51 | Toxic Masculinity: The Dark Side of Fitness Culture

Is the fitness industry helping men get healthier or just teaching them to suffer in silence?

In this episode “Toxic Masculinity: The Dark Side of Fitness Culture” of The How to Fitness Podcast, Kate Lyman and Michael Ulloa confront the damaging influence of toxic masculinity in the fitness industry. They explore how modern fitness culture has become more about proving dominance than promoting true health and well-being and the real-life consequences are staggering.

From the rise of steroid use among young men and the glorification of shredded, emotionally numb "alpha males" to the mental health crisis among male gym-goers, this conversation goes deep. Michael shares the personal toll of calling out toxic culture online, while Kate reveals why she left the CrossFit world after years of enduring misogyny.

This episode isn’t just a takedown of “gym bro” culture, it’s a wake-up call. If you're a fitness professional, health coach, or simply someone navigating your wellness journey, this conversation will change how you see the industry.

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Introduction to Unrealistic Fitness Ideals
00:17 Hosts Catch Up After a Break
00:56 Kate's Offline Week Adventures
03:35 Michael's Excitement for Today's Topic 
04:49 The Impact of Toxic Masculinity in Fitness 
05:55 Reading from 'Men Who Hate Women' 
10:59 Defining Toxic Masculinity 
15:43 Personal Experiences with Toxic Masculinity 
19:10 Social Media's Role in Perpetuating Toxic Ideals 
20:57 The Power of Self-Talk in Fitness 
21:04 Toxic Masculinity in the Fitness Industry 
21:34 Social Media's Role in Promoting Toxic Fitness Culture 
22:40 Masculinity Marketing in Wellness Trends 
23:15 Viral Fitness Influencers and Performative Masculinity 
25:02 The Harmful Impact of Toxic Fitness Culture 
25:41 Mental Health and Body Image Issues in Men 
28:30 Steroid Use in the Fitness Industry 
34:32 The Normalization and Risks of Steroid Use 
37:12 Creating Inclusive Fitness Spaces 
41:26 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

📚 Resources Mentioned:

Book: Men Who Hate Women by Laura Bates
TV Show: Adolescence – A must-watch on toxic masculinity and youth culture
Mental Health Stats: Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), Mental Health Foundation
Influencer Analysis: Liver King, Brian Johnson, and the problem with performative health
- 48 | How to Fix Your Feed and Feel Better About Your Body with Natasha Devon
- UK Anti-Doping Report 
- The global epidemiology of anabolic-androgenic steroid use: a meta-analysis and meta-regression analysis 
- Current use and abuse of anabolic steroids Uso y abuso de agentes anabolizantes en la actualidad 

💛 STAY CONNECTED
Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast so you never miss an episode.

🟡 Michael Ulloa
Website: michaelulloa.com
Instagram: @michaelulloapt

🟡 Kate Lyman
Website: katelymannutrition.com
Instagram: @klnutrition

Thank you for listening to the How to: Fitness Podcast with Michael Ulloa and Kate Lyman!