The Truth About Steroids: A Young Bodybuilder's Perspective

Introduction

The world of bodybuilding and performance enhancement is often shrouded in secrecy, with many athletes reluctant to discuss their use of anabolic steroids and other substances. However, in a refreshingly candid interview, 21-year-old bodybuilder Arnold Shu opens up about his experiences with performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs), offering a rare glimpse into the realities of steroid use from a young athlete's perspective.

Arnold's Background

Arnold began using testosterone at the age of 19, initially prescribed by a doctor due to low natural testosterone levels. He explains:

"I competed three times as a natural before I ever hopped on anything. I was going through puberty obviously and I believe that when I was still going through puberty, dieting for so long and being low body fat and not consuming enough nutrients really tanked my body."

After multiple rounds of blood work showed his testosterone levels around 300 ng/dL, which is quite low for a man his age, Arnold made the decision to begin testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) under medical supervision.

The Pros of Steroid Use

Arnold is remarkably forthcoming about what he perceives as the benefits of steroid use:

1. Increased confidence: "Your confidence skyrockets. A lot of guys don't have enough confidence for talking to people, talking to women, etc. Steroids completely fix that for me."

2. Improved mood and energy: "I had more energy, I had more confidence all of a sudden, and I was like, okay, this is actually pretty cool stuff."

3. Better gym performance: "Obviously bodybuilding aspect - I put on a good amount of size, a good amount of mass. You see more progress, your muscles are fuller."

4. Enhanced sex drive

5. Faster recovery and nutrient partitioning

The Cons and Risks

However, Arnold is equally open about the downsides and risks associated with steroid use:

1. Inconvenience of regular injections: "You have to inject yourself every other day, twice a week, or whatever. That is sometimes an inconvenience for people because you have to bring that with you everywhere you go."

2. Need for additional medications: "Now you have to control your estrogen. Your body is not regulating itself because you're putting super physiological amounts of androgens within your body."

3. Health supplement requirements: "You've got to take a whole list of things to keep your body healthy while being on it."

4. Potential long-term health risks: While Arnold's current bloodwork looks good, he acknowledges the potential for future issues.

5. Possibility of lifelong testosterone dependence: "I'm never coming off, and I made that decision to never come off."

6. Acne and other side effects: Though Arnold's acne is currently under control, he has experienced breakouts in the past.

Current Steroid Regimen

Arnold shares his current pre-competition steroid stack, which includes:

• Testosterone Propionate: 25mg daily
• Masteron Propionate: 75mg daily
• Trenbolone Acetate: 50mg daily
• Winstrol (oral)
• Halotestin (to be added in final weeks)

He emphasizes that this regimen is designed and monitored by his coach and should not be copied by others.

Impact on Relationships

Interestingly, Arnold discusses how his steroid use affects his romantic life:

"Every single girl I have talked to, they know upfront that I'm enhanced. I tell them upfront... I don't hide that shit because this is my life. Whoever is coming into my life that could be potentially my partner, they need to know upfront."

He also notes that while he initially enjoyed the increased female attention that came with his enhanced physique, he's now looking for a more serious, long-term relationship.

Health Monitoring and Concerns

Arnold takes his health seriously, regularly monitoring his bloodwork and taking supplements to mitigate potential risks:

"My labs come back perfect most of the time... My cholesterol ratio looks pretty good. HDL sometimes goes on the lower end, but I mean, I'm supplementing fish oil and a lot of other things to counteract that and raise it."

However, he acknowledges the potential for hidden health issues that may not be immediately apparent due to his young age.

Advice for Young Men

While Arnold is open about his own use, he strongly cautions against young men, particularly teenagers, using steroids:

"Guys, 14 like... I don't know, you're not even an adult yet. Maybe become after 18 when you're an adult, maybe that's when you can make your own decisions, but 14 years old?"

He emphasizes the importance of waiting as long as possible before considering PED use, noting the potential for stunted growth and other health issues when steroids are used during puberty and adolescence.

The Bigger Picture

Arnold frames his decision to use steroids within his larger life philosophy:

"My motto is that, would I rather end up in a coffin at 100 years old, skinny, depressed, and absolutely left no legacy in this world? Or would I rather maybe go when I was 75 or 80, and I've left a legacy, and I'm still jacked, and I was fucking happy?"

He acknowledges the risks he's taking but believes the potential rewards - in terms of his bodybuilding career, personal fulfillment, and the legacy he hopes to leave - are worth it.

Harm Reduction and Responsible Use

Despite his enthusiasm for bodybuilding and PEDs, Arnold emphasizes the importance of harm reduction and responsible use. He works closely with healthcare professionals to monitor his health and adjust his protocols as needed.

He also uses apps like Testosteron to track his health markers and ensure he's taking care of his "ABCs" - the essential health factors that need to be monitored when using PEDs.

Conclusion

Arnold Shu's candid discussion of his steroid use offers a valuable perspective on the realities of performance enhancement in modern bodybuilding. While his openness is commendable, it's crucial to remember that his experiences are individual and that the use of anabolic steroids carries significant risks.

For young men considering PED use, Arnold's story serves as both a cautionary tale and a call for education and harm reduction. It highlights the importance of making informed decisions, understanding the long-term consequences, and prioritizing health and safety above all else.

Ultimately, the decision to use steroids is a personal one, but it should be made with full awareness of the potential risks and consequences. Arnold's journey underscores the need for open, honest discussions about PEDs in sports and fitness communities, as well as the importance of proper medical supervision for those who do choose to use these substances.

As society continues to grapple with the realities of widespread PED use, stories like Arnold's can help inform policy, guide harm reduction efforts, and promote a more nuanced understanding of the complex issues surrounding performance enhancement in sports and bodybuilding.

Article created from: https://youtu.be/5MvMBRgusiI?feature=shared