Mike O’Hearn and John Tsikouris get real about the growing reality of young athletes abusing steroids
In a recent episode of The Mike O’Hearn Show, Mike O’Hearn spoke with returning guest and Titan Medical owner John Tsikouris to discuss the current culture around steroids for young aspiring athletes in the 2020s. Along for the conversation is Ms. Universe Mona Muresan to provide valuable insight from a female athlete perspective as well.
The conversation delved deep into the topic of steroids, the culture around their use in bodybuilding, and the significance of proper hormone therapy. With bodybuilding and fitness now firmly living in the information era – young athletes are being exposed and are consuming more steroids than ever before. Mike O’Hearn wants to use his platform to make clear the real irreversible that come along with it. Let’s dive into our podcast recap!
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Mike O’Hearn’s Perspective on Steroids in Bodybuilding
Mike O’Hearn opened the discussion by shedding light on the negative habits associated with steroid use in bodybuilding and fitness. Emphasizing his identity as an athlete first and a bodybuilder second, Mike explained his personal choice to avoid steroids, focusing instead on maintaining an athletic physique without resorting to artificial enhancements.
When asked about the inception of his HRT clinic, Titan Medical, John Tsikouris shared his approach to deterring individuals who sought steroids for athletic gain rather than legitimate TRT (Testosterone Replacement Therapy) treatment. John emphasized his commitment to only promoting TRT, HRT, or anti-aging treatments when they are medically necessary. He firmly opposes the use of such treatments by individuals who are too young or do not require them based on their medical conditions.
The Shift in Bodybuilding Culture
John discussed the evolving mindset among young aspiring bodybuilders and athletes. Historically, success in bodybuilding was achieved through mastering diet and training techniques. Today, however, the conversation has shifted towards the use of Performance-Enhancing Drugs (PEDs) and drug protocols to achieve rapid success.
John underscored the importance of getting a blood test to determine what the body actually needs before considering any hormone therapy.
Mastering the Basics Before Turning to Hormones
John stressed the importance of mastering the basics—diet and training—before thinking about any hormone or drug approach. He highlighted that achieving mastery in these core principles requires years of trial and error.
The challenge lies in the impatience, naivety, and ambition of young people, who often rush to PEDs prematurely, assuming they have already mastered the basics or hoping to skip certain steps.
The Reality of Long-Term Health Consequences
Both Mike and John highlighted the importance of teaching young people the long-term health consequences of steroid and PED use. Young people often feel invincible, making it difficult to convey the seriousness of potential health risks.
Mike emphasized that the natural hormonal growth during teenage years (14-20 years old) can lead to better results than steroids, provided there is patience and dedication.
Mona Muresan’s Take on Modern Bodybuilding
Mike O’Hearn turned to guest co-host Mona Muresan, a former Ms. Universe champion, to get her perspective on the current state of bodybuilding. Mona expressed her belief that she would not be able to win the Ms. Universe title today due to the increased muscle mass in current competitors. She reminisced about a time when bodybuilding physiques were more feminine and akin to beauty pageants, making them more relatable and aspirational for young girls.
The Evolution of Classic Physique
Mike O’Hearn pointed out that the Classic Physique division has already seen significant changes in the “ideal physique” from its inception. Despite being just under 10 years old, competitors like Chris Bumstead have pushed the limits of muscle mass within their weight categories.
Mike speculated that Chris Bumstead could potentially compete in the Men’s Open division and even suggested that a physique like Bumstead’s could be favored in Mr. Olympia, making the sport more appealing to general audiences.
The Risks and Realities of SARMs
The conversation also touched on the case of Ryan Garcia, who failed a drug test for using a form of SARMs (Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators). John explained that SARMs were initially perceived as a healthier alternative to steroids, offering strength and recovery benefits without estrogen effects.
However, it has become evident that SARMs can also shut down natural testosterone production, leading to severe long-term health issues.
Educating Young People on the Dangers of Steroids and PEDs
Mike asked John how he approaches educating young people about the dangers of steroids, SARMs, and other PEDs. John emphasized the importance of using their platform to highlight the long-term negative impacts on hormones and overall health.
He advocates for transparency about his own use of treatments, making it clear that these decisions are based on health needs rather than shortcuts to success.
Wrap Up
The episode concluded with Mike reiterating the importance of patience, dedication, and mastering the fundamentals of bodybuilding. He emphasized that young people can achieve impressive results without resorting to steroids, simply by capitalizing on their natural hormonal growth during their teenage years. The overarching message from the episode was clear: long-term health should never be sacrificed for short-term gains in muscle mass.
In summary, this episode of The Mike O’Hearn Show provided valuable insights into the culture of steroid use in bodybuilding, the importance of proper hormone therapy, and the critical need for young athletes to prioritize their health and mastery of the basics over shortcuts to success.
You can watch the full episode above. And don’t forget to check back every week for new episodes on the Generation Iron Fitness Network or wherever podcasts are downloaded.
