Tag: GI News
Jerry Ward Warns Of Extreme Dangers From Diuretics In Bodybuilding
Jerry Ward: “There is no right way to use diuretics in bodybuilding.”
UPDATE 7/23/22: In light of the passing of Jerry Ward, Generation Iron is republishing a GI Exclusive interview segment with Ward first aired in 2020.
On the day of a bodybuilding competition, one of the most important things is to have pitch perfect conditioning. A large part of this comes down to how dry you can make your body so it looks as sharp as possible on stage. This kind of timing, to retain no water weight on the exact day and time of the show, is a true challenge. This is why many bodybuilders have turned to diuretics as a solution to being grainy and dry as possible on the day of a show. In our latest GI Exclusive interview, bodybuilder and fitness guru Jerry Ward discusses the extreme dangers of using diuretics for bodybuilding.
While many bodybuilders have turned to diuretics in order to bring the best and driest possible physique to the stage, Jerry Ward makes a clear point to remind us that there is “no right way” to use diuretics in this capacity. Diuretics have a medical use, and that’s the only way they should be used, to use them for athletic competition, the way bodybuilders often do, is to misuse them in a way that can be extremely dangerous.
The key issue to using diuretics for bodybuilding are two-fold. Athletes can end up taking too much diuretics leading to dangerous health issues. The second issue is how much other dietary decisions affect the way diuretics will work inside your body. Jerry Ward goes on to explain multiple times in his life as a bodybuilder that he witness athletes literally freeze and crumple on stage. He’s even seen one athlete freeze up on stage, go to the hospital, and try to come back and finish competing. She was disqualified.
Jerry Ward then goes on to describe a time when he started locking up due to diuretics use. He describes a moment where he literally couldn’t open his arms out wide due to his chest locking up. He also describes anther time he couldn’t get himself out of bed because of his legs locking up.
While these scenarios all ended with Jerry and the other athletes in these stories ultimately being okay – these kinds of health problems could lead to a more serious and dangerous outcome. Jerry Ward makes it very clear that many bodybuilders don’t take this seriously enough.
You can watch him explain in more detail about the dangers of diuretic use in bodybuilding in our latest GI Exclusive clip above.
NPC/IFBB Pro Judge & Bodybuilder Jerry Ward Passes Away At 46
Bodybuilder and IFBB Pro Judge Jerry Ward has passed away at 46 years old.
Jerry Ward, bodybuilder, coach and IFBB Pro Judge, has passed away at 47 years old. News of his passing was announced by bodybuilding promoter Gary Udit on Instagram. Ward was commentating on a live stream for Udit’s 2022 NPC Teen, Collegiate and Masters Nationals in Pittsburgh, PA. At the time of this writing, no cause of death has been revealed.
Though the cause of death was not stated, Ward’s passing was only described as sudden overnight. He was in the middle of commentating the weekend’s events and even released a video on his YouTube channel only hours before his passing.
“Sadly we lost a terrific friend today with the passing of Jerry Ward. Jerry died suddenly last night. He was here in Pittsburgh commentating on the Live Stream of the NPC Teen, Collegiate and Masters Nationals. In the NPC and IFBB PRO LEAGUE over the years Jerry was an excellent competitor, judge, expediter, head judge and PPV commentator. His knowledge of the sport of Bodybuilding was unparalleled! Jerry was liked and loved by everyone he came in contact with! We are devastated at his passing.”
– Gary Udit
Jerry Ward: from competitive bodybuilder to outspoken commentator
Jerry Ward’s passion for bodybuilding started professionally in 1994 when he earned his personal trainer certification. Later in the early 2000s, Ward started work as a fitness model. He would later go on to not only compete in bodybuilding but also wrestling and even dabble in some acting in commercials and minor TV shows.
After his competitive career, Jerry Ward later gained attention and notoriety for his bodybuilding commentary on YouTube. Ward was known for his blunt and straightforward opinions. Not reluctant to speak his mind, Ward would often find himself in controversy for his outspoken opinions.
Generation Iron had previously sat down with Jerry Ward to discuss the modern state of bodybuilding. True to form, he was very outspoken about the dangers he saw in the sport – particularly when it came to drugs often used by athletes such as diuretics during contest prep.
You can watch a segment from our interview with Jerry Ward below:
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Jerry Ward also rose through the ranks to eventually become an NPC and IFBB Pro judge. Ward also owned a successful supplement brand and personal training business under the name Bios3 Training.
