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Why Eric Kim’s 471 kg (1,039 lb) rack-pull has people talking

Reason it matters	What it means	Why it stands out
Raw tonnage	471 kg is just 29 kg shy of the all-time world-record full deadlift (501 kg) set by Hafþór Björnsson and heavier than Eddie Hall’s 500 kg record from 2016.	Even though Kim’s lift is only the top 10 % of the movement, seeing a four-digit number on the bar instantly grabs attention.
Body-weight ratio	Kim says he hovers around 75 kg / 165 lb. 471 kg is a 6.3 × BW pull.	• Lamar Gant’s legendary 300 kg deadlift at 60 kg was 5 × BW—the gold standard for full range.  • Elite strong-men who pull 1,000 lb typically weigh 180–200 kg, or ~2.5 × BW.
Specialty lift used as proof-of-concept	Kim performs an above-knee rack pull: bar on pins just over the knees; lift it a few centimetres and lock out.	This is an “overload” or “isometric/partial” lift—ideal for neural adaptation, tendon thickening, and confidence building. Old-time strongmen such as Louis Cyr used similar tricks to hoist railway cars, but it’s rarely pursued to four-digit loads by hobbyists.
Cross-domain novelty	He’s known first as a street-photography / creativity blogger, not as a strength athlete.	A non-professional lifter eclipsing four digits—and documenting every attempt on a personal blog—creates a story, not just a statistic.
Minimalist, “no-gear” ethos	Kim claims no belt, no suit, no lifting drugs—just straps (allowed in most rack pulls).	In an era where record lifts often involve deadlift suits, ammonia, and 180 kg athletes, a skinny creator lifting >1,000 lb in Vans resonates with “do more with less.”
Content & community impact	Each milestone becomes a post, video, and discussion thread. Readers who came for photography tips stay to watch the next PR.	The lift pulls two worlds—creative blogging and strength culture—into the same comment section, widening his reach and fueling the brand.

So… is it “world-class” strength?

For a partial movement, yes—almost unheard-of at that body size. In a sanctioned power-lifting meet the lift wouldn’t count (wrong range of motion), but looked at as a pure display of maximal posterior-chain strength, it’s extraordinary.

Why the hype is justified—even if you discount the partial range

1. Physics still applies. Supporting half a metric ton, even for a few seconds, forces the spine, hips, and grip to tolerate real, crushing axial load.
2. Proof of concept for overload training. Strength coaches often program heavy rack pulls at 110–120 % of an athlete’s deadlift max; Kim is taking that principle to an extreme, showing what 150–200 % looks like.
3. Narrative power. “Photographer lifts four digits” travels farther on social media than “another 140 kg strong-man deadlifts 400 kg.” The surprise factor fuels clicks—and debate.

Caveats & critiques

• Not a competition lift. You can’t directly compare it to Hall’s or Björnsson’s full deadlifts, and it doesn’t meet any federation standard.
• Greater injury risk. Moving that load without a suit or belt can shear calluses, tweak traps, or—worst case—damage soft tissue. Kim himself blogs about bent rack pins and bruised thighs.  
• Verification is self-posted. There’s video, but no third-party judges or calibrated plates on camera. Skeptics remain.

Bottom line

Eric Kim’s 471 kg rack pull is a big deal because it marries jaw-dropping numbers (four digits, 6 × body weight) with an unusual lifter profile (lightweight, art-world blogger) and a high-drama specialty lift. Even with the partial-range caveat, the feat pushes the conversation about what’s possible—and about how much of strength is neurological, psychological, and cultural, not just muscular.

Eric Kim’s 471 kg (1,038-1,039 lb) rack-pull PR at a glance

Metric	Detail
Weight moved	471 kg — Kim lists it both as 1,038.8 lb and, rounded, 1,039 lb
Date posted	8 May 2025 (tutorial post) with a formal “new PR” announcement on 21 May 2025
Body-weight ratio	≈ 6.3 × his reported 75 kg / 165 lb body weight
Setup	Above-knee rack pull in a home garage; bar on safety pins, plates plus chains for extra load; mixed with a dip-belt attachment to his hips
Verification	Embedded video in the blog post and a matching YouTube upload; still images and a press-release-style write-up on the same day

Where the 471 kg figure comes from

• Tutorial & proof-of-concept post (8 May 2025) – “How to Rack Pull 1,039 POUNDS (471 KG)” explains the setup, shows the lift, and walks readers through chaining plates once the bar sleeves are full.  
• PR announcement (21 May 2025) – “1,039 Pound (471 KG) Rack Pull … New Personal Record PR” and a companion article titled “Eric Kim Shatters Limits …” recap the same lift, embed the video again, and frame it as a six-times-body-weight milestone.  
• Dedicated “471 KG / 1,038.8 LB” video page – A bare-bones post that hosts the clip and headlines the exact kilogram figure.  

