I really enjoyed this, start to finish. I especially appreciated the last part.
I often think about the double standards of body modification. Transgender people are fighting to retain the right to modify their bodies with the same drugs and surgeries that are available to everyone else.
“Trans people need to learn to appreciate the sex assigned to them by God almighty.”
Why not, “This woman needs to learn appreciate the small breasts assigned to her by God almighty.” Same for people who think their noses are too big, jawlines too soft, stomachs too flabby, butts too big or too small.
This is a great dissection -- interesting and truthful. And, body dysmophia comes in many ways to many people in -- RFK Jr. after decades of abusing his body with heroin is now addicted to TRT; Musk is addicted to Ketamine. And so what. But, the lack of empathy--of awareness is notable. Transgenderism --so what.
Sidenote: the phony lifts, the jerking the bar up and down is classic -- and really a 'tell'. Fun break from all of this other firehose of awful news--but, makes the point: RFK Jr., like all of them, is a grifter and a con man.
Good piece, Brian. I’ll just chime in as a physician to add that the medically valid indications for testosterone replacement in older men are so restricted as to be borderline non-existent. RFK Jr almost certainly doesn’t have them, nor do any of the other meatheads you mentioned. As you observed, this is a little beside the point, but it does give a further lie to his claims to be oh-so-concerned about his and the nation’s health.
Thanks Tyler. Yeah, I did some reporting on the indications with a physician who does responsibly prescribe TRT to a small number of elderly men, and decided not to get into it too deeply. For instance, I thought about noting that chronic opioid use commonly causes low-T, but really wanted to steer clear of speculation about RFK’s past/current substance use, etc.
Quite fair. I think it also worth pointing out that, while there are a few valid indications for testosterone replacement, “getting jacked” is not among them, nor is it a consequence of getting medically appropriate doses of testosterone replacement. By definition that’s juicing. Thanks for all the great work, Brian. You’re a must-read.
But as a fellow physician I would note that what we consider valid indications in medicine is often simply a reflection of however evidence based a particular field is. Geriatric endocrinology has much higher standards than child and adolescent psychiatry. It is not actually the case in reality that somehow there is better evidence for giving testosterone to gender dysphoric teenagers than there is for giving it to elderly men. Studies that child psychiatrist take seriously would be laughed out of the room by evidence based geriatricians.
we are not going to end the youth gender medicine debate in a Substack thread, but I think it is genuinely ethically problematic how much that field borrows legitimacy from other forms of medicine.
Thanks for writing this. I was reading along (as a mid-40s woman who's not at all connected to this world of male lifting) simply enjoying* a relatively light-hearted read as a nice change of pace right now, and, like others have noted, found myself really moved by the conclusion of it all.
* That I was able to enjoy a lower-stakes piece about him was honestly shocking to me, and a testament to this piece as a whole, given my absolute utter terror for his confirmation. Terror greater than any other of a whole host of horrific nominations. The amount of harm he will do is immense, and it will be even more so if bird flu does indeed make the easy jump to the next pandemic.
I'm 72. You are right that resistance training is important (although "time under load" is more important than "lift heavy"). You are also right that RFK, Jr.s form is terrible. Terrible. Even on the incline bench presses, he ought to come down slower rather than let gravity do the work. But he looks pretty ripped, which suggests: 1. his diet is not terrible and 2. he's doped up.
Wonderful analogies. As a 60+ woman who no longer goes to the gym, but walks every day! I am watching the temperatures and waiting for yards to open so I can start shoveling, composted manure amongst other things into my gardens. (my upper body thing) Little did I know I could rise to the top with a spotter to do my lifting and some regular doses of testosterone. As we get older it's natural to look at the youngsters with their slim builds and lean muscles and ponder that we could be there again. I used to keep a yellow spandex dress to convince myself that I was- younger until my 50's when I got a desk job in a hospital and all those cells (the thin ones) did their own thing. What I find in my musings is I am happy to be alive every day and look forward to doing the same tomorrow. Excellent essay! I hope to get thru the next four years... Alive. Whatever RFK Jr's build is He Should NOT be confirmed. As you point out successfuly it's a world of double standards it extends beyond steroids particularly now.
I'm 73. Took testasterlone and a some other SARMs a few years back and man did I look great. Abs, pecs and biceps. Then I developed an enlarged prostate and nasal polyps. I wouldn't wish the surgical remedies I had to endure on anybody. Except this douche bag.
This is best article I’ve read all week. I second everything you say about aging’s effects on strength as a 76 year old who has watched my max bench slowly drift down from my body weight over the past five years. There are ways, without drugs, to maintain strength enough for all daily activities and more, but it takes discipline and, sometimes, a good trainer. RFKJr is a quack.
He’s using a lot of momentum to do just the easiest part of the incline bench, not doing the full range of motion. It’s much harder to do when you bring the bar all the way to your chest, and lock out at the top.
I’m a 62 year old woman who lifts 4-5 times a week and doesn’t take steroids or testosterone, because I just want to be strong, not jacked. But RFKJr would consider me unhealthy because I also take antidepressants. He thinks I need to be sent to a wellness farm.
I really enjoyed this, start to finish. I especially appreciated the last part.
I often think about the double standards of body modification. Transgender people are fighting to retain the right to modify their bodies with the same drugs and surgeries that are available to everyone else.
“Trans people need to learn to appreciate the sex assigned to them by God almighty.”
