Popular bodybuilder and gym culture advocate, Joey Swoll, recently found himself addressing concerns raised by a female critic regarding his methods of fighting gym toxicity.
In her video, the critic argued that Swoll’s responses to toxic gym behaviors inadvertently bolster fragile male egos, even when his intentions are to promote a more positive and inclusive gym environment.
Her contention: if a woman feels uncomfortable due to a man’s behavior in the gym, it’s entirely her prerogative to feel so, and the experience shouldn’t be invalidated or undermined.
She urged Swoll to “do better,” reinforcing the idea that women are not obligated to accommodate men’s egos.
Swoll, known for his staunch advocacy of respectful gym conduct, took these concerns in stride, expressing regret that his efforts were perceived this way.
BULKING or CUTTING? We teamed up with the number one bodybuilding supplement brand on the market to help you take your results to the next level. A free custom supplement plan designed to enhance your results.
In his response, he clarified his objectives, emphasizing that his efforts are geared towards creating safer, more comfortable gym spaces for everyone – both men and women.
Swoll stated, “My goal is to encourage everyone to feel at ease while pursuing their fitness journeys. I’ve received numerous messages from both men and women, indicating that my videos have inspired them to embark on or continue their fitness paths. The goal isn’t to protect fragile male egos.”
He further clarified that his intent is to highlight and challenge instances where individuals misinterpret and misrepresent benign actions as ‘creepy’ or inappropriate for gaining social media traction.
He pointed out that he equally calls out both men and women displaying toxic behaviors, asserting his stand against sexism.
Swoll concluded by addressing the particular videos that received backlash. He pointed out that a majority of the viewers tagging him in these videos and supporting his perspective were women, indicating that his message does resonate with a significant portion of his audience.
Female Influencer Criticizes Joey Swoll, Joey Responds (video)
My Top Recommended Supplements
