1st Vegan to Compete in Mr Olympia - UNCHAINEDTV'S Truth Files with Jane Velez-Mitchell | Lyssna här

Torre Washington is the first vegan bodybuilder to earn the Mr. Olympia stage. Now, Torre Washington speaks to UnchainedTV LIVE as he embarks on one of the world's most intense physical challenges.

The vegan bodybuilder qualified for the 2026 Mr. Olympia, bodybuilding's most prestigious competition, after winning the Ben Weider Natural Pro-Am. Competing without animal products or performance-enhancing drugs, Washington has achieved what few athletes in the world ever do. His motto: winning without compromise!

The contest will be held in Las Vegas on from Thursday September 24th -Sunday, September 27th and he wants the support of the vegan, animal loving community to go to Vegas and watch him compete! Sounds like a party! Palms Casino Resort is a hotel at the center of the action, along with the Las Vegan Convention Center.

GET A T-SHIRT TO HELP TORRE IN VEGAS!
YOU can help Torre Washington by buying a t-shirt which helps pay for the costs associated with going to Vegas for the contest.
https://vegan2olympia.com

GET YOUR MR. OLYMPIA TIX HERE
https://mrolympia.com/ticket-type

Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Torre Washington went plant-based in 1998 and never looked back. A natural, steroid-free competitor who has shared the stage at the Arnold Classic, he also coaches athletes. We will meet one of those athletes, Erin Tice.

In late 2025 he won both the Open Masters and Masters 40 classes at the Ben Weider Natural Pro-Am, qualifying him for the 2026 Mr. Olympia — and making him the first vegan, all-natural bodybuilder ever to reach that stage.
WINS:
2009 Pro card, natural bodybuilding. 2017 IFBB Pro card, Men's Physique. 2025 Qualified for Mr. Olympia. 2026 1st vegan bodybuilder to Mr. Olympia.
"It's an unreal feeling that anything is possible if you believe in yourself," Washington said. "I hope this shows people to never give up on their goals or dreams."

A Historic Milestone for Vegan Athletes
Each year, only a small number of professional bodybuilders earn the right to compete in Mr. Olympia, the pinnacle of the sport. Qualifying demands years of disciplined training, flawless nutrition, and unwavering focus.

This victory is a milestone not only for vegan athletes but also for veganism and animal advocates everywhere. Washington's success on one of the world's largest stages demonstrates that compassion and athletic excellence can coexist and thrive. The moment marks a turning point for vegan representation in professional bodybuilding.

TRANSCRIPT:

1st vegan to compete in mr olympia

(0:00) Live from the Unchained TV headquarters in Los Angeles, California, (0:04) this is Truth Files with Jane Velez Mitchell. (0:10) We did it. Come on, we made history.

(0:25) Torrey Washington, he's here, people! It was a dramatic entrance and I love it that way.(0:32) First and foremost, Jane, thank you so much for the opportunity to share (0:36) such an amazing, historic, monumental event, not only in my life, but in the (0:43) journey or the history of vegan as we know it, you know, because this is something that (0:48) a lot of times you get the comment, you've never seen a vegan at an Olympia (0:56) or on the Olympia stage. And for the first time, we're going to have (1:00) a vegan male bodybuilder on stage at the Mr. Olympia, which is such a huge (1:06) Guinness World Record, Book of World Records type of moment.

(1:10) But I think because bodybuilding is such a niche and such a, like a cult thing, (1:16) but it's bigger because of social media, it hasn't really hit people as it should. (1:21) But it's such a big monumental feat that hopefully this is not the end of it, (1:27) you know, that there'll be more to follow after I do this for the first time, (1:33) trailblazing, setting the path for the next to come.(1:48) I coach, I train, I've been vegan since 1998 and I'm here for the planet, (1:55) the animals and the betterment of humanity.

(1:58) It's extraordinary. And I've been looking at videos of you working out and (2:03) I wanted to just hit the couch and relax because I just couldn't even believe it. (2:09) Look at this.

