Fit, Lean, and Clueless—The Truth About Online Fitness Gurus…And A Few That Matter

Why I Don’t Look Like the Fitness People on Instagram—And Why That’s a Good Thing

The other day, my son told me, “You’re trying to be an influencer.”

And let me tell you—I hated that.

Because in my mind, an influencer is just someone trying to sell you stuff. Their whole job is to convince you that you need something—a magic pill, a new supplement, a fancy workout program—so they can cash in.

That’s not what I’m doing.

I’m here to tell you that you don’t need to buy garbage off social media. You don’t need pills, shots, overpriced coaching, or some influencer’s “secret method” to lose weight. You can do this on your own—without spending another dime on weight loss scams ever again. 

The Influencer Playbook: Sell You a Problem, Then Sell You the Fix

Most influencers follow the same formula:

1️⃣ Make you feel like you’re failing. – They show you their “perfect” body, their “easy” weight loss, and their “must-have” tools. The message? You’re doing it wrong, and that’s why you’re struggling.

2️⃣ Push a solution that costs money. – The answer to your weight loss problems? Their supplements, programs, meal plans, or coaching—all available for three easy payments of $99.99.

3️⃣ Keep you dependent. – The last thing they want is for you to succeed without them. If you lose weight and gain confidence on your own, you stop buying their products. And that’s bad for business.

What I’m Doing Instead

My message is simple: You don’t need any of that.

💥 You don’t need an app to tell you when to eat.
💥 You don’t need a meal plan made by some “guru.”
💥 You don’t need to spend hundreds on fat-burning supplements.

Because weight loss isn’t about buying more things—it’s about making better choices.

I’m here to help you take control so you never have to pay another influencer, coach, or diet company again. I lost 140 pounds naturally and have kept it off for two years—without shots, without expensive programs, and without anyone telling me I needed their “secret formula” for success.

The Hard Truth Most Influencers Won’t Tell You

🚫 They don’t want you to figure this out.
🚫 They don’t want you to succeed on your own.
🚫 They don’t care if you actually get healthy—just that you keep paying them.

I don’t want your money. I want you to realize that you can do this without me, without them, without anyone.

So no, I’m not an influencer. I’m just a guy who figured this out and wants you to know that you can too.

My method is all about the things you already know but just forgot or choose not to remember.    If you follow me or listen to my podcast I essentialy tell you everything you need to know.   Sure, I have a program you can buy, but it is a one-time purchase and it is under $50.  Hell, that is likely less than you spend on your coffee for one week.  Once I show you or remind you what you need to do you will never have to spend another dime on weight loss again and you can eat what you love and still lose and more importantly sustain whatever weight you choose, not to mention you can use it to succeed in any other area of your life you apply it to.  I am not like the charlatans on social media 

I recently read a study that said more and 80% of fitness influencers have no qualifications to be giving fitness or health advice.  I am one of them, which is why I never suggest an exercise routine, a meal plan, specific foods to eat, supplements or anything like that.  I show you how to get into the right mindset to make small, sart choices  to lose weight because that is what this battle is about.  You need to choose your own food that you actually like, an exercise routine that makes sense for you and your lifestyle and everything else about how you lose weight and get healthy.  Most influencers tell you by my program and you will get ripped abs in 30 days or some nonsense like that.  I am telling you weight loss is a mental game first and foremost.

Scroll through Instagram for five minutes, and you’ll see them—chiseled abs, veins popping, zero body fat. The so-called fitness influencers who look like they live in the gym, eat nothing but chicken and broccoli, and somehow always have the perfect tan.

And then there’s me.

I’m not a 25-year-old fitness model.
I don’t spend my entire life in the gym.
I don’t take performance-enhancing drugs.
I don’t have a professional photographer following me around to capture the perfect flex.

I’m just a regular guy who used to weigh 411 pounds and figured out how to lose 140 pounds naturally—without starving myself, without extreme workouts, and without becoming obsessed with fitness to the point where it takes over my life.

So if you’ve ever looked at these so-called “perfect” bodies online and thought, I could never look like that, you’re right. Neither could I. But you know what? That’s okay.

Because the real goal of weight loss isn’t looking like an Instagram model—it’s becoming the healthiest, happiest, strongest version of yourself.

And that’s exactly what I did.

1. The Unrealistic Expectations Set by Fitness Influencers

Let’s be honest: Social media has completely distorted our idea of what “fit” looks like.

Every day, people are bombarded with images of men and women who have:

✅ Single-digit body fat year-round
✅ Massive, perfectly sculpted muscles
✅ No loose skin, no stretch marks, no imperfections
✅ Abs that look like they were carved out of marble

And the message they push? “You can look like this too—just follow my workout plan and buy my supplement stack!”

But here’s the truth they won’t tell you:

1.1 Many of These Bodies Are Enhanced by Performance-Enhancing Drugs (PEDs)

A huge number of fitness influencers use steroids, testosterone boosters, or other performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) to achieve their look.

