Irish bodybuilder and influencer extraordinaire Glen Gillen has given fans a rare insight into the consequences of bodybuilding.
Gillen, who has been immersed in sport for two years, shared some of the shocking lowlights from his recent competition prep.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, he said: “Every TikToker, every YouTuber, every male above the age of 16, every young lad I met in the gym while I was in Houston, they’re all getting ready for a show.
“This sh*t’s becoming dangerously popular. So, in this video, I want to touch on five things that I feel everybody should know before they decide to step on stage and become a bodybuilder.”
First on Gillen’s list was dieting. While this was something he raised in his last video, ‘The Ugly Truth Of Being Incredibly Lean’, the Irishman said he went to “extreme levels” to get into condition for his last competition, which he subsequently won.
That meant dropping his daily calorie intake as low as 1,350, roughly half the recommended amount for adult males.
Gillen said his energy levels, sleep, and performance in the gym were just some of the things that took a hit while he was cutting.
“Extreme dieting takes effect on your entire existence,” he added. “It consumes you. You’re fighting a battle every single day.”
The second issue Gillen highlighted is the emotional toll bodybuilding takes on competitors.
“This was something I truly experienced in my last prep,” Gillen said. “I pushed my body and my mind to what I thought would be unachievable heights, and I definitely experienced an extreme mental/emotional toll.
“For example, body dysmorphia. You look phenomenal. Once you’ve finished the prep and put a bit of body fat on you will see an amazing, shredded, full physique.
“But in that moment you might feel skinny, you might feel flat, you’re telling yourself you don’t have it. ‘Do I keep pushing with this prep? Am I worth it? Do I stand a chance on stage?’
“All this stuff just plays on your mind all day.”
Offering an incredibly honest peek behind the curtain, Gillen went on to talk about eating disorders, loneliness, and the physical health risks of bodybuilding.
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