The Dark Side of Chasing Your Dream Body 

I hope you all get some value from this! More 30 day challenges and funny videos coming soon 😘

This was a great video man! Extremely well put together 🙌

A really interesting analogy for self awareness that is often used in therapies is the idea that you are driving a bus. The passengers on that bus are your emotions but they have no control over the direction you drive your bus in, they just whisper to you and can make you forget who's driving sometimes. Reducing certain feelings to passengers on a bus is a really good way of distancing yourself from those feelings and reminding you of who is truly in control of your future decisions 😊

Don't be too obsessive. It takes time. Patience. Eat right, exercise, stay healthy, get enough sleep and enjoy life. Good luck peeps.

As someone who's struggled with body image, I've learnt that at the end of the day, I'm not doing this for others. I'm doing this so that I feel fit and flexible. I've been working out with the goal of happiness, not necessarily a crazy physique, and along the way I've been building a lot of muscle and feeling great. More importantly, I'm enjoying myself and I've learnt how to do athletic movements like handstand walks, front splits and kick ups. That and having my friends along for the journey has made my fitness story a really enjoyable one.

For me, having an unattainable goal is like a plan that you fulfil in the most difficult moments of your life. The man must have a goal. But i see unhealthy part of it. Amazing video brooo!🤘🔥🔥🔥

You just made me realize that I need to be self-aware rather than comparing myself with other people. I'm glad that I followed you, there are very few honest people like you.

Yes,gaining muscle can empowered you. But "Knowledge" itself is power. Gud content Ben, Thank you✌️

Bro, while the message is beyond reproach and very nuanced and insightful, I can't even finish the video without commenting how awesome your cinematography as well stylistic choices are. Good stuff. And a good message. Bless you brother.

" I've been influenced and now I'm an influencer" So true man! Thank you for everything and great video bro 🖤

Man, another BANGER! Thanks for this videos, they really help me stay on the right path about my health. I was the guy who sent you some messages on IG talking about losing weight. Three Mounths ago i was in 202kg, today i weight 174kg. Thanks for videos like this! I love your reflection videos but most the inspiring ones.

Dont chase for dream body but chase for healthy body

Thank you Ben, you summed it all up in just one video. You are doing gods work in the RU-vid fitness community.

Always been a skinny kid, started bodybuilding at 17. Went from bulking to dieting constantly and was never happy. Transitioned into powerlifting and was happy with the strength gains but was still unhappy with my physique. 3 years ago I dropped the weight training, started using resistance bands, started running and do hiit workouts a couple of times a week and I feel so much better. When you start concentrating on how it makes you feel rather than how it makes you look it's like a weight lifted off your shoulders.

Once again excellent content and right on the money. I think a lot of fitness influencers never outgrew the insecurity that made them feel bad in the first place, or don't realize that somewhere along the line they switched from being scared of not having a good enough body to being proud of their hard work. The outcome is the same, they encourage insecurity in others because they see it as the way to motivate when in reality overcoming the insecurity is what enables you to do hard work day after day.

Thank you so much for your perspective on fitness, Ben! You've got my support and have inspired me to reassess my, "WHY?". IMO, your take on these topics goes beyond fitness and feels really wholesome in its approach - almost psychological. Just from watching a couple of your videos, it's helped me reframe my self-defeating/negative internal dialogue.

Hey, bro, I really appreciate this video. You've voiced some things that I've wondered about before about fitness and getting more athletic. Personally, I think working out and physical training are just amazing and fun in general, and people should feel blessed that they even have the opportunity to do them. I also think it's great that you've cautioned against becoming absorbed in our goal of "the perfect body." Yes, working out and training should be challenging, but it should also be fun, and not a very serious test for ourselves every day. Cheers!

This was awesome mate. I think overtime I've become better at being self aware and it has improved my life quite a bit, last year for example I was around 200lbs my CKD was getting a bit further on and my blood pressure took it's toll on that. And because of all this my mental state was extremely fickle, I would get angry and insecure because my brain would suddenly compare me to whatever I was seeing. Now a year later I'm 155lbs, blood pressure is perfect and my kidney function has never been better. Amongst the obvious health benefits it's done wonders for my mentality, there is a sense of clarity in shifting your mindset like this. The doubt you once had becomes encouragement and you allow your Actions to dictate your feelings rather than the opposite, I also find motivation from nothing because I'm resolute on why I'm walking down that path in the first place. Which makes the gradual long term gains made all the sweeter.

