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Daily I am getting messages on LinkedIn from unknown people claiming they are those who can help me.
I asked for no help, assistance or guidance with any of my problems, but then comes the second line of that message. “I can see you are overweight; it must be hard for you to breathe, walk, and work. Your mental health is terrible,” and as I scroll the message, I decide to click on the profile of the person who sent me that message.
Of course, Alpha Males who have the body of Adonis (naturally, of course) live the lives of the richest, most successful fitness coaches, so I’m not sure why such a successful coach would come on LinkedIn and be a “snake oil salesman” selling perfect body standards.
This fitness guru coach profiled me based on my profile picture but forgot to ask the holy grail of knowledge, “Dr. Google,” who Mario Bekes is and if he is active in any sports?! The answer would be simple: yes, Mario Bekes is competing in boxing tournaments every so often at the age of 52.
Small tip—ask your life or business coach to teach you how to approach POI (person of interest) or simply acquire knowledge.
But the question is, have you ever scrolled through your feed, admiring those seemingly flawless physiques, and felt that familiar pang of inadequacy?
That nagging voice asking, “Why don’t I look like that?”
You’re not alone.
In my years, I’ve seen countless individuals wrestle with this very question, their confidence chipped away by a constant barrage of what appears to be effortless perfection.
It’s time we talked about the uncomfortable truth.
Much of what you see isn’t real, and the pursuit of these manufactured ideals is silently sabotaging your journey to genuine health and happiness.
The core of this problem lies in what I call “the deception,” a carefully constructed illusion of effortless perfection.
In a significant number of cases, what many online personalities present as the natural outcome of their training routines and dietary choices is far from that.
This isn’t about shaming individuals for their choices but about exposing the hidden realities that underpin many of these seemingly flawless transformations.
One of the most whispered about, yet rarely admitted, secrets in the upper echelons of aesthetic fitness is the role of pharmaceutical assistance.
We’re talking about substances designed to enhance performance and accelerate physical change far beyond what is naturally achievable.
These compounds can dramatically alter muscle mass, reduce body fat, and create an appearance of density and leanness that is simply not attainable through diet and exercise alone for the vast majority of the population.
The discussions around whether a particular physique is “natural” or “enhanced” are constant, but the health ramifications of engaging with such substances, which often go unmentioned, are severe and long-lasting, ranging from cardiovascular issues and hormonal imbalances to psychological disturbances.
The dazzling images presented online rarely come with a disclaimer about the significant risks involved in achieving them.
Medical advancements, beyond the pharmaceutical realm, have irrevocably shaped the landscape of modern aesthetics.
Cosmetic procedures, ranging from subtle enhancements to significant bodily reconstructions, play an increasingly prominent role in sculpting the “ideal” physique.
We’re seeing more and more individuals who attribute their seemingly impossible curves or incredibly flat stomachs to their latest workout program or a new line of supplements, when in reality, the genesis of their transformation lies in a surgeon’s office.
Procedures that sculpt the body, augment certain features, or remove stubborn fat pockets can create an immediate, dramatic change that diet and exercise could take years, if ever, to approximate.
This isn’t to say these procedures are inherently wrong.
Rather, the deception lies in attributing their results to fitness methodologies, thereby setting an impossible standard for those attempting to follow suit through conventional means.
You are all aware that many celebrities utilize Ozempic, which has recently been widely discussed.
Many of the “shredded” or ultra-lean looks showcased online are the product of incredibly stringent, often unhealthy, and entirely unsustainable practices.
This can involve drastic caloric restriction, severe dehydration leading up to photoshoots, and intense depletion methods designed to make muscles pop and veins protrude.
These are not states of sustainable health or everyday living. They are transient conditions achieved for the camera. Living in such a state for any prolonged period would be detrimental to one’s physical and mental well-being, leading to nutrient deficiencies, hormonal disruption, and chronic fatigue.
