian: Strength Without Sacrifice
Patrik Baboumian, a retired bodybuilder, author, and former Germany’s Strongest Man (2011), is one of the world’s most recognized advocates for plant-based strength. Vegan since 2011, he is also known for his role in the documentary The Game Changers, which challenged the myth that athletes need animal protein to succeed.
RAVS Co-Coordinator Ted Barnett, MD, FACLM with vegan athlete and advocate Patrik Baboumian.
In his talk, “Strength Without Sacrifice: A New Paradigm in Sports Nutrition,” Patrik explained that plant protein is not a limitation but a source of strength:
Many of the strongest animals on Earth, such as oxen, gorillas, and elephants, thrive on plants.
Baboumian set personal records years after going vegan, showing that elite performance is fully compatible with a plant-based diet.
A plant-based diet avoids cholesterol and harmful compounds while still providing all essential nutrients
Patrik reminded us that strength extends beyond sport:
“[True strength is] being an independent thinker, being in line with your values, protecting the vulnerable, and being in service of a greater cause... By going vegan, you are doing all of that in one fell swoop.”
(Learn more about Patrik’s work, books, and coaching at veganbadass.com.)
Allied Scholars for Animal Protection
Benny Smith began the advocacy discussion by sharing his journey from grassroots college activism to supporting student programs nationwide with Allied Scholars for Animal Protection (ASAP). His story illustrated how consistent outreach can turn apathy into awareness, and awareness into action.
Dr. Faraz Harsini, CEO of Allied Scholars for Animal Protection, speaking at the September 2025 RAVS meeting.
Dr. Faraz Harsini, ASAP’s CEO, expanded on why college campuses are critical for change. Universities shape the doctors, policymakers, and leaders of tomorrow. Engaging students at this stage helps ensure that the next generation does not blindly accept the use of animals as normal or inevitable.
ASAP equips students with resources, training, and support to challenge cultural assumptions and engage in effective vegan advocacy.
Through campus events, campaigns, and dialogue, ASAP creates opportunities for reflection and reevaluation, empowering people to recognize the ethical implications of exploiting animals for food, clothing, or profit.
Veganism as a Moral Urgency
The September RAVS meeting underscored that concerns about protein on a whole-food, plant-based diet are misplaced. Patrik Baboumian’s record-setting career illustrates what research has consistently shown: a plant-based diet can provide all the nutrition needed to support strength and vitality at every stage of life.
Once concerns about nutritional adequacy are set aside, what remains is the obligation to act.
As Dr. Harsini explained, delaying the transition to a plant-based food system comes at an immense cost. Millions of animals are killed every day, yet this scale of violence is so normalized it rarely registers in public consciousness.
The path forward is clear. It begins with adopting a plant-based diet, but it does not end there. By living its benefits and sharing them openly, we can lead by example and help others make the connection, creating the momentum for change.
Take the Next Step
If you’re inspired by this month’s RAVS discussion, here are some ways to get involved:
Join the Rochester Area Vegan Society (RAVS) → Become a member for access to monthly events, community connections, and discounts on books and resources.
Support Allied Scholars for Animal Protection (ASAP) → Learn more and donate to help expand student-led vegan advocacy on campuses nationwide.
Explore Plant-Based Living with RLMI → Join the RLMI Community and try the 15-Day Whole-Food Plant-Based Jumpstart for guided support in transitioning to a healthier, plant-centered lifestyle.
Next RAVS Meeting: Join us in October for Alternatives to Animal Testing in Biomedical Research with Alexis Feidler, University of Rochester Neuroscience PhD candidate. Visit rochesterveg.org for details.
