In this episode, Chris and Shanna interview James Wilks, retired UFC Fighter and Producer from the documentary The Game Changers. 

James was born and raised in England and began experimenting with martial arts at a young age. He progressed to become a black belt in both Taekwondo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and would go on to compete on the reality TV show The Ultimate Fighter, which earned him a spot in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

As a UFC fighter, he became a welterweight champion before a knee injury forced him to take a break from fighting. During that break, he began researching and talking to experts and other athletes on nutrition, and as a result, he started experimenting with plant-based eating himself. This journey would lead him to conceptualize and produce the film The Game Changers which shows how plant-based eating can improve performance and recovery.

With James, we discuss his personal journey as an athlete and fighter and how that led him to his role with The Game Changers. James shares his own transition to plant-based eating as well as the science that supports how it can improve strength and endurance. In addition, we discuss the clean sport culture and progression of drug testing within fighting. 

For those looking for safe, clean, and legal performance enhancers, then perhaps look no further than the plants that are all around us. Those are marginal gains that we can support!