In a recent viral incident, Russian professional swimmer Nika Godun was called out by bodybuilder Joey Swoll for her misguided actions at a gym.
The 26-year-old athlete posted a video where she was seen laughing at a beginner in the gym who had poor form during a dumbbell back row exercise.
In response to the video, Swoll, an advocate for creating positive gym cultures, expressed his disappointment in Godun’s actions.
In a video, he remarked on the arrogance of Godun’s laughter and her decision to mock the novice lifter.
Swoll conveyed that regardless of the young man’s incorrect form, ridiculing him was not the appropriate response.
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He stated, “There are two appropriate options: either offer assistance and guidance to improve the form or mind your own business. Filming and mocking someone for social media entertainment should never be an option.”
Joey highlighted that, as a professional athlete, Godun should understand the importance of positive encouragement and respect for fellow gym-goers, regardless of their skill level.
Swoll reached out to Godun privately, questioning her if she perceived herself as superior due to her professional status.
Her response, an urging for Swoll to “lighten up,” only strengthened Swoll’s point about the need for humility and respect, regardless of one’s professional stature.
Swoll asserted,
“Being a professional athlete doesn’t elevate you above others or grant you the privilege to demean others. It’s crucial to do better and respect people’s journeys at the gym.”
After Joey published the video, Nika Godun’s social media has been raided by angry people and there are a lot of mean comments on Nika’s content.
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Joey has said before that he doesn’t encourage people to put mean things on the internet even to the people that he has made videos about.
However, there are a lot of people defending this gym beginner that was recorded unknowingly in the gym and made fun of, hopefully this will be a lesson for Nika to not make fun of beginners in the gym.
This incident underscores the ongoing battle against toxic gym culture, reinforcing the importance of promoting positivity, respect, and inclusivity within these shared fitness spaces.
In the face of such behavior from a professional athlete, Swoll’s unwavering stance emphasizes the universal responsibility we all carry to foster a healthier, more supportive gym environment.
