Sam Sulek‘s sculpted physique and boyish looks easily belie his 21 years of age at first glance. But a closer examination of the young bodybuilder reveals unhealthy blemishes on his skin and a gauntness in his face that tells a different story — one of extreme diet and training measures. Despite his growing social media following capturing his intense workouts and shredded frame, what draws the most shock and awe is the diet Sam uses to maintain single-digit body fat percent and maximum muscle striation.
As Sam openly shares in his YouTube video diaries, he begins each day gorging on a 1,000+ calorie chocolate-flavored mass weight gainer shake or several XL chocolate bars tallying similar calories and sugar. While such high-calorie beverages and convenient foods may benefit hard-gainers looking to bulk up, they also contain excessive processed sugars and unhealthy fats that promote fat storage — the opposite of Sam‘s goal for bodybuilding competitions.
According to sports nutritionists, the recommended carbohydrate intake for athletes on intense training programs falls between three to five grams per pound of body weight. For hardcore bodybuilders prepping for competition, some coaches advocate even lower carb allowance in order to achieve the coveted shredded look. Sam‘s chocolate binge easily exceeds these recommendations, subjecting his body to a harmful rollercoaster of spiking and crashing blood sugar levels. This poses additional risk given his suspected use of performance enhancing steroids, which leave users prone to developing insulin resistance.
The American College of Sports Medicine recommends bodybuilders strive for one to two grams of protein per pound during competition prep when aiming for maximal fat loss and muscle preservation. The rest of Sam‘s reported diet seems to follow a similar high-protein meal plan, though exactly how closely he counts macros is unknown. In his latest YouTube video, Sam nonchalantly whips up a protein shake using plain yogurt, strawberries, protein powder, peanut butter, and other calorie-dense mix-ins without tracking precise quantities.
Such meticulous tracking of food intake was how top bodybuilding coaches traditionally guided competitors‘ ruthless contest preparations. Now, there is a cultural shift occurring amongst some influential figures in the sport who condemn overly restrictive dieting for aesthetic purposes. For example, trainer Charles Glass has spoken out against the common practice of bodybuilders starving and dehydrating themselves before shows merely to appear bigger on stage. Such tactics often severely damage competitors‘ health and metabolism long-term.
“The sport needs to put athlete safety first,” Glass argued in a recent interview. “Judging criteria that rewards dangerous levels of dehydration and leanness needs to change.”
Nonetheless, coaches like Glass remain the minority. Meanwhile, high-profile bodybuilders like Sam Sulek continue normalizing unhealthy diets and alleged steroid abuse in the name of sculpting an unnaturally lean muscular frame. And for every industry insider calling for reform, thousands of devoted fans seem to reinforce his dangerous methods by praising his freakish physique.
Health Risks of Sam‘s Extreme Diet and Suspected Drug Use
At just 21 years with presumably less than five years of hardcore training and dieting under his belt, Sam likely has yet to suffer the full consequences of his extreme lifestyle. But while his age may grant him an advantage in resilience for now, experts warn that no one escapes the cumulative damage inflicted by restrictive dieting, suspected steroid abuse, and the mental strain of professional competition indefinitely.
"The chronic stress Sam imposes on his body at such a young age will likely abbreviate his life expectancy by a decade or more,” warns nutrition scientist Dr. John Evans.
For both ethical and health reasons, the idolization of Sam’s approach raises alarms for eating disorder specialists like Dr. Sarah Klein who studies disordered eating and exercise patterns.
"When someone as popular among impressionable young men as Sam Sulek brags about restricting entire food groups while also likely using illegal drugs, it undoubtedly promotes unhealthy attitudes towards diet, exercise and body image,” Klein explains. “We already see boys struggling with body dysmorphia and dangerous supplement use at alarming rates as influences like Sam make these destructive behaviors seem cool and normal.”
And while Sam asserts in videos that he only uses “healthy” dieting techniques or legal products to accomplish his herculean form, the obvious signs of probable steroid abuse written on his skin tell a different story. Several visible symptoms like severe back acne, accelerated hair loss, gynecomastia, skin bruising, and extreme vascularity all potentially point to anabolic drug abuse according to clinical research profiles.
Long-term studies conclusively link such drug use to heart disease, liver damage, hormonal disorders and mental health side effects like aggression, anxiety and depression. And the more extreme the doses, cycles and stacks deployed the more likely devastating complications become. When combined with the immense physical stress from excessive training volume, restrictive diets failing to deliver sufficient micronutrients, and rapid weight cuts, it creates the perfect health storm.
Yet Sam and fans seem either ignorant or indifferent towards these consequences so long as it allows him to sculpt an impossibly shredded physique for Instagram and YouTube content. And while some degree of risk may be impossible to avoid as an elite athlete or hardcore bodybuilder, celebrating the normalization of health-endangering behaviors in the name of idealized physical standards should raise ethical alarms across the industry.
The Controversy Surrounding Sam‘s Methods
Sam Sulek proves impressively disciplined in his strict dietary compliance and intense training regimen to accomplish a remarkably lean and muscular physique at a very young age. But he also embodies the ethical controversy surrounding how far bodybuilders should sacrifice their physical and mental health all for a fleeting moment of glory on stage.
Because despite defenders pointing to Sam‘s personal choice or individual genetics, experts argue his suspected anabolic steroid use and extremely low body fat percentage for extended periods likely endanger his health short and long-term. Yet voices like Sam’s coach boldly proclaim things like:
"No one can positively conclude Sam uses anything illegal solely from his appearance or diet. Some gifted individuals defy expectations so why persecute Sam over speculation or envy?”
