Slaying the Liver King with Ahmed Al-kadri and Gianmarco Soresi | 26
The Liver King, also known as Brian Johnson, experienced a meteoric rise in popularity through promoting an "ancestral lifestyle" centered on natural practices and launching a supplement business called Ancestral Supplements. However, his image was tarnished when leaked emails revealed he had been using performance-enhancing drugs, contradicting his claims of achieving his physique through his lifestyle alone.
This podcast episode delves into the Liver King's journey, from his initial success in the wellness industry to the steroid scandal that threatened to undermine his brand. It explores the fallout of the controversy, including his eventual admission of steroid use and the surprising resilience of his dedicated following despite the revelations.
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Mar 18, 2024 episode of the The Big Flop
Sign up for Shortform to access the whole episode summary along with additional materials like counterarguments and context.
1-Page Summary
The Liver King's Rise to Fame
Brian Johnson, famously known as the Liver King, experiences a swift ascension to stardom through his promotion of an "ancestral lifestyle," paralleled by the successful rise of his supplement business. His venture began in August 2021 by advocating nine tenets of a primitive way of living that centers on natural and holistic practices such as diet, movement, and exposure to the elements. Brian's personal transition into this lifestyle, initially inspired by health issues faced by his children, resulted in remarkable improvements in their well-being as they adopted diets rich in nutrients like bone broth and beef liver. Along with this, Brian has created a profitable supplement company, Ancestral Supplements, promoting "nose to tail eating" and achieving reported annual revenues of around $100 million, placing him as a notable figure in wellness and entrepreneurship.
Allegations of Steroid Use
The image of the Liver King is marred by accusations and confirmed use of steroids, eroding his claim of attaining his physique purely through the ancestral lifestyle principles. Initially, Brian Johnson vehemently denied using enhancers, stating his muscular build was the product of a natural lifestyle. Nevertheless, the release of private emails between Johnson and a bodybuilding coach, divulged by fitness YouTuber Derek Monroe, exposed detailed information about the steroids Johnson used, costing approximately $11,000 monthly. The mounting evidence led to Johnson's eventual admission of his steroid use, which some like comedian Gianmarco Soresi suggested was possibly compelled by undeniable proof, rather than voluntary confession.
Aftermath
Surprisingly, the Liver King's reputation has remained relatively stable despite the steroid scandal. An unwavering following continues to support him on social media platforms, and a potentially damaging $25 million class action lawsuit against his businesses was dismissed. On the heels of his apology, which itself saw millions of views, Johnson's promotion of his diet and lifestyle endures unabated, and plans to expand his supplement brands are still in motion. The robust support from his followers, compared by Ahmed Al-Kadri to the steadfastness of Trump's base, signals that the Liver King remains largely unshaken in his online presence and continues to be an influential figure in the wellness industry, unabated by the controversy surrounding his steroid use.
1-Page Summary
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- Brian Johnson, also known as the Liver King, gained fame by advocating for an "ancestral lifestyle," which focuses on natural and holistic practices like diet, movement, and exposure to the elements. This lifestyle approach is inspired by ancient ways of living and emphasizes consuming nutrient-dense foods like bone broth and beef liver. Johnson's promotion of this lifestyle, along with his successful supplement business, has positioned him as a notable figure in the wellness and entrepreneurship spheres.
- Brian Johnson's supplement company, Ancestral Supplements, focuses on promoting "nose to tail eating" and offers a range of products derived from animal organs and tissues. The company emphasizes the consumption of nutrient-dense animal parts to support overall health and well-being. Ancestral Supplements has gained popularity for its unique approach to ancestral health practices and has achieved significant financial success, with reported annual revenues of around $100 million. Brian's business has played a key role in solidifying his position as a prominent figure in the wellness and entrepreneurship spheres.
- Brian Johnson, known as the Liver King, faced allegations of using steroids despite promoting a natural lifestyle. Private emails between Johnson and a bodybuilding coach, revealed by a fitness YouTuber, exposed details of his steroid use. This evidence contradicted Johnson's initial denial of using enhancers. The mounting proof led to Johnson eventually admitting to his steroid use.
- The comparison of the Liver King's support to Trump's base highlights the unwavering loyalty and dedication of his followers despite controversies. Just like how Trump's base remained steadfast in their support despite various controversies during his presidency, the Liver King's followers continue to stand by him even after the steroid scandal. This comparison emphasizes the strong and loyal fan base that both figures have cultivated, showcasing the resilience of their support in the face of adversity.
Counterarguments
- The rapid success of the Liver King may raise questions about the sustainability and scalability of his business model, especially in light of the controversy.
- The ancestral lifestyle promoted by the Liver King, while beneficial for some, may not be practical or suitable for everyone due to modern lifestyle constraints and individual health needs.
