“Whatever happened to bodybuilding? It’s become a drug cult.”
– Vince Gironda, The Iron Guru and Bodybuilding Coach
Vince may have been talking about bodybuilding, but here we are, 40 years later, and he may as well been talking about the fitness industry in general- Particularly the fitness industry as seen through the lens of social media.
Today, many fitness influencers have shifted away from promoting true health and instead glorify a lifestyle that mirrors the extreme and dangerous practices of competitive bodybuilding.
The issue is that they market an image of vitality and “wellness,” yet, many are now using steroids and focus on unnatural muscle size, shredded physiques, and extreme diet practices that often come at the expense of genuine health. Unfortunately, this created illusion misleads their followers into adopting habits that are are not about long-term well-being.
As a matter of fact, many fitness influencers are simply the furthest examples from truly healthy lifestyles. They are living behind a facade of health, hiding what’s really happening inside the body, where they create damage the heart, kidneys, and liver, and may cause cancer.
Research suggests that the rise of social media is contributing to an increase in anabolic steroid use, particularly among young people who are too often swayed by unrealistic body standards portrayed online. Studies have found that image focused platforms are indeed linked to greater body dissatisfaction, lower self esteem and a higher likelihood of doing steroids. Campaigns like the World Anti-Doping Agency’s #NaturalIsEnough are trying to curb this growing trend, but the influence of social media on promoting unattainable physiques continues to pressure many into dangerous decisions about their health.
Yes. Dangerous! The research on the dangers of steroids become more clear with each passing year.
For a long time, the fitness and steroid scene was too new to see longer-term effects. Yet, now we can see that some of the most well-known bodybuilders of the past 30 years have died young.
The following is a list of steroid-era bodybuilders that died prematurely due to heart, kidney, or liver failure and the ages at which they died.
- Scott Klein age 30
- Mike Mentzer age 49
- Ray Mentzer age 47
- Eduardo Kuwak age 47
- Luke Wood 35
- Mike Matarazzo 47
- Zyzz age 22 (died in Thailand)
- Fannie Barrios age 41
- Charles Durr age 44
- Robert Benavente age 30
- Ron Tuefel age 45
- Mohammed Benaziza age 33
- Andreas Munzer age 31
- Paul DeMayo age 38
- Don Youngblood age 51
- Art Atwood age 38
- Jesse Marunde age 27
- Dan Puckett age 22
- Trevor Smith age 30
- Danielle Seccarecci age 33
- Chris Juarez age 37
- Matt Duvall age 40
- Chris Janusz age 37
- Ed Van Amsterdam age 40
- Anthony D’Arezzo age 44
- Greg Kovaks age 44
- Hans Hopstaken age 45
- Frank Hillenbrand age 45
- Alex Azarian age 45
- Nasser El Sonbaty age 47
- Don Ross age 49
- Stoil Stoilov age 49
- Rich Piana age 46
- Phil Hernon – 55 years old
- Matt Mendenhall – 61 years old
- Billy Smith – 56 years old
- Matt Porter – 34 years old
- Josef Grolmus – 39 years old
- Scott Klein – 30 years old
- George Peterson – 37 years old
- Alex Azarian – 43 years old
- Andy Haman – 54 years old
- Derek Anthony – 32 years old
- Don Youngblood – 51 years old
- Shawn Rhoden – 46 years old
- Curtis Leffler – 48 years old
- Gustavo Badell – 50 years old
- Pit Trenz – 53 years old
- Darryl Stafford – 58 years old
- Jose Mateus Correia Silva – age 28
Note: While these deaths are associated with steroid use, other factors may have contributed as well. This list doesn’t include all non-professional weightlifters and athletes. There are countless more premature deaths of steroid users who simply wanted to get bigger and never stepped on a competition stage.
That’s just over 50 examples, but there are more!
Furthermore, it’s important to remember that not everyone dies; some experience kidney failure or heart failure and need organ transplants to survive. A few examples of well known bodybuilders include Tom Prince -kidney failure at 34, Flex Wheeler – kidney failure at 35, and Don Long -kidney failure at 35.
As Dante Trudel, a well known bodybuilding coach/expert, recently said on his social media, following the death of yet another young bodybuilder:
“How many professional golfers do you know who died from health issues between the ages of 26-55?
If 50-100 professional golfers had died over the past few years, they’d be trying to ban professional golf!
It shows how desensitized you are to this and how much you’ve brainwashed yourself that it’s normal and ‘won’t happen to you.’ It’s not normal.”
Trudel really hits the nail on the head with his post.
I want to make it clear that I didn’t write this little blog to attack or judge anyone, especially those who have passed away.
As someone who’s entering his 29th year in the fitness industry, I have several friends who use or have used steroids – but, I am amazed at how many young people are interested in using them.
I am all for people doing whatever they like. It’s their body.
My issue lies with the deception, misinformation, and outright lies that permeate the fitness world. Fitness influencers skillfully veil the truth, particularly from those who are most vulnerable—young people just beginning their fitness journey. They see the impressive results and often develop false expectations, leading them to believe that steroids are a necessary part of achieving their goals. Someone needs to step up and provide truthful, open information to counter these harmful narratives.
I totally understand even bringing this up always upsets some people, but at the same time, if it helps even one young person avoid these dangerous drugs and they go on to live a long, healthy, vibrant life…free of health issues into their latter years…Well, I will consider the time I spent writing about this to be time well spent.
I would love to see the fitness industry emphasize fitness and health a little more.
I’ll wrap this up with a quote from one of my favorite old-school body builders, Marvin Eder.
“You know, when I lifted weights I believed the stronger and more muscular I got, the healthier I became. Health was never divorced from my training.”
This isn’t meant to be a rant or condemnation—it’s simply stating my hopes that the fitness industry somehow goes back into a phase that refocuses on true health, both mental and physical. I’d love to see it remediate itself to longevity and empowerment, not unrealistic standards and promoting dangerous drugs.
Best wishes of health and happiness to each and every one of you.
(This blog is a modified excerpt from my book, which uncovers the timeless muscle-building strategies of legendary pre-steroid era athletes. https://ritaharmony.gumroad.com/l/lyntjb to learn how they built incredible physiques naturally.)
