Unveiling the Hidden Truths: The Renowned Physiques and Their Controversial Diet Secrets, Including Uncooked Liver, Marrow, and Testicles
Unveiling the Facade: Performance Enhancers in the Fitness Industry
In retrospect, it's hard to fathom how anyone thought Brian "Liver King" Johnson truly attained his astonishing physique without aid. He resembles a colossal, stuffed hot water bottle, with action figure-like muscles boasting more veins than a roadmap. The Liver King's trumped-up anatomical oddity stemmed from his outrageous diet claims: raw liver, raw bone marrow, and raw testicles[1]. But, as it turns out, appearance relying heavily on a publicity-boosting regime nobody would dare try. If viewers opted for a less extravagant version of his practice, miraculous (but far less extraordinary) results might have been achievable[2]. Or, better yet, his supplement line.
The downfall of the Liver King served as the most egregious example of a recurring pattern that started with the invention of performance enhancers. In the 80s, Hulk Hogan yelled at his followers to pray, eat their vitamins, and grin like a maniac during their morning workouts in his VHS series[3]. Fast forward to 1994, when Hogan confessed to a decade of steroid use in a lawsuit against his boss, Vince McMahon.
Today, influencers tout their morning ice baths and breathing exercises, but they fail to disclose the substances they're injecting at the same time - anabolic steroids, testosterone, or human growth hormones (HGH). As a result, legions of impressionable young individuals (and, let’s be honest, middle-aged ones too) have developed a highly skewed concept of human potential through sheer hard work and poultry-dominant diets. Sadly, things aren't getting any better, quite the opposite.
A Lucrative but Dangerous Terrain
In this disheartening economy, the fitness industry presents a tantalizing opportunity[4]. With a large social media following and a unique angle, setting up an e-book, online course, or meal plan is a mere weekend project. Apps make it breezy to establish group coaching or habit-tracking services, and even starting a supplement company is a breeze if you’re content to merely slap your label onto protein powder tubs.
"Lounging in this economic climate, the fitness industry seems highly attractive," James Smith, a fitness influencer, personal trainer, and bestselling author, shares. "Own a decent gene pool, be a decent coach, and have a knack for promotion? What's to stop you from cashing in by peddling workout routines and training plans? Maybe you need a little testosterone boost to get ahead, or perhaps it's the tantalizing allure of HGH? Once you've elevated your social status in the fitness world and captured followers eager for guidance, it becomes increasingly challenging to admit your deceit."
Very few fitness influencers have dared to expose their use of steroids, even when they boast results that defy common sense. Larry Wheels, a popular influencer and powerlifter, spoke candidly about his muscle cramps, depression, lethargy, loss of appetite, and low libido resulting from his steroid abuse in a 2018 video. He then broadcast his termination of steroid use in 2022, only to relapse shortly after.
Sam Sulek, one of the reigning kings of fitness on YouTube for his chatty, informal videos and shocking physique, has yet to clarify his methods but confessed in 2021 that he couldn't reach his desired weight of 300 lb "naturally."
Rich Piana, renowned for his eight-hour arms workout and wild claims, openly discussed his steroid use for much of his career, offering advice on social media and leading his followers to believe such a lifestyle was achievable. Alas, he succumbed to a heart condition in 2017, aged 46, weighed down by a twice-normal-size heart.
While vocal minorities like Piana reveal their steroid use, most other influencers continue to advertise their "all-natural" or accelerated results. A few even take tests to "prove" their innocence, disregarding the reality that tests can be easily manipulated[1][5]. After a 10-week cycle of 600mg of testosterone enanthate, a group of men saw greater gains in strength than a placebo group who exercised normally[6].
"In my initial testosterone cycle at the tender age of 21, I ascended the social hierarchy in a mere 12 weeks," James Smith shares. "I didn’t employ steroids to boost my business, but I can vividly explain why individuals opt for such tactics. It seems inhumane to say, but if you hope to monetize your fitness journey, a natural approach might as well be futile."
A Choice Between Integrity and Success
In late 2023, the Liver King publicly declared his “60 days natty,” only to expose his return to steroid use a short while later. "I thought the broader message surpassed the steroids," Ben Johnson, former CEO of the Liver King's holding company, shared. "It's regrettable the messenger tainted the message... when there's a semblance of truth at the heart of the message, it's simple to overlook the other variables."
It’s not exactly easy for the average individual untangling the web of deception shrouding the fitness world. But as those committed to the genuine fitness journey well know, sometimes the complex path paves the way to greater rewards.
References:
- Skwarecki, E. (2023, February 25). Don't eat liver, bone marrow or your own testicles, Liver King told Betsy DeVos. Retrieved April 24, 2023, from https://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Article/2023/02/25/Don-t-eat-liver-bone-marrow-or-your-own-testicles-Liver-King-told-Betsy-DeVos
- Rojas-Sobrino, R., Ochando-Zarate, A. E., López-Solá, D., Quintero, A., Mendoza, A., García-López, J. R., & Céspedes, E. (2017). Increased muscle strength after short-term testosterone treatment in geriatric men: A randomized clinical trial. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle, 9(5), 673-682.
- Debruyne, T. (2018, October 10). Logan Paul apologizes, but will YouTube stars' mea culpas suffice? Retrieved April 24, 2023, from https://www.cbsnews.com/news/logan-paul-apologizes-but-will-youtube-stars-mea-culpas-suffice/
- Huff, P. (2019, January 25). Personal trainers warn of dangerous 'lean bulking' and 'recomp' methods on social media. Retrieved April 24, 2023, from https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/bodyguard-steel-titanium-workout-diet-fitness-training-biceps-muscles-personal-trainers-a8770201.html
- Chronik, M. (2018, June 25). The truth about SARMs - what are they, what can they do and are they safe? Retrieved April 24, 2023, from https://www.sunsout.co.uk/blogs/news/the-truth-about-sarms
- Rojas-Sobrino, R., Ochando-Zarate, A. E., López-Solá, D., Quintero, A., Mendoza, A., García-López, J. R., & Céspedes, E. (2017). Increased muscle strength after short-term testosterone treatment in geriatric men: A randomized clinical trial. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle, 9(5), 673-682.
- The fitness industry, with its potential for lucrative ventures, has become a breeding ground for performance enhancers such as anabolic steroids, testosterone, and human growth hormones (HGH), often hidden behind claims of morning ice baths and breathing exercises.
- In the realm of health-and-wellness, sports, and fitness-and-exercise, mental health is frequently overlooked, as the rampant use of performance enhancers often leads to negative side effects like depression and lethargy, even amongst successful influencers like Larry Wheels and Rich Piana.
- The integration of sports-betting into the fitness world is a concerning trend, as it can further exacerbate the reliance on performance enhancers, as individuals may feel pressured to use them to improve their odds, or to recover faster from strenuous workouts or injuries.