Why not, “This woman needs to learn appreciate the small breasts assigned to her by God almighty.” Same for people who think their noses are too big, jawlines too soft, stomachs too flabby, butts too big or too small.
Bodily autonomy shouldn’t apply only to some.
Thank you for writing this!
1,000 percent.
so well said!
This is a great dissection -- interesting and truthful. And, body dysmophia comes in many ways to many people in -- RFK Jr. after decades of abusing his body with heroin is now addicted to TRT; Musk is addicted to Ketamine. And so what. But, the lack of empathy--of awareness is notable. Transgenderism --so what.
Sidenote: the phony lifts, the jerking the bar up and down is classic -- and really a 'tell'. Fun break from all of this other firehose of awful news--but, makes the point: RFK Jr., like all of them, is a grifter and a con man.
Good piece, Brian. I’ll just chime in as a physician to add that the medically valid indications for testosterone replacement in older men are so restricted as to be borderline non-existent. RFK Jr almost certainly doesn’t have them, nor do any of the other meatheads you mentioned. As you observed, this is a little beside the point, but it does give a further lie to his claims to be oh-so-concerned about his and the nation’s health.
Thanks Tyler. Yeah, I did some reporting on the indications with a physician who does responsibly prescribe TRT to a small number of elderly men, and decided not to get into it too deeply. For instance, I thought about noting that chronic opioid use commonly causes low-T, but really wanted to steer clear of speculation about RFK’s past/current substance use, etc.
Quite fair. I think it also worth pointing out that, while there are a few valid indications for testosterone replacement, “getting jacked” is not among them, nor is it a consequence of getting medically appropriate doses of testosterone replacement. By definition that’s juicing. Thanks for all the great work, Brian. You’re a must-read.
But as a fellow physician I would note that what we consider valid indications in medicine is often simply a reflection of however evidence based a particular field is. Geriatric endocrinology has much higher standards than child and adolescent psychiatry. It is not actually the case in reality that somehow there is better evidence for giving testosterone to gender dysphoric teenagers than there is for giving it to elderly men. Studies that child psychiatrist take seriously would be laughed out of the room by evidence based geriatricians.
we are not going to end the youth gender medicine debate in a Substack thread, but I think it is genuinely ethically problematic how much that field borrows legitimacy from other forms of medicine.
Brilliant take. And I appreciate that you identified wealth as one of the reasons he could/should be better at this stuff
Thanks for writing this. I was reading along (as a mid-40s woman who's not at all connected to this world of male lifting) simply enjoying* a relatively light-hearted read as a nice change of pace right now, and, like others have noted, found myself really moved by the conclusion of it all.
* That I was able to enjoy a lower-stakes piece about him was honestly shocking to me, and a testament to this piece as a whole, given my absolute utter terror for his confirmation. Terror greater than any other of a whole host of horrific nominations. The amount of harm he will do is immense, and it will be even more so if bird flu does indeed make the easy jump to the next pandemic.
I'm 72. You are right that resistance training is important (although "time under load" is more important than "lift heavy"). You are also right that RFK, Jr.s form is terrible. Terrible. Even on the incline bench presses, he ought to come down slower rather than let gravity do the work. But he looks pretty ripped, which suggests: 1. his diet is not terrible and 2. he's doped up.
Have to admit, did not anticipate this going where it went. Nice piece.
Wonderful analogies. As a 60+ woman who no longer goes to the gym, but walks every day! I am watching the temperatures and waiting for yards to open so I can start shoveling, composted manure amongst other things into my gardens. (my upper body thing) Little did I know I could rise to the top with a spotter to do my lifting and some regular doses of testosterone. As we get older it's natural to look at the youngsters with their slim builds and lean muscles and ponder that we could be there again. I used to keep a yellow spandex dress to convince myself that I was- younger until my 50's when I got a desk job in a hospital and all those cells (the thin ones) did their own thing. What I find in my musings is I am happy to be alive every day and look forward to doing the same tomorrow. Excellent essay! I hope to get thru the next four years... Alive. Whatever RFK Jr's build is He Should NOT be confirmed. As you point out successfuly it's a world of double standards it extends beyond steroids particularly now.
For a moment there I thought the picture of Paul Sklar was of you! Same beard....
God if only…
My pull-up form…damn…one more thing for my to-do list
Poking fun at myself aside, this was an excellent thought experiment.
I'm 73. Took testasterlone and a some other SARMs a few years back and man did I look great. Abs, pecs and biceps. Then I developed an enlarged prostate and nasal polyps. I wouldn't wish the surgical remedies I had to endure on anybody. Except this douche bag.
Great article Brian, loved the conclusion!
Brilliant. I had never made this connection and I am so glad you helped me.
🙌
This is best article I’ve read all week. I second everything you say about aging’s effects on strength as a 76 year old who has watched my max bench slowly drift down from my body weight over the past five years. There are ways, without drugs, to maintain strength enough for all daily activities and more, but it takes discipline and, sometimes, a good trainer. RFKJr is a quack.
Thanks for the great article. I find it amusing that those condemning trans take ketamine and various steroids to change the body gave them.
He’s using a lot of momentum to do just the easiest part of the incline bench, not doing the full range of motion. It’s much harder to do when you bring the bar all the way to your chest, and lock out at the top.
I’m a 62 year old woman who lifts 4-5 times a week and doesn’t take steroids or testosterone, because I just want to be strong, not jacked. But RFKJr would consider me unhealthy because I also take antidepressants. He thinks I need to be sent to a wellness farm.