Look at this. It's extraordinary. So anybody who says, oh, vegans are weak.

(2:15) This man is a vegan. (2:17) What we need to focus on is making sure that our nutrition comes from many different sources, (2:22) because with this, we're getting the vitamins and minerals that our body needs. (2:27) Protein is going to come, especially if the calories that you're getting in(2:30) are enough to suit your day-to-day activity.

(2:34) I look to eat mostly carbohydrates and food form. (2:39) Japanese sweet potatoes. Japanese sweet potato would be on there, definitely.

(2:42) I love my nut butters, my almond, my peanut butters. (2:47) And then my other source of carbohydrates plus protein would be beans. (2:50) And that can be beans converted into tofu or tempeh, or it can just be beans in general.

(2:55) Also greens, all types of greens, doing asparagus, broccoli, bok choy. (3:01) You name it, I'm eating it. (3:03) We just ran a clip showing some of the things you eat on a typical day.

(3:07) Healthy fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains, legumes. (3:10) OK, I want to say a couple of things.(3:12) I'm a little confused about Mr. Olympia.

(3:15) I know where Las Vegas is. (3:17) OK, I know where the Las Vegas Convention Center is.(3:20) But tell us exactly what's happening.

(3:22) Because I think one of the problems is people are like, (3:25) OK, it's this huge competition, but where do I go? (3:29) How do I sign up? (3:31) How do I support Tori? (3:33) Break it down for us so we can support you. (3:35) We want to go to Vegas. (3:37) And this is one case where what happens in Vegas is not going to stay in Vegas.

(3:41) Right. (3:44) I love it. I love it.

(3:46) The Mr. Olympia is typically held in Las Vegas. (3:50) It has been for probably more than a decade. (3:53) It moved to Orlando one time during 2020.

(3:56) But it's typically been in Las Vegas. (3:58) Prior to that, it used to move around. (4:00) So Mr. Olympia is the World Cup Super Bowl of bodybuilding.

(4:07) So what that means is 1% of the bodybuilders in the world make it to Mr. Olympia every year. (4:14) And some do it once in a lifetime. (4:17) Some never make it.

(4:18) Some make it multiple times because, you know, (4:20) they just are that phenomenon when it comes to their physique. (4:23) So it's hosted at three different hotels. (4:27) And I say that because the convention center in Las Vegas is where the expo is held.

(4:33) So Mr. Olympia has a big expo where you have Vegan Strong Team. (4:37) I've seen them there before. (4:38) You have a lot of vendors who supply supplements and different things (4:43) when it comes to bodybuilding, from weight training belts to dumbbells (4:47) to different lifting machines and massage machines.

(4:51) You have different events going on. (4:53) They're going to have cheerleading going on this time around. (4:56) They have wrestling.

(4:57) They have all of that in the expo. (4:59) And also in the expo, which happens on Friday, Saturday, (5:04) the expo, they also have the bodybuilding competition, (5:08) which is at the back of the convention center. (5:11) There's going to be a place where you can sit.

(5:12) And then there's going to be a surrounding gate where you can stand and watch it as well.(5:16) Now the expo is just an entry fee. (5:19) You pay to go into the expo.

(5:20) You can come watch the show. (5:22) Or if you want to pay more, you can come and sit down and watch the show. (5:25) And so there's just different ways in which you can view the show.

(5:28) Now, mind you, with the amount of vegans we're going to have (5:30) and my family and friends that are coming, (5:32) you know, we're just going to be loud. (5:35) And you can be as loud and obnoxious as you want. (5:37) And then they also have the finals, which shows at the hotel.

(5:44) It's typically at the New Orleans, (5:45) but they're also going to have a host hotel, which is the Palms Hotel. (5:49) So that is still to be determined, (5:51) whether or not it's going to be at the New Orleans or it's going to be at the Palm. (5:54) And on Thursday, Aaron knows about this.

