Exclusive Q&A: Venus Williams talks #DoPlants, fitness, keeping a healthy diet and more
Today Silk launches its new "Do Plants" initiative, which celebrates the good things that can happen when people make plants part of their everyday lifestyle.
Tennis champion Venus Williams and music producer and personality DJ Khaled, both advocates for plant-based eating, are partnering with Silk and will be featured in the new campaign.
"I believe in the power of plant-based eating, and as an athlete and businesswoman I always need to feel my best," Williams said. "That's why I'm working with Silk on something I feel passionate about –- the amazing things that come when people 'do plants.'"
The "Do Plants" campaign will include new television commercials, starring Williams and Khaled, which are now airing. Silk will continue to celebrate plants all year with the "Path to Plants" digital series, which stars Williams and others who see plants as a vital part of their lives, and via social conversation using the hashtag #DoPlants.
Silk is launching its campaign at a time when plant-based eating is more prominent than ever.
"We're seeing a growing trend of plant-based eating, with more people becoming thoughtful about the world around them," said Rebekah Lyle, Director of Marketing, Silk Plant-Based Foods. "Silk provides a nourishing choice that harnesses the power of plants and helps people feel good about what they're putting in their body."
We had the chance to sit with Venus to discuss Silk, her fitness and diet routines and much more:
Q: How much fun was it to work with Silk on #DoPlants campaign?
A: Silk was interested because I've been leading a plant-based life for some time now and it seemed like a great fit.
Q: What made you decide to be a vegan athlete and have you noticed specific benefits?
A: I have a chronic autoimmune disease, plus I play a sport. My schedule is demanding and the travel is demanding. So I've always searched for different ways to be my best. I tried it, and it helped me and improved me. It helps everything. It helps how you feel inside, but how you look on the outside as well.
Q: Clearly, you've valued fitness and wellness throughout your life, but what advice would you give to the average person who is looking to get on a good path?
A: I'd say it's a journey. Fitness is a journey. It's not like, 'Oh, let's do this for six weeks and then fall off.' I always recommend to enjoy what you eat, splurge sometimes and try to understand what's really fueling you.
Q: For someone that is on the road so often, do you find it's hard to meal plan and how do you circumnavigate that problem?
A: You have to be strategic. Get a blender. I have a blender for everywhere I go in the world. In the morning or evening, I blend and I make it easy. A lot of fruits or vegetables get thrown in and I'll add my plant-based almond milk or so milk. I'm not a huge eater, and I need to train hard, so I need something not hard on my stomach.
Q: What about the rest of your day, aside from morning?
A: You have to continually fuel your body. I'll start with a smoothie and then after practice I'll have a lot of fruit. I fuel throughout practice. My biggest meal is at lunch. I'll make things, sometimes a big pot of a stew or beans, things that are good on the run.
Q: Do you have fun new projects coming up in the future?
A: I'm always having fun (laughs). I'm working hard, like everyone else. I try to do things I love because I you end up working hardest at those things. I'm always grinding. Olympics are coming up, so these next few weeks are very important.
Q: When it comes to the Silk campaign, what's favorite part?
A: I was so excited because I have Silk in my refrigerator. It's just authentic, so that was so cool.
