Eric English, a 16-year-old fitness influencer with 1.8 million Instagram followers, appears to have lost his account after promoting a peptide company on the platform.
The situation drew widespread backlash from figures in the fitness community, most notably Greg Doucette, who says he was among the first to bring the issue to light.
In a recent video, Doucette stated that he photographed the promotion and sent the images to fellow influencer Noel Deyzel. “When I saw this, I took all of the photos and I immediately sent everything to Noel Deyzel.”
Deyzel subsequently posted a video addressing the matter, which generated broad agreement that a peptide company paying a minor to promote age-restricted content had crossed a serious line. The peptide site in question required visitors to confirm they were 21 years of age or older to enter.
Doucette was direct about where responsibility lies with the company involved. “If you own a peptide company and you go out and search out 16-year-olds in order to promote it, well, shame on you.”
According to Doucette, Eric likely did not arrange the deal himself. Many young athletes rely on managers who source sponsorship opportunities on their behalf, take a percentage cut, and present the arrangements as straightforward income.
“The manager is trying to fill in their pockets,” he said, arguing the adult in that role failed Eric by pursuing a deal that was clearly inappropriate for a minor.
Doucette also placed significant responsibility on Eric’s father, stating that no attentive parent could overlook the signs of a teenager using PEDs.
“As a dad, it is your responsibility to look after your son,” he said.
On Instagram’s response, Doucette expressed support for the platform’s action while advocating for a temporary ban rather than a permanent one.
“I don’t think he should be banned forever. I believe that what they should do is say, ‘You’re going to be banned for 90 days. Let this be a lesson. You’re a young man. You have your whole life ahead of you.'”
Both Doucette and Deyzel made clear their view that Eric is a young person whose decisions have been shaped by a fitness industry that too often normalizes PEDs use among teenagers.
“Although he is making his own choices, those choices are influenced by many others,” Doucette noted.
The hope shared by both commentators is that Eric uses this moment as a turning point and chooses a natural path going forward.
As Doucette put it, “We need to bring the fitness industry back.”
