Seizing the years with Michael McComb

I recently connected with Michael McComb, a plant-based endurance athlete with a deep passion for outdoor adventure and sustainability. In our conversation, Michael shared his approach to nutrition, longevity, and how he stays active as he approaches his 60s. We also discussed his philosophy on giving back to the community and living a conscious, purpose-driven lifestyle. Here’s a glimpse into my insightful chat with Michael.

Rachael Megan Jennings: Michael, you were recently at the Olympics in Paris. How was that experience?

Michael McComb: It was incredible. One of those events where you don’t even need to be at a specific event to feel part of the action. I only bought a ticket for the men’s marathon and being there in the stands when an Olympic record was set was something special. The event organisers did a brilliant job, and I was particularly impressed with their sustainability efforts. I’ve been connecting with some of the IOC’s sustainability folks recently, and it’s clear they made significant progress in that area for the event.

One area they focused on was making more plant-based foods available to athletes and visitors. I noticed it. As I’m vegan, I haven’t always had the most convenient experiences in Paris but my time during the Olympics was mind-blowing. I had amazing vegan croissants and other delicious choices, so I had zero complaints. All in all, between the food, the closed roads, friendly Parisians, the events, and the stunning weather, it was an unforgettable experience.

Rachael: You’re clearly passionate about outdoor sports and fitness. When did this journey as a “lifelong athlete” really begin for you?

Michael: I’ve been active since I was a kid—my parents signed me up for all the sports! I loved it. But it wasn’t until university that I got serious about running. My first race was a 5K charity event and I placed well. This was a surprise and sparked something inside me. Soon after, I added cycling and swimming into the mix and started competing in triathlons. From there, it became more than just competition—it was about the lifestyle, the community, and sharing a healthy, active way of living.

Rachael: That’s fantastic! And where was this all happening?

Michael: I was based in the US, in Florida, in the early ’80s, which was a prime spot for triathlons. It’s flat and fast, so the racing scene was competitive but also accessible. For a while, I even considered going pro. Eventually, I expanded into other sports like adventure racing to experience new physical challenges and sensations.

Rachael: Has there been a specific moment when the concept of longevity became more of a focus for you?

Michael: Definitely. I’d say it really hit me in my late 40s. I went through a divorce and that felt like a chance to reinvent myself in some ways. So, among other things, I reset and doubled down on my fitness. I got competitive again. But when I moved into my 50s, I wasn’t ranking high overall anymore and I started paying attention to older athletes who were still competing at high levels in their age groups. I remember doing a cycling race in the Dolomites after I turned 50, and this 60-year-old guy just destroyed me on the first day. I was inspired and thought, I want to be that guy in 10 years. That’s when I really began focusing on maintaining my fitness for the long haul.

Rachael: It sounds like you’re very conscious of the connection between nutrition and performance. When did that become a strong link for you?

Michael: I didn’t start paying serious attention to diet until I hit my 40s. Once you start feeling the natural performance declines that come with age, you start looking for ways to counter them. Nutrition became a “cheat code.” The more I incorporated a clean, performance-focused diet, the better I felt and the better I performed. It took time, education, and discipline, but it was so profound that I couldn’t understand why more people weren’t taking advantage of that.

Rachael: You’re quite active on Instagram, and I’ve seen you doing everything from paragliding to trail running. How do you fuel up for those kinds of days?

Michael: That’s a good question. As a plant-based athlete, refuelling can be tricky, especially when travelling. After a long run or bike ride, finding nutritious food on the go is surprisingly difficult. Recently I finished a long trail run and wanted some more food so I walked into a convenience store and there was nothing but junk food—96 types of processed snacks, I counted! There were no healthy options. It’s frustrating, The current food system is broken.

So I try to plan ahead as much as possible, like bringing protein powder and healthy stuff when I travel and go on multi-day adventures where it can be difficult to find balanced, plant-based meals. Ironically, when I dine out, I often end up with the best meal at the table. I call ahead to let the restaurant know I’m vegan, and they usually prepare something special. Others at the table are usually a bit jealous! Just having the most gorgeous, healthy plate at the table is a way to inspire others without being preachy.

Rachael: It sounds like you’ve really fine-tuned your approach to nutrition. What role does that play in your longevity plan?

Michael: Nutrition is central. Recently, I became certified in plant-based nutrition, and it opened my eyes to how crucial diet is for long-term health. Issues like cancer, autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular health—all of these can be managed or mitigated through diet. As I age, it’s even more important to stay on top of these things. I find it bewildering that so many people are okay with relying on pharmaceuticals to manage conditions that could be prevented or dramatically reduced with better nutrition. We don’t teach enough about how food can be medicine, and I think it’s something we should be emphasising much more in our education systems.

Rachael: Absolutely. It’s clear you’re not just living the lifestyle—you’re setting an example for others. What’s next for you?

Michael: I’m looking forward to being involved in more sustainability initiatives within the outdoor sports world. I’m also excited to continue learning and sharing more about plant- based living and how it can benefit athletes of all ages. The goal is to keep moving, keep learning, and hopefully inspire others along the way.

Rachael: Amazing. On the topic of nutrition, do you take supplements? People often ask, “How do I know if a supplement is doing anything for me if I don’t really feel any different?”. I take supplements with the mindset that while they might not make an obvious difference right now, they’re not hurting me. And who knows? If I’m 85 and still active—still riding my bike and running—I might think, “Something must have worked for me along the way.”