(5:56) Thursday, they call it Meet the Olympian. (5:59) They used to call it Meet the Olympian,(6:01) but it's now called the Superstar Kickoff event, (6:04) where you get to come personally sit down, (6:08) talk to the fellow Olympian, the Olympian that you are a fan of, (6:13) or you want to support. (6:14) They'll have a table.

(6:16) You can bring your camera. (6:17) We're going to have a party, man. (6:18) We're going to bring music.

(6:20) My table is probably the most lit table in the event. (6:23) And you're just there to come support and show love for a couple hours. (6:28) And yeah, and we're going to also do a meet and greet twice.

(6:32) We're going to do one on Friday at Tarantino's. (6:34) We're going to do one on Sunday at Tarantino's. (6:37) This is just a way for people to come and meet me, talk to me, (6:41) talk to other vegans who are also going to be there.

(6:43) Veg Nutrition is going to be there. (6:45) Jane Velez and the whole crew is going to be there.(6:47) So it's going to be an amazing, amazing time.

(6:49) We're going to have a party, y'all. (6:51) This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for us all to come together (6:54) to celebrate a historic moment. (6:57) So this is Thursday.

(6:59) You have a table. (7:01) People can come up to you at, I'm not sure, (7:04) the convention center or some locale there. (7:06) It'll probably be at the Palms.

(7:08) That's what I'm thinking. (7:09) Okay, at the Palms. (7:10) Friday, my very favorite restaurant on the planet, practically.

(7:14) I mean, I've never been. (7:17) Tarantino's. (7:18) Oh my God.

(7:20) It's a mom and pop owned Italian restaurant. (7:23) She saw a video, went vegan, convinced her husband to go vegan. (7:27) They were already making great Italian food.

(7:29) They veganized everything. (7:30) Honestly, if you're carbo loading, this is the place to go.(7:35) Tarantino's.

(7:36) So you're going to be there Friday. (7:38) So I'm definitely going to be there. (7:40) I'm going to be there Thursday, Friday.

(7:42) Then Saturday, it's like the competition gets started, right? (7:47) That's where you stand or sit and watch you at some venue. (7:53) And then Sunday, hopefully we'll be celebrating. (7:55) At the convention center.

(7:56) Wow. (7:57) At the convention center on Saturday, (7:58) you can see me on stage and the show starts at 9 a.m. (8:01) Oh my God. (8:02) All right.

(8:03) So this is the date I wrote down was September 26th. (8:07) I believe that's the Saturday.(8:08) So September 25th, September 24th, we should plan on being there.

(8:13) Yes. (8:14) Yes. (8:14) Thursday, September 24th.

(8:16) Mark it in your calendars, people. (8:18) I am so blown away by everything you're doing.(8:22) We've been talking to Aaron, who works with you.

(8:26) And I said it was kind of funny because we're doing the before and after. (8:31) Aaron, look good before. (8:32) Let's be real.

(8:34) It's not like... (8:38) I would like to look as good as she looked in her before picture. (8:42) Let's just put it that way. (8:43) But let's just take a look at the before and after.

(8:46) Tell us, Aaron, you've been working because Tori also trains people. (8:53) Right. (8:54) Well, I know I turned 40 this past year, (8:57) and this is one of the first times I'm admitting that in a public space.

(9:01) But watching Tori over the years, wow, this is impressive. (9:05) Tori is 51 years old, and he puts that out proudly. (9:08) And he does not look in any way like he is 51.

(9:11) It doesn't seem like he ages at all. (9:13) And I realized there's something to that. (9:16) And there's something to the fact that that progressive overload, (9:19) that push for your fitness and to choose and just make a decision (9:25) that you can do more and that you can do hard things and that you can be consistent.

(9:32) And so over this time, it's less about the look that I care about, (9:36) but the fact that I feel strong and that I know when I'm 80 years old, (9:40) I'm going to be walking upstairs and lifting things like no problem. (9:45) I mean, I'm looking at these photos. (9:47) Like I say, you look great in the before, but I can see that you're tighter.