- The efficacy of the "nose to tail eating" approach and the supplements sold by Ancestral Supplements could be scrutinized for scientific validity and compared to other nutritional philosophies.
- The Liver King's personal use of steroids could be seen as undermining the authenticity of his brand, which is built on the premise of achieving health and fitness through natural means.
- The dismissal of the $25 million lawsuit does not necessarily validate the Liver King's practices; it may simply reflect legal technicalities or insufficient evidence to proceed.
- The unwavering support from his followers might not be indicative of the broader public opinion and could be a reflection of a niche community rather than widespread acceptance.
- The comparison to Trump's base might be considered an oversimplification of the Liver King's following and may not accurately represent the diversity of opinions among his supporters.
- The continued expansion of the Liver King's supplement brands in the wake of the scandal could be viewed critically in terms of consumer protection and the responsibility of influencers to be transparent about their lifestyle and product endorsements.
Related Shortform Content
Get access to the context and additional materials
The Liver King's Rise to Fame
Brian Johnson, known as the Liver King, has been rapidly gaining notoriety for his promotion of an "ancestral lifestyle," which has garnered attention not only for its health claims but also for the successful supplement business it has inspired.
Discovery of "ancestral lifestyle" and health benefits
Brian Johnson developed the Liver King persona and launched his online channels in August of 2021, actively promoting the nine tenants of an "ancestral lifestyle." These tenants emphasize fundamental aspects of living like sleeping, eating, moving, shielding, connecting, enduring cold, being in the sun, fighting, and bonding.
In his personal life, Brian and his wife Barbara turned to researching traditional diets to restore the health of their sons. They removed processed foods from their diet, replacing them with nutrient-dense foods like bone broth and beef liver. Despite initial resistance from their children—Brian describes them as looking emaciated and sickly—the Johnsons persisted with the diet change. Brian claims that as a result, their sons' health vastly improved, and their allergies seemingly vanished.
Supplement business model
Coinciding with this lifestyle, Brian owns a company that sells freeze-dried animal organ supplements. The brand, Ancestral Supplements, champions the idea of "nose to tail eating," a practice which ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
The Liver King's Rise to Fame
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- The "ancestral lifestyle" promoted by the Liver King emphasizes living in alignment with traditional practices for optimal health. Its nine tenets cover essential aspects like sleep, diet, movement, sun exposure, cold exposure, social connections, and more. This lifestyle approach draws inspiration from ancient human behaviors and aims to mimic the habits of our ancestors for improved well-being. The Liver King advocates for a holistic approach to health that incorporates these principles into daily life.
- Brian Johnson adopted the persona of the Liver King to promote an "ancestral lifestyle" emphasizing traditional practices like diet, sleep, and exposure to natural elements. This persona involves advocating for consuming nutrient-dense foods like liver and bone broth and engaging in activities like cold exposure and sun exposure. Through his online presence and supplement business, Johnson has gained fame as the Liver King, positioning himself as a figure in the wellness industry known for his unconventional health practices.
- "Nose to tail eating" is a dietary approach that involves consuming all parts of an animal, including organs, bones, blood, and other less commonly eaten parts. This practice aims to maximize the nutritional benefits of the animal and reduce waste. By incorporating a variety of animal parts into the diet, individuals can access a broader range of nutrients that may not be as abundant in muscle meat alone. An example of this would be consuming organ meats like liver, which are rich in essential vitamins and minerals but are not typically consumed in Western diets.
- Traditional diets often focus on whole, nutrient-dense foods that are minimally processed, which can provide a wide array of essential nutrients. By eliminating processed foods and incorporating nutrient-rich options like bone broth and organ meats, individuals may experience improvements in their health due to the abundance of vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial compounds present in these traditional foods. This shift in diet can support overall health, potentially leading to improvements in various health conditions and symptoms. The emphasis on natural, unprocessed foods in traditional diets aligns with the idea of providing the body with optimal nu ...
Counterarguments
- The ancestral lifestyle may not be scientifically proven to be superior to other diets and may lack comprehensive research to support its health claims.
- The improvements in the Johnsons' sons' health could be due to the removal of processed foods rather than the specific inclusion of nutrient-dense foods like bone broth and beef liver.
- The concept of "nose to tail eating" may not be practical or appealing to everyone, and the benefits of consuming less commonly eaten animal parts are not universally accepted.
- The efficacy of freeze-dried animal organ supplements has not been established through rigorous, peer-reviewed scientific studies.
- The high revenue of Ancestral Supplements may be indicative of effective marketing rather than the inherent value of the products.
- The Liver King's portrayal of the ancestral lifestyle could be seen as a romanticization of ...
