Problems with the perception of one’s own body are not uncommon in the world of fitness and do not avoid even the biggest stars. Sam Sulek, who is currently dominating the YouTube fitness scene and recently launched his professional career, openly shares how he perceives muscle dysmorphia (also known as bigorexia) in one of his latest videos.
From amateur to elite
Sam Sulek has had an incredible year. After dominating the Classic Physique division and earning his IFBB Pro card in Ohio, he made his closely watched pro debut. He took eighth place at the Arnold Classic Ohio and followed that up with a great seventh place finish at the Arnold Classic UK in Birmingham, proving that he has a place among the world’s elite too.
But with the huge rise in popularity comes pressure – both from the fans and from himself. How is this young talent coping?
The fine line between self-criticism and dysmorphia
Answering questions from fans, Sam focused on how to tell the difference between simple appreciation of form and dangerous obsession.
“Are we talking about bigorexia? That feeling that you never look good when you actually do? It’s a very fine line. You have to be able to objectively evaluate your figure and say to yourself: But that doesn’t mean you lose your self-worth,” Sulek explained.
According to Sam, the biggest enemy of bodybuilders is negative internal dialogue. People, he says, have a natural tendency to twist reality into the worst-case scenario. When someone wants to bulk up, they see themselves as constantly skinny. When he wants to lose weight, he sees himself as constantly heavy.
The golden rule: Criticize but don’t hate
Sulek offered his followers a simple but striking piece of advice on how to keep their sanity:
“Be your biggest critic, but never be your biggest hater.”
He reminds himself that this problem doesn’t just plague beginners or fitness practitioners. In the video, he mentions that he has seen countless training montages of top Mr. Olympia competitors who were in absolute life form, looking like monsters, yet claiming to the camera that all they saw were flaws in themselves.
What is Sam’s future?
After a tough season in Ohio and the UK, Sam is taking time to improve. His main goal now is to put on more muscle mass on his back and adjust his diet to make strengths out of weaknesses. Although he is at the beginning of his professional career, he is showing that he is not only a hard worker but also a great role model for the younger generation of bodybuilders.
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