The question ”Do you even lift, bro?” can kill people. When muscle addicts hear it something in them breaks as if sand has seeped into the main mechanism. The system immediately switches to hell mode and starts producing self-destructive thoughts. The eyes change as if a demon has infiltrated the soul. They fill with a desire to kill and destroy the surroundings.
The reaction could be even more intense if the person you are asking is a dedicated natural lifter. Why does this rather simple question trigger similar reactions in otherwise mentally stable people?
When I was in my lift heavy or die mode I used to consider barbell training the highlight of my existence. During that period I thought that everything outside of the gym is trivial nonsense that only weaklings think of.
”More biscuits on the bar is where it’s at,” I was often saying to myself.
After a few passionate months of hardcore permabulking and lifting it finally happened – the ”Do you even lift?” question hit me. The attack came from a family member and was rather strong. Quote: ”Do you even lift, fatso?”
Those words felt like a 44mm bullet in the chest because just two weeks ago I had performed a do-or-die deadlift session. My white socks were soaked in blood from shin wounds. In other words, I was training hard, and yet people were still seeing me as a non-lifting fatso. I guess this is how I looked.
As you can see, I know how it feels to receive this painful question as a natty lifter. You are doing everything you are supposed to (lift heavy and eat ”right”), but despite all the effort you are still not getting the desired results – only mean remarks from individuals who know nothing about lifting. Yet those same people have the nerve to ask you whether you are the king of extra large burgers. Seriously? Get lost and read a Cosmo.
At this point, we have to face a hard inquiry – what forms people’s idea how guys who lift look like? That’s actually easy to answer – the media.
The magazines, the movies, the commercials, the YouTube clips and the social media posts are the main sources of fake reality when it comes to muscle appearance. They form massive prejudices which create an opportunity for some serious drama when people realize that natural bodybuilders can never look like the Photoshopped guys on the cover of muscle magazines. It just can’t happen. Sorry.
This reminds of the movies brainwashing women that somewhere there is a handsome man with tons of money from a legal business waiting for each one of them. Many delusional teens and young adults think that love behaves like the thing presented on the cinema screen. When you understand that your prince is not really a prince, the chair underneath your feet disappears. The same goes for large muscles – we have the media telling us that rice, chicken breast and pump exercises make you big, but after a few years, you realize that it’s all a lie. Voila. You are now on the floor.
This simple realization could potentially destroy the minds of many. Most lifters prefer to remain delusional and refuse to accept the truth that’s right in front of them. Those are the same individuals sending me emails which politely inform me that the natty limits will soon be shattered.
Example: ”Hello, Mr. ShitGeneticsOrNot. I am a 15-year-old boy, and I have already destroyed the stupid limits in your guide for natural bodybuilders. What can I say? You must have some really bad genetics, brah! Have you considered trying to lift heavy? Advice: Check yourself before you wreck yourself! By the way, I am writing this with the help of my 19-inch all natural arms. Suck my cock maggot!”
While similar letters are amusing, they usually come from people who underestimate their body fat levels tremendously. They think they are at 17%, but the actual number is closer to 37%.
This delusional behavior reminds me of a special breed of wackos – the hipsters treating autobiographies of famous rich people like sacred texts. You can often see them on the bus reading thick books which supposedly reveal the secrets of the big CEOs.
Here’s the deal. First, the mainstream media is a criminal organization for the most part. Second, do you really expect to find the truth about a man in an authorized biography written under the dictation of his PR team? Do you really think that similar books can be objective? If so, you are probably one of those #how-bad-do-you-want-it guys who believe that you can reach the size of Ronnie Coleman naturally by eating powders at the right time. You probably also think that big money can be earned with honest labor. It’s true that in many situations you can make more by working harder, but when it comes to millions, billions and trillions that rule does not apply.
If you are wise enough to see that the question ”Do you even lift, bro?” is based on false expectations, you may suffer from a lengthy depression. It all depends on how much you have invested in the muscle game. Many people are not affected, but the maniacs cry at night. The end of the dream hurts their souls and makes them feel useless. You look at yourself and see ”nattiness” – an element that you now hate because you are stuck with it. That’s why it hurts so much when people ask you whether you lift or not. You lift, but you look like garbage compared to the fitness models on Facebook and Instagram. You are doing all the work and yet you are paid confetti instead of real money. That could potentially drive you insane. The love of muscles/ego is a dangerous thing.
This painful realization could cause a major crisis in the career of a natural bodybuilder. This is one of the biggest tests that you will pass through – a test that will determine your future in this game. Different people find different answers to this situation – some pin and get balloon muscles while others bitch and hate on forums. Of course, there is also a third option, but you will have to figure it on your own because it requires a personal ingredient called ”choice” that can only come from you. Nobody can give it to you. You have to select the path.
So, what is the true meaning of’ ”do you even lift?”
It’s a question meant to determine how well you satisfy the expectations of society. While sometimes that’s a nice reality check, especially if you are a permabulker, it could also be a trap for your emotional power. The society consists primarily of obedient humanoids who do not seem to care whether the system is based on false principles and Photoshop or real values and strength.
“if you are wise enough to see that the question ”do you even lift, bro” is based on false expectations, you may suffer from a lengthy depression. It all depends on how much you have invested in that muscle game. Many people are not affected, but the maniacs cry at night. The end of the dream hurts their souls and makes them feel useless. You look at yourself and see ”nattiness” – an element that you now hate because you are stuck with it. That’s why it hurts so much when people ask you whether you lift or not. You lift, but you look like shit compared to the fitness models on Facebook and Instagram. It’s like doing all the work and getting paid confetti instead of real money. That could potentially drive you insane.”
Hahahaha … gem!
It’s a painful question, but if you’ve got what it takes (self esteem) deep in you. You won’t take any notice.
And.. you can always answer: take a look at your beer gut and mine!! 🙂
Domezetti says you can only say yes to the question “do you even lift” if you can bench press 300lbs for 10 consecutive repetitions with the bar touching your chest each time you go down. This is an insane expectation and I thrive and train like hell for it. even though it feels like its impossible, its fun to set impossibly high goals. I’m a natty too and I look nothing like Arnold, but i’m decently cut and noticeably more muscular. I lift for the satisfaction of lifting and bodybuilding and no one can shit on that. This article may shed light on the ignorance of the average non-lifter, but what it fails to mention is that the true fruits of bodybuilding and lifting come from the self satisfaction of it all and not from the opinions of others and the media.
Really like your way of thinking, but I also kinda think Dom was taking a piss, since like 99% of the things he says in his videos are a joke or satire.
I lifted “bodybuilding” style for close to 15 years, with no real gainz. I started strength training/ powerlifting for the past year and a half and put on more muscle than i could have thought. Plus lifting heavier than i could have imagined. If i could go back in time I’d reverse it, and i tell the youngins they need to strength train for several years first. I waste my breath because bodybuilding. com says do 4 sets of 12 and you’ll get jacked. They leave out that it’s 4×12 of heavy ass weight! Get strong as possible, then bodybuild!
Yes, Dom is “taking a piss” but comedians and satirists often say things that resonate beyond the momentary gag (I think of George Carlin). If Daniel sees Don’s ludicrous standard as the one that will force anyone to shut up and stop questioning his bona fides on the bench, then I support Daniel in his setting of an outrageous goal (as long as he’s not hogging the only bench at MY gym).