The digital age has provided a platform for many, but few have ridden its waves as prominently in the fitness world as Brian Johnson, the man behind “Liver King.” From his raw, primal promises to a physique that seemed to defy modern limitations, Johnson drew a significant following. But as whispers turned into shouts, Johnson now finds himself not just battling skepticism, but a rising tide of legal challenges. Followers once enamored by his teachings now seek accountability, leading to a potential courtroom showdown.
The Primal Promise: From Raw Meats to Muscular Feats
Brian Johnson’s rise as Liver King was meteoric. 2021 and 2022 saw him championing a return to our ancestral roots. A diet rich in raw meats, rigorous outdoor training sessions, and an aversion to modern amenities formed the core of his ethos. This wasn’t merely a fitness recommendation; it was a call to return to a way of life long forgotten. The results, as Johnson would repeatedly claim, were nothing short of miraculous.
Johnson’s claims weren’t confined to words alone. His supplement company, ‘Ancestral Supplements LLC’, supposedly raked in over $100 million within a year, serving as a testament to his burgeoning influence.
As he would often pronounce, “According to his own claims, Johnson’s brand ‘Ancestral Supplements LLC made over $100 million in sales in one year.”
These numbers, astounding as they were, stood in stark contrast to the reservations many in the health community had.
The Unraveling: Steroids, Deception, and Betrayal
Derek from ‘More Plates More Dates’ was among the skeptics. When he revealed emails showcasing the meticulous crafting of Johnson’s Liver King persona, the landscape shifted dramatically. Central to Derek’s revelations was a staggering figure: Johnson was reportedly spending almost “$11,000 a month on steroids” to sustain his physique.
The consequent shock and sense of betrayal among Liver King’s followers were profound. Johnson’s portrayal of an all-natural, primal physique crumbled. Among the crestfallen was Joe Loney, a 35-year-old Brit who had deeply invested in the primal promise. As documented by Bloomberg Business’s Instagram, Loney’s story echoed the sentiment of many:
“When Joe Loney discovered Liver King, a shredded fitness influencer known for eating raw organs, he was hooked. By working out and sticking to a primal diet, the 35-year-old Briton believed he could attain the same ripped physique as Brian Johnson. (the influencer’s real name) Beginning in 2021, Loney are a daily steak so rare it was almost raw, taking a break only every two to three months. Then, in December, the king made a YouTube confession: he was taking roughly $11,000 of steroids a month. ‘I felt betrayed,’ Loney says.
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The Legal Backlash: Lawsuits and Accountability
The consequences of Derek’s exposé were immediate and severe. Johnson’s controversial claims extended beyond just lifestyle advice; he also heavily promoted dietary supplements under his brand, promising similar transformative benefits. For many like Christopher Altamore from New York, this was the breaking point.
Altamore’s lawsuit became a focal point of the ensuing backlash. The New York Post documented the charges, highlighting that:
“Liver King persuaded millions of consumers to adhere to, or abide by, the Eat Tenet by repeatedly making representations to consumers that his near-perfect physique, and optimal health, were solely attributable to his adoption of the Ancestral Tenets, predominantly the Eat Tenet.”
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Altamore’s suit, demanding a staggering $25 million from Johnson and his associated companies, underscores the depth of the betrayal many felt.
Overview
While Johnson, post-revelations, continues to make waves online, his story represents a larger malaise affecting the digital fitness community. Promises of rapid transformations and miraculous health benefits abound, but as the Liver King saga illustrates, not all that glitters is gold.
Despite the setbacks, Johnson has been unabashed in his return, announcing plans to resume using TRT and growth hormones. But one thing is clear: The Liver King controversy serves as a stark reminder of the need for scrutiny and critical thinking in the age of digital influencers.
In our modern, digital-first age, where information is abundant but often unchecked, the Liver King episode is a clarion call for discernment, holding influencers accountable and ensuring that health and wellness advice is rooted in science and transparency.
Featured Image @liverking (Instagram)
