John Dorsey, aka Goob, recaps his biggest take downs of the past year – and explains why he avoided the entire Wes Watson situation
John Dorsey, better known as Goob, has taken the fitness and bodybuilding world by storm—not as just another influencer but as an outspoken advocate for honesty in the industry. His new podcast, The Goob Show, continues his mission of exposing the rampant deceit that plagues social media fitness culture. In the latest episode, Goob dives into his journey as an influencer, his unwavering commitment to truth, and the recent controversy surrounding fitness personality Wes Watson.
Here’s a brief rundown of the topics explored in this episode:
- Introducing The Goob Show – a more intricate breakdown of lies and transparency in fitness.
- The Wes Watson gym fight scandal and why Goob stayed away from commenting on the matter.
- Looking back at Ryan Terry‘s photoshopped physique… why?
- What happens when Goob takes down someone close to home?
- The time Gym Shark took legal action against Goob… sort of.
- Goob’s take on cookie cutter online coaching platforms.
You can watch the debut episode of The Goob Show above and keep reading to checkout our full in-detail breakdown. Let’s dive in!
Goob’s Mission: Exposing Fitness Deception for a Healthier Mindset
Goob’s rise to prominence stems from his dedication to revealing how influencers manipulate their physiques through Photoshop and deceptive marketing tactics. As a bodybuilding coach and influencer, he believes in promoting realistic fitness goals rather than impossible standards that lead to self-doubt and insecurity among fans.
“My thing has just been always consistently the truth,” he says, emphasizing that the fitness industry needs more transparency. While many influencers curate a false image of perfection, Goob aims to empower people with authenticity, encouraging them to embrace fitness as a powerful tool for self-improvement rather than a source of unrealistic comparison.
The Wes Watson Gym Fight Controversy
One of the most anticipated discussions in the episode was Goob’s take on the Wes Watson gym fight. Interestingly, Goob admitted that he had never paid much attention to Watson’s content, mainly encountering him through reaction videos. He also noted that Watson had seemingly preemptively blocked him on Instagram, likely to avoid potential scrutiny.
Regarding the gym altercation, Goob pointed out the absurdity of a situation where a group of 40-year-old men engaged in a physical fight over online beef. The incident began as a one-on-one confrontation but quickly escalated into a four-on-one attack orchestrated by Watson and his associates. Goob condemned the ambush, stating that a fair one-on-one fight would have been one thing, but an orchestrated group attack crossed the line into criminal behavior.
“If I told you the story and then you asked the ages of everybody involved and I told you they were all like 40, you’d be like, what the f*ck? You’d be like, this has to be 16 year olds. Like you were reading some sh*t on like Reddit and you’re like, this has to be children.”
– Goob
Another issue Goob raised was the misinformation surrounding the altercation. Initially, it was claimed that the individual who was beaten had special needs, but as more details emerged, this fact was called into question. Goob stressed the importance of verifying facts before jumping on viral controversies, as information often becomes diluted and distorted as more influencers weigh in on the topic.
“So I hate, like, if somebody is already doing something, the worst is to just dogpile and be like, ‘Oh, yeah me too…’ I think the reason people come to my stuff is they know it’s not going to be repetitive,” says Goob. He continues:
“I don’t mean to sh*t on anybody who does this, but there are a tonne of people in the fitness world that are like, ‘Alright, let me go watch my feed and before they day is over I got to have a video out on this too because blank did it, they did it, they did it, they did it.’ Like I try to avoid that.”
Facing Pushback? Not When the Truth is on Your Side
One of the most surprising revelations in the episode is that Goob has never faced significant pushback from the big names he has exposed. The reason? The truth is undeniable.
Unlike drama-driven influencers who fabricate stories for clout, Goob ensures his claims are backed by research and evidence. He noted that when he first started exposing fitness frauds, he expected backlash. However, major figures in the industry avoided engaging with him because drawing attention to his content would only further highlight their own deception. This realization gave Goob the confidence to continue unveiling the truth, knowing that those guilty of manipulation would remain silent rather than risk further exposure.
Ryan Terry’s Photoshop Scandal
A standout moment in the podcast was Goob’s takedown of IFBB Pro and Men’s Physique Olympia champion Ryan Terry. Weeks before the Olympia, Terry posted an image that was, according to Goob, undeniably altered.
Given Terry’s well-established physique and reputation, Goob was initially skeptical that he would resort to Photoshop. However, when confronted, Terry claimed that a third party—his physical therapist or masseuse—had edited the image without his knowledge. But when Goob requested proof, Terry was unable to provide any evidence of this exchange. This left Goob convinced that Terry had intentionally altered the image himself, an unnecessary and baffling decision given his elite status in bodybuilding.
Goob highlighted how even top athletes, who have already proven their excellence, sometimes succumb to the pressures of social media perfection. His exposé of Terry serves as a reminder that even the most successful figures in fitness feel compelled to maintain an unrealistic image, further proving why transparency is needed in the industry.
The Dominican Model Photoshop Drama
In another segment, Goob discussed a situation involving a Dominican model who was caught editing her photos from a boat trip. What made this case particularly controversial was that Goob’s own partner personally knew the model, leading to a personal conflict.
Despite being asked to remove the video as a favor, Goob stood firm on his principles. He emphasized that he cannot compromise his values simply because of personal relationships. This incident underscores Goob’s commitment to exposing dishonesty, regardless of personal connections or external pressure.
The Gym Shark Influencer Scandal
Goob also recounted an incident where he exposed a Gym Shark-affiliated influencer, Coralie, for Photoshopping her images. Shortly after, he received an email claiming to be from Gym Shark’s legal team, demanding he remove the video and issue an apology. However, Goob suspected the email was not legitimate.
When he reached out to a contact at Gym Shark, they confirmed that the email was not from an official representative. This indicated that either the influencer herself or someone on her behalf had fabricated the legal threat in an attempt to intimidate him. Goob’s refusal to comply with baseless threats further showcases his determination to hold influencers accountable for their dishonesty.
Cookie Cutter Coaching Services: Are They Scams?
In the final segment, Goob addressed the debate around cookie-cutter fitness coaching programs. When asked if they should be exposed as scams, Goob took a more nuanced approach. He acknowledged that while these programs may not offer personalized training, they still provide general fitness guidance that some users find valuable, especially at a lower cost.
He argued that if customers feel they are getting what they paid for—even if it is a pre-written plan rather than customized coaching—then it is not necessarily a scam. He advised consumers to be aware of what they are purchasing and to leave a program if they feel it does not meet their expectations.
Wrap Up
The first episode of The Goob Show reinforces Goob’s role as a truth-teller in the fitness industry. From calling out deceptive editing to providing thoughtful commentary on viral controversies, he continues to challenge the unrealistic standards set by influencers. His perspective on the Wes Watson fight controversy also highlights his commitment to fair reporting, ensuring that he does not jump on bandwagons without verifying facts.
You can watch the full episode at the top of this article. And make sure to check back ever other week for new episodes on the Generation Iron Podcast or wherever podcasts are downloaded.