Jerry Ward’s competitive history
2015
NPC Capitol Grand Prix, 4th
Capitol Grand Prix, 3rd
NPC Maryland State/East Coast Classic, 3rd
NPC Baltimore Gladiator Classic, 13th
Baltimore Gladiator Classic, 6th
2009
NPC Pittsburgh Bodybuilding Fitness & Figure, 4th
2007
NPC Lehigh Valley Bodybuilding And Figure Championships, 2nd
NPC Pittsburgh Bodybuilding, Fitness, And Figure Contest, 8th
The entire staff at Generation Iron would like to extend condolences to friend and family of Jerry Ward during this difficult time. This story is still developing and will be updated as more information becomes available. For more news and updates – make sure to stay tuned to Generation Iron Fitness Network for all things bodybuilding, fitness, and strength sports.
Robert “Rock” Rothrock, Former Jr. Mr. America, Has Passed Away At 59
Robert Lewis Rothrock, aka “Rock”, has passed away at 59 years old.
Bodybuilder and former Jr. Mr. America Robert Rothrock passed away on June 25, 2022. He was 59 years old. Rothrock was better known by his competitive nickname “Rock” and was a promising bodybuilder during his prime. He was probably best known for having beaten Flex Wheeler in competition early in his career. At the time of this writing, no cause of death has been specified.
Robert Rothrock was a competitive bodybuilder who had a short lived competitive career – but showcased an incredible physique during his short run. In 1990, Rothrock competed in the NPC Junior Nationals – and notably defeated a young Flex Wheeler. The NPC Junior Nationals ended up being the final competition in Rothrock’s short career. Not a bad way to end his run.
You can check out a video of his posing routine during his prime below:
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Robert Rothrock was born in Rockwell, North Carolina on April 12, 1963. He was known as a “gentle giant” and considered a friend to all in the bodybuilding community. His reputation as a kind and personable person preceded him – both in and outside of bodybuilding. After his bodybuilding career, Rothrock worked at Milwaukee Tools for 27 years and also Eaton Aerospace for 12 years.
Beyond bodybuilding and weightlifting, Rothrock’s favorite pastime was watching NFL – his favorite team was the New Orleans Saints.
Regardless of the short lived nature of his competitive career – Robert Rothrock was a man passionate about bodybuilding and a brother in the sport. His positive attitude and friendly nature brought nothing but a bright light into the industry. Generation Iron sends condolences to friends and family during this challenging time.
This story is still developing and Generation Iron will update as soon as more information becomes available. For more news and all things bodybuilding – make sure to stay tuned to the Generation Iron Fitness Network.
Derek Dufour has been managing all digital operations on the Generation Iron Network for over six years. He currently manages a team of editors, writers, and designers to provide up-to-date content across the GI Network.
2022 Chicago Pro Results
Here are the results from the 2022 Chicago Pro!
The 2022 Chicago Pro is one of the biggest shows of the year. It took place on Friday and Saturday at the Tinley Convention Center in Tinley Park, IL. Hunter Labrada did not return to the competition to defend his title, which means there would be a new champion crowned.
Antoine Vaillant returned to the stage after a second-place finish during the Vancouver Pro last week. This was his ultimate return to the stage following heart issues that he has been dealing with. Vaillant has proven that he is a force when he is at his very best. Tim Budesheim and Dorian Haywood also came in with hopes of making an impact in the Men’s Open division.
During the finals on night one, Bo Lewis was crowned champion of 212 while JT Pelkey won Classic Physique to punch their tickets to the Olympia.
The first night of the results have been announced with six divisions handing out qualifications to the biggest show of the year. Checkout the results from the event below, along with official score cards.
2022 Chicago Pro: All Division Winners
Men’s Open: Coming soon!
Classic Physique: JT Pelkey
Men’s 212: Bo Lewis
Men’s Physique: Nick Koeu
Women’s Bodybuilding: Coming soon!
Bikini: Coming soon!
Fitness: Coming soon!
