Miguel Cabrera
powerlifter strong vegan
Miguel Cabrera lives in the Spanish Canary Islands and has quickly grown to become an impressive powerlifter.
- Junior Spanish Champion
- Absolute Squat title, Spanish Cup
- 281 kg squat at 83 kg
He’s already become Spanish Cup Champion (2021) when he also was runner-up in bench press (-83kg).
In 2022 Miguel won the Junior Spanish Championship in squat (-83kg). He continued getting stronger and has now squatted 281 kg squat, bench pressed 180 kg and deadlifted 260 kg.
“One of my greatest achievements was becoming Junior Spanish Champion in the -83 kg category, and also winning the Absolute Squat title at the Spanish Cup” he says. “Those moments were very special for me—not just because of the titles, but because they marked important milestones in my personal journey and proved that I could be among the best while living ethically.”
Vegan Power!
“My philosophy is simple: train hard, live ethically, and stay consistent. I believe strength is more than physical—it’s also mental, emotional, and moral.”
All of this has been plant-powered, as Miguel turned vegan aged 18.
“I don’t consume any animal products, whether at home, during training, or while travelling” he says. “For me, it’s not just about food—it’s a commitment to my values. Even when I travel or find myself in more challenging situations, there are always vegan options. With some planning and awareness, it’s absolutely possible to stay true to your ethics no matter where you are.”
The change at 18 came when Miguel had already been exploring plant-based eating for a while, and that’s when he fully committed after learning more about the ethical and environmental impact of animal agriculture.
“What sparked it was a conversation with a 14-year-old basketball player I was coaching—she told me she was vegetarian, and that made me curious. I started researching and did a 21-day vegan challenge, initially just as a personal test. But the more I learned, the more it became a deep ethical decision.
“The turning point was watching the documentary Dominion, which opened my eyes to the reality of animal exploitation. Around that same time, I adopted a dog—Toby—who changed my perspective completely. Loving him made me realize that all animals want to live, feel, and be safe.
“That connection solidified my decision: I didn’t want to contribute to suffering if I could thrive without it. And as a powerlifter, I’ve proven that you can be strong, healthy, and competitive on a fully plant-based lifestyle.”
Now he has a great diet which supports his diet in everything he takes on.
“I eat a wide variety of plant-based foods, but some staples in my diet are rice, tofu, legumes, oats, fruits, vegetables, and nuts. I’m a very simple eater—I usually eat the same kinds of meals regularly, but they’re always nutritious and high-quality. I focus on meeting my energy and macronutrient needs in a straightforward and effective way.”
This fuels his demanding training routine which is based around the three lifts, squat, bench press, and deadlift.
“I work in structured blocks—accumulation, intensification, and peaking—adjusting volume, intensity, and accessories depending on the phase.
“I also include mobility work, recovery sessions, and some hypertrophy accessories for weak points. More recently, I’ve added combat sports to my weekly routine, which has helped me develop agility, explosiveness, and a new level of discipline.”
It’s becoming increasingly well known that meat is not necessary to build strength.
“At first, some people are surprised. There’s still a lot of misinformation about strength and veganism. But once they see my lifts, performance, and energy, it stops being a topic of concern.
“Most of my teammates and athletes now respect my choice, and some have even become curious or inspired by it. Being vegan hasn’t limited me—if anything, it’s made me more conscious and consistent in how I train and recover.”
With all he has achieved, Miguel has learned a lot and is now focusing on his role as a coach.
“My goal is to help others reach their best version—physically and mentally—through strength training and ethical living.”
That doesn’t mean he’s stopped training and he is still retaining a determined approach to his growth.
Veganism will be part of this.
“For me, being vegan and being strong go hand in hand. It’s not about proving people wrong, it’s about showing what’s possible when you live with intention, discipline, and compassion.
“My philosophy is simple: train hard, live ethically, and stay consistent. I believe strength is more than physical—it’s also mental, emotional, and moral. That’s what I try to reflect in everything I do, whether I’m lifting, coaching, or just sharing my day on social media.”