Canadian armwrestler and content creator Keanu McGill recently opened up about his use of testosterone and other PEDs in a recent video on his YouTube channel.
McGill began by making it clear that his journey was entirely his own and not something others should treat as guidance. He explained that he was not medically prescribed testosterone and chose to stop competing naturally several years ago. He has been using testosterone for roughly two years, mostly staying on cycle rather than fully coming off.
“I am not prescribed testosterone, and I decided to do the leap of not natural, fake natty, several years ago,” he said. “I’ve been on and off testosterone for about 2 years, roughly somewhere in that ballpark. And when I say on and off, I’m talking mostly on. I’ve never really came off.”
Discussing his motivation, McGill pointed to long-standing insecurities about his size and strength. He said he had always been on the smaller side genetically and wanted to push his physical performance further. While he acknowledged being naturally gifted to some extent, he ultimately decided to enhance his strength beyond what he believed he could achieve naturally.
He explained: “Genetically, I feel like I’m gifted to a certain extent, but I decided I wanted to bring my physique, well, when I say physique, I mean more strength, to the next level.”
McGill was also transparent about the range of dosages he had experimented with over time. He estimated that his testosterone use had varied between approximately 125 milligrams per week and as high as 500 milligrams weekly, emphasizing that these amounts were significantly higher than what most people would ever need.
He further admitted that testosterone was not the only stuff he had used, noting that he had incorporated other oral and injectable s**roids into his regimen.
He stated, “When I started doing testosterone, I ranged, and this is like from start until now. Don’t quote me on the exact numbers, but I have ranged from anywhere at 125 milligrams per week to 500 milligrams a week. It’s way more than enough that you’ll ever need.”
When addressing the physical consequences, McGill acknowledged both positive and negative effects. He pointed to acne and elevated blood pressure as notable downsides, highlighting that the health risks were real even if outward appearances did not dramatically change.
“There have been good things and bad things that have come with it, such as acne. That’s obviously not a good thing. Elevated blood pressure,” he said.
He also pushed back against the idea that roid use automatically leads to extreme transformations, noting, “I look normal just like any other human being.”
In the video, McGill also discussed his recent blood work results. He revealed that a particular marker had come back at an alarming level, serving as a wake-up call.
“I had my blood work done recently and I had a very alarming marker.” He expanded further: “A lot of the markers that will come up in your blood work, you won’t actually see or feel in your body and they could be alarming.”
Despite his openness, McGill clarified that the video was not meant to undermine his training or achievements. He emphasized that he still trains consistently and takes recovery seriously, rejecting the notion that PEDs alone account for his results.
“This isn’t a confession video where I’m coming out and letting you guys know everything you’ve seen has been fake,” he said. “I train every day. I’m doing my absolute best when it comes to recovery.”
Looking ahead, McGill revealed that an upcoming six-month military deployment has prompted him to reconsider his approach. He plans to completely discontinue testosterone use during that period to see how his body responds after coming off it. The decision, he suggested, is partly experimental and partly driven by health considerations.
He concluded the video with a message for viewers who might be considering a similar path.
“Make sure you get your blood work done, you’re eating properly, your doctor is recommending it to you,” he said. “Because honestly, as much as there are positive things that come with this, the side effects could be way more detrimental, and it could not be worth it if you abuse it.”
