Joey Swoll says he’s “done” with social media after finding himself at the epicenter of online controversy.
The self-proclaimed ‘CEO of Gym Positivity’ built a career on calling out toxic gym behavior.
Now, the internet is throwing his own “Do Better” slogan back at him following posts about the death of wrestling trailblazer Hulk Hogan.
“All the good I’ve done, all the people I’ve helped, all for nothing,” he wrote in a deflated post on X.
“I truly hope all the people I’ve inspired do great things in their life and pay it forward to help others and carry on my message.
“But no matter how much good you do, people just wait for a reason to hate you and tear you down. You either die a hero, or live long enough to be the villain.
“Thank you for your support. I am done.”
Joey Swoll Controversy: What Happened?
On the day of the wrestler’s passing, Swoll reposted an old video of himself wearing a Hulk Hogan Halloween costume in the gym.
Hogan’s death reignited a long-standing contradiction in the sporting icon’s legacy.
While he was a superhero to many, expanding wrestling’s appeal to fans of all backgrounds, Hogan’s legacy was also marked by past racist remarks.
In 2016, a lawsuit led to the discovery that Hogan had used racial slurs in 2007 to describe his daughter’s Black ex-boyfriend.
“I am a racist, to a point,” Hogan said, before adding the slur, according to a transcript.
Soon after, more outlets reported that Hogan used the same slur in a recorded phone call with his son.
Hogan later apologized and called the language “unacceptable,” though many never saw it as sincere.
Swoll, who wasn’t the only high-profile figure to publicly mourn Hogan, caught major heat from fans on a livestream who were enraged he’d idolized the controversial wrestler.
“Instead of listening and understanding like I should have, I became defensive,” he said in an apology video the following day.
“I said that I was posting to celebrate the wrestling icon — the person so many of us looked up to as kids.
“The person we grew up with, who made us tear our shirts, take our vitamins, and say our prayers. I didn’t know the extent of all the horrible things that he’d done.
“Since last night, I have done a lot of research, talked to a few people, and learned all of the horrible, horrible things that man has done. Way more than just making a mistake and being human.
“So, because of that, I have taken the videos down, and I apologize to anyone I have offended. I am sorry.”
During the same livestream, Joey Swoll added fuel to the fire by using the word “colored” to describe Black people — a term with a problematic history in the U.S.
“I used the word ‘colored’ instead of saying ‘person of color’ — which is a very outdated, very offensive term,” Swoll continued.
“A few moments later, someone educated me and told me it wasn’t okay to use that.
“I immediately apologized to everybody and said I would never do that again. So, once again, to anyone I offended — I am sorry.
“My whole page, my whole brand is based on holding people accountable and doing better. I would be a hypocrite if I didn’t hold myself to the same standards. I am human, I am still growing, I am still learning — and I promise all of you that I’ll do better.”
Joey Swoll: The Fallout
The video drew highly polarized reactions and nearly 30,000 comments, with people split between two camps: those who felt Swoll had destroyed his reputation and others who didn’t believe an apology was even necessary.
His girlfriend, Crystal Reneau, posted: “As his girlfriend and someone from a biracial family, I see the man he really is every single day.
“He leads with love, treats everyone with respect, and makes intentional choices that reflect his character. One short clip doesn’t define him.
“His actions, his values, and how he shows up for others speak louder than anything else. We love him deeply, and I hope people take a moment to see the whole person.
“My family and I love and stand with you.”
Joey Swoll wasn’t alone. Politicians, celebrities, and fans alike celebrated Hogan’s accomplishments.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson — whose fame arguably matches Hogan’s — was among them.
Johnson, the son of Rocky Johnson, one of WWE’s first Black champions, said Hogan was a hero “to millions of little kids.”
Clearly, separating the man — and his significant flaws — from the character that captivated audiences has proven difficult for many in the wrestling world.
Hogan’s death has exposed fault lines across the country — and not everyone is willing to overlook his history of racism.
Joey Swoll has unintentionally placed himself at the center of a sensitive debate, doubled down, and now finds himself on trial in the court of public opinion.
Whether he’ll truly walk away from his millions of followers remains to be seen. Swoll says trolls have targeted his family, girlfriend, and business partner in the wake of his comments.
Still, plenty remain in his corner — and many more would be disappointed to see him forced off social media for good.
SEE ALSO: Hafþór Björnsson Makes History With a 505kg World Record
