With Marco Borges celebrity trainer, best-selling author and founder of 22 Days Nutrition

Breaking News: Bey and Jey are crazy in love with plants. They’ve partnered with their trainer to launch a wildly popular vegan meal delivery service empire called 22 Days Nutrition. Meet Marco Borges, the man behind the company getting so much buzz. While Beyoncé and Jay-Z may have brought the company star power, Borges is the extremely passionate guru behind the greens. For more than 20 years, the nationally renowned exercise physiologist has been teaching people how to transform their bodies – and their lives – through diet and exercise.

Author of New York Times best-seller The 22-Day Revolution, Borges’ 22 Days meal plan delivers fresh, vegan, organic, GMO, gluten and soy-free meals throughout the country in addition to selling protein powders and bars. His modesty, vast knowledge about the human body and passion for plants have made him a tour de force in the competitive wellness world. Dubbed “the world’s best trainer” by Jay-Z, he also works with stars like Jennifer Lopez, Ryan Seacrest, Pharrell Williams and Gloria Estefan.

He spoke to BWB’s resident red carpet-to-green smoothie girl Rebecca Leffler about eating consciously, getting the Queen of Pop hooked on the Queen of Greens (kale!) and why being healthy is the new black in Hollywood and beyond.

BWB: What sparked your own personal shift to a plant-based lifestyle?

As a very wise woman once said “When you know better you do better.” Truth is, everywhere I looked there was more and more science and data coming out on the benefits of a plant-based diet… once I tried it I became conscious of where the food I was eating was coming from.

22 Days Nutrition is the first and only program that encourages and promotes behavior modification through habit formation.

BWB: What do you think sets 22 Days apart from other meal delivery services or “diet” programs out there?

22 Days Nutrition is the first and only program that encourages and promotes behavior modification through habit formation. Without a change in habits or behavior there is no sustainability. Additionally, we’re a plant-based / vegan company. Everything we do is plant-based, organic, gluten-free and non-GMO.

Beyoncé tried the program and immediately knew she wanted to share it with the world.

BWB: Your best-selling book “The 22 day Revolution” features an up-and-coming performer… I think her name is… Beyoncé? How did this collaboration come about?

Haa!! Honestly, It was quite magical but also simple…She tried the program and immediately knew she wanted to share it with the world.

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BWB: How are Beyoncé and Jay-Z involved in the company? There are so many diet programs and personal chefs out there – what attracted them to this in particular?

Everything we do comes from a place of wanting to empower people with good health. It was obvious to them when they experienced the program firsthand.

It’s good for our health, the environment and for the animals…what’s not to love?

BWB: You have many celebrities from the entertainment industry who are fans of this lifestyle. What do you think attracts these red carpet stars to this very “green” lifestyle?

It’s good for our health, the environment and for the animals…what’s not to love?

BWB: Any advice for making plant-based food delicious and fun for kids?

The first step is for our kids to watch what they see us do rather than for them to act based on what we tell them to do. When we eat healthy, they in turn want to eat healthy. The 22-Day Revolution has over 65 delicious recipes the whole family will be sure to love!

Once people begin and the benefits start to appear, it’s difficult to turn back.

BWB: You call it the 22-day “challenge” but ironically make it easy for people to go all veg. What do you see among the biggest “challenges” for your clients adapting to a plant-based lifestyle?

Getting started is almost always the most difficult thing to do. Once people begin and the benefits start to appear, it’s difficult to turn back.

BWB: Most people use “I’m too busy” as an excuse for not eating/living a healthy life. What’s your answer to this and how is your 22-day revolution plan suitable for busy or on-the-go lifestyles?

We make time to brush our teeth because we know the importance of dental hygiene. Similarly, we must find the time to fuel our bodies for health because we now know more than ever the effects of a poor diet.

Beyoncé loves the Raw Walnut Taco recipe in The 22-Day Revolution book.

BWB: We all watched the Superbowl and I’m pretty sure every woman across the globe would like Beyonce’s body… and energy levels! Can you share her favorite vegan meal / snack?

She loves the Raw Walnut Taco recipe in The 22-Day Revolution book.

BWB: You’re an exercise physiologist – how does fitness play into the 22-day plan?

Fitness is a very important component to optimum wellness but it’s also important to understand that no amount of exercise can undo the effects of a poor diet. They go hand in hand.

BWB: Is the 22-day plan sustainable over 365 days/ a lifetime? How would you or do you adapt the program for more long-term time frame?

The idea is to begin with 22 days and develop habits along the way that will help us continue living a healthier life…beyond the 22nd day.