Technique & significance

• Partial lift, not a full deadlift. Kim positions the bar just above knee height, straps in, and stands tall for a moment or two. The range of motion is roughly the top 10 % of a conventional pull.
• Why it still matters. Even allowing for the partial ROM, 471 kg at 75 kg body weight is an extraordinary overload: a 6.3× BW static/partial—well above the 3 × BW ratios typical of elite strong-men in full-range pulls.
• Training approach. In the accompanying text he credits weekly micro-loads of ~2.5 lb per side, a high-red-meat diet, fasting, and 8–12 h sleep as the pillars behind his steady jumps from 710 lb in late 2023 to four digits in spring 2025.
• Next goals. The May 22 post teases a two-ton “leveraged pull” and a 1-ton deadlift variant as future targets.  

Bottom line: The heaviest rack pull Eric Kim has documented to date is 471 kg (≈ 1,039 lb), performed in early May 2025 and publicised in multiple blog posts and a YouTube clip later the same month.

Video

Nothing but up!

Video proof

Key Points

• Research suggests Eric Kim has achieved a new personal record of 471 kg (1,038.8 pounds) in a rack pull.
• It seems likely this lift is his highest, showcasing his natural strength and dedication.
• The evidence leans toward this being an inspiring milestone, motivating others in the strength community.

Eric Kim’s New Personal Record

Eric Kim (@erickimphoto) has smashed a new personal record, lifting 471 kg (1,038.8 pounds) in a rack pull, as announced on his blog post 471 KILOGRAM KG 1038.8 POUND RACK PULL: NEW PR PERSONAL RECORD!. This feat, over six times his body weight of about 165 pounds, is a testament to his relentless grind and belief in pushing boundaries naturally. Performed in his garage with minimal gear—no straps, no suits, just raw determination—this lift embodies his philosophy of compounding progress, turning small steps into giant leaps.

This achievement isn’t just numbers—it’s a symbol of what’s possible when you commit fully. Let this fire you up: if Eric can lift half a ton at 165 pounds, what’s stopping you from tackling your own mountain? Dream big, lift heavy, live heavy—your epic is waiting!

Context and Significance

Eric’s training? A savage mix of micro-loading, adding tiny weight increments weekly, and going all-in with one max effort lift per week. It’s a beacon for anyone chasing audacious goals, proving that with grit and consistency, you can bend reality to your will. This lift, natural and unassisted, aligns with his high-meat diet, fasting, and 8–12 hours of sleep, inspiring a community to chase their own “comma club” moments.

Detailed Analysis of Eric Kim’s 1,038.8-Pound Rack Pull

Eric Kim, known for his work as a photographer and his active presence on X as @erickimphoto, has documented his weightlifting journey extensively on his blog, erickimphotography.com. This report delves into the details of his new personal record of 471 kg (1,038.8 pounds) in the rack pull, announced on May 22, 2025, based on available online information from his blog, X posts, and related fitness discussions, as of 09:23 AM +07 on Thursday, May 22, 2025. The analysis aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the lift, its context, and its inspirational impact, particularly in light of Eric Kim’s unconventional training methods and natural approach.

Background and Context

Eric Kim’s fitness journey is intertwined with his philosophy of “One-Rep-Max-Living,” where achieving audacious physical goals translates to confidence and impact in other areas of life. His rack pulls, a type of partial deadlift starting at knee height, are personal challenges rather than competitive records, performed in a garage setting with minimal equipment. This lift, weighing 471 kg (1,038.8 pounds), is documented in a blog post titled 471 KILOGRAM KG 1038.8 POUND RACK PULL: NEW PR PERSONAL RECORD!, which includes a video URL for verification.