Figure: Julia Champlin
Women’s Physique: Ashley Jones
Wellness: Isamara Santos
2022 Chicago Pro Breakdown
Women’s Physique
First Place – Ashley Jones
Second Place – Natalie Rae Wolfe
Third Place – Amanda Machado
Fourth Place – Jonquil S. Baugh
Fifth Place – Diana Schnaidt
Sixth Place – Oksana Piari
Wellness
First Place – Isamara Santos
Second Place – Jasmine Payne
Third Place – Nerilde Garcia Strey
Fourth Place – Alexis Figueroa Quesada
Fifth Place – Kat Williams
Sixth Place – Brooke Donnelly
Figure
First Place – Julia Champlin
Second Place – Anita Davis
Third Place – Zul’fiya Bitiyeva
Fourth Place – Danielle Rose
Fifth Place – Samantha Jerring
Sixth Place – Shana Malcolm
Men’s Physique
First Place – Nick Koeu
Second Place – Jeremy Potvin
Third Place – Charjo Grant
Fourth Place – Corey Morris
Fifth Place – Winston Sullivan
Sixth Place – Shun Kaneko
Classic Physique
First Place – JT Pelkey
Second Place – Tommy Clark
Third Place – John Le
Fourth Place – Cody Amey
Fifth Place – Wilfredo Victoria
Sixth Place – Hugo Silva
Men’s 212
First Place – Bo Lewis
Second Place – Peter Castella
Third Place – Fabricio de Souza Moreira
Fourth Place – Derik Olsan
Fifth Place – Jason Joseph
Sixth Place – Ryan Walters
Fitness
Results coming soon!
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Sixth Place –
Women’s Bodybuilding
Results coming soon!
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Second Place –
Third Place –
Fourth Place –
Fifth Place –
Sixth Place –
Bikini
Results coming soon!
First Place –
Second Place –
Third Place –
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Men’s Open
Results coming soon!
First Place –
Second Place –
Third Place –
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2022 Chicago Pro Official Score Cards
Generation Iron wishes to congratulate all the great athletes who earned a win at the IFBB Chicago Pro 2022. Make sure to check out our full IFBB Pro results page from this year and previous years right here to catch up on any action you may have missed!
Greg has covered the four major sports for six years and has been featured on sites such as Sports Illustrated, Fox Sports, SB Nation, NJ.com, and FanSided. Now, he is transitioning into the world of bodybuilding and strength sports.
LISTEN: Bodybuilder Zac Aynsley Releases New EDM Single With Psyko Punkz & Wim Hof
Zac Aynsley releases a new song that you 100% need to add into your workout playlist.
Zac Aynsley is likely best known as a competitive bodybuilder with an incredible physique and strong social media presence. His bodybuilding journey was featured in our documentary feature film – Bigorexia. Bringing even more attention to the rising bodybuilding star. But beyond bodybuilding, Aynsley is also a DJ, and he’s teamed up with Psyko Punkz and Wim Hof to release a brand new EDM single.
Before Zac Aynsley transformed his physique and became a bodybuilder – he lived a party lifestyle. Part of that party lifestyle came from his talent and passion for creating music as a DJ. Eventually, due to health concerns, Aynsley had to change his lifestyle. He discovered bodybuilding and everything changed.
However, Aynsley never lost that passion for creating beats and music. He used his strong following on social media to springboard his brand and promote brand new music that he created himself. His latest song, The Alchemist, combines his talents with Psyko Punkz and Wim Hof. The result is a motivational banger that also combines enigmatic breathing exercise for a more spiritual experience. You can watch the music video for the song below:
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In 2020, Zac Aynsley was featured in GQ magazine, where he went into extreme detail about his past and the rollercoaster journey towards becoming a fitness superstar. A journey that turned him into a bodybuilder, fitness influencer, and entrepreneur that has dedicated himself towards using his passion and platform to promote mental wellness and positive thinking. At a young age, Aynsley suffered from depression and suicidal thoughts. Fitness was a major way for him to change his outlook – and now he wants to give back.
This might explain why his latest single integrates breathing exercises into thumping beats and blaring electronic tones. The concept of mental wellness is a massive part of Zac Aynsley’s life – in both bodybuilding and his other endeavors.
Zac Aynsley previously sat down with Generation Iron for an exclusive interview where he talked about the current state of bodybuilding – including how social media and drug culture has changed the sport. You can watch a segment from that interview below:
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If you like the vibes that The Alchemist put down in Aynsley’s latest single – you can check out his entire discography on his official Spotify landing page. You can also listen to his latest track and add to it to your workout playlist below.
Vince McMahon Announces Retirement From WWE
Vince McMahon has decided to call it a career amid investigations.
Vince McMahon has officially retire from his role as Chairman and CEO of WWE.
McMahon took to Twitter on Friday afternoon to make the announcement. This decision comes a month after he stepped away from his duties after investigations launched into alleged payoffs to former employees.