(9:53) It's like muscle, I guess, is what you got, right? (9:57) I feel like I've got muscle now, yes.(10:01) Yeah, I feel so much stronger than I did before. (10:04) I truly do.

(10:05) And more importantly, I proved to myself that I can do hard things (10:08) and that I can wake up early and can get my workout in (10:11) and that that focus and determination carries through into other aspects of my life (10:16) on a more consistent basis now. (10:18) And it's only prompted me to be more motivated and to want to do more hard things. (10:22) Wow.

(10:23) So I'm so excited by all of this. (10:27) Let's face it, veganism is under attack right now.(10:31) The meat and dairy industry has declared war.

(10:34) It started in 2019 when Beyond Meat was the most successful initial public offering in years. (10:39) And just the word Beyond Meat scared the wits out of them. (10:43) They have co-opted not only the government, but the media.

(10:47) Media is writing nasty articles. (10:50) It's OK. (10:51) You know, first they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they get angry at you, (10:54) which is where we are now, and they join you.

(10:57) What you're doing, Tori, is so important right now, (11:02) particularly because of this war on veganism. (11:05) We even started, a dear friend of mine started an organization called Veg Media Watch (11:10) to call out veganism. (11:12) So you can go to vegmediawatch.org and join the rapid response team (11:16) when they write articles that don't talk about the fact that processed meat is cancer-causing (11:23) and promoting cancer-causing foods like they're completely healthy.

(11:27) We have to call them out. (11:30) And there's no better way to call them out by show and tell. (11:35) I mean, when I look at these videos that you, (11:41) it's just, let's take a look at the training video again.

(11:43) It's just amazing. (11:45) Tell us about your workout and how this busts the myth that vegans are weak. (11:52) Well, you know, what's interesting is, you know, when I talk to people who(11:59) think about what a vegan is, their first comment is (12:02) they're not used to seeing vegans look like how I look.

(12:06) And so by just my physique alone, it's changing that stereotype, right? (12:14) And so when it comes to training, I make sure my training is very intense. (12:18) You know, we go from heavy to moderate to lightweight at times, (12:21) but it's all about building muscle and building quality muscle (12:24) because by putting the muscle under such tensions, under such stress, (12:28) you force it into a place where it has to grow and get bigger (12:31) and stronger in order to manage that weight and more for the next time around. (12:36) So right now, as we're getting ready for the Miss Olympia, (12:39) we're continuously doing a lot of basic movements, (12:41) where you see like the lat pull down, the barbell curl, (12:44) you know, all of these exercises help to really, really draw a good foundation (12:51) where you then carve it.

(12:52) Like, for example, when you look at Erin's physique, (12:55) Erin's physique, coming from someone that, from me, for example, (13:01) seeing the change, I knew she needed that tightness(13:03) because a lot of times people are skinny with fat on them, (13:10) but it doesn't look like that because of how they fit in their clothes. (13:13) But when you put them into a situation where they have to showcase more skin, (13:17) you can see how much fat their body has and how much muscle they don't have. (13:21) So what I did is designed a program that really worked on her weak areas, (13:27) which is building up her shoulders, building up her back, (13:29) tightening up her glutes, tightening up her legs.

(13:31) So therefore, now she looks phenomenal. (13:34) I mean, sometimes pictures can't even do a justice (13:37) to when you see them in person. (13:38) You know, so when I see her in person, it's like, wow, (13:42) you know, we really made a difference in her physique (13:45) because yes, you're right, Jane.

(13:47) For the average individual, she looks good from before. (13:49) But when we're in a world of aesthetics (13:52) and we're looking at ourselves from a different eye, (13:56) she now has reached that point of, okay, she's athletic. (14:00) And now we can take athletic and make it even more so to elite.

(14:05) Because for example, being on the Olympic stage is elite. (14:08) It's an elite athlete. (14:09) You can't get there without being elite.

(14:11) And if you're, you can be athletic and do phenomenal things. (14:16) But when you're elite, you do extraordinary things. (14:20) Now, in order to get, and I agree with you, by the way, (14:24) she looks phenomenal.