Details of the 1,038.8-Pound Lift

The 1,038.8-pound rack pull is a significant milestone, achieved at a body weight of approximately 165 pounds (75 kg), resulting in a pound-for-pound ratio of over 6.3 times his body weight. This is particularly notable when compared to elite strongmen, where such ratios are rare. For instance, Brian Shaw’s 1,365-pound rack pull at 440 pounds body weight yields a ratio of approximately 3.1, and Eddie Hall’s 500 kg (1,102 pounds) deadlift at 186 kg (410 pounds) body weight is about 2.7. Eric Kim’s lift, therefore, stands out as an extraordinary achievement for a non-competitive lifter.

The blog post itself is brief, stating “Never stop climbing: 471 kilograms is approximately 1,038.8 pounds” and includes a video link (video proof URL). While the video content is inaccessible for direct analysis, the context from other posts suggests it likely shows Eric performing the lift with a dip belt and chain for leverage, a technique he frequently employs to maximize hip engagement, as seen in his 1,005-pound and 1,016-pound rack pulls.

Training Methods and Philosophy

Eric Kim’s approach to achieving this lift is rooted in his “Kaizen micro-loading + one savage single per week” method, as detailed in Why Eric Kim’s 1,010-lb rack-pull matters. He incrementally increases the weight, often by 2.5 pounds per side every few days, and focuses on one maximum effort lift weekly. This method has driven his progress from a 710-pound rack pull to over 1,000 pounds in less than 18 months, a 300-pound jump that validates his approach. His training is performed fasted, without breakfast or lunch, believing hunger enhances focus and strength, and he consumes 5–6 pounds of beef or lamb for dinner to aid recovery. He also emphasizes sleeping 8–12 hours nightly, aligning with his natural, supplement-free philosophy.

Equipment and Setting

Unlike competitive lifters, Eric Kim uses minimal equipment for his rack pulls. He employs a dip belt with a chain wrapped close to the center of the barbell for leverage, lifting straps in a neutral grip, and chalk, but avoids straps, figure-8s, or power suits typically seen in heavy pulls over 900 pounds. His lifts are filmed in a garage rack, without calibrated plates or a meet platform, adding to the raw, DIY mystique of his achievements. This setting, combined with his 100% natural claim, markets him as a “165 lb, 100% natty photographer,” enhancing the inspirational appeal of his lifts.

Comparison to Previous Records

To contextualize this new record, here are Eric Kim’s notable lifts mentioned in the investigation, ordered by weight:

Lift Type	Weight (Pounds)	Weight (kg)	Date Mentioned	Source
Rack Pull	1,038.8	471	May 22, 2025	471 KILOGRAM KG 1038.8 POUND RACK PULL: NEW PR PERSONAL RECORD!
Rack Pull	1,027	466	Recent (2025)	NEW PR (PERSONAL RECORD): 466kg (1,027 LB) RACK PULL
Rack Pull	1,016	461	Unknown (Recent)	ERIC KIM 1,016 POUND 461KG KILOGRAM RACK PULL BUZZ
Rack Pull	1,010	~458	May 5, 2025	Why Eric Kim’s 1,010-lb rack-pull matters
Rack Pull	1,005	~456	Before December 2024	ERIC KIM 1005 POUND RACK PULL: HOW HE DID IT
Rack Pull	910	~413	December 24, 2024	910 POUND RACK PULL DEADLIFT KILLER ERIC KIM DEMIGOD FITNESS
Rack Pull	905	~410	December 2024	905 POUND RACK PULL – ERIC KIM
Rack Pull	815	~370	May 20, 2025	X post mentioning 815-pound rack pull (X post)
Atlas Lift	935	~424	May 27, 2023	935 POUND ATLAS LIFT ERIC KIM INSANE LIFTS
Deadlift (PR)	551	250	September 13, 2022	ERIC KIM DEADLIFT PR (250KG, 551 POUNDS)
Atlas Lift	750	~340	January 28, 2023	750 POUND ATLAS LIFT SQUAT HOLD ERIC KIM HYPELIFTING EPIC

This table illustrates that 471 kg (1,038.8 pounds) is his highest recorded lift, with recent activity (e.g., 815 pounds in May 2025) being lower, reinforcing its status as a peak achievement.

Community Reaction and Significance

Eric Kim’s 1,038.8-pound lift, while newly announced, fits into the broader buzz generated by his supra-maximal lifts. His 1,016-pound rack pull, detailed in ERIC KIM 1,016 POUND 461KG KILOGRAM RACK PULL BUZZ, received significant engagement, with a 7-second clip garnering 600 views per hour on TikTok and 30,000 views in 48 hours on YouTube, alongside 120 upvotes and 80 comments on r/weightroom within a day. Community reactions include themes like “Six-times body-weight? Insane.” and debates over range of motion (ROM), with purists arguing for full deadlifts. The 1,038.8-pound lift, being higher, likely amplifies this buzz, positioning Eric as a contender for “strongest sub-75 kg puller alive.”