At 77, time for me to retire.Thank you, WWE Universe.Then. Now. Forever. Together. #WWE #thankful
— Vince McMahon (@VinceMcMahon) July 22, 2022
“As I approach 77 years old, I feel it’s time for me to retire as Chairman and CEO of WWE. Throughout the years, it’s been a privilege to help WWE bring you joy, inspire you, thrill you, surprise you, and always entertain you. I would like to thank my family for mightily contributing to our success, and I would also like to thank all of our past and present Superstars and employees for their dedication and passion for our brand,” McMahon said in a statement.
Vince McMahon shared that Chairwoman and Co-CEO Stephanie McMahon and Co-CEO Nick Khan would be taking over the reins. Additionally, McMahon took the time to thank the viewers for helping build what turned out to be a billion-dollar company.
“Most importantly, I would like to thank our fans for allowing us into your homes every week and being your choice of entertainment. I hold the deepest appreciation and admiration for our generations of fans all over the world who have liked, currently like, and sometimes even love our form of Sports Entertainment.”
In June, McMahon decided to step away from his post as investigations went on about alleged payments to female employees. According to The Wall Street Journal, McMahon paid a total of $12 million to multiple women to keep quiet about alleged affairs and misconduct.
Vince McMahon enjoyed a career with WWE that spanned over five decades. He took control of the company during the 1980s from his father, Vince McMahon Sr. During his time, McMahon appeared as a broadcaster and on-screen talent, along with running the company from the top.
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Milos Sarcev Raves About Michal Krizo After Meeting In Person: “Hype Is Real!”
Milos Sarcev was blown away by Michal Krizo’s physique when they met in person.
Milos Sarcev continues to be one of the most influential figures in bodybuilding. If he gives his approval, that means you must be doing something right. Well, new NPC competitor Michal Krizo gained that approval and then some when he met Krizo in person.
Krizo announced last week that he would be making the switch to NPC from IFBB Elite Pro. This gives him a chance to compete for his Pro Card and eventually make his way to the Olympia stage. Krizo has made it clear that this is his goal as he takes his next steps in competition. This is also good for NPC as they get one of the hottest up-and-coming talents in the sport. There will be eyeballs all over competitions that Krizo is apart of.
Krizo and Sarcev recently met in person and the coach had some great things to say about his physique.
RELATED: How Will Michal Krizo Stack Up To Top Athletes In The IFBB Pro League?
“Hype is REAL!!! Holly shit!!! @ifbbmichalkrizokrizanek is OUTSTANDING! Pictures and videos don’t do him a justice…You have to see him in person. So much QUALITY.”
Milos Sarcev on Michal Krizo: “Pictures and videos don’t capture the real look”
Milos Sarcev took Michal Krizo through a posing routine when they met face-to-face. Many competitors are active on social media showing off their physique but Sarcev believes that you have to see Krizo in person to believe his look.
“First, pictures and videos don’t capture the real look – I promise you that. Michal looks much more impressive in person. Sheer size and muscle quality can really be appreciated only to the naked eye – when you see him in person.”
Krizo recently made a change in divisions so there has been a gap in his training. Sarcev made sure to remind viewers that Krizo is not preparing like he is used to in terms of diet and supplements. This means that there is more to offer when he is at his absolute best.
“Keep in mind that he is traveling, not eating, not taking supplements – yet he looks like this year around…He is 100% committed to make an impact in our Federation…and that’s why he signed up for. There was no challenge at the Elite, so he didn’t have to push to the limits…Now, he’ll have the best of the best on the stage with him and he can’t wait to be tested. WATCH OUT!!!”
It is unknown when Michal Krizo will make his debut in NPC but there will be plenty of hype surrounding this performance. According to Milos Sarcev, that hype is warranted and very much real.
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Tyson Fury’s Team Planning To Discuss Options To Fight Hafthor Bjornsson
Tyson Fury’s promoters will begin talks to get a potential fight against Hafthor Bjornsson planned.
The monstrous pair of boxers, Tyson Fury and Hafthor Bjornsson, have been going back-and-forth on social media for weeks now. There have been no talks that are official just yet but it seems as though both sides are prepared to begin conversations to have the two meet in the ring.
Bjornsson has been vocal on social media, showing off his training and calling out Fury whenever he gets a chance. Fury began with a story of his own weeks back questioning the strength of Bjornsson’s chin. Fury’s promoter, Frank Warren, recently told The Express that there are no plans at the moment.
“I don’t know to be honest. I’ve never really done anything like that so I couldn’t tell you if I’m perfectly honest but there’s a massive interest in Tyson and it seems Thor as well. There’s nothing done so it is what it is at the moment,” Warren said.