Such claims willfully ignore key context, however. Genetics alone cannot account for Sam‘s unnaturally large, ripped muscles at reduced body fat levels beyond normal physiological ranges. Nor should any credible coach endorse the long-term sustainability or safety of Sam‘s reported chocolate-dominated diet lacking micronutrients.
And while absolute proof of Sam‘s drug use cannot be 100% established without a failed test, his refusal to discuss steroid use remains suspicious knowing the culture of rampant abuse at higher levels of bodybuilding. When there is overwhelming circumstantial evidence pointing towards PED usage – and obvious incentives to conceal it – sticking one’s head in the sand or peddling innocent “hard work” narratives start to erode credibility further.
Because the inconvenient truth is people like Sam face immense pressures inside and outside the sport driving many to use any advantage possible to separate themselves from the pack. With competition winnings, endorsements, and social media fame all at stake, taking dangerous shortcuts becomes normalized.
But accepting these realities is difficult for some invested in the current state of affairs whether as fans, sponsors or competitors themselves perhaps hiding something. Show promoters have financial stakes to preserve the spectacle fans pay to see up close. And challenging attitudes underpinning the status quo or questioning whether regulations could better protect competitor well-being remains taboo.
Yet critics argue it‘s unethical for anyone to encourage or profit from athletes risking their health pursuing unrealistic physiques, especially through dangerous methods like harsh dieting practices or suspected drug abuse. Greater transparency and oversight governing bodybuilding competitors‘ health via testing, screening, judging reform or restrictions thus seem overdue to many. But any such effort faces vigorous resistance from those currently benefiting from leaving ethics and athlete safety unaddressed.
Possible Solutions to Change Bodybuilding for the Better
In response to Sam Sulek sparking renewed controversy surrounding competitor ethics and safety standards in bodybuilding, increased calls for reform echo through the industry. But transforming a culture celebrated for extremes won‘t occur through criticism alone. Lasting positive change more likely depends on leading by example and proposing policies focused on safeguarding athlete well-being above all else.
Thankfully, a small but growing movement of bodybuilding thought leaders actively counter the "win at any cost" status quo Sam Sulek currently embodies.
Coaches like Dr. Mike Israetel Ph.D., pro bodybuilder Dr. Layne Norton Ph.D. and physiologist Dr. Eric Helms represent evidence-backed experts pioneering a science-first approach to training and nutrition. By emphasizing sustainable progress, health preservation, and integrity above chasing accolades or internet fame, their shared principles studiously avoid normalizing dangerous extremes. And their success dispels notions that excessive methods remain necessary to thrive as an elite bodybuilder.
Several bold competitors also visibly walk the walk when it comes to training ethics and wellness too. Lifetime drug-free vegan athlete Nimai Delgado stands out having won several high-profile shows thanks solely to his inspiriting work ethic and wholesome lifestyle. Other weight class champions like Jose Raymond and Sergi Constance prove it’s possible to triumph through reputable natural organizations that mandate extensive drug testing.
And innovative judges now score events on criteria beyond unrealistic size and leanness that incentivized unhealthy practices previously – metrics scientifically linked to long term damage. Forward-thinking contests like Ultimate Physiques now even evaluate and reward scientific evidence that athletes improve health markers over competition prep including blood test markers and body composition scan results. Such shifts gradually help steer bodybuilding culture from celebrating merely the most extreme or freakish.
Many see MORE mandatory testing, health screenings, and policies limiting unsafe weight cuts as the biggest missing pieces in protecting bodybuilding competitors. But long-entrenched attitudes make establishing objective regulations politically improbable currently across organizations that downplay health risks or PED usage as overblown.
Nonetheless, the controversial visibility Sam Sulek commands currently among younger generations highlights why resolving these ethical debates only grows more urgent. Because his idolization and emulation potentially steers aspiring athletes towards harmful methods rather than more sustainable, principled training practices modern thought leaders advocate. Andfacetious coaches enabling or profiting from such dangerous excess should face accountability.
Conclusion
Sam Sulek‘s willingness to take dieting and suspected steroid use to unhealthy extremes in the pursuit of an exaggerated physique commands attention mostly for all the wrong reasons. While his dedication to meticulous body sculpting proves admirable on some level, his methods ultimately cannot justify the ethical costs or health risks incurred.
Because despite Sam‘s breakout popularity on social media celebrating his extreme approach, his shocking diet likely inflicts cumulative damage that shortens his lifespan. And his suspected anabolic drug use for cosmetic muscle building purposes remains illegal and unethical. Reasonable doubts surrounding the safety or sustainability of Sam‘s regimens should caution prudent athletes from ever attempting to replicate such extremes merely for vanity‘s sake.
But beyond Sam‘s personal choices, his polarizing persona ought to spark deeper discussion on the need for cultural change in bodybuilding writ large. His case exposes tensions between traditional attitudes glorifying dangerous excess versus modern evidence-based principles stressing health and integrity above all else. As more leaders emerge touting the latter sustainable approach, perhaps reform finally becomes possible to steer competitions, judging criteria and governance towards safeguarding athlete wellness as the top priority.
Because a responsible, ethical sport should never pressure athletes into life-threatening methods chasing accolades or Internet fame built on deception. And profitable entities or enablers blindly promoting such dangerous extremes should face scrutiny. Sam Sulek‘s horrifying diet and suspected drug use may capture attention, but ultimately deserves condemnation not celebration among an informed, ethical community.