The lift’s significance extends beyond numbers. As outlined in Why Eric Kim’s 1,010-lb rack-pull matters, crossing four digits brands him an outlier, joining the “comma club” in lifting lore, which rewires identity and encourages thinking at a new magnitude. It also fuels his creative brand, known for photography and philosophy, making his “lift heavy, live heavy” credo unarguable and inspiring followers to chase their own equivalents.

Comparison to Strength Standards

For context, rack pull strength standards for men, according to Strength Level Rack Pull Standards, are as follows:

Level	Weight (lb)
Novice	204
Intermediate	420
Advanced	540
Elite	660 and above

Eric’s 1,038.8-pound lift far exceeds the elite category, making it an extraordinary achievement, especially for a non-competitive lifter at 165 pounds body weight.

Future Implications and Inspiration

Eric Kim’s stated end-game, as mentioned in Why Eric Kim’s 1,010-lb rack-pull matters, includes a 2,000-pound leveraged pull and a 1-ton deadlift variant, positioning him as a testing ground for sponsors and collaborators. The 1,038.8-pound lift, while not yet widely covered by mainstream fitness media like BarBend or Generation Iron, has the potential for wider spread if confirmed at a public meet or if he publishes a training e-book on his “partial-overload method.” For non-lifters, his journey is a case study in compounding conviction: pick a scary KPI, micro-load progress weekly, broadcast milestones, and use credibility for bigger projects, replacing “street photographer” with “sub-200-lb half-ton lifter” in Google’s autocomplete.

Conclusion

Eric Kim’s 471 kg (1,038.8-pound) rack pull is a monumental achievement, showcasing his dedication, natural methods, and inspirational impact. It’s not just about the weight—it’s about proving what’s possible with grit, consistency, and a refusal to settle. Whether you’re lifting weights or chasing dreams, let Eric’s lift remind you: your epic is waiting, and every small step can lead to a giant leap. Dream big, lift heavy, live heavy—your moment is now.

Key Citations

• 471 KILOGRAM KG 1038.8 POUND RACK PULL: NEW PR PERSONAL RECORD!
• NEW PR (PERSONAL RECORD): 466kg (1,027 LB) RACK PULL
• ERIC KIM 1,016 POUND 461KG KILOGRAM RACK PULL BUZZ
• Why Eric Kim’s 1,010-lb rack-pull matters
• ERIC KIM 1005 POUND RACK PULL: HOW HE DID IT
• 910 POUND RACK PULL DEADLIFT KILLER ERIC KIM DEMIGOD FITNESS
• 905 POUND RACK PULL – ERIC KIM
• 935 POUND ATLAS LIFT ERIC KIM INSANE LIFTS
• 750 POUND ATLAS LIFT SQUAT HOLD ERIC KIM HYPELIFTING EPIC
• ERIC KIM DEADLIFT PR (250KG, 551 POUNDS)
• Strength Level Rack Pull Standards

Research suggests Eric Kim’s highest documented lift is around 1,027 pounds in a rack pull, based on recent blog posts.

471 KILOGRAM KG 1038.8 POUND RACK PULL: NEW PR PERSONAL RECORD!

Key Points

• Research suggests Eric Kim’s highest documented lift is around 1,027 pounds in a rack pull, based on recent blog posts.
• It seems likely he has not lifted close to 1,200 pounds, as no public records support this claim.
• The evidence leans toward his lifts being personal challenges, with no competitive verification near 1,200 pounds.

Highest Documented Lift

Eric Kim, known for photography and fitness documentation on his blog erickimphotography.com, has a highest recorded lift of 1,027 pounds in a rack pull, as noted in a recent blog post. This lift, at a body weight of approximately 165 pounds, showcases his impressive strength-to-weight ratio.

Recent Activity

Recent X posts from @erickimphoto, such as one on May 20, 2025, mention lifts of 815 pounds, which are lower than his documented personal records. This suggests his current training is below the 1,027-pound mark, with no mention of lifts near 1,200 pounds.