Will Tyson Fury Agree To Fight Hafthor Bjornsson?
Tyson Fury announced his retirement from boxing following his knockout victory against Dillian Whyte in April. He did not completely wipe away the idea of stepping back in the ring for a fight of this nature. Naturally, Hafthor Bjornsson became an intriguing opponent.
Bjornsson defeated fellow former strongman Eddie Hall by unanimous decision back in March. Since then, he has remained in the gym training for his next opponent. Bjornsson has been linked to Fury, along with Martyn Ford, as potential next opponents.
Frank Warren explained that he will sit down with Fury in the next few weeks to decide next steps but Bjornsson might not be next on the list. There are talks of the former World Champion waiting to see the fight between Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk on August 20.
“Tyson is a fighting man and I do believe he will carry on fighting. Having said that, at the end of the day it is going to be his choice. But regarding his next fight, if he is going to have any fight it will be against the winner of Joshua and Usyk.”
The buzz around a potential fight between Tyson Fury and Hafthor Bjornsson is getting louder and louder recently. It will be interesting to see how the initial discussions happen between Fury and Warren. What we do know is that Bjornsson is waiting for a response from that side.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Shawn Ray Believes Nick Walker Could Win 2022 Olympia: ‘He Will Have More Wow Factor Than Big Ramy’
Shawn Ray has Nick Walker in the top three but could win if he reaches his peak.
Shawn Ray is a bodybuilding legend that still voices his opinion when it comes to the competitors today. This time, Ray weighed in on the potential of Nick Walker come this year’s Olympia.
Walker quickly emerged as one of the top bodybuilders in the world during his rookie year. He won the 2021 New York Pro before earning another win during the Arnold Classic. This set him up well for the Olympia, which was just two weeks after his appearance in Columbus.
Walker finished fifth during the 2021 Olympia and was not satisfied with his performance. He announced early in the year that he would not defend his title at the Arnold Classic and give himself time to prepare for the Olympia. It is clear that Walker is one of the biggest mass monsters in bodybuilding today but where does he stand at this point of the year?
“Nick is coming along at the right time. And I think he’s progressing, going up that hill, while he’s going up against veterans that are coming down the hill. If everything aligns, and he hits that peak, he’s going to have more of a wow factor than what Big Ramy has.”
Shawn Ray Believes Nick Walker Is “Top Three For Sure”
Shawn Ray was quoted in a video on the Olympia TV YouTube page. He laid out different reasons that Nick Walker will take the step into the top three. These included his age and trajectory of competition.
“The closer you are to aging out, the more likely you’re probably not going to be what you once were and that wow factor is not going to be there. This kid is aging up. He’s aging into it. I think we’re going to see more of a wow factor and that wow factor might diminish what we’ve already seen from Big Ramy. What we already witnessed with the 2019 Brandon Curry and the repetitive version of Hadi Choopan. I think Hadi Choopan the last two years was really similar to what he was.”
Big Ramy is the reigning two-time champion in Men’s Open. He took the title from Brandon Curry in 2020 and has not lost it since. Curry has finished as the runner-up in each of the last two years. Hadi Choopan continues to be a contender while Hunter Labrada is in the same boat as Walker as an up-and-coming star. Ray was also asked about Labrada’s potential and believes he has “to nail his conditioning.”
Shawn Ray believes that Nick Walker’s age is a huge factor moving forward. He thinks that he can reach that level right away because there is more that he can do compared to the other competitors.
“I think we’ve seen the best of Big Ramy. Now it’s up to Nick to show us the best of him. He’s at that right age where we can actually see him at his best, which is a younger version of all of those guys that he’s gotta go through. So, I have him in the top three for sure.”
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The Anabolic Doc Reaction To VICE Video: How Steroids Became More Popular Than Heroin
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Dr. Thomas O’Connor, aka the Anabolic Doc, reacts to Vice News’ recent video: How Steroids Became More Popular Than Heroin.
When people think about steroid or PED use, it’s often under the umbrella of professional sports. Bodybuilders, football players, even cyclists have all been caught using banned steroid substances in the past. But the truth of the matter is that steroids have grown to become an “everyman” drug. It’s not just athletes. It’s regular folk who use them as well. This was broken down in detail with the release of Vice News’ video – ‘How Steroids Became More Popular Than Heroin.’ But how accurate are the claims made in this video? In our latest GI Exclusive, the Anabolic Doc watches and reacts with his knowledge of all things steroids.
