Austin Aries on ‘WrestleMania 33,’ Healthy Eating and His Life

Austin Aries is a man destined for greatness. He has competed all over the world to create a name for himself. Now that he has successfully done that and requires time off to heal, he is working on the promotion of his upcoming book titled ‘FOOD FIGHT: My Plant Powered Journey from the Bingo Halls to the Big Time.’

Austin Aries spoke with Sporting News to promote his new book, speaking about ‘WrestleMania 33,’ healthy eating and his life decisions and how they’ve impacted his career.

Neville vs. Austin Aries - WWE Cruiserweight Title Match: WrestleMania 33 Kickoff

The video above features the match between WWE Cruiserweight Champion Neville and Austin Aries, the number one contender back at ‘WrestleMania 33’ earlier this year, just in case you want a reminder of the talent both of these men possess or did not see it.

Aries first reflects on his decision to give up meat, dairy products and eggs years ago.

“I think when it first started, back in 2000, like anything else, people met me with some skepticism and figured it was a fad or we’ll see how long you can do without that. Then over time as I stuck with it, it changed more intro intrigue and people becoming more inquisitive like ‘how to you do it? What do you eat?’”

Next, he spoke about where he grew up and the perception he was to follow.

“I grew up in every town USA in the Midwest where a lot of people have this blueprint mapped out for you for how you’re supposed to live your life. You see it all around you so if you think outside that box or you question if that’s the only way to have a happy ending, so to speak, you’ll get different kinds of pushback or the contrary. My mom has supported me with whatever I wanted to do as long as I was happy. I think that’s what it’s really about.”

Aries spoke about what you put in your body and how you should be observant of it.

“When some seeds were planted when it came to food, again, always kind of outside the box, anti-establishment kind of mindset, and when I started peeling back from layers on food and started seeing the realities on what to put in front of us, it was pretty eye-opening. I kept digging more and when I pulled my head out of the sand and connected the dots, I couldn’t go back and pretend I didn’t know just how bad these options were that we’re being programmed to eat.”

Aries explains that after watching a ‘Forks and Knives’ documentary, he finally decided to make the full switch to a plant-based diet.

“I would tell people the difficult part is having the conviction that it’s important enough to stick with it. I think that’s with anything in life. Once you decide something is important to you or you give it value, you put it on your priority list. Then I think it’s not as difficult because you’re motivated to make it easier.”

He explains that people wanting to follow him in eating more plant-based food should take it one step at a time.

“For most people, you’re going to be a lot more successful if you say I’m going to take one day a week and try to do a meatless Monday like a lot of people do. Or pick a meal a day, lunches, where I’m going to try and do without any animal products, and do it that way and build from there than try to go all-in without the knowledge or tools because you’re going to fail.”

Aries explains that he hates to see unhealthy people and wants everybody to be as healthy as he is. Following a diet such as his own promotes good health.

“That I think, in some weird way, there’s been a connection between being on the road and having a small influence to maybe that 8 or 10-year-old who when he learns that Austin Aries is vegan and doesn’t even know what that is but he starts looking that up and maybe it plants a seed for him that sprouts later in life kind of like how I had seeds planted for me.”

Aries speaks next about getting to walk down the ramp and face Neville for the Cruiserweight Championship at ‘WrestleMania 33’ earlier this year.

“Getting to be the first superstar to walk out there that night in front of an amped-up crowd was a really special moment,” said Aries. “I definitely was fueled up with a couple of bananas. I had an extra banana or two before I went out there to make sure my potassium and energy levels were at their peak. It was really special.”

Finally, he explains what he does on television when not in a wrestling role.

“You got The New Day and they’re pushing sugary cereal on the kids and I’m trying to tell the kids to have a banana and be a good role model. I always make the kids say please and thank you for pictures and autographs. I especially make the parents say please. I’m just trying to spread some manners and spread some healthy eating. There’s nothing wrong with that. I know in today’s society that probably makes you a bad guy but whatever.”

You can purchase Aries’ new book here or see a ten-page preview here.

Editor’s Note:

Aries is one of my favorite Cruiserweight competitors. I am a big believer in the division and in him. I am most certainly purchasing the book. Should I review it for the website? Let us know in the comments on our various social media and the site itself.

Are you going to purchase Aries’ book? What do you think of his stance on healthy eating? Let us know in the comments below or over on our Facebook page or Twitter account. Additionally, you can find me on Twitter at @SOSNH1995.