{"id":17815,"date":"2026-04-09T17:28:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T17:28:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=17815"},"modified":"2026-04-09T17:28:00","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T17:28:00","slug":"sam-sulek-reveals-if-he-has-body-dysmorphia-and-bigorexia-offers-tips-for-dealing-with-body-image-struggles-fitness-volt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=17815","title":{"rendered":"Sam Sulek Reveals If He Has Body Dysmorphia and Bigorexia, Offers Tips For Dealing With Body Image Struggles \u2013 Fitness Volt"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Body image issues are one of the most common hurdles bodybuilders face on and off the stage. In a recent YouTube video on April 8, 2026, Sam Sulek discussed whether he has body dysmorphia or bigorexia and offered fans tips for dealing with these challenges.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sam Sulek<\/a> has quickly found his footing in the Classic Physique division. In 2025, he laid claim to victory at the NPC Legends Classic<\/a>, paving the way for his Arnold Amateur appearance. Sulek improved his legs and back to secure his IFBB Pro card in Columbus, Ohio.\u00a0<\/p>\n

A year later, he finally made his Pro debut. He took on a stacked lineup at the Arnold Classic Ohio<\/a>, securing eighth place. He had the chance to stand against high-profile threats like Wesley Vissers<\/a> and Matheus Menegate.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Sulek wanted to test the waters again and traveled overseas to the Arnold Classic UK<\/a>. He showed once again he could improve and finished seventh. With time to unwind, he touched on how he deals with negative talk and body image struggles.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Sam Sulek Opens Up About Body Dysmorphia and Bigorexia, Shares Tips \u00a0<\/h2>\n

In the Q&A segment, Sulek broke down the fine line between critiquing your physique and body dysmorphia or bigorexia.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cAre we talking bigorexia? You never think you look good, even when maybe you really do? It\u2019s kind of a fine line between critiquing your physique and telling yourself okay, I do have things I want to work on that I don\u2019t like about myself currently. That doesn\u2019t mean that I\u2019m not valuable as me but I want to work on this.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

He believes negative self-talk is the main issue. His solution is simple: don\u2019t beat yourself up and don\u2019t be your worst hater.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe problem is that thought process is always very negative. It\u2019s hard to say. Imagine I\u2019m a really skinny guy and I\u2019m thinking, man, I want to put some muscle on. It\u2019s easy to think man, I\u2019m not big enough. Something about our own perception, we always spin things negative.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to lose weight is always taken as I don\u2019t like how heavy I am now. So, just try not to beat yourself up. My main tip there is be your own worst critic, but don\u2019t be your own worst hater.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Sulek explained that even elite-tier bodybuilders are vulnerable to body image issues.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cEven really high-level bodybuilders, they\u2019ve said this in old training montage videos and stuff, and maybe they didn\u2019t really mean it and they just said it because it sounded cool but I\u2019ve seen videos of guys literally peak, looks like a total beast Olympia competitors in insane shape, and they are saying in this video, yeah, you know, all I see are the flaws man,\u201d said<\/a> Sam Sulek.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Fans are curious about what lies ahead for Sulek\u2019s bodybuilding career. After competing in Birmingham, he revealed that his main focus is on improving his back mass<\/a>. Moving forward, Sulek is tweaking his diet to turn his weak points into strengths.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Although he\u2019s young, Sulek has become a top role model for aspiring bodybuilders. He believes body image issues and negative self-talk can affect even the greatest competitors.\u00a0<\/p>\n

RELATED:\u00a0<\/strong>Terrick El Guindy Advises Nick Walker and Sam Sulek to Get Coaches After 2026 Arnold Classic: \u2018They Would Benefit\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n

Watch the full video from the Sam Sulek YouTube channel below:\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n