I think bodybuilders are the closest we’ll ever get to real-life superheroes, and the competition between these unique individuals just keeps getting harder. Every once in a while, you’ll see a new name with the most unique build the world has ever seen. The most recent sensation in the bodybuilding world is Sam Sulek. The man has become one of the most controversial figures in the community. Why? That’s what I cover today.
How Old Is Sam Sulek?
Sam was born on February 2, 2002, making him 22 years old in 2024. I know! I was as surprised as you were when I first learned his age. I think anyone who looks at a picture of Sulek would guess that he’s in his thirties, but you know what they say: Looks can be deceiving.
What Made Sam Sulek Famous?
Image source: Instagram
Throughout the past few years, the internet has witnessed the virality of fitness/gym culture. All of a sudden, everyone wanted to get in shape, and bodybuilding gurus were taking over social media. Among these gurus stands Sam Sulek. What makes him different from the others? First, his physique. Sulek has one goal in mind: To build as much muscle mass as humanly possible. His body is unlike anything the fitness world has seen, especially at his age, and it’s piqued the interest of millions of people.
I’m not exaggerating. As of writing this post, he has 3.6 million subscribers on YouTube, 2.6 million on TikTok, and 5.9 million on Instagram. I know what you’re thinking: “His physique can’t be the only reason behind that popularity. A lot of bodybuilders have unique physiques, and they haven’t amassed half that following.” You’re right. People don’t follow Sulek just for his body but for his videos as well. You see, Sam uploads raw videos. He doesn’t use engaging cuts or add any special effects. In the fast-paced digital space that emphasizes quick cuts, people appreciate Sulek’s authentic approach to content creation. I have respect for this king.
Image source: YouTube
Sam Sulek’s Diet
Another factor that made Sam Sulek a popular bodybuilder is his diet. Like his body, everyone was buzzing over it. Of course, it differed depending on whether he wanted to cut or bulk.
Cutting Diet
In the fitness world, a cutting diet is where you lose as much body fat as possible while keeping muscle loss minimal. Bodybuilders usually do that by consuming fewer calories so their bodies would start burning fat. Sam made a video about his cutting diet, taking us through a day in his life when he was trying to lose some fat. He said that his goal was to consume 2,500 calories a day. Here’s how he did it:
Image source: YouTube
Meal 1
- 50 grams of protein worth of eggs with barbecue sauce
- Two slices of cheese
- Two cups of CarbonMaster chocolate milk
- A cup of vitamins
Meal 2
- Salmon sushi with no rice
- Two low-calorie burger buns with a pack of tuna on each one
- A bottle of propel electrolyte water
Meal 3
- Three low-calorie burger buns full of four tablespoons of powdered peanut butter and two servings of maple syrup.
Meal 4
- Three low-carb burger buns with powdered peanut butter and maple syrup.
- An energy drink consisting of 25 grams of Cluster Drixten and cookies and cream powder.
Meal 5
- Wendy’s spicy chicken sandwich
- Two cups of CarbMaster chocolate milkshake
Meal 6
- A bowl of ramen
- A cup of CrabMaster chocolate milkshake
Bulking Diet
Sulek’s bulking diet received a lot of criticism from other fitness enthusiasts, with good reason. It’s not really the healthy diet you’d expect a bodybuilder to follow.
Meal 1
Half a gallon of whole chocolate milk
Meal 2
Four cups of Honey Nut Cheerios with four cups of milk
Meal 3
A large cheeseburger and medium fries from Five Guys
Meal 4
- Four glazed doughnuts from Krispy Kreme
- Four cups of whole milk with 200 calories of protein shake.
Yes, the food quantity of the bulking diet is less than the cutting variant, but the calories are much higher. These meals make around 5,167 calories in one day. Oof!
Sam Sulek’s Rumors
Image source: YouTube
Look, no one can deny that Sam has trained hard to reach and maintain the form he’s in now. However, people still suspect that he might be taking performance-enhancing drugs. Why? Well, first, Sam has bulked up quickly. Almost too quickly, which is already suspicious. Second, his shirtless pics show extreme acne on his chest and arms, which are often a sign of steroid usage. Obviously, these are just speculations, and Sam hasn’t addressed them so far. So, no one can say for sure whether they’re true or not.
Final Thoughts
The moment you learn Sam Sulek’s age, you’ll understand how impressive this guy is. Reaching this monstrous build at such a young age is something most people aspire to do, but only a few ever do it. Sure, there’s some skepticism around the nature of his growth, but until we have proof that Sam is using PEDs, we should only cheer him on and hope he keeps that momentum.
Featured image source: Instagram