Michael: Exactly. Supplements can be like an insurance policy. There’s always debate about whether you need them if you eat a healthy, balanced diet. The problem is that most of us don’t eat perfectly all the time. As a plant-based athlete who is busy and travels a lot, it’s not always easy to get optimal nutrition from my diet alone. I take a multivitamin daily, along with a greens powder for antioxidants, calcium and omega-3 supplements just to be safe. These supplements serve as a kind of backup plan, ensuring I get the nutrients I might be missing. It’s about mitigating the risks of deficiencies and supporting longevity.

Rachael: That makes sense. We buy into insurance in so many aspects of our lives.

Michael: Exactly. There’s always a short-term cost, and you might wonder if it’s necessary. But when the time comes and you need it, you’re very glad you had it.

Rachael: Totally. So, let’s shift gears a bit—sustainability. It’s something you clearly take ownership of personally, but it also connects to millions of people globally. How would you describe your approach to it?

Michael: You’re right, sustainability is very important to me. I’ve always been conscious of the need to be responsible–either as an individual or a company in my work. I started educating myself about sustainability and discovered that our food system was at the core of a lot of global sustainability issues. It was a no-brainer—everyday food choices that benefit animals, the planet, and your personal health all at once. I was largely vegetarian anyway, but one day I just identified as vegan and never looked back.

For me, the journey has been surprisingly easy, and the payoffs have been huge. I like to say that vegan athletes have an advantage because we don’t carry a guilty conscience around! But seriously, my commitment to veganism grows every day. I can’t imagine not being a plant-based athlete. It’s such a core part of my identity and purpose. Before I went vegan, it was largely because of the cruelty in the industrialised animal agriculture industry, but now I have a very balanced motivation set that includes environmental impacts and personal health. As an outdoor athlete, I’m passionate about nature. It’s my playground. Living in Switzerland, I can firsthand see glaciers melting, and when I dive, I witness reefs collapsing. Running in places like Asia, sometimes I’d get nauseous from the air pollution. It’s heartbreaking but also incredibly motivating to be part of the solution.

We exist in so many broken systems—overconsumption, and the global food system, all damaging the natural world and human health. Systems are hard to change, and it often feels impossible as individuals, but we have personal responsibility within those systems. We can vote, and we can vote with our dollars by making the right consumption choices. That’s a huge driving force behind my veganism. For me, these choices aren’t sacrifices. They’re a privilege. Hopefully, I’m making a difference for myself and within the bigger system. That’s what matters to me.

Rachael: That’s wonderful. It’s refreshing to hear. Personally, I’ve been vegan twice in my life—once for about three years and more recently for about four years. I seem to cycle in and out of it. It’d be interesting to talk another time about what pulls me back out of it, and I’d love to hear your perspective.

Michael: Definitely. I’d love to chat more about that, especially since autoimmune diseases come into play for you. I have family members with autoimmune conditions, and I’ve tried to give them some advice.

Rachael: Yeah, I have Hashimoto’s, and I’m constantly tweaking my diet to minimise the symptoms. That’s why I end up shifting my diet so often—just trying to feel the best I can with my condition.

Michael: I’d love to dive deeper into that another time. Autoimmune diseases are fascinating to me, and it’d be great to hear more about your experience.

Rachael: For sure, we’ll have to meet up for that conversation. To wrap up, though, I’d love to hear your thoughts on the future. You’re approaching 60 now—what’s your vision for the next few decades?

Michael: I’m heading into a new chapter of life where I have more time and flexibility, and I’m really grateful for that. I’m very fortunate to have my health and time to enjoy it. I want to honour that time. I’m active and competitive but I’m aware I can’t perform at the same level as 30 years ago. That said, I can still do the same things!

Largely, I want more of the same. I know I’m getting older but I still want to do the same things that make me happy! I’ve built a lifestyle that keeps me fit and positive. I want to continue that. I focus on finding the joy in my adventures every day. Once you find it, you want more. I want to prolong my ability to be active and capable for as long as I can. I’ve been getting advice from health practitioners, financial planners, and others, and one common theme is: don’t wait. Be healthy now, enjoy life now. Build a plan for the future focused on health, longevity, connections, and having the capabilities to live a fulfilling, happy life.

Rachael: I love that.

Michael: Time with my family, and friends—those are the things I enjoy, and I want to share that as long as I can. I want to keep doing epic cycling, trail running with my friends, big races like UTMB, Ironman, and ski adventures—I love the planning, execution, and even talking about it over beers afterwards. It’s a lifestyle I want to keep living. I also want to bring more creativity to these things. Doing the same type of adventure over and over, even if you love it, can get monotonous. So, I want to find new ways to do these adventures and maybe be more involved with communities. Giving back is becoming more important to me, so I think bringing in who I am—whether that’s sustainability education, coaching, or mentoring—will be fulfilling in new ways.

Rachael: I love how much thought you’ve put into all of this. Our tagline is “Seize the Years,” and you’ve captured that spirit so well.

Michael: There’s a guy who really inspires me—Lou Hollander, a 90-year-old triathlete. He’s done 70 Ironmans! What I love about Lou is that he’s so pragmatic. It’s not about showmanship. It’s about self-perception and identity. It’s about being there for yourself so you can be there for others. He says it’s not about age; it’s about your capacity for healthy activity. He gets up at 90 and says, “I don’t feel any pain, and I feel content knowing I could run a marathon if I wanted to.” That’s what I want.

Rachael: You embody that. It’s amazing, and when you have that as your reference point, your daily decisions align with living that kind of life.

Thank you so much, Michael, for sharing your story with us!

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Seize the years,

Rachael Jennings | Co-Founder + CBO, Yeu