Yet, they never admit it. Instead, they claim their bodies are built with “hard work and dedication”, making the rest of us feel like failures for not looking like them.

Meanwhile, those of us who aren’t on drugs are dealing with:
❌ Slower muscle growth
❌ More body fat retention
❌ Natural aging and hormone fluctuations

But not all of them are bad.  One of the good gusy is Brad Jensen, aka The Sober Bodybuilder, is another rare voice of honesty in the fitness industry. Unlike most influencers who push the illusion of effortless perfection, Brad has lived through real struggles—he’s a single dad, he’s battled addiction, and most importantly, he’s been transparent about the use of PEDs in the fitness world, including his own past experiences. He doesn’t pretend that those shredded, impossibly jacked physiques are all-natural, and he’s one of the few who actually tells people the truth: most of what you see on social media isn’t real.

What makes Brad stand out is that he’s shifted his focus away from chasing an unrealistic body and toward real, sustainable health. He preaches no-BS fitness solutions—not extreme diets, not overcomplicated workout programs, and definitely not quick-fix scams. He understands that life isn’t just about being the leanest guy in the room; it’s about finding a balance between fitness, family, and mental well-being.

So when you compare yourself to someone who’s juiced up, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.

1.2 Their Lives Revolve Around Fitness

Jordan Syatt is one of the rare good guys in the fitness influencer space because he actually tells the truth. The other day, he posted about how, when he was younger, he was obsessed with being shredded—never missing a workout for five straight years, constantly chasing leanness, and letting fitness consume his entire life. And you know what? He was miserable.

Now, he has a family, leads a balanced lifestyle, and is still in great shape—but he’s no longer killing himself over it. He figured out what most fitness influencers don’t want to admit: you don’t have to be obsessive to be fit, strong, and happy. This ties directly into the problem with most influencers today—they sell the idea that fitness has to be extreme, that you have to be lean 24/7, and that anything less than perfection is failure. But real fitness isn’t about looking stage-ready every day—it’s about sustainability, balance, and actually enjoying your life. Jordan gets it. Most influencers don’t.

Most fitness influencers don’t have regular jobs, families, or real-life obligations.

Their entire income is based on looking shredded. They have time to:

• Spend hours in the gym every day
• Weigh every meal down to the gram
• Get professional lighting and photoshoots to show their best angles

For normal people? That’s not realistic.

And honestly, who wants to live like that? I’d rather enjoy my life, eat a steak without tracking every calorie, and spend time with my family instead of obsessing over my abs.

1.3 Most Instagram Photos Are Fake Anyway

• Photoshop and filters enhance muscle definition and erase flaws.
• Lighting tricks make people look leaner than they are.
• Water manipulation (dehydration) makes veins and abs pop.
• Posing techniques can change how a body looks completely.

No one walks around looking “stage ready” all the time—not even the people who claim they do.

So comparing yourself to these carefully curated, highly manipulated images is not just unfair—it’s a complete waste of time.

2. What Real Weight Loss Looks Like (And Why It’s Better)

Now that we’ve established that Instagram fitness is mostly a lie, let’s talk about real-life weight loss.

When I lost 140 pounds naturally, here’s what actually happened:

2.1 I Lost Fat—But I Didn’t Look Like a Bodybuilder

• Loose skin? Yep. I had it. After losing a massive amount of weight, skin doesn’t just snap back like magic.
• Stretch marks? Absolutely. I earned those, and I’m not ashamed of them.
• Muscle? I built some, but I didn’t become jacked overnight. Muscle growth takes years, not months.

I looked better, felt better, moved better—but I didn’t suddenly transform into a Greek god. And that’s okay. Because the goal wasn’t to look like an Instagram model—the goal was to be healthy.

Here’s another Instagram account I follow and that you should too.  Nick (@Nickslosingit) is one of the few fitness influencers actually keeping it real. He’s not out here pretending to be a shredded fitness model, selling you some magic weight loss formula. He’s a young guy in his 20s who decided to take control of his obesity—and he’s sharing the real, messy, not-always-glamorous side of the journey.

Unlike most influencers who only show the “after” picture, Nick is in the middle of his transformation—he’s still a big guy, he still has weight to lose, and yet he shows up in the gym every damn day. And for that, he gets hate. People tell him he doesn’t look like a fitness influencer—as if you need to have six-pack abs to talk about getting healthy. But that’s exactly why his message is so important. Fitness isn’t about looking perfect—it’s about showing up, doing the work, and prioritizing your health no matter where you’re starting.

Nick is proof that you don’t have to wait until you’re “fit enough” to belong in the gym. You don’t have to be shredded to inspire others. He’s out here doing the work, proving that real health isn’t about looking the part—it’s about choosing to change your life, one day at a time.

2.2 My Weight Loss Was Slow and Sustainable

If you want permanent results, you need a plan that works for life—not a six-week transformation challenge.