Yet, these fleeting moments of extreme leanness become the benchmark against which countless individuals judge their progress, leading to cycles of intense deprivation followed by inevitable rebound.
Perhaps the most ubiquitous, yet often invisible, tool in crafting these perfect online personas is digital manipulation.
The art of photo editing and the widespread use of filters have elevated image alteration to an entirely new level.
Digital tweaks such as a slight nip here, a subtle tuck there, skin smoothing, and muscle definition enhancement can transform an ordinary photograph into a vision of unblemished perfection.
What we see on our screens is often not a raw, unedited snapshot of reality, but a carefully curated and enhanced representation. The angles are always flattering, the lighting is always optimal, and any perceived flaws are effortlessly erased.
This approach creates an illusion of flawless, effortless beauty and muscularity that simply does not exist in the real world, perpetuating a standard of physical perfection that is literally unattainable because it isn’t real.
The constant exposure to these unattainable ideals has a profound and often devastating impact on the individual.
One of the most immediate consequences is a pervasive sense of decreased self-confidence and feelings of inadequacy. When confronted daily with images of what appears to be effortless perfection, it’s natural for individuals to compare themselves, often unfavorably.
This constant comparison chips away at self-esteem, leading to a diminished sense of self-worth and a feeling that one is perpetually falling short.
The healthy pursuit of fitness can quickly morph into a relentless and demoralizing chase after an illusion.
This relentless pursuit is a fertile ground for the development and exacerbation of body dysmorphia.
Body dysmorphia is a mental health condition characterized by a preoccupation with perceived flaws in one’s physical appearance, often leading to repetitive behaviors like excessive mirror checking or seeking reassurance.
In the context of unrealistic body standards, individuals may develop a distorted perception of their bodies, believing they are far less muscular, leaner, or more “flawed” than they actually are, based on the impossible benchmarks set by digitally enhanced or pharmacologically altered physiques.
This can lead to an unhealthy obsession with physical appearance, consuming an individual’s thoughts and significantly impacting their quality of life.
Furthermore, this exposure significantly increases the rates of disordered eating habits.
The drive to achieve the “perfect” body can lead individuals down a dangerous path of restrictive eating, excessive exercise, or other unhealthy behaviours in an attempt to mimic the perceived results of their online idols.
This isn’t about making healthy choices; it’s about pushing the body to extremes, often to its detriment.
The frustration that arises when followers don’t achieve similar “miraculous” results fuels these unhealthy patterns.
When hours in the gym and strict dietary adherence don’t yield the promised transformation, the natural conclusion for many is to believe they aren’t working hard enough, leading them to intensify their efforts in ways that are unsustainable and potentially harmful, rather than questioning the legitimacy of the initial standard.
My greatest concern is the erosion of genuine motivation, and the fostering of a mindset rooted in superficiality.
True fitness is about health, strength, longevity, and feeling good in your skin. It’s about personal growth and respecting your body’s unique capabilities.
When the pursuit of fitness becomes solely about mirroring an unattainable image, it loses its inherent joy and purpose. It becomes a source of anxiety, self-criticism, and demotivation.
The truth is, genuine, sustainable progress in fitness is a marathon, not a sprint.
It involves consistency, patience, understanding your body’s signals, and celebrating incremental improvements. It’s about recognizing that everybody is different, and what works for one person may not work for another.
It’s also about understanding that true health and happiness are not defined by a certain number on a scale or a particular aesthetic.
Question the claims and understand that much of what you see is curated, enhanced, or achieved through undisclosed means.
Shift your focus from external validation to internal well-being.
Celebrate your own journey, your own progress, and the unique strengths of your own body.
Seek guidance from qualified professionals who prioritize your health and well-being over fleeting aesthetics.
Ultimately, the most beautiful and strongest body is a healthy one, one that is nourished, moved, and appreciated for all that it allows you to do, rather than constantly compared to an illusion.
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