Motherwell defender Sondre Solholm Johansen has revealed an unusual inspiration, in F1 superstar Lewis Hamilton.
The 26-year-old defender struck up a conversation with Hamilton at a Puma Ambassador event in February 2020, and quickly found they had a few things in common.
Johansen, who signed a three-year contract at Fir Park on transfer deadline day from Mjondalen IF, told Motherwell FC's website: "Lewis was so humble.
"As part of my contract with Puma, I get to attend these cool yearly events and he was there.
"I was sent as an ambassador from Norway. I also went with Todd Cantwell from Norwich City.
“I tried to suck out as much information as I could in the two or three minutes I had with Lewis because he’s a plant-based athlete and so am I.
"I’ve been plant-based for two years now, but I wanted to get info on how you perform at his level when you don’t eat meat."
Hamilton was also curious about Norway, with Johansen trying to provide as much information as he could.
He said: "He loves his snowboarding and skiing. He has always wanted to go to Norway to do it so I just tried to give him some tips, but I don’t know if he remembers."
'Sol' is on a vegan diet for ethical and environmental reasons, but he has also noticed benefits in other aspects of life.
He explained: "My sleep quality is so good; for the first six months my sleep was amazing.
"It’s hard to tell the difference because I felt good before, but I just wanted to try something new and I know it’s something I can do.
"The most difficult thing is getting enough protein, but I got some help from my doctor and found out some supplements.
"I try to do the things that are best for my body to perform at a high level and it works for me, but I don’t want to be the weirdo who bothers the [club] chef at lunch.
"My girlfriend and I do it together. It’s much easier when there’s two of you. I don’t have to be alone with it."
Johansen says it has been an ambition to play outside of his country, and was delighted when Motherwell came calling.
He said: "The furthest I’ve lived away from my childhood home is 20 minutes. This is a big change for me, but it is a dream come true already.
“I feel like this is the right step for me. If I’m being honest, from the first phone call with my agent I was sold. He didn’t have to make a sales pitch, I had my bags packed when he called.
"We were about to sign with another club in Norway, but we put that on hold for Motherwell.
"The first thing I did was go on YouTube. I was sitting on it for three weeks straight. The fans seemed so crazy, but it also seems like such a well-run club that take care of the community and the society around it."
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