• I didn’t starve myself. I ate a reasonable calorie deficit—not some extreme 1,200-calorie starvation diet.
• I didn’t do insane workouts. I walked every day and lifted weights 3-4 times a week.
• I didn’t quit after a month. I stayed consistent, even when progress was slow.

Fast weight loss always leads to rebound weight gain. Sustainable weight loss sticks.

Another guy I really like is Jhnny Mureson.  Johnnygesruning. Johnny (@JohnnyGoesRunning) is the kind of fitness influencer the world actually needs—someone who’s in the trenches, showing the real, unfiltered grind of losing weight and getting healthier. He’s not some shredded, elite runner with a six-pack and a perfect stride. He’s a former 500-pound guy who’s now 360 and still pushing forward, running, lifting, and proving that fitness isn’t just for people who “look the part.”

But that’s exactly why his journey is so powerful. He’s not waiting until he’s a certain size to start—he’s out there doing it now. He’s proof that you don’t have to be “fit enough” to belong in the gym, and you don’t have to be “thin enough” to run.

Johnny is running for his health, his future, and the simple fact that he can. And that’s what real fitness is all about—not aesthetics, not perfection, just the commitment to keep showing up and putting in the work. If that’s not inspiring, I don’t know what is.

2.3 I Learned to Eat Like a Normal Person

Most diets fail because they’re too restrictive.

I didn’t follow some ridiculous meal plan that cut out all my favorite foods. Instead, I learned how to:

✅ Eat mostly whole, nutritious foods
✅ Balance meals with protein, carbs, and healthy fats
✅ Enjoy treats in moderation—without guilt

I stopped thinking of food as “good” or “bad” and just focused on making the best choices most of the time. That’s how real people lose weight and keep it off.

3. Why This Approach Is Better (And Why You Should Do It Too)

Here’s the big secret most Instagram fitness gurus won’t tell you:

👉 You don’t need to be shredded to be healthy.
👉 You don’t need 6-pack abs to feel great in your body.
👉 You don’t need to live in the gym to maintain a fit, strong physique.

You just need to be consistent.

That means:

🔹 Eating mostly healthy, but allowing flexibility
🔹 Moving your body every day (walking, lifting, whatever you enjoy)
🔹 Building sustainable habits instead of following extreme rules

Another guy I follow is Jesse Mulley (@ProgressiveOverhaul) is the kind of fitness influencer that’s actually worth following—not because he’s shredded, not because he’s selling some miracle weight loss plan, but because he’s real, relatable, andself depricating

He started at over 500 pounds and now sits at 240, but he doesn’t hide the journey or pretend it’s been easy. Instead, he leans into it—literally. He cracks jokes about his loose skin, his past struggles, and the absurdity of weight loss transformations in a way that makes you laugh while also hitting you with some hard truths. He’s proof that you don’t need to be “perfect” to feel amazing—you just need to put in the work, embrace where you’re at, and keep pushing forward.

People expect fitness influencers to look like chiseled statues, but Jesse? He’s got stretch marks, extra skin, and a personality bigger than his old pants. And he wouldn’t change a damn thing. Because feeling like a million bucks isn’t about aesthetics—it’s about confidence, strength, and knowing how far you’ve come.

Jesse is proof that fitness isn’t about looking a certain way—it’s about feeling unstoppable. And that’s exactly what he’s doing.

Most importantly? It means accepting that your body will never look like an Instagram fitness model—because it wasn’t meant to.

And that’s not failure. That’s freedom.

The last guy I want to talk abotu is Nathan (@i.am.don.being.obese) is exactly the kind of guy people need to see more of in the fitness space—someone who’s sharing the real-time, unfiltered version of weight loss. He started at 470 pounds and is grinding his way down, showing every win, setback, struggle, and success along the way. No fake before-and-after shots, no “miracle” weight loss gimmicks—just a guy putting in the work, figuring it out as he goes, and proving that change is possible.

His journey hasn’t been a straight line—because real weight loss never is. He’s had ups, downs, tough days, and moments of doubt—but he keeps going. And that’s what makes his story so powerful. Too many fitness influencers only show the polished, edited version of success, but Nathan is showing the real work, the real struggles, and the real perseverance it takes to change your life.

He’s proof that weight loss isn’t about perfection—it’s about consistency. It’s not about getting there the fastest—it’s about never giving up. And watching his journey unfold in real time? That’s more inspiring than any fitness guru selling a quick fix.

Final Thoughts: Focus on What Really Matters

If you’re trying to lose weight and feel discouraged because you don’t look like a fitness influencer—stop comparing yourself to an illusion.

I don’t look like them.
You probably won’t either.
And that’s perfectly okay.

Because being healthy, strong, and confident in your own skin matters way more than looking “perfect” on Instagram.

So stop chasing an impossible standard. Focus on what works in real life.

• Lose weight naturally, at a sustainable pace
• Build strength, energy, and confidence
• Live your life without food rules and fitness obsession

That’s how you win the weight loss game for good. 💪🔥