Related Shortform Content
Get access to the context and additional materials
Allegations of Steroid Use
The public persona of the Liver King has been tainted by allegations and subsequent evidence of steroid use, which he initially denied but later confessed to after leaked emails emerged.
Categorically denied allegations
The Liver King, whose real name is Brian Johnson, built a brand on the idea that he achieved his muscular physique through workouts and adherence to his "ancestral tenants." On frequent podcast appearances, when questioned about the use of steroids, he categorically denied these allegations. He presented himself as someone who got swole the old-fashioned way, reinforcing the narrative that his physical form could be attained through natural methods.
Leaked emails provide proof
However, doubts about Liver King's steroid-free claims were confirmed when fitness YouTuber Derek Monroe received and forwarded leaked emails that had been exchanged between Johnson and a bodybuilding coach. These emails contained discussions about the resources Johnson was pouring into his brand and the need to maintain his muscular physique. More decisively, the emails revealed Johnson's blood test results and detailed the performance-enhancing drugs he used, specifying a cost of around $11,000 per month for these substances.
Forced to confess steroid use
The leaked information made it impossible for Johnson to sustain his denials. Ahmed Al-Kadri referenced how Liver King "got exposed for using steroids," revealing ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Allegations of Steroid Use
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- Liver King, whose real name is Brian Johnson, is a fitness influencer known for promoting a lifestyle based on ancestral health principles and intense physical training. He gained popularity for his claims of achieving his muscular physique through natural methods and traditional practices. Liver King's public persona emphasized his dedication to physical fitness and adherence to a strict diet and exercise regimen inspired by his interpretation of ancestral traditions.
- "The Liver King Lie" is a YouTube video created by fitness YouTuber Derek Monroe that exposed the truth about Liver King's steroid use. The video presented leaked emails as evidence of Liver King's deception and revealed details about h ...
Counterarguments
...
Related Shortform Content
Get access to the context and additional materials
Aftermath
In an unexpected turn, despite controversial revelations and an ensuing apology, the Liver King's online influence seems largely unscathed, and he persists in promoting his extreme diet and lifestyle.
No significant consequences or loss of followers
It appears that even after Liver King's steroid use confession, his social media empire has withstood the scandal intact. His millions of followers on Instagram and TikTok largely remain, and his public reach does not seem to have been diminished. Furthermore, a class action lawsuit intended to seek $25 million in damages against Brian Johnson's companies was voluntarily dismissed, signifying minimal legal repercussions. His apology video itself has garnered at least 4 million views, suggesting that the controversy may have paradoxically kept public attention fixed on him.
Ahmed Al-kadri draws a parallel between Liver King's followers and Trump supporters, signifying a similarly staunch audience loyalty. Despite the exposure of his steroid use, his base seems unshaken and continues to support him.
Continues promoting extreme diet and lifestyle
Undeterred by the controversy, Brian Johnson, also known as the Liver King, persists in advoca ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Aftermath
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- The comparison between Liver King's followers and Trump supporters highlights the unwavering loyalty and support shown by both groups despite controversies or revelations. It suggests that like Trump supporters who remained steadfast in their allegiance to the former president, Liver King's followers continue to support him despite the negative publicity surrounding his steroid use confession. This comparison underscores the strong emotional connection and loyalty that exists within these fan bases, emphasizing their resilience in the face of criticism or scandals.
- Gianmarco Soresi's satirical suggestion about Liver King branding steroids is a humorous comment implying that Liver King's admission of steroid use could lead him to m ...
Counterarguments
- The perception of Liver King's online influence remaining strong could be skewed by the visibility of his current followers, while not accounting for a silent majority who may have lost trust in him.
- The lack of significant consequences or loss of followers on social media does not necessarily reflect the broader public opinion or the impact on his business's bottom line.
- The voluntary dismissal of the class action lawsuit does not imply that there were no valid claims, but could be due to other factors such as legal strategy or settlement outside of court.
- High viewership of the apology video could be attributed to curiosity or entertainment value rather than support or endorsement of Liver King.
- Comparing Liver King's followers to Trump supporters may oversimplify the dynamics of his follower base and ignore the diversity of reasons why people might continue to follow him.
- Continuing to promote an extreme diet and lifestyle after a scandal c ...
Related Shortform Content
Sober Bert | 2 Bears, 1 Cave Ep. 201
Bert Kreischer, Tom Segura
2 Bears, 2 Great Minds w/ Andrew Huberman & Cory Henry | 2 Bears, 1 Cave Ep. 203
Tom Segura, Bert Kreischer, Andrew Huberman, Cory Henry
Home Team | PBD Podcast | Ep. 330
Patrick Bet-David, Adam Sosnick, Vincent Oshana, Tom Ellsworth, Dana White
Get access to the context and additional materials
Create Summaries for anything on the web
Download the Shortform Chrome extension for your browser
