DEADLIFT: Strongmen and women's steroid surge
“Steroids are needed if you want to be the best in the world. There's not a single person who has become the World's Strongest Man that is natural, and if they say that they're lying, it's just a fact."
The words of junior strongman Luke Ogbourn were echoed by his fellow strongmen at gyms across the UK. As the 'elephant in the room' in the strongman world, to be the best you were seemingly pushed into a steroid-infused corner, one with its benefits and its consequences…
Is steroid use a problem?
Despite statistics in the strongman sphere being sparse, the issue has been raised regarding legislation in Britain and the United States; with 'up to a million' users of Performance Enhancing Drugs in the UK alone.
Why use anabolic steroids?
The definitive factor of anabolic steroid use is its benefits to 'muscle repair and regeneration', however, with misuse, there are numerous physical and psychological disadvantages that can alter your hormone balance and affect the rest of your life.
Meet Luke
Luke Ogbourn, 22, St Albans, is in the early stages of his strongman career and is competing in the U23 category at open weight. After pursuing a career in rugby at Swansea University, Luke has since altered his aspirations swapping rucks for the weight room.
To afford his strongman expenses Luke works as an accountant by day but dedicates his downtime to lifting in the gym. Following difficulties at secondary school, Luke hopes to 'prove people wrong' that bullied him during his youth for his 'weight' and become an international strongman star.
To achieve his goal, he has turned to anabolic steroids.
VIDEO: Luke discusses why he began taking steroids.
The world of strongmen/women
Luke's career has just begun, still competing at a junior level in the sport. He believes that he will become the 'best in the world' and is willing to do 'whatever it takes'.
But how do you get to the pinnacle of strongman?
Steroids, testosterone, PED's, regardless of their label, have become a staple of the strongman community.
The majority of athletes do claim their physiques are natural and the competitions are supposed to be drug tested.
Giants' Lives' poster competition, The World's Strongest Man, adopts a firm stance on steroid use.
"The use of PERFORMANCE ENHANCING DRUGS is strictly forbidden. Any competitor found to have an illegal substance in their system will be immediately disqualified from the competition."
There is ambiguity when it comes to the frequency and quality of testing however.
Nahtfor Julius Borjnsson, known for his role as Gregor, "The Mountain", Clegane in Game of Thrones, and 2018 World's Strongest Man, admitted to taking steroids in 2017 during a 2019 interview ESPN.
The strongman was asked whether he had ever taken steroids. "Yes, I have," Bjornsson said in the 2019 interview, which aired on E:60. "When you want to be the best, you do whatever it takes."
This revelation, amongst others, has fuelled the ‘#Natty or Not’ social media trend that has garnered millions of views and likes and produced over 52 million TikTok videos, as gym-going audiences adopt a widespread belief that top-level strongmen and weightlifters are not natural. For example, ex-World's Strongest Man, Brian Shaw.
VIDEO: @jpattmsucle, a popular content creator in the weightlifting world, judges whether Brian Shaw is 'Natty or Not'.
The contradiction is not exclusive to strongmen either, strongwomen also experiment with the potential benefits of steroid use.
Nadia ‘Storm’ Stowers is a professional strongwoman and a regular on the Giants Live roster joining them on their touring shows across the world.
The U82kg World’s Strongest Woman explained her experience working with the famous strongman brand and where the sport originated from.
What are the origins of the strongman/woman sport?
“Strongman is a combination of rights of passage from the Nordic/Viking culture and games that farmers used to come up with for entertainment."
Have you made a career out of your strongwoman competitions?
“The main challenge for me with this sport is the money it costs to get to shows. Unfortunately you can’t really make a career out of it.
"Thankfully, some shows provide travel for the athlete but not for any guests like coaches. It becomes stressful paying for shows.”
Do you believe that there is a stigma around the strongman/woman sport?
“I feel as though it’s not needed. Why can’t we just prove how strong women actually can be naturally?
"It defeats the purpose when they inject variations of testosterone into their body, changing their chemistry to be more similar to men. Why call it 'strongwoman' if they are turning to men's hormones to do it?”
Have you had any experience with anabolic steroids?
"I've only touched Anavar because we read up on its recovery aspects. I had no masculine symptoms but I felt like a fraud with outside help that’s not my true strength and that’s not what I stand for.
"I sang professionally so my voice especially isn’t something I’m willing to risk, and there is the possibility of gaining masculine features. I still want to have children, and I’m not putting the rest of my life at risk to lift some weights. Staying feminine is very important to me.”
Although he is far from feminine, Luke demonstrated similar anxieties to Nadia about the possibility of long-term, physical damage.
