‘Vegan Hercules’ Qualifies for the Arnold Sports Festival With Dominant Win

Bradie “Vegan Hercules” Crandall has secured his place at the prestigious Arnold Sports Festival after an emphatic victory at the North East regional qualifier.

“This show was a must win for me because it was my only chance to qualify for the 2027 Arnold with how busy my competition season is” Bradie said.

The contest featured a series of classic strongman events designed to test strength, endurance and grit. Bradie excelled across all of them:

• Max Axle 113 kg Clean & Press
• 265 kg Frame Deadlift
• 113 kg Sandbag Carry (265 feet!)
• Sandbag toss
• Seated Arm‑Over‑Arm Pull

His consistency and power across the board secured the overall win — and his ticket to the Arnolds. After the event, Bradie quipped that the victory is “just the beginning”, signalling his ambitions for the season ahead.

A Vegan Athlete Driven by Science

Bradie’s path to veganism began during his doctorate in Chemical Engineering. His research into climate science reshaped his understanding of the environmental impact of animal agriculture.

“Gaining a deeper understanding of the causes of climate change led to the discovery that animal products have a huge impact on the environment,” he explains. “A diet based on animal products is no longer sustainable as population rapidly grows.”

He made the switch in 2017, and his strength has only increased since.

Fuelled by Plants

Bradie’s nutrition is built around a diverse range of high‑protein plant foods. His staples include:

• tofu
• Impossible beef
• seitan
• beans and lentils
• soy milk
• pumpkin seeds and nuts
• edamame
• protein pasta
• high‑protein grains

He also formulates his own 60/40 rice‑and‑pea protein blend, which he notes has “a better amino acid profile than whey in terms of the essential amino acids.”

This evidence‑based approach to plant‑powered performance has supported his rise through both powerlifting and strongman — and now to the Arnold Sports Festival stage.