Deatrich Wise Jr, an American football player, recently endorsed Veganuary 2026, stating that his strength and endurance have excelled on a vegan diet. Wise, who has followed a vegan diet since 2017, encouraged others to join him in embracing a plant-based lifestyle to enhance their health and performance. At 6 feet 6 inches tall and 127kg, Wise consumes up to 5,000 calories per day, focusing on whole foods like beans, pasta, and vegetables to sustain his physique.

Wise's success with a vegan diet has been attributed to a mix of whole foods and careful planning, with go-to ingredients including beetroot, leafy greens, cherry juice, and alternative proteins such as Beyond Meat. Many other athletes, including Torre Washington and Sasho Andreev, have also achieved significant milestones while following a plant-based diet. Wise emphasized that healthy eating plays a crucial role in enhancing strength, recovery, and endurance, making a plant-based diet an ideal choice for athletes looking to optimize their performance.