Brian Johnson, well known as ‘The Liver King,’ upended the social media landscape, creating one of the most polarizing figures in the fitness community. Having built a $300 million bodybuilding empire, there’s a lot to take away from his ancestral lifestyle, including how he was exposed for lying about his steroid use. In Netflix’s new documentary, Untold: The Liver King, Johnson reflects on attaining worldwide recognition and pulling the wool over fans’ eyes in the process.
Like many of us in the fitness and bodybuilding space, Johnson was inspired by the bodies of 1980s action heroes. He explains, “The first time I saw Arnold Schwarzenegger, I couldn’t believe it,” he shares, recognizing Schwarzenegger’s physique as “The most aesthetic, beautiful, perfect thing I’d ever seen.”
Johnson’s commitment to the ancestral lifestyle alongside his passion for lifting heavy weights was thought to be the reason for his jacked physique. Eight years ago, he revealed that he began to embrace his new identity despite some trepidation.
“In 2017, I started to call myself ‘The Liver King,’” shared Johnson. “I was scared of doing it.”
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The Rise and Fall of The Liver King
Johnson’s shtick became a sensation, which eventually led to high-profile media opportunities, such as Logan Paul‘s Impaulsive podcast, where he had the chance to spread his gospel and refute any claims about him using performance-enhancing drugs.
“The ancestral lifestyle worked,” explained Johnson, citing that his kids’ health improved thanks to his unconventional lifestyle and diet.
“When I talk about the 85% of the population that suffers from self-esteem issues, that’s me,” he shared. “I just dreamt to be somebody else.”
While he attained nearly three million Instagram followers, it came at a cost. Derek of the More Plates More Dates YouTube channel released emails to the public, confirming that Johnson was using up to $11,000 of steroids per month to achieve his physique. In the documentary, Liver King confessed to his wrongdoings, calling his story a ‘cautionary tale.’
“I guess I want the world to know I was wrong,” he added. “An extreme approach to anything probably ain’t f**ing working out. That’s probably the cautionary tale.”
Even though he enjoyed meteoric popularity, everything that goes up must come down. Johnson had several lawsuits filed against him. One was for $25 million, with the man arguing that he was deceived, and legitimately thought following a raw organ meat diet could help him carve out a ripped physique.
What’s Next?
Johnson has claimed his route to fame required a relentless social media presence. Given the legal troubles that have ensued, Johnson is unsure how to navigate life moving forward, which he noted in the recent documentary.
“How do I repent? I don’t know what comes next. I don’t have the answer to that yet.”
Johnson is still uploading content on social media, appeasing fans of Liver King who miss his over-the-top antics. He appears at a crossroads in his new documentary, unsure where his life as The Liver King will take him next.
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