‘Come on guys, wake up!’: Eddie Abbew on fitness, nutrition, and Warwick’s ‘crazy’ food setup

“A lot of people think I’m doing this for clicks, but to tell you the truth, I’m on a mission to educate the young,” Eddie Abbew tells me as he reflects on his journey from working as a psychiatric nurse to becoming nothing short of an internet sensation.

Boasting millions of followers across all social media platforms, Eddie Abbew’s unique approach to nutrition has made him a staple in the fitness industry. He is best known for his short-form video content, which typically sees him, rather explicitly, telling people to “wake the fuck up,” and to stop eating “sugary shit”. The Eddie-approved diet, as it’s come to be known, centres around single-ingredient foods (such as meat, fish, avocados and, most famously, eggs). Convenience meals, such as your favourite Rootes Grocery Store meal deal, are simply a no-go for Eddie.

The mainstream media just want to sensationalise (any comments I give). But students, they’re at a critical age where they’re shaping their habits and lifestyles

Eddie Abbew

A former psychiatric nurse, Eddie has chosen an unconventional route to spread his message. Instead of prioritising mainstream media outlets, he prefers to engage directly with students at universities and schools. “My mission is to educate the youth. That’s why I go to Eton College and Warwick University, rather than Sky TV,” he explains.

Eddie’s recent visit to Warwick raised over £600 for Save The Children and saw over 300 students attend his interactive talk. Reflecting on his work, he tells me: “The mainstream media just want to sensationalise [any comments I give]. But students, they’re at a critical age where they’re shaping their habits and lifestyles.” He goes on to recall some of the encounters he’s had with people in his gym. “I see a lot of students coming into my gym, tired, apathetic, and generally in low mood. I know that I wasn’t like that when I was a student, and it’s because of what they’re eating,” he says. Eddie stresses that his message is clear: proper nutrition is key to both mental and physical health.

If somebody’s got psychiatric problems, the last thing they need is junk food

Eddie Abbew

One of the more controversial topics that arose was the recent passing of a motion that will see Warwick Students’ Union (SU) become fully plant-based by 2027. This motion was proposed by Plant-Based Warwick, a student organisation comprising of societies including Warwick Vegan and Vegetarian Society. A total of 1472 students voted on this motion, with 774 voting for, 518 voting against, and 180 abstaining. Eddie’s reaction is immediate and unfiltered: “That’s fucking stupid. Crazy, even. We are animal eaters,” he declares. He recounts his own experience with a plant-based diet, which left him feeling lethargic and mentally foggy. “I tried the plant-based diet. I did my homework, tried to get the right stuff, and I felt shit,” he declares bluntly.

Despite facing criticism within the fitness industry, Eddie remains resolute. “I don’t care about the hate on social media,” he says, seeing it as a way to increase engagement and spread his message further. His focus, he tells me, is entirely on educating people about making informed choices that promote their health and well-being. Eddie’s background as a psychiatric nurse in the 1990s profoundly influences his views on diet and health. He describes the brutal training and the dismal food provided to patients.

Keep investigating to find the foods that make you feel best […] All the information is out there

Eddie Abbew

“The food is the same now. In fact, it’s gotten worse. If somebody’s got psychiatric problems, the last thing they need is junk food,” he says. Eddie goes on to stress that his first-hand experiences on the wards allowed him to see the connection between diet and mental health, spurring him to shift his focus toward nutrition.

Looking to the future, Eddie is working on a new book that will share his life story and the lessons he’s learned. “I have lived a very colourful life,” he says. From poverty to success, to struggling with both his physical and mental health, Eddie’s autobiography aims to inspire and motivate. He aims to show that with the right mindset and choices, anyone can overcome hardship and achieve their goals.

As our conversation draws to a close, Eddie offers a final piece of advice to Warwick students: “Keep investigating to find the foods that make you feel best. Your health is your responsibility. Your body is designed to heal itself, especially when you are young. All the information is out there.”

The full interview is available to watch on The Boar’s Youtube channel