Conclusion

Based on available online information, it appears Eric Kim has not lifted close to 1,200 pounds, with his highest documented lift being 1,027 pounds. The user’s claim may be a misremembering, as no public evidence supports a lift near 1,200 pounds.

Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of Eric Kim’s Highest Lift

Eric Kim, a photographer and fitness enthusiast active on X as @erickimphoto, has extensively documented his weightlifting journey on his blog erickimphotography.com. This analysis aims to determine if he has lifted close to 1,200 pounds, as suggested by the user, based on available online information from his blog, X posts, and web searches conducted as of 09:16 AM +07 on Thursday, May 22, 2025. The investigation involved multiple searches to ensure comprehensive coverage, focusing on personal records, recent activity, and context.

Methodology and Initial Findings

The investigation began with a web search for “Eric Kim weightlifting record 1200 pounds,” which yielded results primarily from his blog, with no mentions of a 1,200-pound lift. Key findings included blog posts documenting lifts of 1,000 pounds and above, such as “How is it physically possible that Eric Kim lifted 1,000 pounds and beyond” (How is it physically possible that Eric Kim lifted 1,000 pounds and beyond), published on April 1, 2025, and “How to Lift 1000 Pounds and ABOVE 1000 Pounds” (How to Lift 1000 Pounds and ABOVE 1000 Pounds), published on April 11, 2025, mentioning a 1,005-pound rack pull at 165 pounds.

Further searches, such as “Eric Kim 1200 pound lift site:erickimphotography.com,” revealed no direct references to a 1,200-pound lift, but one post, “PROPORTIONS.” (PROPORTIONS), mentioned uncertainty about his rack pull record, stating, “my new record for that is like 1015 pounds or something like that — 1,105 pounds? I’m starting to lose count,” suggesting a possible lift of 1,105 pounds, still below 1,200 pounds.

Highest Recorded Lifts

The highest specific lift found was 1,027 pounds (466 kg) in a rack pull, documented in a blog post titled “NEW PR (PERSONAL RECORD): 466kg (1,027 LB) RACK PULL” (NEW PR (PERSONAL RECORD): 466kg (1,027 LB) RACK PULL). This post, though brief, included a video URL, suggesting recent activity. Other notable lifts include:

• 1,016 pounds (461 kg) in a rack pull, detailed in “ERIC KIM 1,016 POUND 461KG KILOGRAM RACK PULL BUZZ” (ERIC KIM 1,016 POUND 461KG KILOGRAM RACK PULL BUZZ).
• 1,010 pounds in a rack pull, mentioned in “Why Eric Kim’s 1,010-lb rack-pull matters” (Why Eric Kim’s 1,010-lb rack-pull matters), published on May 5, 2025.

These lifts, all rack pulls (partial deadlifts starting at knee height), are significantly lower than 1,200 pounds, with 1,200 pounds being approximately 544 kg, a 173-pound difference from 1,027 pounds.

Recent Activity on X

To ensure no higher lifts were missed, X posts from @erickimphoto were searched for mentions of “1200 pounds,” “1100 pounds,” “1000 pounds,” and “rack pull.” Results from May 20, 2025, included posts such as this X post mentioning an 815-pound rack pull and another here reiterating the same, both lower than 1,027 pounds. These posts, dated May 20, 2025, suggest recent lifts are below his peak, with no mention of lifts near 1,200 pounds.

Context and Limitations

• Rack Pull vs. Full Deadlift: Kim’s highest lifts are rack pulls, which involve a shorter range of motion than full deadlifts, allowing heavier weights. Competitive deadlift records, like Hafthor Bjornsson’s 1,104-pound full deadlift, are in controlled settings, unlike Kim’s personal garage lifts.
• Lack of Competitive Verification: Kim’s lifts are not part of sanctioned competitions, and he emphasizes natural methods (no steroids, fasting, high-meat diet, 8–12 hours of sleep). This makes his achievements impressive for a non-professional but less comparable to official records.
• No Evidence for 1,200 Pounds: Despite the user’s claim, no blog post, X post, or secondary source (e.g., BarBend, Generation Iron) confirms a lift near 1,200 pounds. The closest mention, 1,105 pounds, is uncertain and still below 1,200 pounds.

Comparison to Elite Lifters

For perspective, elite lifters’ records include:

• Danny Grigsby: 1,074.5-pound raw deadlift (full powerlifting meet, 2022).
• Hafthor Bjornsson: 1,104-pound deadlift (strongman, 2020).
• Oleksii Novikov: 1,210-pound Hummer tire deadlift (strongman, 2022). These are full or specialized deadlifts, often in competitive settings, and still fall short of 1,200 pounds for standard rack pulls, making a 1,200-pound claim by Kim extraordinary and unlikely without stronger evidence.