Luke said: "The main worry I have is the INFERTILITY, because there will come a point where I want kids and that would be ridiculous.
"I understand I am putting stuff in my body that isn't natural, stuff that will cause damage. But as cringe as it sounds, it's a case of how badly do you want it? And I want it very badly, so that is a risk that I have to accept, and if I don't like it, I won't get to where I want to be.
“It's just one of those things that has to be done, and the people that have died from taking it were doing so much that they're overloading their heart, because it's all been heart attack related. I won't ever get to that level."
Following numerous medical tests, Luke discovered his testosterone levels were 'below the average' for a 22-year old adult male at his height and weight. A 'decisive factor' in why he began taking anabolic steroids.
Luke came first place in his novice Competition at Iron Freaks Gym, Scunthorpe.
Luke came first place in his novice Competition at Iron Freaks Gym, Scunthorpe.
VIDEO: Dr Robert Stevens from The Men's Health Clinic discusses steroid use, the impact of influencers and TRT.
Testosterone deficiency has become part of public discussion due to the increase in men, particularly young adults, having levels lower than the norm.
According to a study by The National Library of Medicine, conditions such as obesity, diabetes, anabolic steroid or illicit drug use have all contributed to the increase in low testosterone levels.
Dr Robert Stevens, a specialist in Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) at the Men's Health Clinic, has begun prescribing TRT to a much younger, gym-going market.
The top-level strongmen seemingly set unrealistic expectations, lifting hundreds of kilos and pulling cars for fun. Dr Stevens explained why they may be 'selling a lie'.
“It's too good to be true so if you look at the world champions and you look at all these monsters, they're not natural," said Dr Stevens.
“If you're telling me somebody's going to bang on 30 pounds of muscle in a year who was already an athlete just through strength training, there's no chance."
According to Dr Stevens, admitting to anabolic steroid use would be 'career suicide' for any strongmen looking to build a profitable brand and social image.
But with the ever-growing list of long-term health effects, what are the potential costs of strongman fame and success?
"It's absurd to think that the top strongmen are natural."
The side effects of anabolic steroid misuse according to Men's Health Clinic and the NHS
Women experience similar difficulties including:
THE 'ROID RAGE' MYTH:
'Roid Rage' is the greatest symptom associated with steroid use, especially concerning drugs like Trenbolone.
'Roid Rage' - noun, Slang. Aggressive behaviour attributed to the use of anabolic steroids, especially when the steroids are used regularly and in high doses:
Two of the young bodybuilders from this gym have been involved in serious acts of roid rage.
“It's not 'roid rage', and it's not as a direct result of the drug. It's the direct result of excess levels of that drug, combined with their personality and their personal situations," said Dr Stevens.
“The 'roid rage' thing is nonsense, unless you're talking about tren, which is a really filthy drug that's on the market right now."
Trenbolone users are seemingly easy to locate as they 'lack objectivity', and exhibit 'over-the-top, alpha behaviour'.
Generally however, testosterone should make you feel 'calm' because it 'counterbalances cortisol'.
Dr Stevens added: “When people are on steroids and have an overreaction, it's not a reaction to the fact they've got too much testosterone, they've got a disproportionate amount of testosterone and Dopamine."
After debunking the ‘roid rage’ myth Dr Stevens, who has specialised in TRT for over eight years, described the science behind testosterone imbalance.
He said: “Testosterone is an anabolic hormone, one vital for growth and repair in your muscles. That's necessary for normal physiology.
“If you're giving super-sized doses of testosterone or synthetic compounds of testosterone, aka anabolic steroids, you're going to increase your capacity for growth so you can achieve a super physiological physique."
But this is 'unsustainable', demonstrated by the effects of testosterone misuse on his clients mental wellbeing.
'Low moods, anxiety, depersonalisation' are all symptoms of previous testosterone deficient patients.
After undergoing the TRT course, which is lifelong, Dr Stevens believes that they have 'normalised' his patients physiology allowing them to come out of 'therapy', and in some cases, off 'antidepressants'.
Despite their apparent dangers, for Luke, anabolics are worth the sacrifice, becoming 'non-negotiable' in his routine in and out of the gym.
MORBID ACCEPTANCE
“I think of it as taking my creatine or hitting my protein. It's just one of those things that has to be done," Luke said.
“It's like any elite sport. Footballers sacrifice their lives. Rugby players do, basketballers do.
"It's no different with Strongman, the only difference being we sacrifice our physical selves to better it, whereas a lot of sports are skill-based.”
TO BE THE BEST
“I'm very open and I think people should be open to a point. You're not going to go around shouting it from the rooftops, but I've got no issue with saying I do steroids.
