Hard work vs genetics & gear... when passion just ain’t enough?

[Phill]

Yo fellas,

Been hittin’ the iron religiously for damn more than a decade now. Eating clean, sleeping like a monk, training like my life depends on it. No parties, no BS. Just gym, meals, and grind. But here’s the kicker — I’m still lookin’ like a natty intermediate at best.

Meanwhile I see dudes poppin' up with half my discipline, juiced to the gills on test, tren, slin, GH.. and yeah, I get it, they respond like freakin' mutants. Some of these guys touch a barbell and blow up like balloons. Genetics hittin’ the jackpot.

So here’s the million-dollar question:
Is passion and discipline really enough in this game? Or is this sport just a genetic lottery where the only way to compete is with a fat stack and a god-tier DNA roll?

I'm not tryna whine — just tryna keep it real.
What y’all think?

Anyone here not genetically blessed but still made it to freak-status?
Do the drugs just widen the gap between good and great?
Is insulin even worth it if your body ain't a hyper-responder?
At what point do you say "f*** it" and either blast or quit?

Let’s hear the truth, no sugarcoatin’.

Stay huge or die tryin’

 

[Mobster]

One HUGE issue is most people are lazy. Few stick it out and so on. The few buddies I talk to and give tips too all do well. One local, works at Asda and has speech impediment (I'm getting better at understanding him) is slowly filling out and tells me what he's worked that day etc.

 

[Phill]

Back in the day, I was a full-blown supp junkie. Not even gonna lie.
We’re talkin’ like 20 years ago. I was young, hyped, and totally drank the Kool-Aid.

If it was on a shelf, I bought it.
Gainers, protein powders, creatine, fat burners, test boosters, pre/intra/post stacks, pump pills, BCAAs, you name it. I was poppin’ capsules and scoopin’ powders like they were the keys to size.
Didn’t know much back then
just believed what the labels told me.

Y’all know how it is when you’re green and the marketing hits you like gospel.

Fast forward a bit... I got into the enhanced game, and let’s just say I started spending my money on more "serious investments."

These days? I keep it simple and health-focused:

Basic multivitamin + minerals

A few health-oriented things... TUDCA, glutathione, etc. for liver and general wellness

Only real "supp" I still use is creatine

Occasionally I’ll throw in some dextrose intra-workout with creatine if I’m pushing for size

No more powders, no more hype.
No protein shakes, no gainers, no shiny new formulas with names like “Ultra Blast Vortex 9000”

Honestly? Most of that stuff is just overpriced fluff.
Zero noticeable return, unless you're counting how fast your wallet shrinks.

Curious if anyone else went through this same evolution...
Did you clean house too? Or still stackin'?