Why I Still Get Asked “Where Do You Get Your Protein?

After all these years, I still get asked the same question:

“Where do you get your protein?”

Not “How’s your health?” or “What inspired your choice?”—nope, always back to protein.

I’ve been vegan longer than most influencers have been out of school.

I’ve lived through the soy panic, the paleo craze, and the Beyond Meat IPO.

You’d think by now the protein panic would’ve faded.

But here we are.

The question itself says more about our culture than my lifestyle choice.

It reflects a deep-rooted belief that meat equals muscle, that masculinity equals steak, and that anything outside that norm is suspect.

People aren’t really worried about my health—they’re trying to make sense of a choice that challenges theirs.

But let me set the record straight.

I get my protein the same place your protein gets theirs—from plants.

Beans, lentils, tofu, oats, nuts, seeds, and yes, even broccoli.

There’s more than enough in a whole foods vegan diet to build strength, maintain energy, and stay healthy well into your grey-bearded years.

What I don’t get is cholesterol, saturated fat, or the burden of killing animals just to hit some imaginary macro target.

I’m not defensive.

I’m just tired of the question.

Because behind it is a world clinging to outdated myths and marketing, not science or ethics.

So the next time someone asks me, “Where do you get your protein?” I might just smile and say:

“The same place elephants, gorillas, and bulls do. Plants.”

And then I’ll go back to living a strong, ethical, plant-powered life—grey beard and all.