Up to 97% of Americans do not get enough of at least one essential nutrient in their diet, and protein quality is often overlooked in the mix. Many people assume that all protein is the same, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
On a recent episode of Plant-Based Eating for Health, I sat down with Anthony Boldin, founder of Live Complete, to talk about the truth behind plant-based protein, why amino acid balance matters, and how his engineering background led to a product with one of the highest protein “match rates” available today.
From Personal Values to Plant-Based Innovation
Anthony’s vegan journey began in 2020, not with a dramatic overnight decision, but with a steady shift toward aligning his values with his actions. As a father, he wanted to model compassion,, from rescuing tiny creatures that wandered into the house to feeding wildlife at the door instead of shooing them away.
Eventually, he realized that eating animals didn’t match the values he was teaching his kids. Sustainability, compassion for animals, and personal health became guiding principles. But like many new vegans, Anthony faced the same question over and over: “Where do you get your protein?”
The Myth of “All Protein Is the Same”
Anthony’s engineering background pushed him to dig deeper. He discovered that protein quality isn’t just about grams on a label. Proteins are made up of amino acids, and our bodies can’t produce nine of them , the essential amino acids , so we must get them from food.
Animal proteins tend to have higher match rates to human muscle composition, but they also come with baggage: hormones, antibiotics, pathogens, and environmental damage. Plant proteins vary widely, and mixing and matching foods can help, but Anthony wanted a simpler, more precise approach.
His solution was to create a protein powder with a 96.2% match rate to human muscle amino acid composition , nearly double the match rate of whey protein, which hovers around 48–49%.
Creatine: Not Just for Bodybuilders
One of the biggest nutrient gaps for vegans is creatine. Found naturally in meat, creatine supports muscle strength, recovery, and even brain function. Yet many still believe it’s only for 
bodybuilders.
Anthony explains that creatine benefits everyone, especially as we age. It can improve mental focus, maintain muscle mass, and support overall vitality. The small weight gain some people see is actually muscle hydration , a positive change, not fat gain.
Clean Eating as a Core Principle
For Anthony, clean eating means choosing foods with ingredients you recognize or, better yet, foods that don’t need labels at all. That’s a stark contrast to many ultra-processed products marketed as “healthy.”
Through customer research, his team found four top priorities people look for when transitioning to more plant-based eating:
- Nutritional equivalence (matching key nutrients from animal products)
- Great taste and texture
- Reasonable price
- Familiarity and ease of use
Live Complete aims to meet all four, making plant-based eating practical for everyone , not just committed vegans.
Why Muscle Matters at Every Age
Protein isn’t just for athletes. Maintaining muscle mass is critical for healthy aging, joint support, metabolism, and overall resilience. Unfortunately, most people are under-muscled, and many older adults believe it’s “too late” to make a difference.
Anthony’s message is clear: It’s never too late. Even small improvements in diet and activity can have a big impact. Consistent movement, combined with high-quality protein, helps preserve muscle, protect mobility, and improve energy levels at any age.
The Bigger Mission
While Live Complete started with protein powders in chocolate, vanilla, and neutral flavors, Anthony’s vision is much larger. He wants to create an entire ecosystem of products and tools that make plant-based living easy, balanced, and nutrient-complete , without the guesswork.
And his philosophy applies to more than just diet: “Learning about what’s best for your body is a lifelong journey. If you aim for the best health, you’ll have the best life , and if you can do it in a way that’s compassionate to animals and the planet, everyone wins.”
Learn More
Visit www.LiveComplete.com to explore the science behind high match rate protein and discover how a cleaner, more efficient source of nutrition can support your goals.
Episode Highlights
[00:00] Introduction
[01:30] Anthony’s vegan journey.
[05:30] The masculine carnivore myth.
[07:00] Why vegans should supplement their protein.
[09:00] Build fast, recover quicker.
[11:30] Hidden, and dangerous, ingredients in meat.
[14:00] Who is “Live Complete” protein for?
[16:00] Protein and the brain.
[21:15] Anthony’s mission is simple… yet, powerful.
[23:45] It’s never too late to get healthy.
[26:00] Health takes discipline and good choices.
[32:00] BCAA and EAA and your health.
[37:00] Anthony’s favorite sport to indulge in.
[41:00] Health is a lifelong journey.
About Anthony Boldin
Anthony Boldin is the founder and CEO of LiveComplete, a food company dedicated to making plant-based living easy, satisfying, and nutritionally complete. With a background in engineering, he brings a data-driven, analytical approach to food innovation.
After going vegan in 2020, Anthony discovered a major gap in protein quality across plant-based diets. This led to the creation of Match RateTM, a metric that scores how closely a food’s amino acid profile matches what human muscles actually need. He then developed a proprietary algorithm to find the optimal combination of plant proteins to meet this standard. The result was NutriMatchTM, a patent-pending technology that delivers a 96.2% Match Rate using only plants.
LiveComplete launched its first product line in June 2025, introducing a new benchmark in clean, effective plant protein. Guided by purpose and innovation, Anthony is building a future where plant-based living comes without compromise.
About Kathleen Gage
Kathleen Gage is a multifaceted professional, renowned as the founder of Vegan Visibility. With certifications in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Plant-Based Nutrition from eCornell University, she’s a seasoned business consultant, keynote speaker, and marketing strategist.
Kathleen’s impact extends to hosting the Vegan Visibility Virtual Summit, a niche event supporting vegan and plant-based entrepreneurs with top-tier training from industry experts. Since establishing her business in 1994, she’s navigated economic challenges across various sectors, including high-tech, healthcare, and publishing.
Her influential voice resonates through popular podcasts like “Vegan Visibility” and “Plant Based Eating for Health,” where she advocates for a sustainable, compassionate world and provides guidance to thousands globally. Moreover, as an award-winning speaker and past president of Utah’s National Speakers Association chapter, Kathleen excels in crafting effective
marketing strategies.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Kathleen resides in Central Oregon, where she champions animal rescue and enjoys outdoor activities. Her commitment to creating a more compassionate and sustainable world shines through in both her personal and professional pursuits.
Access her complimentary Podcast Guesting Blueprint at http://veganvisibility.com/podcastblueprint