"A lot of people don't do their research into it and think it's cheating or you're going to kill yourself instantly, both of which aren't true.”
EGO CAN KILL YOU
“You've got to control your ego, because if you let that get bigger, you just end up doing more and then that's what will kill you.
"It will end your career because it's your brain telling you to do more instead of listening to your body."
"Box of goodies"
Alongside testosterone, Luke takes the anabolic, Primobolan, and peptides which are other supplements to 'aid his recovery process'.
He showed me his most frequently used supplements costing a whopping '£70 per month' every time he restocks.
Testosterone Enanthate (250mg)
A 'staple' drug in the bodybuilding world and believed to be the secret to 'Hollywood physiques'.
"Moderate doses of Testosterone Enanthate combined with weight training can result in short term significant changes in upper body strength and body composition, with corresponding changes to baseline health in some individuals."
TB - 500 (5mg)
“Small but mighty compounds” - Peptides are used and endorsed by strongman legend Mitchell Hooper.
Tb- 500 is found within the peptide bracket. Also known as Thymosin Beta-4, it is thought to have a full spectrum of practical health benefits, such as:
- Faster recovery from painful wounds.
- Quicker healing of crippling injuries.
- Dramatic reduction of chronic inflammation.
- Strengthened immune system.
BPC-157 (5mg)
The experimental peptide is prohibited under the World Anti-Doping Agency.
"There are no studies or clinical trials that show BPC-157 is safe or effective in humans. Some websites related to performance-enhancing drugs advertise that it can be injected or taken orally for bone and joint healing, stomach ulcers, organ damage, and a number of other purposes, including athletic performance enhancement.
"It is important to note that these are unproven claims, and that the use of BPC-157 for these or any other reasons is not supported by medical literature or by any medical associations."
Primo-100
Anabolic steroid
"Primobolan is well-regarded for its ability to promote lean muscle mass, improve strength, and enhance athletic performance.
"Unlike some other steroids, it exhibits a relatively mild nature with lower risk of estrogenic side effects and reduced androgenic activity."
Legal Supplementation
The market is full...
Peptides are one example in a long list of legal supplements to enhance performance, if you have the money to spare.
The concoction of pharmaceuticals has caused Luke to have 'lumps' and 'bruises'. Due in part, to 'misplacing' jabs that he injects in his arms and legs at least 'twice a week'.
Luke trains at Ryan Naylor’s Maverick Strength Gym in Welwyn Garden City, receiving one-to-one coaching for '£300 per month' adding to his long-list of strongman expenses.
Ryan has a sporting background, competing nationally in rugby and judo. He has since turned his attention to coaching and competing in strongman, with a 2nd place finish in the u105kg European Deadlift Championships (Ultimate Strongman) last year.
Ryan's lucrative coaching package provides one-to-one, conditioning, exercises and nutrition advice in a self-built gym that is home to over ten different athletes.
As a self-confessed steroid user in the past, Ryan's experience places the negative side-effects at the 'hands of its user'.
VIDEO: Ryan discusses the problem with uneducated steroid misuse and his own past with supplements.
Although he has taken PED’s before, Ryan’s coaching programme warns his clients about the consequences of steroid consumption.
Ryan said: “Traditionally, if people I train want to take drugs, I push them away.
“A lot of guys are very hard set on what they want to do regarding steroids and a lot of the time it's going to cause them long-term damage.
“It's an elephant in the room in the strongman world, 99% of the guys are on steroids, but they will be taking much less than you may think.
“In the novice realm you'll see a lot of people uneducated and misinformed, taking much more and also probably taking poor quality stuff. That is the problem.”
Luke recently participated in a novice competition at Iron Freaks gym in Scunthorpe. It was a difficult event full of aspiring competitors and a range of lifts which saw Luke come out on top in his weight category.
Speaking to Luke after the medal ceremony, he was brimming with confidence, but wary of his other responsibilities, as he continued his pursuit of becoming the best.
He said: "I am absolutely chuffed, this is my first win and it made the four hour drive worth it. My girlfriend wasn't too happy when I cancelled on her to go to Scunthorpe.
"I can't wait to see what's next but I've got two accountancy exams this week so I have to revise when I get home, I have to pay the strongman bills somehow."
There were over 20 competitors at the event organised by Adam Cave, a strongman coach and the Owner of Iron Freaks gym in Scunthorpe.
He highlighted the growth in demand that has been felt, particularly in lower-level strongman competitions like his.
