Talking Huge With Craig Golias | EP 4: Muscle Implants, Brad Castleberry Lifts, & Should Brian Shaw Retire?

Craig Golias and Vlad Yudin discuss the World’s Strongest Man 2021, muscle implants and synthol in bodybuilding, plus much more!

Welcome to another episode of Talking Huge – a weekly digital series in which Craig Golias talks in-depth with Vlad Yudin on the latest trending topics in bodybuilding. Raw, honest, and uncut – Craig Golias shares his opinions on all things bodybuilding. In this episode, Craig Golias talks about Tom Stoltman’s win at the World’s Strongest Man 2021, synthol injections, muscle implants, and the challenge of buying clothes as a mass monster.

This episode is jam packed with topics ranging from news, funny thoughts, and deep dives into bodybuilding culture. With this past weekend holding the World’s Strongest Man 2021 finals, Craig talks about not only Tom Stoltman’s win but Brian Shaw’s second place finish. Should he retire or keep pushing for another win? He also discuss shortcuts in bodybuilding – specifically synthol and muscle implants. Also discussed is financial planning in bodybuilding, how to buy clothes when you are huge, and Brad Castleberry’s supposed fake weight lifts. Let’s jump into it!

Does Brad Castleberry Lift Fake Weight?

This is a topic that has long been debated in the bodybuilding community. It’s true that Brad Castleberry has strayed away from his massive viral lifts in recent years. That being said, the fake weight reputation has stuck. Whenever his name is brought up in bodybuilding – a debate is likely to follow.

Vlad asked Craig Golias directly what he believes regarding Brad Castleberry and the fake weight accusations. Golias falls exactly 50/50 on the topic. He doesn’t know him personally. Some of the lifts to him seem too heavy to be real. But he does acknowledge that some of his videos take place in public gyms – where it would be harder to use fake weights.

Ultimately, Craig Golias doesn’t understand why he doesn’t just prove it once and for all. If it’s really not fake – have a live video with a trusted in-person spectator to prove the weights are real. Not only would it end the debate, it would likely get a lot of attention. A great way to get another viral video.

Synthol and Muscle Implants

Vlad Yudin also dives in deep with Craig Golias on the topic of synthol and muscle implants. First talking about synthol, Golias is completely against them. He believes they are trash and no real bodybuilder should use them. It goes against the real reason people live the bodybuilding lifestyle – to train and work hard for perfecting the body.

He does admit that he’s heard rumors a lot of pro bodybuilders used synthol in very small doses to perfect weak areas. Specifically, he heard rumor this was happening in the late 90s and early 2000s. Though he wasn’t present himself during that time – so he can’t claim it as a definite hard truth.

Vlad Yudin also brings up muscle implants. Less popular in the United States, other countries are more open to implants to improve the physique when it comes to muscle. Craig is more open to this idea – but certainly not for competitive bodybuilding. He also touches on traditional implants such as breast implants or butt implants. Craig finds it unfair that some cultures shame women for this. In his mind, if bodybuilders can use steroids to enhance their physique, why can’t women use implants to look how they want?

Wrap Up

There are far more topics discussed in this episode than we can cover in this article. You can watch Craig Golias and Vlad Yudin discuss other topics such as clothing for bodybuilders, finances in bodybuilding, and more in our latest episode above. Make sure to check out Talking Huge every week on Friday – only on the Generation Iron Fitness Network!

Derek Dufour
Derek Dufour has been managing all digital operations on the Generation Iron Network for over six years. He currently manages a team of editors, writers, and designers to provide up-to-date content across the GI Network.