From Vegan Advocate to Ex-Vegan
For nearly half a decade, Jon Venus was a prominent figure in the vegan community, showcasing his impressive physique as proof that a 100% plant-based diet could sustain and build muscle. He and his wife, Katherine Moen, built a strong online following, creating content focused on vegan nutrition, recipes, and fitness tips. Many saw him as a symbol of the diet's viability, particularly in the athletic world.
However, in June 2020, Venus uploaded a video to his YouTube channel titled "I am no longer vegan," signaling a major departure from the identity that defined his public persona. The announcement was met with significant backlash from his once-loyal vegan audience, who accused him of cashing in on the trend and then abandoning his principles. This public outcry highlighted the deeply personal and often emotional connection many people have to their dietary choices and the ethical reasons behind them.
The Reasons Behind the Shift
In his videos and later statements, Jon Venus outlined several reasons for his decision to reintroduce animal products into his diet. The primary factors he cited were health-related, though they were viewed with skepticism by many in the community.
- Joint Pain: Venus mentioned experiencing joint pain, which he attributed to his vegan diet, even while acknowledging he seemed to be getting enough nutrients "on paper". He claimed to feel better and regain strength after incorporating animal products.
- His Son's Health: A key driver for his family's decision was his son's dental health. He indicated that they saw improvement after transitioning away from a fully plant-based approach.
- Philosophical Changes: Venus also described a change in his perspective on nutrition, stating that he found the scientific literature confusing and that different people could draw "opposite conclusions" from it. This led him to move away from a dogmatic approach.
Many in the vegan community and beyond criticized these explanations. Some argued that his health issues were not representative of the vegan diet as a whole and that his brand was built on misinformation if his personal health ultimately failed on the diet. His own brother, a medical doctor and also vegan, publicly commented that Jon had been having doubts for some time, acknowledging the situation was not ideal for the vegan movement.
A Winding Road of Dietary Changes
Jon Venus's journey was not a simple switch from vegan to omnivore. His public statements and actions revealed a more complicated, and at times contradictory, path. He initially attempted to position himself as "plant-based" rather than "vegan," trying to distance himself from the ethical aspects of the movement.
Later, after experiencing a loss of income and sponsorships due to his falling out with the vegan community, he backtracked, admitting his decision was wrong and stating his intention to return to veganism. However, this attempt to win back his audience was short-lived. After realizing his former supporters were not returning, he reaffirmed his decision to eat meat, stating he now eats it every day.
In a highly symbolic act, Venus later shared on social media about hunting and killing a reindeer, consuming its meat. He spoke of feeling gratitude rather than guilt, a complete reversal of his prior ethical stance as a vegan. This cemented his public identity as an ex-vegan and caused further outrage among animal rights advocates.
Veganism vs. Plant-Based Diet: The Core of the Controversy
One of the central points of contention surrounding Jon Venus was the distinction between a plant-based diet and ethical veganism. A plant-based diet is a nutritional choice focused on consuming only plants, while ethical veganism is a philosophy that seeks to exclude—as far as is possible and practicable—all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals.
| Aspect | Plant-Based Diet (Jon Venus's initial focus) | Ethical Veganism (Critiques of Venus) |
|---|---|---|
| Motivation | Primarily health and fitness benefits, aesthetics, and performance. | Primarily ethical, to avoid animal exploitation and cruelty. |
| Dietary Scope | A diet consisting of only plant foods. Often confused with veganism. | A lifestyle extending beyond diet to avoid animal products in clothing, cosmetics, etc. |
| Flexibility | Can be less strict; some follow it for health reasons but may not be dogmatic. | A principled stance that defines one's relationship with animals. Less flexible on animal product consumption. |
| Reaction to Change | Leaving the diet is a shift in nutritional approach. | Leaving the lifestyle is a shift in fundamental morals and values. |
Conclusion: Where Does Jon Venus Stand Now?
Jon Venus is not vegan and has not been for several years. His dietary journey serves as a cautionary tale within the influencer space, demonstrating the potential public fallout when a brand built on a specific lifestyle changes direction. While his initial decision was based on personal health concerns and philosophical changes, his subsequent behavior, including his brief attempt to return to veganism for financial reasons and his public embrace of hunting, led many to question the sincerity of his original advocacy. Today, he appears to be fully committed to an omnivorous diet and has continued to evolve his online content to reflect this shift, leaving his vegan past behind. You can read more about his controversial actions and departure from veganism on Generation Vegan's website. [^GenV]
List of key dietary shifts for Jon Venus
- Pre-2015: Jon Venus follows a standard omnivorous diet.
- Circa 2015: He transitions to a vegan diet, influenced by documentaries and his brother, a vegan doctor.
- 2015-2019: Venus becomes a successful vegan bodybuilder and influencer, building his brand on a 100% plant-based diet.
- Late 2019: He starts using the term "plant-based" rather than "vegan," a distinction noted by followers.
- June 2020: He posts the video "I am no longer vegan," citing health concerns and philosophical reasons.
- Late 2020: After facing financial difficulties and backlash, he considers returning to veganism but ultimately decides against it.
- 2023: Venus shares on social media about hunting and consuming reindeer meat.
- Present: He continues to follow an omnivorous diet and documents other aspects of his life.