Its popularity is increasing on the international stage too. Beginning in 1977, and acquired by Giants Live in 2009, The World’s Strongest Man is now shown in 70 different countries and territories and claims an annual viewership of 220 million in 2020, more than Super Bowl.
The sport has also entered the top eight sports franchises on Facebook ahead of ATP Tennis and the NHL gaining more followers than the F1 in 2022.
VIDEO: Luke worked hard in the deadlift, bag walk, dumbbell press and farmer's walk to achieve first place.
VIDEO: Luke worked hard in the deadlift, bag walk, dumbbell press and farmer's walk to achieve first place.
VIDEO: Adam Cave, Owner of Iron Freaks Gym in Scunthorpe, describes the growth of the strongman sport.
VIDEO: Adam Cave, Owner of Iron Freaks Gym in Scunthorpe, describes the growth of the strongman sport.
The growth of strongmen correlates with the growing concerns of British politicians.
Since 2021, there have been calls from MP Dr Luke Evans for the government to take action as the United Kingdom reaches between '500,000 to a million users'.
An outstanding figure as, although legal for personal use, steroids are 'Class C' drugs and can only be issued by a pharmacist under 'The Misuse of Drugs Act' 1971.
If the law is broken, penalties of up to 14 years in prison and an unlimited fine can be imposed if the person is believed to be manufacturing, supplying or possessing/importing/exporting steroids with the intent to supply, without a licence to do so.
Despite multiple attempts to call for action, the pleas of MP Evans are still left unanswered.
VIDEO: MP Dr Luke Evans calls for a study into the use of anabolic steroids in the UK as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak watches on.
Mike Jenkins during the 2012 World's Strongest Man competition. (Source: Stephen Aryan)
Mike Jenkins during the 2012 World's Strongest Man competition. (Source: Stephen Aryan)
Mike Jenkins
In the United States action has been taken, but only after a life was lost.
Strongman Mike Jenkins died in November 2013, from an enlarged heart suspected to be caused by long-term steroid abuse.
Mike Jenkins finished fourth in 2012's World's Strongest Man competition and won the 2012 Arnold Strongman Classic, an event previously named after Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Dauphin County Coroner Graham Hetrick was in charge of the case in Pennsylvania.
Hetrick advised parents to keep a close watch on what, if any, substances their children might be taking to try to excel in athletics or in the weight room.
"He was a big person," Hetrick said, citing the amazing physical feats Jenkins could perform.
"You can go on YouTube and see this guy. It's frightening."
The ex-strongman's 'immensely enlarged heart' the Coroner attributed was due to Jenkin's use of anabolic steroids.
Jenkins' heart was at least 'twice the size' of an average man's, Hetrick said.
Sadly, Mike Jenkins became a harrowing, fatal example of the dangers of steroid supplements in the peak of his strongman career.
"I would urge parents to monitor what their kids are buying on the internet as far as performance enhancers and stimulants."
VIDEO: Dauphin County Coroner Graham Hetrick discusses the reasons behind the death of ex-strongman Mike Jenkins.
Al Thompson and America's Response
Al Thompson heads the non-profit charity 'Protect Our Youth From Steroids' based in Pennsylvania, USA. He has had over 12 years of experience researching and working to implement greater anti-doping legislation.
The death of his fellow Pennsylvania native, Mike Jenkins, struck a cord with Al and he knew something had to change fast.
Al said: “When Mike Jenkins died, he had won the Arnold and was in the world's strongest man finals three years in a row, when he died in front of his wife in November 2013.
"At the time of his death, he had no chance. He was mortally wounded for a long time, and it's tragic to say, but those guys in Myrtle Beach, some of them are mortally wounded."
Due to his death, the group's proposed legislation to ban steroids in the state was moved up in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and became their number one priority.
Al believes that although unfortunate, Mike's death was 'crucial' in Pennsylvania's condemnation of steroid use and strongman events.
"Pennsylvania publicly stated the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is condemning your events. We're warning our citizens that strongmen are no good," Al said.
As a driving force behind America’s anti-steroid movement Al played a key role in The '2019 Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act' making over 70 appearances to congressional offices across the country.
His most recent destination was Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, the current home of Giants Live World's Strongest Man. Where he held talks in high schools and spoke to radio stations about his campaign.
Al felt 'victorious' as the competition’s coverage changed from IMG's ESPN to CBS Sports Network. A switch that he believes is a 'downgrade' as a result of the lack of coverage on CBS.
"We've hounded CBS Sports Network relentlessly, especially since the 'Rodchenkov Act' came into being. They've eliminated all the reruns. It doesn't go on at 3 in the morning anymore like it did on ESPN before."
