The Brad Jensen Show EP719 - The Hidden Disordered Eating in Fitness Influencer Culture
Nov 11, 2025
In this insightful discussion, Craig Smith, a coach with a therapy-informed perspective, explores the darker aspects of fitness influencer culture. He delves into orthorexia, the obsession with eating clean, and how it stems from anxiety around food. The conversation highlights the harmful influence of social media algorithms that reward extreme behavior, like constant body updates and extremist discipline. Craig offers practical red flags to watch for in yourself and urges a transformation from self-punishment to self-respect, reinforcing that fitness should enhance life, not overpower it.
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Orthorexia Hides As Discipline
- Orthorexia is an obsession with “clean” eating that masquerades as discipline but hides fear and anxiety around food.
- Brad Jensen warns this creates a disordered relationship with food even when presented as virtue.
Algorithm Favors Extremes
- Social media algorithms reward extreme content, which encourages influencers to amplify restrictive, glorified behaviors.
- Brad Jensen notes extremes perform well and can distort what viewers perceive as healthy.
Steroid Use Distorts Reality
- Many influencers omit steroid use, which misleads followers about how achievable their physiques are.
- Brad Jensen admits personal steroid experience and calls out lying by omission.