Great video, and thanks for tackling important topics such as this. I just wanted to say: Even though I agree self-awareness is key, and teaching it is very important, this does not make it any less important to criticize the evils of the fitmess industry. Such practices which are designed to exploit people for their age, insecurities and other things. We cannot put the emphasis only on the victims of said prcatices. Both sides are important: Calling out the bullshit, and empowering the people who might be harmed.

i don t use social media anymore

Glad i found this channel, keep it up man. Your videos are amazing :)

"this is the body of a champion" -Tyson Fury.

Such a great message! I'm really enjoying your content lately so keep it up 🙌😉

This was by far the best. I can relate from why I started from what's my goal now. Started to get massive with a small waist until years into it I was gaining a lot of mass but it started to take a toll on my health. This is where I made the transition from chasing the look and now totally for overall health and longevity healthy life span while still looking great but not massive or overweight with muscle. Supplements is something else you should touch on more. As it started to also damage my kidneys. But I was able to come off and with herbal teas and other diet changes was able to get back a normal GFR over 95

A fantastic message and super well put together video yet again. You are absolutely killing it

I loved your video man! Such a great reminder that we’re in the pursuit of a new self, not someone else

It's all about becoming your best version of yourself let's go! Great video bro and great Channel! 💪🏾👍🏾👍🏾

Love your videos man. Keep the good work. Greetings from Brazil.

Really great video - so glad that I found this channel. Thanks for your advice

High class videos man, appreciate your content and mindset

Great video (and title!). Self awareness is horrifically undervalued.

Hey man, great and important video! I agree, that witchhunts are not gonna solve the issue. But still, the problem is that this industry of role models is built on lies and deceipt. You allways aspire to be your role model and if your role model is a fake natty supplement ticker, its gonna be a bumbpy road. The way I see it, people like you and the folks you mentioned are the fix, because you are role models that give me goal to achieve and a blueprint to get there, but in an honest and attainable way :)

Very dope video and great message. Thanks for that!!!

Thank you for the video, particularly the part about being Thx about how far you have come

One of your most important videos Ben. Thank you so much.

Well done Ben. What a great message, not only to us all, but especially to the younger guys. As you say, im sure these 'fitness influencers' out there started out with the best intentions, but soon went down a dark path. The message is simple: Be the best version of yourself.

My instagram has NONE of these people on it. Mine is literally guitars and donuts. But dont let me devalue the importance of this video and its message. Great Video.

This content is gold mann , helps you look at the big picture

You are so underrated, this has helped me so much.

Very good perspective and quality info

Look at Ben man ! So inspirational

Amazing video 🔥🔥it's beyond informative🙏🏾

As a “kid,” this has inspired me to keep trying on my journey. I will use this in my life every day.

Really appreciated this post, was really helpful

I think it’s fun to be relentless in waking up at 4am, tracking progressive overload and calories/macros. Having goals short term and long. But I always remind myself that I’m trying to be the best me and I’m not going to look like my dream body. I’m always going to see something good and something I want better. I have a rare heart disease and defibrillator pacemaker. In remission at 39 years old but my disease has a 1-2 year life expectancy. I’m at 4 years and planning on going on for decades and in the best shape of my life. I’m proud of that. If I can do it with my situation, any one can!

One of the best fitness videos I have seen 👌🏾very well explained! We are loving in a very dangerous age 🤷🏾‍♂️…

How the hell do you only have 50k subs, ur so underrated and your sense of humour just tops it off🤣

Hello. I was being told that I was ready for my first competition in bodybuilding, but that wasn't my dream. I never wanted anyone to tell me that my body wasn't good enough. I knew it was, and it looked beautiful. I built it without any enhancing drugs. I was very happy. The body changes as you age, and no one is ready for aging. These days I train to keep my body from falling down, and staying mobile. I like your video. It's very motivational. The only trophy I accepted was a dedication award in 1983. I was 17 then. Have a great day. Keep exercising. It helps a lot. Mobility is the key.

this vid made me wanna upload on my fitness channel a vid I’ve been a little terrified to upload 🔥🔥💪🏾thx

Wow this video is something special. Thank you for it.