(14:25) I always, when I look at her, I say, (14:27) I'll have what she's having. (14:31) But to get to Mr. Olympia, (14:34) and we're going to double back on how everybody can support. (14:37) The t-shirts that both of you are wearing, (14:39) and I ordered mine, Corey.

(14:41) I ordered mine. (14:42) I can't wait to get it. (14:44) You didn't just saunter into that.

(14:46) You had to win many, many contests. (14:48) And the most recent was this one. (14:52) Tell us about this extraordinary, (14:55) I hope I pronounce it right, (14:57) Ben Weeder Naturals Pro-Am, (15:00) and what you had to do to get to this next phase.

(15:03) Tell us about this contest. (15:04) So the Ben Weeders has started, (15:07) it started in 2019.(15:09) It was a show put on by the IFBB, (15:13) which is the International Federation of Bodybuilding.

(15:15) And the IFBB is world known, (15:17) world renowned for such talents as Arnold Schwarzenegger, (15:21) Ronnie Coleman, (15:22) and pretty much all your top bodybuilders.(15:26) And so they decided to create a natural division, (15:31) which is what Ben Weeders is.(15:32) It's for the bodybuilders that do not want to take (15:35) any type of, any form of, you know,(15:39) PEDs, which are Performing Enhancing Drugs, (15:41) or steroids, and so they test you for it.

(15:44) They test you by urine, (15:45) and they test you with a polygraph. (15:47) So I've been competing in the Ben Weeders since 2019, (15:50) when it started. (15:51) And so, you know, placing sixth, third, fourth, (15:54) you know, those type of placements.

(15:57) And so last year, in 2025, (15:59) I had a death in the family. (16:02) My mom passed away in April, (16:04) and I was truly inspired by the fact that my mother, (16:08) you know, she had done so much to get me to this place. (16:11) And I said, you know what? (16:12) This is my time to shine for her, (16:14) because my mother could never make a competition (16:16) due to her religious belief, which is Seventh-day Adventist.

(16:19) And so I was more inspired to go win. (16:24) And I had to win two shows. (16:26) So after her funeral on May 5th, (16:28) I then competed on May 10th.

(16:31) And I was just strictly focused on winning. (16:33) Like, I just saw myself grabbing the trophy. (16:35) So I won that show.

(16:37) And then I qualified for Ben Weeders, (16:41) which was in November. (16:43) And in November, I went in with that same drive, (16:46) you know, win this for my mom, (16:47) win this for myself, (16:49) win this for the vegan community. (16:50) And I went there, and I had no other,(16:54) there was no other decision.

(16:55) There was no failure. (16:56) Second place wasn't even in my mind's view or my eyesight.(17:01) You know, I had blinders on to first place.

(17:04) And, you know, so much so, Jane, (17:06) that I, before going to that competition in November, (17:09) I painted my big toe gold, (17:11) because I knew I was going to pick up the gold trophy (17:13) and the gold medal. (17:15) And, you know, that was just my desire, my drive. (17:20) And so you have to win two shows now (17:22) in order to qualify for the Olympia.

(17:24) So that was me winning two shows in 2025 (17:26) to qualify for the 2026 Mr. Olympia.(17:30) And typically, I compete four to eight times (17:34) out of the year, because I just enjoy competing. (17:37) It's a continuous improvement for myself, (17:40) but it's also showcasing my form of activism to the world (17:43) that just because I eat plants and fruits (17:46) doesn't mean I can't build quality elite muscle (17:49) and compete with the upper echelon of elite athletes.

(17:52) Because I used to compete (17:53) in all the little smaller natural organizations, (17:56) but I said, let's take it to the next level. (17:58) Let's compete against the Ferraris (18:00) and the Indy race cars that do 250 mile per hour. (18:04) We're out of the stock cars.

(18:06) We're out of the box cars. (18:07) It's time to go elite level. (18:08) And so that's where I'm headed to now, Mr. Olympia.