In May 2022, Vice News released a new episode in their series News On Drugs. This particular episode focused on steroid use and how it has become a sort of epidemic across the mass population. Steroids and PEDs are a major topic of discussion in the bodybuilding world. Often times, mainstream media gloss over or misconstrue facts that niche industries – such as bodybuilding – understand in more detail because of how directly steroid use affects the industry.
That’s why there was no better expert than Dr. Thomas O’Connor, aka the Anabolic Doc, to watch and react to this recent video. The Vice video has made its rounds and gone somewhat viral with hundreds of thousands of views. What can we learn from this video and what is misunderstood? The Anabolic Doc has often bridged the gap between strength sports and the larger medical world when it comes to steroids. So his expertise in this is perfect for a reaction video. Let’s jump into it.
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ABOVE: The Vice News video ‘How Steroids Became More Popular Than Heroin’ that the Anabolic Doc watched and reacted to.
The War On Drugs (Including Steroids)
The first segment of the video discusses the war on drugs and how the current action against steroids in the US is to keep it criminalized and prosecute anyone who buys or sells them not prescribed by a doctor. Much like the larger war on drugs – the Anabolic Doc finds this to be a failed war. Even worse, it prevents effective education and change to help improve our overall health. Long term steroid users are often quietly suffering – even if the substance abuse doesn’t lead to a fatality.
The Anabolic Doc agrees with the core notion of the video. Steroids are no longer just a pro athlete’s drug. It’s common place among regular folk. The doctor estimates that 15-20 million people use steroids in the US alone. This is far above the data stated in the Vice News video – which was sourced from data gathered in 2010.
With that in mind, all effort must be made to prevent steroid use as being supremely illegal and taboo. This current tactic simply makes users hide their drug use, not seek help when they need it, and get their information from flawed or nefarious sources.
The Vice News video also states that a big problem is steroids being lumped in with other “hard drugs” such as heroin. This is a mistake. It makes steroid users feel labeled as “heavy drug users” – which makes them feel like they need to keep it a secret and avoid medical guidance.
The Anabolic Doc believes that decriminalizing steroids is a big first step to helping make for a healthier society. The second step is convincing the larger medical culture that steroids should be treated differently than heroin. More education must be put into who steroid users are – so that the medical community as a whole can better treat users and prevent future abuse.
Bottom line: the overall culture on how steroids and steroid users are seen needs to change. Yes, steroids are harmful to our overall culture and health – but it shouldn’t be demonized. This won’t lead to change. We can reduce abuse through openness and education.
Debunking Steroid Stereotypes
There is a brief segment of the Vice News video that starts discussing concepts such as roid rage, sharing needles, and “penis shrinking.” This part is a bit of a mixed bag, with the professional correcting the interviewer on some misconceptions but also getting some facts wrong herself.
The Anabolic Doc points out that the expert being interviewed is not a medical professional – but instead a criminologist. So he understands why some of this misconceptions might have slipped through. This is why the doctor wanted to spend some time reacting to the video to straighten some stereotypes out.
The Anabolic Doc debunks the concept of ‘roid rage – stating, “If you’re an asshole then you’ll be an asshole on steroids.” He further compares it to the backwards way men may speak about a woman’s period.
Most people in today’s society know it is rude to use a period to invalidate a woman’s mood. This is true for steroid use and the stereotype of ‘roid rage. Yes, steroids vastly change your hormones, just like a period. And yes, it can lead to mood swings. But it’s not intrinsically related to rage. It affects every individual differently.
The Anabolic Doc also debunks the notion that steroid users line up and share needles at gyms. This may have been true decades ago when health information was less available. But in today’s society, most steroid users know how to be safe with clean needles and injections. This ties into lumping steroid users into the larger hard drug narrative. It creates a “demonized” vision of drug use where strung out users are sharing dirty needles and living in squalor. It’s just not true. There’s no data to support it.
Wrap up
Ultimately, the Vice News video brings attention to a core fact about steroids that many people aren’t aware of – that regular folk use these substances very frequently. It’s not longer an athlete drug. The Anabolic Doc commends the video for detailing this fact – and finds it encouraging that it’s catching waves. Changing the public perception of steroid usage is a big step towards changing how it’s handled.
However, the Anabolic Doc finds it important to fact check some of the misconceptions presented in the video. While it does an overall good job, much like science, these details need to be peer reviewed for viewers to be best informed.
You can watch Dr. Thomas O’Connor’s full reaction to the Vice News video in our latest GI Exclusive above.