Right, so today we're gonna dive into something pretty cool.
We're talking about Michael B. Jordan.
Oh yeah.
You know, Creed, Black Panther.
But it's interesting because his physique
in these films was just amazing.
It was incredible, the transformation, absolutely.
But you know, a lot of people are wondering,
was it all natural or is there something else going on?
Was it just dedication?
Or was there some Hollywood secret?
Yeah, like Hollywood magic.
So yeah, a lot of people are wondering that
and that's kind of what we're gonna be looking into today.
Yeah, and I think what's really interesting
is that this goes beyond just one actor.
This really kind of speaks to the pressures
of Hollywood in general.
You know, these actors being expected
to have these almost superhuman physiques
and you know, what lengths they go to
in order to achieve that.
Right, yeah, exactly.
And to really break this down,
we've got some great stuff from an article
about Jordan's sickness journey.
But before we get into all that,
the training, the diet and all that crazy stuff,
let's just like set the scene.
Yeah.
So when Michael B. Jordan first appears in Creep.
Oh yeah.
It's a game changer.
I mean, he looks completely different
from any of his previous roles.
It was a whole new level.
Right. Yeah.
He just embodies that boxer look.
Absolutely.
Like he was ready to take on Rocky.
And look like a champion, yeah.
Yeah, and then Black Panther.
Yeah.
He somehow manages to level up even further.
I know.
This like warrior physique just on full display.
Yeah, it was mind blowing.
It was crazy.
And that's when the whispers started, right?
Like, okay, what's really going on here?
Yeah.
Because the use of steroids in Hollywood
is this kind of open secret.
Right.
It's something that people kind of know about.
Right.
But they don't necessarily talk about openly.
Yeah.
But you know, with the pressure to look a certain way
and these really tight filming schedules,
you can understand why some might be tempted by a shortcut.
Totally, yeah.
You know?
And look, it's hard enough just to fit in
like a trip to the gym.
Right.
Let alone train like a superhero.
Exactly.
Right.
But here's where it gets really interesting
because there's actually a pretty good argument
that Jordan did all this naturally.
That's right.
Like naturally.
Yeah.
Like no crazy stuff.
His trainer, Corey Caliette, has been very vocal
about Jordan's just insane dedication.
Right.
I mean, we're talking six days a week.
Wow.
Hardcore workouts, a mix of weightlifting, boxing.
Oh wow.
Cardio.
Really?
Yeah.
Oh wow.
And then on top of that, a very, very strictly controlled
high protein diet to fuel that muscle growth
and to maintain that incredibly low body fat.
Oh wow.
So it's like the diet's a huge part of it too.
Absolutely.
It's not just the workout.
Huge part of it.
You can't outrun a bad diet.
Yeah.
And Caliette, he's basically a transformation expert.
He is, yeah.
I mean, he's known for helping actors achieve
that functional fitness too.
Exactly.
Like they don't just look the part.
He can do it.
They can actually do the stuff.
Like think about those fight scenes in Creed.
Oh yeah.
That was intense.
Incredibly demanding.
Yeah.
And like he had to be able to do that.
Right.
And that's what Caliette's approach does.
Yeah.
He makes sure that they not only look amazing,
but that they can actually perform at that level.
Wow.
And another thing that kind of supports this idea
of natural transformation
is that Jordan's physique evolved gradually over time.
Oh, okay.
It's not like he just suddenly became
a completely different person.
Right.
You can actually look back at his career
and see how he steadily progressed.
I mean, he was in good shape before Creed,
but clearly he just took it to this whole other level.
Right, he wasn't starting from scratch.
Exactly, it was a progression.
Right, you don't just transform your body overnight.
It takes time and effort.
Consistency.
Yeah, consistency.
So that gradual change, that's pretty telling.
But let's be real.
I mean, no one's saying that supplements
weren't part of this.
Of course.
Right, anyway.
Things like protein powder, BCAAs, creatine.
These are pretty standard these days.
Right.