(18:12) I wanna talk about the T-shirt. (18:16) I ordered it last night. (18:18) I can't wait to wear it.

(18:20) I'm gonna be like, people are gonna be, stop, stop. (18:24) There it is, there it is. (18:26) So how is that gonna help fund? (18:29) And here it is, you go to vegan2olympia.com, (18:32) vegan2olympia.com, get it.

(18:35) It's very reasonably priced. (18:37) You're part of the team. (18:40) It gives you a little muscle just trying it on.

(18:43) You feel like, yeah. (18:45) But how does that help you get there? (18:47) How is it gonna help support you (18:49) in your quest to win Mr. Olympia? (18:51) You know, I typically, I'm a competitor at heart. (18:55) I love to compete.

(18:56) I love to continue to improve. (18:58) And it was really more of a, (19:01) someone made a suggestion and said, (19:02) man, you should make T-shirts (19:04) because I know people wanna support you (19:06) in going to the Olympia. (19:07) And I was like, no, that's not a bad idea.

(19:09) You know, so I created this T-shirt (19:11) and part of my mindset was to like, (19:14) how can I use this to also, (19:16) you know, give back to the community? (19:17) You know, because a lot of times (19:18) people can't make it to an event, (19:20) but they wanna show support. (19:22) You know, and it wasn't really, (19:24) it really was just came out of nowhere. (19:27) It wasn't like I just created this and said, (19:30) you know what, let's do this.

(19:31) But now I'm thinking, okay, moving forward, (19:34) I made a, I'm gonna do it as a limited supply (19:37) because, you know, who knows I have a T-shirt. (19:40) You know, we can continuously change it up, (19:42) do something different. (19:43) But it's a way to, (19:44) and I'm looking at possibly taking, (19:47) let's say the proceeds go very big.

(19:50) Helping out a farm sanctuary (19:52) or an animal sanctuary, you know, (19:54) just doing things like that (19:55) because it's not really about the money. (19:57) It's more so the support(19:59) because I think, just imagine (20:00) a hundred people at the Olympia (20:02) all gathered around together in this shirt. (20:05) People gonna be like, who's that for? (20:07) And then when I get on stage, (20:09) I mean, I can already feel the tears probably coming (20:11) by the time I just walk on stage (20:13) just to make that moment.

(20:15) That's such a monumental space (20:19) in my lifetime and my journey. (20:21) Because if you think about it, (20:22) coming from just as an engineer, (20:25) I decided to leave corporate America (20:27) and follow my dream of, you know, (20:30) competing and just being in the fitness world. (20:33) And I didn't really even think (20:35) I would get this far (20:39) because I started competing in 2009.

(20:43) Most people give up (20:44) and don't think they're gonna make it. (20:46) And this is years, (20:47) this is almost 20 years later. (20:50) I'm now getting on stage for the Mr. Olympia.

(20:53) And most people stop competing at around 45. (20:56) I mean, I know guys that I've competed with (20:58) that stopped competing. (21:00) And they said to me, (21:01) man, you inspired me to get back on stage.

(21:03) And these are not vegan people. (21:06) These are guys that are just, they got older. (21:09) But because of how they ate and lived, (21:12) they figured they were done.

(21:14) But seeing me compete (21:16) and still be very competitive in my lifestyle, (21:19) it has inspired people to want to get back on stage (21:22) and keep going because, you know, (21:24) the body was meant to move (21:26) and we should never stop improving upon ourselves. (21:29) So the t-shirt is really a support mechanism (21:33) for everything, you know, (21:35) because it's gonna help so much more than just me. (21:38) You know, of course, it's expensive to go out there,(21:41) get an Airbnb, food and things like that.

(21:44) But, you know, I make sure that I prioritize (21:48) how I wanna do things. (21:50) So that way I can do what I want (21:52) because, you know, life is short, you know, (21:54) and you gotta live every moment like it's your last. (21:57) And so I'm just gonna continue to live (21:59) and live until the wheels fall off.

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