DIVE IN Massimo Leopardi on becoming a diving champion, aged 50
I went vegan in 2008 when I was 45 years old, during a stay in a health retreat in northern Italy. A few years later I decided to launch a series of videos in which I would attempt to show viewers that I could not only be healthy and strong on a vegan diet at 50, but that I could compete at a high level. I chose the sport of diving – my old love which I had given up after an accident when I was 11 years old. I looked for the best diving school and decided to attend the school of a former great Olympic champion, Klaus Dibiasi, located in Rome. My challenge and I were welcomed with open arms, and in no time I got back in shape and was ready to face the first few competitions.
Strong motivation A combination of factors helped me to become proficient in a short space of time. Firstly, the love of diving had never left me. Additionally, I have many years of trampoline experience, which is a sport that has a lot of similarities to diving. I had a very strong motivation to demonstrate to everyone that a vegan diet could allow me to excel in sport. Last but not least, I believe that veganism has given me a real metabolic advantage compared to my non-vegan competitors. A good diver needs many qualities to succeed. You need to be a strong and harmonious athlete who can command an explosive force and extreme flexibility. The movement of the diver takes place in just a few seconds, but in those moments a very high dose of concentration, courage and power are needed. Not to mention the nerve to perform when all eyes are on you. A diver also needs to be able to make mistakes – to fall, but get back up again and continue to the end. Preparation for a diving competition must be both mental and physical. Young high-level athletes train every day, but I find that two training sessions in the water per week are enough for me. I couple this with visualising my dives when
Divers need to be strong and harmonious athletes who can command an explosive force and extreme flexibility I’m at home, or even when I’m on the bus or out walking my dog. If there is no one around I move my arms or bend my legs, but if I’m not alone then I just visualise them in my head. In recent years I have also started practising meditation regularly. I meditate twice a day for at least 30 minutes, and I find that this helps me a lot.
38 | The Vegan Issue 3 2020