Especially if you're training as intensely as Jordan was.
I mean, these are common legal supplements.
That are pretty much accepted across the board
in the fitness world.
They help with recovery, they help with muscle growth.
Big sense.
And that's really important when you're
pushing your body that hard.
Right, you gotta help your body recover.
Absolutely.
Yeah.
And speaking of recovery, it's not just
about hitting the gym 24-7.
Right, you can't go hard all the time.
You need that balance.
So I'm sure his trainer emphasized
rest and recovery too.
Absolutely.
Right.
Probably rest days, making sure he's getting enough sleep.
Yeah.
Potentially even things like massage or cryotherapy.
Interesting.
All those things help.
Wow.
Yeah, that makes sense.
But you know, even with all this pointing
to a natural transformation, there
are some people who are still skeptical.
Oh, there are definitely doubters.
Yeah.
For sure.
So let's hear it.
Why are some experts raising an eyebrow
at Jordan's transformation?
Well, their main argument basically
comes down to the speed and the extent of his transformation.
They say that even with perfect training and diet,
it's almost impossible to put on that much muscle
and lose that much fat that quickly
without a little extra something.
So they're basically saying it's too good to be true.
Yeah.
That's the gist of their argument.
Yeah.
OK, so we've got the believers, we've got the doubters,
and we've got a whole lot of speculation.
Right.
It's a fascinating debate.
It is.
But I mean, even if we just entertain the idea
for a second, like, wouldn't using something like steroids
come with some serious risks?
Absolutely.
You're talking potential heart problems, liver damage,
messing with your hormones.
The list goes on.
Right, yeah.
It's not something to take lightly.
No, not at all.
And you know, the risks would definitely
outweigh any potential benefit.
Sure, sure.
And it's important to remember that we're
talking about somebody's health.
Right, exactly.
And let me be clear.
Like, we are not endorsing or glorifying steroid use at all.
Not at all.
We're just having, like, a factual discussion.
Exactly.
We're looking at all the possibilities,
not advocating for one side or the other.
Exactly.
So I guess the question is, is there
anything else we can look at to kind of try and figure this out?
Well, here's an interesting point.
Jordan has maintained a pretty impressive physique
even after those films wrapped.
Oh, that's true.
Yeah, he hasn't, like, completely reverted back.
No, not at all.
I mean, he's not walking around looking
like he did in Black Panther.
Right.
But he's definitely still in great shape.
Yeah, yeah, he is.
And that's a key point, because a lot of actors
who might rely on steroids for a role
find it incredibly difficult to maintain that muscle mass once
filming ends.
Oh, really?
Yeah.
It's like their bodies haven't truly adapted.
So they really struggle to hold on to those gains
without continuing to use.
So it's almost like if you're artificially boosting your gains,
your body's not really, like, learning
how to do it on its own.
That's the idea.
They haven't built that natural foundation.
That's interesting.
So I guess that could be another point
towards a natural transformation.
It's definitely something to consider.
Right, like, his body's not reliant
on anything artificial.
Exactly.
To, like, achieve or maintain.
And that would align with what we
know about his dedication, his commitment he put in the work.
Yeah.
All right, let's take a step back.
We've talked about the intense training, the super strict diet,
the expert guidance from Caliette,
the fact that his physique evolved over time,
and now this sustainability factor.
All of this seems to suggest that a natural transformation
is entirely possible.
Yeah, it does seem that way.
But then we have these lingering questions
about the sheer speed and the intensity of his gains.
So where do we land?
What's the verdict?
I feel like we're dealing with a puzzle where
we're missing a couple of pieces.
Right.
What's your take?
Well, I think we have to acknowledge
that ultimately we can't know for sure without concrete
evidence.
Right.
And there's just no proof at this point
that suggests Jordan used steroids.
Right, so we're going off of what we know.
We're left with speculation based
on what we know about his journey, what
we know about the fitness world in general,
and about the realities of Hollywood.
Right.
It's a complex issue.
It is.
