Body image issues are nothing out of the ordinary in the fitness world, and even the biggest stars aren’t immune to them. Sam Sulek, who currently dominates the fitness YouTube scene and recently launched his professional career, openly shared in one of his latest videos how he himself perceives muscle dysmorphia (also known as bigorexia).
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 highly anticipated professional debut. He placed eighth at the Arnold Classic Ohio and then secured an impressive seventh-place finish at the Arnold Classic UK in Birmingham, proving that he belongs among the world’s elite.
But with this huge surge in popularity comes pressure—both from fans and from himself. How is this young talent coping with it?
The Fine Line Between Self-Criticism and Body Dysmorphia
In his responses to fans’ questions, Sam focused on how to tell the difference between a normal assessment of one’s physique and a dangerous obsession.
“Are we talking about bigorexia here? That feeling that you never look good, even when you actually do? It’s a very fine line. You have to be able to objectively assess your physique and tell yourself: ‘This is what I want to improve.’ But that shouldn’t mean you lose your self-worth,” Sulek explained.
According to Sam, the biggest enemy of bodybuilders is negative self-talk. He says people have a natural tendency to twist reality into the worst-case scenario. When someone wants to gain weight, they see themselves as constantly skinny. When they want to lose weight, they feel constantly heavy.
The Golden Rule: Criticize, but Don’t Hate
Sulek offered his followers a simple but powerful piece of advice on how to stay sane:
“Be your own harshest critic, but never be your own biggest hater.”
He points out that this problem doesn’t just affect beginners or fitness enthusiasts. In the video, he mentioned that he’s seen countless training montages of top Mr. Olympia competitors who were in the absolute best shape of their lives, looked like monsters, and yet claimed on camera that they could see nothing but flaws in themselves.
What does Sam’s future hold?
After a grueling season in Ohio and the UK, Sam is taking time to improve. His main goal now is to gain more muscle mass in his back and adjust his diet to turn his weaknesses into strengths. Although he’s just starting his professional career, he’s proving that he’s not only a hard worker but also a great role model for the younger generation of bodybuilders.
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