MY THOUGHTS ON STEROIDS

From a young age, I had a strong conviction that I would never resort to using steroids to build my physique. Even when I was just 17 or 18 years old, I knew I wanted to feel the pride of someone acknowledging the hard work I put into sculpting an impressive physique naturally.

Achieving something through sheer dedication and determination holds a different kind of significance.

When I was recently back home, I got the regular banter of "taking steroids" from friends and my uncle and it just got me thinking... why does everyone think a good physique is unachievable naturally via hard work?

In a society driven by quick fixes and shortcuts, it's disheartening to see people shy away from this challenge of building a physique better than people who are 'enhanced'.

I know 4-5 guys on the top of my head who I have more muscle/less body fat than and they're all taking steroids.

The steroids don't give you the physique (even if they do help you grow muscle with little to no effort). Ultimately your diet and training are still going to be the main lever in body composition.

Steroids enhance your endocrine system (hormones) to be primed for muscle growth. My approach is just to optimise these hormones naturally via supplementation, intermittent fasting, good sleep and a clean diet.

I seek to naturally boost my testosterone and growth hormone output.

Using steroids comes with a host of adverse effects, both in terms of health and overall well-being. Let's delve into the actual side effects.

PHYSICAL SIDE EFFECTS

Acne: Steroid use can lead to severe acne outbreaks due to increased sebum production.

Hair Loss: Steroids can accelerate hair loss or even cause permanent baldness, especially in individuals genetically prone to male pattern baldness.

Liver Damage: Steroids are metabolised by the liver, which can result in liver damage, including hepatocellular carcinoma and peliosis hepatis.

Cardiovascular Issues: Steroids can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks, strokes, and hypertension.

Gynecomastia: Steroid use can disrupt hormone balance and lead to the development of breast tissue in males.

Believe me, you don't want to be walking around as a bald 35-year-old with a man-bra on for your itty bitty titties.

PSYCHOLOGICAL AND BEHAVIOUR EFFECTS

Aggression and Irritability: Steroids can induce mood swings, aggressive behaviour, and irritability, commonly referred to as "roid rage."

Mental Health Disorders: Prolonged steroid use is associated with an increased risk of developing mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and even psychosis.

HORMONAL IMBALANCES

Testosterone Suppression: When individuals use exogenous testosterone (steroids), their bodies may cease natural testosterone production, leading to hormonal imbalances and potential long-term health issues.

Estrogen Imbalance: Steroids can disrupt the balance of estrogen in the body, leading to unwanted side effects such as gynecomastia and water retention.

I just wanted to finish by reminding you to never chase size. That's some little boy, insecure behaviour. Your goal should be to chase what's your genetic potential of muscle mass to body fat ratio and to build an as attractive body as possible.

When anyone starts the gym, their dream physique is probably more akin to that of Cristino Ronaldo or Conor McGregor and I just feel as though, somewhere along the way, a lot of guys lose themselves in this endless pursuit of size and mass.

Remember why you started king, and never lose yourself chasing something as transient and ultimately pointless as 'being big'. It has zero added value in the real world and it doesn't count for anything unless you're lean anyway.

It's one of the only things that puts me off this world of fitness/bodybuilding and that's the hidden reality that most guys (even the guys you want to look like) will never truly be happy with the way they look.

Stay natural, set some goals, get your testosterone up naturally and build a physique over time that the younger version of yourself would've been so proud of you for obtaining. Never have the gym as the only focus, it isn't a personality trait... it's a platform for success in other domains.

Opting for natural methods of physique development, such as proper nutrition, consistent training, and natural supplements allows you to achieve long-lasting results without compromising your health or integrity. After all, I promise you the fun is in the journey anyway.

In a world where external pressures may tempt you to take the easy route, remember that building your physique naturally is not just about aesthetics — it's about personal growth, discipline, and the pride that comes with knowing you've achieved something extraordinary on your terms.

To me... taking steroids (outside of pro-bodybuilding) screams insecurity, laziness and lack of discipline. It goes against everything I think the gym is good for.