So we're left to weigh the evidence
and come to our own conclusions.
But here's what I find really interesting.
Regardless of how he achieved it,
Jordan's transformation, it says a lot about an actor's
commitment to their craft.
Absolutely.
Like the lengths they're willing to go to.
It's really quite impressive.
I mean, I can barely commit to finishing a bag of chips,
let alone transforming my whole body.
I know, right?
It makes you think.
It does.
It really makes you think about the discipline they have,
the sacrifices they make.
And honestly, it's a testament to what the human body
is capable of.
Absolutely.
Inspiring and maybe a little intimidating.
Yeah, a little bit of both.
OK, so we've really gone deep into the world of Michael B.
Jordan and this amazing transformation.
We looked at the evidence, the arguments,
the pressures of Hollywood.
It's a multifaceted issue.
It is.
But let's maybe shift gears a little bit.
OK.
Instead of focusing on the how, what if we focus on the why?
What could we learn from all of this?
That's a great question.
What are the key takeaways that go beyond just the speculation,
you know, the rumors?
Yeah, exactly.
I think first and foremost, achieving a physique like that,
regardless of the methods, it takes an incredible amount
of dedication, an incredible amount of commitment.
We're talking about pushing your body to its absolute limits
day in and day out.
It's like a second job.
It really is.
It's not just the working out.
It's the planning, the meals, the sleep.
It's a whole lifestyle change.
You're exactly right.
You're prioritizing your sleep.
You're meticulously planning all your meals.
You might be incorporating massage, recovery, therapies,
all of that.
Wow.
So it's like a holistic approach.
Absolutely.
And that's something we can all learn from, you know,
even if we're not training for a movie role.
For sure.
It's about understanding that real transformation, you know,
whatever area of your life it is,
takes time, consistency, and that commitment
to your well-being.
Couldn't have said it better myself.
And another important point is that while there's
this huge fascination with this idea of Jordan using steroids,
there's actually no concrete evidence to back that up.
Right.
It's all speculation at this point.
It's all just rumors.
And while it's important to acknowledge that it can happen,
it's also important to not make assumptions about individuals
without concrete proof.
Right.
In a sense, until proven guilty.
Exactly.
We should give credit where credit is due
and acknowledge the hard work, the effort that
went into his transformation, however it happened.
So it's more about celebrating that dedication and hard work.
Absolutely.
Focus on the positive.
Yeah, rather than getting caught up
in all the rumors and speculation.
Yeah.
But I mean, I guess we also can't shy away
from the elephant in the room, like we mentioned earlier.
The potential dangers of steroid use are very real.
Very real.
And it's not just about looking ripped.
There are serious health risks involved.
Yeah.
Like we said earlier, they can mess with your hormones,
damage your organs.
Increase your risk for all kinds of problems.
And you know, it's just not worth it.
Absolutely not.
There are much safer, much more effective ways
to build muscle and improve your fitness
without resorting to these shortcuts.
Right.
Your health comes first.
It should always come first.
There's no need to take those unnecessary risks.
So we've got the dedication factor,
the evidence-based thinking, and the dangers of steroids.
That's a lot to think about.
It is.
What else can we take away from all this?
Well, I think Jordan's journey really
emphasizes the importance of having that expert guidance.
Oh, yeah.
He didn't just try to figure this out on his own.
He had a professional, Corey Calliet,
who designed a personalized plan just for him.
That makes sense.
It's like having a coach.
It is.
It's like any other field.
If you want to excel, you need a coach.
You need a mentor.
Right.
You wouldn't expect to become a pro athlete just by yourself.
Exactly.
And fitness is no different.
Having someone who understands the science of training,
the nutrition, the recovery, it makes a huge difference.
And maybe helps you avoid injury.
Exactly.
Safety first.
Yeah.
So having that coach or mentor can really change the game.
It's a game changer.
OK, so we've talked about the dedication, the evidence,
the dangers, the expert guidance.
But I feel like there's one more big picture lesson here.
