I’ve featured German bodybuilder Jo Lindner, a.k.a. joesthetics, in this newsletter a few times…
His long lines gave him a distinct look. He wasn’t gigantically massive—more slender yet still with plenty of impressive muscle.
I featured him because I admired that aesthetic and identified with his more slender appearance—although I had no delusions of getting to that, especially since I knew, and he admitted, that he was on drugs for years.
And now he has passed away at age 30 due to an apparent aneurism.
No judgment. Do what you want to do. Hell, he had a few million followers on Instagram, so perhaps it was worth it to him.
And I’m not saying steroids caused Jo’s demise; however, I’m sure they didn’t help. Perhaps he had a pre-existing condition. Still, as the saying goes…
Genetics load the gun, environment/lifestyle pulls the trigger.
There’s no question that bodybuilding is a healthful endeavor that can become a dangerous obsession. Taking extreme risks to improve more quickly and maintain the “look” indefinitely is an all-too-common occurrence that can damage health.
It takes a lot of patience and perseverance to stick with it naturally, which Jo did for a few years before the easier, faster route got the best of him.
Rest in peace, Jo. And thanks for the motivation. That crazy fireworks display you could create with your pecs was mesmerizing.
A Personal Account
Throughout my 50 years of lifting, I never thought the risks of steroids were worth the extra muscle. It’s why I’ve avoided drugs…
It’s been a tough road, and I faltered once for about three weeks in my early 20s with Dianabol. But I couldn’t stomach the fact that I was damaging my health when bodybuilding was supposed to be about that very thing—at least for me.
My health was of prime importance thanks to watching Jack LaLanne, his muscular arms hanging out of his jumpsuit, with my grandmother when I was a child.
I’ve spent half a century trying to figure out how to do it the best I could efficiently and naturally. It hasn’t been easy. Gains are much tougher. Overtraining can beat you down when motivation jacks you up. So the steroid siren song is always beckoning…
Luckily, I’ve been able to stay the course, feel great, am on zero drugs—no statins, HRT, nothing—and I carry good muscle for my age. Not bragging; I’m just trying to hammer home that you should choose wisely.
Stay sane to gain muscle, maintain health, and be built for life—a long, vibrant but pain-free one.
Your Efficient Mass-Building Handbook: For complete mass workouts that include Speed Sets, the ideal exercise for each muscle, and the best stretch and contracted add-on moves, get your copy of Old Man, Young Muscle.
And you still get The Muscle-On, Belly-Gone “Diet” ebook FREE for a limited time when you add Old Man, Young Muscle to your mass-building library. Go HERE.
Till next time, train hard—and smart—for BIG results.
—Steve Holman
Former Editor in Chief, Iron Man Magazine
www.X-Rep.com
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Testosterone prescriptions do more HARM than good for older men
Millions of men are struggling with the problems associated with low-T in today’s world, such as extra belly and chest fat, low energy and stamina, lack of sexual desire, ED problems, and loss of muscle.
Sadly, millions of men also turn to Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) to try to overcome these problems and try to feel like a new man again…BUT there are some VERY concerning problems with TRT that every man NEEDS to know.
After reading the article below, you might want to consider alternate routes of boosting your T levels naturally instead of through something that’s potentially as harmful as TRT…
–> Why Testosterone Replacement Therapy can do more HARM than good