In this episode of Iron Culture, Eric Helms and guests Conor Heffernan and Dr. Juan Carlos Casano delve into the intricate relationship between bodybuilding, performance-enhancing drugs, and athlete welfare. They discuss the historical context of bodybuilding, the cultural norms that have evolved over the years, and the alarming trends in mortality rates among bodybuilders. The conversation emphasizes the need for transparency in the sport and the impact of social media on perceptions of bodybuilding. The guests advocate for a more nuanced understanding of the issues surrounding drug use in bodybuilding and the importance of separating competitive practices from recreational bodybuilding for the sake of athlete safety. This conversation delves into the complexities of bodybuilding, focusing on the democratization of drug information, cultural issues, historical perspectives, and the impact of social media. The speakers discuss the need for regulation and safety measures in the sport, the motivations behind bodybuilding, and the legacy of past champions. They emphasize the importance of having open conversations about athlete safety and the future of bodybuilding, particularly in light of the increasing influence of social media and the need for a cultural shift within the sport.

Time Stamps:

00:00 Welcome to another Iron Culture episode hosted by one Eric (Helms)

https://sportsnutritionassociation.com/sna-annual-2025-conference/

3:06 Welcoming back Dr Conor Heffernan and introducing Dr Juan Carlos Cassano and their new pre-print paper

Cassano 2025 The Golden Paradox Mortality Trends Across Three Eras of Bodybuilding (1900-1990) https://sportrxiv.org/index.php/server/preprint/view/513

Iron Culture Ep. 203- Can Enhanced Bodybuilding Be Safer? (Ft. Dr. Guillermo Escalante) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7G_c1umHswE

10:58 The ideas behind the paper – shifting norms and starting discussion

26:32 The rise of natural bodybuilding and embedding safety in bodybuilding

37:33 The Overton window of physiques and PEDs for professional and recreational bodybuilders

41:56 How bodybuilding history relates to contemporary bodybuilding and PED dosages 

54:42 Motivations for competing, pushing the limits, and building a legacy

1:10:25 Precedence of attempting to implement constraints into bodybuilding

1:21:13 Influence of social media, motivations for competing, and irresponsible use of PEDs

1:35:09 Final thoughts