Al wants a 'worldwide' ban on steroids and wants to see the strongman bodies come under fire in the UK.
"The UK must adopt some of our anti-steroid legislation," Al Said.
"They need to bring them (Giants Live) under oath and say why aren't you drug testing? It's 2024, it's not that much."
With the support of national sports organisations like the MLB and NFL, Al hopes to continue his anti-steroid campaign. His main question to strongmen - 'is it worth it?'
Al Thompson has travelled across the country to deliver anti-steroid talks to young athletes.
Al Thompson has travelled across the country to deliver anti-steroid talks to young athletes.
Gemma Taylor
Gemma Taylor is a veteran strongwoman and, in a stark contrast to Al Thompson, she believes that the steroid argument is ‘outdated’.
The four times Britain's Strongest Woman, two times World's Strongest Woman Runner up and also holds many international and world records and is the founder of PowerBurn.
After establishing her company in Iceland during 2008, Gemma brought her company back to the UK in 2014 and has been running her private strength and conditioning studio since then.
Gemma described the United Kingdom as the 'most abusive' country for performance enhancement in the world from her own experience of working in the strongwoman industry for over 20 years.
She believes that steroids are the 'most accessible' in the UK as there is weak legislation in regards to purchasing the supplements; but there are more 'factors' that define strongman performance.
Icelandic native and fellow competitor of Mike Jenkins, 2012's World's Strongest Man, Žydrūnas Savickas is a good friend of Gemma's. She explained how impactful his use of legal performance enhancers was during his success.
When asked about the social media influence of steroid abuse she recalled the contrast between Iceland and the UK when it comes to strongman success.
"When I was in Iceland, strongmen were normal, whereas in this country our culture depicts a very different attitude towards strength," said Gemma.
"People say 'they can't do that unless they are not natural' and we're actually quite negative about anything that anybody's achieved.
"This can drive people towards supplementation as they think everyone assumes they are on steroids regardless."
For Gemma, the greatest problem affecting strongmen and women is the 'financial playing field', making it a competition of 'who's got the most to spend'.
"It's never going to be fair for strongman, there will always be an economic advantage. Just look at Eddie Hall, he was the world's strongest but also the world's richest," she said.
Gemma is the self-proclaimed 'first professional strongwoman in the Britain'.
Gemma is the self-proclaimed 'first professional strongwoman in the Britain'.
Gemma believes that steroid use has become an 'old' argument amongst newer supplements.
Gemma believes that steroid use has become an 'old' argument amongst newer supplements.
Gemma in PowerBurn gym, Thirsk.
Gemma in PowerBurn gym, Thirsk.
The Strongman Experience
When I first met Luke I knew nothing about strongmen or women, he invited me into his life and I got to experience the journey alongside him.
I wanted to uncover, prove and disprove the speculation surrounding this sport and the preconceived ideas of ‘roid rage’ and the human cost. However, I was not the only one with things to learn.
Luke was adamant against discussing his testosterone use with me, he was incredibly reserved, and was yet to tell his family, friends and girlfriend. I could sense his shame, hiding his supplements and needles away from those around him.
During these months following his strongman progression he has also been on a mental journey. By our final interview his earlier feelings of optimism had dissipated into a self-acceptance of the drugs and their potentially devastating consequences in later life.
It is clear that the lasting effects of anabolic use create a plethora of medical issues in your future, and to see the bruises and sometimes erratic behaviour of Luke was disturbing, but his drive and commitment was unrivalled.
A career of strength, determination and sacrifice awaits Luke.
A career of strength, determination and sacrifice awaits Luke.
I attended Giants Lives, Europe's Strongest Man, where Tom Stoltman came first to a rousing applause.
I attended Giants Lives, Europe's Strongest Man, where Tom Stoltman came first to a rousing applause.
From the lowest level at Luke’s Scunthorpe competition, to Ryan’s intermediate gym and finally Giants Lives Europe’s Strongest Man there was no air of toxic masculinity, ‘roid rage’ or anger.
Athletes and audience members were aware of the unspoken steroid use, but unfazed as to what could happen ten years down the line; living for the moment and the marvel of their strength.
Poignantly, Welsh strongman Tom Stoltman won the competition, and with his brother Luke Stoltman waiting in the wings, his victory speech may have felt absurd to those focused on bringing them down.
As he applauded his competitors and welcomed his first-born to the world, was he slowly killing himself to support his family?
Luke said: “I always go back to the saying if it was easy, everyone would do it. It's incredibly difficult, mentally as well.
“I've struggled but I try to balance my relationships with my friends, my family. But at the end of the day, I'm willing to sacrifice everything. You have to."
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