In a recent discussion on the Chris Williamson podcast, comedian Tom Segura shared a fascinating perspective on why admitting to using PEDs can be a lose-lose situation for public figures, especially in Hollywood. According to Segura, the assumption that PEDs are the key to impressive physiques overshadows the years of discipline and effort required to achieve such results, creating a challenge for those who openly admit to their usage.
Segura highlighted that the pervasive belief that PEDs alone are responsible for creating impressive physiques undermines the reality of the hard work and dedication necessary to achieve such results. He elaborated,
“Yeah dude if you just injected that you’re not going to look like him – that guy still busts his ass training to be just beyond jacked.”
Segura’s point emphasizes that while PEDs may aid in the process, they don’t replace the intense training required to achieve top-tier physiques.
This misconception contributes to a culture of silence around PED use in Hollywood. Despite the fact that the use of performance enhancers is widespread in the industry, Segura points out how discussions often go unnoticed or are dismissed with comments like,
“It must be nice with this needle.”
The implication is clear: if you’re open about PED use, people are likely to reduce your success to just the dr*gs, discrediting the effort and commitment behind it.
For Segura, this creates a “no-win” scenario. If a celebrity openly admits to using PEDs, they risk having their success seen as the result of chemical shortcuts, with their hard work and discipline ignored. On the other hand, keeping quiet perpetuates unrealistic expectations, with fans and critics alike assuming that PED-free results are attainable without acknowledging the hard work involved.
While many online commenters have attributed Alex Jones’ dramatic weight loss to Ozempic, Segura pushes back against this narrative based on his firsthand observations. “I get that, but I’ve seen him working really really hard at the gym,” Segura noted.
Interestingly, Segura’s friend Joe Rogan has been open about his use of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), revealing that he’s been using it for over a decade. Rogan even discussed his use of human growth hormone and other substances, acknowledging that they help him maintain vitality and resist the effects of aging. In contrast to those in the public eye who deny PED use, Rogan’s transparency around his regimen reflects his stance on managing health and aging rather than pretending to be natural.
“It’s what fighters get in trouble for, but, obviously, I’m not competing,”
Rogan said on his podcast.
“I just like the idea that I’m cheating old age and death.”
Similarly, neuroscientist Andrew Huberman has openly shared his experience with TRT. In an interview on More Plates More Dates, Huberman revealed that he started hormone therapy at 45, experimenting with various dosages to find the right balance for his body. He emphasizes that his TRT experience hasn’t changed his work ethic or drive but has enhanced his energy levels, recovery, and overall mental clarity.
For many athletes and celebrities, the pressure to appear natural while simultaneously maintaining peak physical performance often leads to denial or silence regarding PED use. Dr. Mike Israetel, an exercise scientist, came to the defense of WWE superstar John Cena after Cena’s viral comments denying PED use. In a viral video, Israetel argued that denying PED use, especially in the context of public interviews, could be a necessary ethical choice.
“So I’m going to cut you guys the real deal on that whole juicing thing,”
Israetel said.
“When people ask you to admit to a federal offense on live television, the moral thing to do becomes to lie about it.”
Despite the widespread use of PEDs in professional sports, the conversation around their ethical implications remains complex. Figures like Gordon Ryan, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu champion, have been open about their PED use, sparking debates on professionalism and ethics within the sport. Ryan’s transparency has drawn criticism, but also admiration for challenging the stigma around PEDs.
The broader issue, as Segura points out, is that public personalities are stuck in a lose-lose situation: admit to PED use and face dismissal of their work ethic, or stay silent and perpetuate unrealistic standards. The conversation around PEDs in sports and fitness culture continues to evolve, as both the advantages and challenges of using performance enhancers become more publicly acknowledged. However, one thing is clear: no matter how a public figure chooses to handle the conversation, the scrutiny and judgment they face remain complicated and often unfair.
