Introduction
I have recently discussed with my coach what else I can take to prepare for the upcoming fight. It is true that I am still competing in boxing as a master at the age of 52. It is intriguing that my coach stated that we are both privileged to have lived for 20 to 30 years of good health.
I asked for more info from him as I struggled for breath, bled profusely, and expressed gratitude for the sparring’s conclusion, as I was uncertain of his meaning.
He then enlightened me that our mothers used to prepare fresh food for us when we were children, including you and me.
Unless you consume vegetables, the harness will not function properly.
A strike may be the only punishment you receive, if you are fortunate.
Therefore, food serves as the nourishment necessary for optimal performance. I remember that in military service, when I was a member of the special forces, there were more carbohydrates than proteins, and no one was overweight.
In 2025, fitness influencers dictate our dietary and aesthetic choices; however, most of their audience is more comparable to Sisyphus than appreciative of their health, which is achieved through the consumption of fresh food and moderate exercise. False.
The notion that one must possess a similar appearance was further bolstered by fitness influencers who possessed minimal or no qualifications
Most people chase health with apps, diets, or motivation hacks.
They scroll past sculpted bodies and perfect routines, tapping “like” on a lifestyle that looks just within reach. But the world of fitness influencers isn’t just filtered lighting and protein shakes.
Behind the curated content lies a high-stakes game of identity, obsession, and influence—where the line between inspiration and manipulation gets dangerously thin.
This involves revealing both the allure and the dangers associated with fitness influencers.
The pursuit of physical perfection is a narrative as old as humanity itself.
From the flawless marble of ancient Greek sculptures embodying masculine ideals of strength and symmetry to the hyper-chiselled physiques that dominate our digital feeds today, the quest for the ideal body has captivated us for millennia.
In the modern era, achieving the ideal body involves more than just lifting weights and running kilometres.
Fitness influencers, who have remarkable control over how we view health, beauty, and even our own value, are behind this painstakingly planned performance that is being presented on a worldwide scale.
The digital Olympians’ ascent
You are immediately engrossed in a stunning spectacle as soon as you enter the digital arena.
For a new generation of fitness enthusiasts, platforms such as Instagram and TikTok have turned into enormous arenas.
These influencers, who are young, frequently incredibly charming, and appear to have been easily sculpted, constantly post pictures and videos that show off what many consider to be the pinnacle of human physical prowess.
They cultivate millions of loyal followers who aspire to imitate their supposedly perfect bodies and lives while providing carefully planned exercise regimens, enticing dietary guidance, and aspirational lifestyle inspiration.
From seasoned gym patrons to naïve youngsters just starting their fitness adventures, the presentation captivates audiences of all ages.
There is no denying the allure—who wouldn’t want to feel and look their best?
The shadow side of “Quick Fix” transformations
Yet, beneath the glossy veneer of perfectly filtered photos and motivational captions lies a far more intricate, and often troubling, reality.
The insidious allure of the “quick fix” thrives in this fertile digital ground. With alarmingly easy access to performance- and image-enhancing drugs (PEDs) and their pervasive, albeit often subtly disguised, promotion on social media, the very goalposts for muscularity have been dramatically and dangerously shifted.
Anabolic-androgenic steroids, human growth hormone, and other off-label medications like insulin, once relegated to the hushed corners of professional sports, are now openly discussed and even championed within certain online circles.
What appears on screen to be the result of relentless dedication and natural genetic gifts is, in an unsettling number of instances, chemically enhanced, creating a profoundly unfair and often perilous playing field for those striving for similar results through natural means.
The deception runs even deeper when influencers who vociferously proclaim their “natural” status are, in time, exposed as users of performance-enhancing drugs.
For their ardent followers, especially young men navigating the often-turbulent waters of self-identity and body image, this revelation can be utterly devastating.
What once seemed like a testament to steadfast devotion and disciplined effort is unmasked as a chemically induced illusion, leaving many to wonder, with a crushing sense of disillusionment, whether steroids are the only viable path to achieving the physiques they so deeply admire.
This painful ripple effect pushes impressionable individuals toward potentially destructive choices, fuelled by an agonizing fear of not being able to “keep up” with the manufactured, often unattainable, ideals constantly bombarding their screens.
I must tell you that I see this every day at the gym.
Unpacking a growing crisis among young men
Recent studies paint a deeply concerning picture, indicating a significant and alarming rise in muscle-building behaviors, including steroid use, particularly among young men.
