CATCHING UP: CLARK MYERS

from Florida Trail Riders - April 2022

CHAPLAIN’S CORNER

Story by Austin Lasure

FCS Racing team owner Austin Lasure sits down with one of the fastest up and coming A Open riders and team rider for FCS racing Clark Myers and talks a bit about diet and racing. Specifically Clarks newfound “Plant Based” diet. This is a fast growing trend in the world and highlighted with a kickoff from the Netflix series “Game Changers” which particularly speaks on endurance athletes and plant based diets. Let take a dive into this and see what’s the deal?

Austin- Hey Clark, thanks for helping us all learn about some new things going on out there and sharing your insights on what you personally have going on.

Clark - Hey Austin, I’ll do what I can! I’m no expert in nutrition, but I’ve done some research on Plant Based diets and feel like I have a good grasp on it.

Austin- So lets start off with the obvious question. What is a plant based diet?

Clark- First off, plant based doesn’t mean you’re vegetarian or vegan people often jump straight to that conclusion. Plant Based means you proportionately choose more food from plant sources rather than animal products. For example: Almond milk instead of cow milk, black bean burger instead of beef burgers. In todays time there is a substitute for just about everything out there!

Austin- What made you decide to try this partic ular diet?

Clark- Well… One day I was talking to my friend Karl Davis Jr. He is a well known trials rider throughout the U.S., killer mountain bike rider, and he’s in excellent physical condition. Anyways… Karl was telling me about a documentary on Netflix called “The Game Changers”. This documentary showcases many plant based athletes, from Olympic power lifters to triathletes.

Austin- That’s funny to hear considering we got turned on through the same documentary. Not to say we haven’t looked for other documentaries as well supporting eating meat. We have not found any that peaked our interest in the same manner. How long have you been doing it now and what have you seen as the results?

Clark- Well, like most people we started this eating style on January 1st of 2022. However, this is probably the longest I’ve stuck to a diet in a very long time! Usually a diet will last a week or two then it starts to slowly go away.

Austin- I would agree with you there and have to say the same usually happens to me. Now I myself am on a plant based diet and have been since last year so I will throw a few questions that I am commonly asked your way. Number 1 question I see is where do you get your protein?

Clark - That’s a great question! Most people ask this and I typically ask, where do cows get protein? I learned from Game Changers that cows and other animals get their natural proteins from plants and soy based products. Typically we get our protein from products like tofu, chickpeas, quinoa and beans. I also mix a protein powder and fruit smoothie in my day too.

Austin- I have found Mexican restaurants to be quite easy to work with. Do you find it difficult to find options throughout your day to day or even race weekends, camping and travelling periods?

Clark- Meal prep, meal prep, meal prep! It’s a pain but without prepping it’s very tough to find meals on the go. Recently our “go to” is chipotle. They have a bunch of plant based options, it’s fairly adorable and the guacamole is on point!

Austin- Great advice! Have you had any negative effects thus far into your newfound diet? Clark- Honestly, not really. It’s not the most convenient thing but we’re figuring it out as we go. Austin- It definitely has some hard pressed moments on convenience but I have also found a newer refreshed love for vegetables and the favor they bring to a meal. Where is a good place for anyone interested in finding out more to learn more about this? ing any individuals dietary choices and just share this to offer an insight into it. I have tried Paleo, Keto and some other things and for me I have seen some great benefits with this diet but it is really cool to sit down and talk about your diet with you, a clear competitor in the front of the stacked A Open class a very premier class to compete in. Thanks again for your insights and we look forward to seeing you on the box!

Clark- I totally agree! This diet might not be for everyone but it certainly helped me and gave me the motivation I needed to get clean up my eating.

From Left to Right: Max McNary, Clark Myers, Josh Tolken and Nick Doerr

Clark- Definitely take an hour and a half and watch “The Game Changers”. It might just change how you look at this style of eating! If you’re feeling froggy try it for a week or even two.

Austin- Thanks again for sharing your insights man! This is just one of the ways racers are looking to exercise the best in taking care of themselves on and off the bike. I personally don’t have any feelings promoting or condemn-