Fitness Guru's Steroid Use and Controversial Claims Spark Backlash

As of November 10th, 2025, Dr. Mike Israetel, a 41-year-old fitness influencer based in Michigan, has found himself at the center of a growing controversy. Israetel's RP (Renaissance Periodization) brand, which offers "scientifically grounded" training and diet plans, has made him one of the biggest names in the modern fitness industry, with his YouTube channel boasting 3.8 million subscribers and his personal social media accounts adding another 1.5 million.

However, Israetel's swaggering persona and open discussion of his own steroid use have drawn the ire of fellow influencers, analysts, and critics. They have accused the Russian-born powerlifter of being an "arrogant 'Alpha Bro'" and the "biggest academic sham in fitness," with one critic, Solomon Nelson, releasing a scathing one-hour takedown of Israetel's academic history, calling his PhD dissertation "sloppy, shallow and confused."

Israetel, who stands at 5'6" and typically weighs around 230 lbs, has defended his credentials, describing his dissertation as "decent" and a collaborative effort. But the damage to his reputation has been done, with Reddit threads and YouTube analysts pouncing on the controversy.

Israetel's influence and the furor around him highlight the chaos of the modern fitness world, where viral personalities selling "hacks" and extreme transformations often overshadow evidence-based coaches. As young men scroll for hours, comparing themselves to chemically-enhanced bodies, the casualties – both psychological and physical – are real.