The “why” behind this trend is complex, but a significant contributing factor is undeniably society’s pervasive and relentless obsession with hypermasculine ideals.
The constant, overwhelming stream of meticulously sculpted bodies establishes an almost impossibly high standard of physical perfection, amplified exponentially by the reach of social media influencers.
Fitness influencer content, whether intentionally or not, actively normalizes extreme body ideals, fundamentally shifting the focus from genuine health and holistic well-being to a relentless, almost obsessive, pursuit of a specific, often unrealistic, aesthetic.
In this new paradigm, fitness is no longer simply about personal health; it’s about meticulously constructing an identity around an idealized male body, a powerful, alluring, and often deeply damaging narrative.
This is far from a harmless trend.
Steroid use carries a long list of serious health risks that many young users are unaware of. In addition to the well-known risks of liver damage and heart disease, steroid use can cause severe and incapacitating mental health problems, such as severe mood disorders, increased aggression known as “roid rage,” and debilitating depression.
The sad truth is that some bodybuilders and fitness influencers who have used performance-enhancing drugs (PIEDs) have passed away unexpectedly, frequently at a very young age.
The sad tale of Australian fitness blogger Jaxon Tippet, who publicly acknowledged using steroids in the past before passing away from a heart attack at the age of 30, is a clear and unmistakable reminder of the known dangers that are inextricably tied to anabolic steroids.
These are not isolated events.
Rather, they are serious warning indicators that emphasize the need to acquire a far more thorough and easily understandable grasp of the serious risks involved.
“Safer use” or slippery slope?
In this burgeoning, largely unregulated industry of online fitness coaching, many influencers offer guidance on training, diet, and supplementation.
A more recent and deeply concerning development, however, is the emergence of “drug coaching,” where influencers provide guidance on how to use steroids and other enhancement drugs within a carefully framed “safer use” model, often couched in the seemingly innocuous language of harm reduction.
While these approaches typically shy away from explicitly encouraging drug use, they do offer strategies designed to reduce and mitigate known harms, such as recommending regular blood testing to monitor the body’s response to these potent substances.
Some elite bodybuilders are even actively championing transparency regarding steroid use, partnering with scholars on podcasts to openly discuss prioritizing health and health monitoring behaviors.
Regular blood testing, performed at specific intervals, is often presented as a key strategy to mitigate the risks associated with steroid use.
During my recent visit to Thailand, I was particularly struck by how readily available supplements and other drugs are and how practically everyone who exercises takes them.
However, the absence of formal regulation in this vast online space means that not all advice is equal.
In fact, much of it is dangerous.
The information can be fragmented, contradictory, and in some cases, profoundly misleading and outright dangerous. Without proper oversight and accountability, some influencers may still actively encourage practices that are inherently hazardous and potentially life-threatening, even when cloaked in the deceptive guise of “harm reduction.”
The irresistible allure of rapid gains, coupled with the persuasive power of a charismatic online personality, can all too easily override common sense, scientific evidence, and the vital warnings of medical professionals.
This is a crucial area demanding immediate attention and robust, evidence-based regulation.
Beyond finger-pointing
But blaming influencers or, worse, humiliating young men for their decisions is not the only way to find a lasting solution.
When it comes to dealing with drug usage, such punitive methods have traditionally shown themselves to be utterly ineffectual.
We need to radically change the discourse from one of censure to one of comprehension, all-encompassing assistance, and authentic instruction.
Instead of telling people to “just say no,” we need to have meaningful conversations with the PIED customers themselves, who are the ones driving and participating in this trend.
As the muscle-building trend continues to evolve and proliferate at an astonishing rate, a concerted and unified effort from various stakeholders is essential.
Peers, policymakers, researchers, and health professionals across the globe must urgently collaborate to provide accurate, balanced, and truly comprehensive education about the intricate risks associated with steroids, with a particular and empathetic focus on the vulnerable demographic of young men.
This isn’t about shaming or judging.
It’s about empowering individuals with knowledge, fostering a culture of informed choices, and ultimately, safeguarding the health, mental well-being, and longevity of a generation captivated by the alluring, yet often perilous, siren song of sculpted ideals in the dazzling, yet often deceptive, digital age.
The conversation must be open, honest, continuous, and empathetic, ensuring that the pursuit of physical excellence remains a journey of genuine health, self-improvement, and sustainable well-being, not a perilous path towards irreversible harm.