The self-proclaimed “King of Liver” on social media, he rose to fame claiming that eating raw animal organs helped him achieve a naturally muscular figure, but he is a heavy user of steroids. It became clear that
Brian Johnson, 45, has amassed millions of followers who have seen him eat raw animal livers, bull testicles, beef lungs and other organs.
By sticking to an “ancient and primitive” carnivorous diet, Johnson promised to help fans unleash their “best and most dominant forms.”
Appearing in numerous podcasts, videos, and interviews, he was always adamant that he had naturally gained a strong physique without using any steroids.
“The question was always, ‘Are you on steroids? [performance enhancing drugs]?’ The answer is no. I always told the truth and I still do,” he said on the October podcast.
About two months later, Kimo-oh sat shirtless on a throne-like chair in a dimly lit space and apologized to his followers.
In a YouTube video that has over 2.8 million views, he comes clean and confesses his lies.
“Before social media, I was rich and anonymous. After social media, I’m still rich, but I’m no longer anonymous. I didn’t expect this kind of exposure,” he says. .
“Yes, I have used steroids. And yes, I am on steroids and they are monitored and managed by a trained hormone clinician.”
The confession came just days after Johnson was made public by fellow fitness YouTube star Derek, aka More Plate More Dating.
Derek showed his followers what he said was a leaked email from the King of Livers asking for advice on using steroids.
In an email, Johnson said he spends about $11,000 ($16,400) a month on steroids.
Young people adopting unrealistic standards
Dr Mare Underwood, an anthropologist who specializes in studying bodybuilding culture at the University of Queensland, said the announcement wasn’t surprising.
“Anyone who is serious about fitness will look at a River King’s body and say it’s an enhanced body.
And she is skeptical of Johnson’s claims that his quest for fame was motivated by a desire to help young men suffering from mental health problems.
Loading Instagram content
“It is wrong to say that you are [a natural bodybuilder] Because when you don’t, you give unrealistic expectations to fans who think you look like you, and when you don’t, you’re disappointed.
“If you think, ‘I can just eat bull testicles and take these supplements and I’ll be king of the liver,’ but if you don’t get there, you really go insane. What’s wrong with you?” You may start asking yourself:
“There’s nothing wrong with you. You’re lying. I think that’s a mental health hazard.”
The steroid stigma in bodybuilding
According to Dr. Underwood, “fake nutties” — bodybuilders who pretend to have reached their size through purely natural means — are very common.
“Steroid use has a lot of stigma, so it’s especially common in the public eye,” she said.
“I think some people don’t talk about using enhancement drugs because they don’t want people to think that it was just steroids that built their bodies.
“People are reluctant to publicize their use of enhancing drugs because they want the work it takes to build their bodies to be recognized, rather than the general public thinking it’s just steroids. is.”
“It honestly makes me and probably many others lose hope.”
Online reactions to Johnson’s steroids confession have been mixed, with some fans still supporting him and praising his honesty, others expressing disappointment, and others saying it wasn’t a surprise. rice field.
“What pisses me off is that my body also has self-esteem issues and wants to be big. Honestly, all these creators are trying so hard to be big for so long I feel that I cannot. [steroids]or non-natural substances,” said one YouTube commenter.
“So, honestly, I and probably many others lose hope when I find out what you guys do behind the scenes on YouTube.”
“Rest in peace to all those unnecessarily eaten eyeballs and raw testicles to achieve this unattainable physique,” said another.
Dr. Underwood, who has worked with many bodybuilders, spoke with some of them about Johnson.
“There seem to be two camps: one says it’s wrong to be a fake nutty because it creates unrealistic expectations, and the other says it’s wrong to build muscle before even considering using steroids.” Motivate people to follow a healthy lifestyle that can be increased.
Still, Dr. Underwood said he doesn’t think Johnson’s intentions are all bad.
“There is no doubt Liver King is saying good things, and I have no doubt that on some level he really cares about what young men are going through. I can understand why he lied,” she said.
“I really hope we can change as a society so that people like him don’t feel the need to lie about these things. I hope I can make the right decisions.”