"Make savage the body yet civilize the mind." Workout, practice fighting, eat meat, avoid soy products, and read books and quotes

Man....Hats Off on your video... Great message.

Dude you deserve more views. Greetings from the other Austria

I second this message, thanks man

So good! Everyone wants to place blame rather than looking at themselves or talking to their kids 😢

Thanks for being a real one Ben

Actually a fantastic topic and well covered, has effects on many aspects of life outside of fitness. Thank you for this Ben!

This is the best video I've seen in a long time. Great job as always!

Maaaan you are a good guy! Never heard of you before. Thumbs up! Greetings from Germany

Great vid bro keep it up loved it

Awesome Video Ben!

Think Zyzz had the right message if you really understand it. Some do some don't always mirin, good video bro as well subbed

Yessss! I love this!

You're on of the best fitness youtuber you go to the point witouth hesitation so cool

rob has been a huge influence on me too, but similar to u, i know what i can and cant achieve, and im ok with my own limitations

You, sir. You. Just won another subscriber. 🙌🏽

Great message!

I got value , you are amazing .

Omg you started with the same person I did, I also followed Greg Plitt too. Glad you did end up ok, a lot of my friends I used to train with didn’t.

I watched a few of your videos and assumed you had at least a million subscribers. I am now shocked to find out that is not the case. U are going to be huge one day Ben keep up the content 👍🏻

Fitness for me are long distance runners. They could be the fittest people in the world

this needs more attention 💕!

hey just wanted to say that this video really helped me out

Great vid - super positive 😀

keep up the good work, you'll get 100k by the end of the month

That's some good content brother. You got my sub. Stay natty boys, it ain't worth it, not that I know but I'm smart enough to be afraid of them.

great video Ben!

This was really great video. You showed the reality.

Great video mate!

It’s really stupid how people come up with plans that are so complicated and expensive when all you really have to do is push yourself everyday and be patient

Well this is true and as a fitness trainer I was talking about this with some other colleagues. Many of us tell lies about how to stay in shape. Reason why my channel is not so much into work out. I talk more about how to stay in shape. I have even done videos dissing waist trainers which got a back lash

Very intelligent aspect.

That was some serious nostalgia seeing that Rob Riches intro

Thanks for the video! I will save it.

Great vid man ♡

Came for the fitness advice, stayed for the life advice. Real down to earth. My big take away: gratitude for how far we have come and not self loathing for how far we must go.

Ahh yep this is a classic. I never got into that trend of following ripped dudes. But I’ve seen it in friends, always chasing and never happy with their progress 🤷🏻‍♂️ Another banger Benny, very well put together video 👌🏻

this is why i love powerlifting, none of those guys give a shit about body physique, only thing we care about is giving a true max effort lift, ive been motivated bye "scrawny" people giving everything thing they had on what i would consider a warm up set, and ive seen huge people that had so much potential just waste it away, screw the influencers lift to get healthy, lift to get stronger. what a lot of these people aren't saying is that 99% of them are on either TRT, roids, or sarms and that those awesome shredded physiques are only sustainable for a few weeks to maybe a few months with out taking a serious toll on their health

This changed my perception on fitness

Amen, young man, amen!

Very important information. First reason to exercise should be to keep fit and stay healthy. Chasing a body will only rob you off your own happiness. You can be a healthy individual and still won't look super athletic. Exercise for your health and wellness.

We need heroes and role models , thats what these pictures are, ofcourse very few will reach it , but the journey and what you get from it is what matters.

Hey Ben, I would really love it if you added subtitles to your videos. My hearing is okay but my house is very noisy and I can never hear videos over the background noise which is a shame as I really love your videos. Thanks.

For those who watch teachingmenfashion just dont please. I was addicted to him 3 years ago and after 1 year i understood what an idiot i was.

I was inspired by Arnold But that Physique is unattainable for a normal person due to many factors like genetic, time for the gym etc. I have been working out for 6 months now and whenever I feel low I always remind me from where I started. And that boosts my confidence a lot.

This video got you a new sub 🙏

You're blessed for this.

This video came in clutch

There's enough knowledge out there, but wisdom like this is priceless.

A very well put video. One book I’d recommend for self awareness is: “AWARENESS” By - Anthony De Mello.