OK, I'm intrigued.
What is it?
This has been on my mind like the whole time.
Yeah.
Michael B. Jordan's story, regardless of how he did it,
it really highlights the fact that we
are constantly bombarded with these images of perfect bodies.
Oh, it's everywhere.
It's everywhere you look.
Magazines, social media, movies.
Exactly.
And it's easy to get caught up in those comparisons.
And develop these unrealistic expectations.
Exactly.
You know, we see these actors, these superheroes,
and we think, oh, I need to look like that.
I need those abs.
But what we don't always see is the work, the discipline,
the whole team of professionals that
are behind these transformations.
And we certainly don't see the potential downsides.
Right.
Exactly.
The risks they might be taking.
So it's all about perspective.
Perspective is everything.
Being critical of those images that we're consuming.
Absolutely.
Remembering that there's no one size fits all.
Everyone's different.
What works for one person might not work for another.
Exactly.
And what we see on screen, it's not always a realistic or even
healthy goal for everyone.
And sometimes what we see isn't even real.
Right.
Movie magic, don't forget.
Exactly.
Yes.
OK, so we've done it.
We've explored this fascinating world of Michael B. Jordan's
transformation, the evidence, the speculation,
the pressures of Hollywood.
What a journey.
It really makes you think.
It does.
And it leaves us with some really valuable insights
about fitness, body image, the whole Hollywood scene.
It's all connected.
Yes, yeah.
But as with any deep dive, there's always more to uncover.
And that's where you come in, our awesome listeners.
That's right.
What are your thoughts?
What stuck with you from this conversation?
Yeah, we want to hear from you.
What are you still thinking about?
What questions are still kind of floating around in your head?
Yeah.
But even as you're thinking about all that,
there's one more thing I think we should touch on.
OK.
We've talked about the physical stuff, right?
The training, the diet, all the speculation
about the steroids, the Hollywood pressures.
But what about the mental side of things?
Oh, yeah.
We didn't really talk about that too much.
The mental and emotional aspects of a transformation this big.
Yeah, you're right.
It's easy to focus on what you see, the outside,
but the mental strength.
The mental fortitude.
Yeah.
That's just as amazing.
Think about it.
The discipline, the focus, the sheer willpower
to push yourself that hard every single day,
to stick to that diet, to get through those workouts,
it's incredible.
It's like running a marathon.
But instead of 26 miles, you're pushing your body
to the limit for months.
Exactly.
And then on top of that, knowing that millions of people
are going to be watching you.
Oh, yeah, the pressure.
Judging you.
The level of scrutiny that actors face, it's intense.
Crazy.
So that has a whole other layer to this.
It does.
So how do you mentally prepare for that?
How do you develop that level of focus, that resilience?
Yeah.
How do you do it?
That's the question.
It really makes you realize that it's not
just about physical strength.
It's about mental toughness.
Absolutely.
It's about resilience, about persevering,
about overcoming obstacles.
And those are just as important as any workout.
Those are life skills.
They are, yeah.
It's a good reminder that real transformation
isn't just about the outside.
It's about pushing your limits.
Pushing those boundaries.
Yeah.
Physically, mentally, emotionally.
Exactly.
And it's about recognizing that the journey,
the whole process, with all the ups and downs,
it can be just as rewarding as the end result.
That's so true.
So we started by looking at Michael B. Jordan's
physical transformation.
But we ended up talking about so much more.
We did.
The power of the human spirit, like overcoming challenges
to achieve something incredible.
It's inspiring.
And that's really what these deep dives are all about.
Yeah.
We start with one thing, but end up
uncovering a whole bunch of other stuff along the way.
Exactly.
So if you're as fascinated by these topics as we are,
you can find more deep dives like this one on our website,
publichealthlaw.net.
We've got tons of cool stuff there waiting for you.
We do.
So keep learning, keep asking questions,
and keep pushing those boundaries.
That's right.
Whatever they may be.
Until next time.
Keep diving deep.