Dark History 175: How Bodybuilding Went from Freak Show to Fitness Empire
Jul 9, 2025
40:04
Hi friends, happy Wednesday!
You know, lately I’ve noticed something strange. It feels like every celebrity these days is... jacked. Like, not just in “good shape.” I’m talking veins popping out of places I didn’t even know veins existed.
I mean, back in the day, you had, what? 2 or 3 action stars. But now? Even the comedians are huge. Like, why is Jim from the Office looking like he’s training for the Olympics??
All this got me thinking… When did we get so obsessed with muscles? Because I don’t remember Leonardo DiCaprio or Harrison Ford being jacked. They were just normal dudes.
Where did it start? And is it even healthy to be so muscular?
Today, we’re taking a little trip back in time to talk about the sweaty, sexy, and strange and Dark History of… bodybuilding.
I appreciate you for coming by, and tune in next week for more Dark History.
I sometimes talk about my Good Reads in the show. So here's the link if you want to check it out. IDK. lol: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/139701263-bailey
________
FOLLOW ME AROUND
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RECOMMEND A STORY HERE: cases4bailey@gmail.com
Business Related Emails: bailey@underscoretalent.com
Business Related Mail: Bailey Sarian 4400 W. Riverside Dr., Ste 110-300 Burbank, CA 91505
________
This podcast is Executive Produced by:
Bailey Sarian & Kevin Grosch and Joey Scavuzzo from Made In Network
Head Writer: Allyson Philobos
Writer: Katie Burris
Additional Writing: Jessica Charles
Research provided by: Coleen Smith
Special thank you to our Historical Consultant: Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, Professor of History at The New School and author of “Fit Nation: The Gains and Pains of America's Exercise Obsession”
Director: Brian Jaggers
Editing: Julien Perez
Additional Editing: Maria Norris
Post Supervisor: Kelly Hardin
Production Management: Ross Woodruff
Hair: Angel Gonzalez
Makeup: Bailey Sarian
________
Get started today at https://www.stitchfix.com/darkhistory to get $20 off your first order, and they’ll waive your styling fee. That’s https://www.stitchfix.com/darkhistory.
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/DARKHISTORY for a free trial. And when you’re ready to launch, use OFFER CODE DARK HISTORY to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.
You know, lately I’ve noticed something strange. It feels like every celebrity these days is... jacked. Like, not just in “good shape.” I’m talking veins popping out of places I didn’t even know veins existed.
I mean, back in the day, you had, what? 2 or 3 action stars. But now? Even the comedians are huge. Like, why is Jim from the Office looking like he’s training for the Olympics??
All this got me thinking… When did we get so obsessed with muscles? Because I don’t remember Leonardo DiCaprio or Harrison Ford being jacked. They were just normal dudes.
Where did it start? And is it even healthy to be so muscular?
Today, we’re taking a little trip back in time to talk about the sweaty, sexy, and strange and Dark History of… bodybuilding.
I appreciate you for coming by, and tune in next week for more Dark History.
I sometimes talk about my Good Reads in the show. So here's the link if you want to check it out. IDK. lol: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/139701263-bailey
________
FOLLOW ME AROUND
Tik Tok: https://bit.ly/3e3jL9v
Instagram: http://bit.ly/2nbO4PR
Facebook: http://bit.ly/2mdZtK6
Twitter: http://bit.ly/2yT4BLV
Pinterest: http://bit.ly/2mVpXnY
Youtube: http://bit.ly/1HGw3Og
Snapchat: https://bit.ly/3cC0V9d
Discord: https://discord.gg/BaileySarian*
RECOMMEND A STORY HERE: cases4bailey@gmail.com
Business Related Emails: bailey@underscoretalent.com
Business Related Mail: Bailey Sarian 4400 W. Riverside Dr., Ste 110-300 Burbank, CA 91505
________
This podcast is Executive Produced by:
Bailey Sarian & Kevin Grosch and Joey Scavuzzo from Made In Network
Head Writer: Allyson Philobos
Writer: Katie Burris
Additional Writing: Jessica Charles
Research provided by: Coleen Smith
Special thank you to our Historical Consultant: Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, Professor of History at The New School and author of “Fit Nation: The Gains and Pains of America's Exercise Obsession”
Director: Brian Jaggers
Editing: Julien Perez
Additional Editing: Maria Norris
Post Supervisor: Kelly Hardin
Production Management: Ross Woodruff
Hair: Angel Gonzalez
Makeup: Bailey Sarian
________
Get started today at https://www.stitchfix.com/darkhistory to get $20 off your first order, and they’ll waive your styling fee. That’s https://www.stitchfix.com/darkhistory.
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/DARKHISTORY for a free trial. And when you’re ready to launch, use OFFER CODE DARK HISTORY to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.