Real men eat meat? Right? With names like Lewis Hamilton, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jackie Chan attached to this new sports-themed documentary (as executive producers), you know you’re probably in store for something worth engaging with, and The Game Changers is exactly that; involving, baffling and just a little bit inspiring.
The film, directed by Louie Psihoyos, (2009’s The Cove) kicks off by focussing in on British former UFC champ and one of the last people on the Earth you’d ever mess with, elite military trainer James Wilks, our narrator for the piece who takes us on a personal journey of recovery and nutrition by switching from slabs of steak and other meats to a plant-based diet. He researches the benefits by reading books for hours and hours and meeting sports-folk who have already switched and are excelling in their respective disciplines.
One sequence which stands out is one where Wilks makes a big change to his diet and, after hitting his local gym, takes to the battling ropes. There he manages to sustain an hour-long workout, the previous record-holder managing just ten minutes. Another is a study between three NFL Football players who undergo a short trial measuring erection size. Over two nights, all three players’ erection sizes are measured, the first night after a meal containing meat, the next night following a plant-based meal. The results are quite something.
In another scene, strongman Patrik Baboumian recalls an occasion when he was asked ‘how come he’s as strong as an ox without eating meat?’ He answers, ‘did the ox eat meat?’ Point taken.
A quote from Arnie within perfectly sums up the theme of proceedings. He says, “They do a great idea selling the idea that “real men eat meat”. But you’ve got to understand,
that’s marketing. That’s not based on reality.”
As the title suggests, the documentary is one which really makes you sit up and pay attention. As someone who has struggled with stamina and achievement in sport, particularly in the gym, pretty much every weekday morning, it does question some of the other nutritional advice given out and I found myself Googling plant-based recipes immediately afterward. Have I been getting it wrong all these years?
The documentary itself is very well put together, its research presently well through science and with many different athletes in all kinds of sports. There are interviews with many famous faces including Schwarzenegger and, very briefly, Formula 1 champ Lewis Hamilton, and its a very entertaining watch, particularly with the scenes involving Wilks and his family.
Very watchable and thought-provoking, even if you’re not on a programme to become the next World’s Strongest Man or UFC warrior. If you are, then this is surely an absolute must. As with all great documentaries, the subject doesn’t have to be one you’re interested in to make it worth watching, and great documentaries should always leave an impression and provoke debate. This one does that. Absolutely a game-changing great watch.
The Game Changers is available on Apple TV and other major platforms now.
