EP23: How quitting PED'S & body building changed his life

Description

In this episode of StumpStation, I sit down with Joe Cross — coach, entrepreneur, and founder of Coach Creator — for one of the most honest conversations we’ve had on the podcast. We go deep into Joe’s bodybuilding past, his experience with steroids and performance-enhancing drugs, and the mental, physical, and identity shift that came with walking away from that lifestyle. Joe opens up about: • Why he started using PEDs • The side effects no one talks about • The pressure to “look the part” in fitness • And why he ultimately chose performance, health, and longevity over size and validation We also break down the Dubai fitness scene, asking the questions everyone thinks but rarely says out loud: • Are people using steroids in Dubai? • Can you actually tell who’s natural and who isn’t? • Are PEDs common in Hyrox, CrossFit, and other competitive sports? • Has social media made drug use more common in fitness? Joe then shares his transition into Hyrox, how his goals have changed, and what he truly cares about now — as an athlete, a coach, and a businessman. To keep it fun, we play a controversial game of “Natty or Not”, reacting to: • Hyrox athletes • CrossFit competitors • Bodybuilders • YouTubers and major fitness influencers We finish with rapid-fire questions covering mindset, training, regret, business, and advice for anyone considering PEDs. This episode is raw, real, and necessary — especially for men and women navigating fitness culture, performance pressure, and identity in today’s social-media-driven world.