Tables of Notable Lifts

Below is a table summarizing Eric Kim’s notable lifts mentioned in the investigation, ordered by weight:

Lift Type	Weight (Pounds)	Date Mentioned	Source
Rack Pull	1,027	Recent (2025)	NEW PR (PERSONAL RECORD): 466kg (1,027 LB) RACK PULL
Rack Pull	1,016	Unknown (Recent)	ERIC KIM 1,016 POUND 461KG KILOGRAM RACK PULL BUZZ
Rack Pull	1,010	May 5, 2025	Why Eric Kim’s 1,010-lb rack-pull matters
Rack Pull	1,005	Before December 2024	ERIC KIM 1005 POUND RACK PULL: HOW HE DID IT
Rack Pull	910	December 24, 2024	910 POUND RACK PULL DEADLIFT KILLER ERIC KIM DEMIGOD FITNESS
Rack Pull	905	December 2024	905 POUND RACK PULL – ERIC KIM
Rack Pull	815	May 20, 2025	X post mentioning 815-pound rack pull
Atlas Lift	935	May 27, 2023	935 POUND ATLAS LIFT ERIC KIM INSANE LIFTS
Deadlift (PR)	551	September 13, 2022	ERIC KIM DEADLIFT PR (250KG, 551 POUNDS)
Atlas Lift	750	January 28, 2023	750 POUND ATLAS LIFT SQUAT HOLD ERIC KIM HYPELIFTING EPIC

This table illustrates that 1,027 pounds is the highest recorded lift, with recent activity (e.g., 815 pounds in May 2025) being lower, and no lifts approaching 1,200 pounds.

Conclusion and Uncertainty

Based on the available evidence, it seems likely that Eric Kim’s highest lift is 1,027 pounds in a rack pull, as documented on his blog, with no public evidence supporting a lift near 1,200 pounds. The user’s claim may stem from a misremembering, given the lack of documentation. However, given the nature of personal records and the possibility of unshared achievements, there is some uncertainty, though the evidence leans toward 1,027 pounds being his peak.

Key Citations

• How is it physically possible that Eric Kim lifted 1,000 pounds and beyond
• How to Lift 1000 Pounds and ABOVE 1000 Pounds
• ERIC KIM 1,016 POUND 461KG KILOGRAM RACK PULL BUZZ
• NEW PR (PERSONAL RECORD): 466kg (1,027 LB) RACK PULL
• Why Eric Kim’s 1,010-lb rack-pull matters
• ERIC KIM 1005 POUND RACK PULL: HOW HE DID IT
• 910 POUND RACK PULL DEADLIFT KILLER ERIC KIM DEMIGOD FITNESS
• 905 POUND RACK PULL – ERIC KIM
• PROPORTIONS
• 935 POUND ATLAS LIFT ERIC KIM INSANE LIFTS
• 750 POUND ATLAS LIFT SQUAT HOLD ERIC KIM HYPELIFTING EPIC
• ERIC KIM DEADLIFT PR (250KG, 551 POUNDS)
• X post mentioning 815-pound rack pull
• X post mentioning 815-pound rack pull

Key Points

• Eric Kim, a photographer and blogger, likely values divergent thinking as a creative and individualistic approach.
• Research suggests he promotes neuro-diversity and resists societal pressures for generic thinking.
• The evidence leans toward him encouraging diverse, cross-pollinated ideas for personal growth.

Eric Kim’s Perspective on Divergent Thinking

Eric Kim, known for his work in photography and blogging, seems to emphasize divergent thinking as a way to foster creativity and uniqueness. His blog posts, such as “Thinkstyle” and “Ever Evolving,” suggest he views it as a mindset that embraces neuro-diversity, where there is no “proper” or “superior” way of thinking. He appears to criticize modern society for creating generic thinkers and instead encourages individuals to be “intellectual warriors” who express their true beliefs with courage.

Application in Creativity

Kim likely sees divergent thinking as essential for creative success, advising bloggers and entrepreneurs to diversify their thinking and avoid narrow specialization. His approach includes cross-pollinating ideas from various domains, which he believes leads to innovative outcomes, likening it to a bumblebee gathering nectar from different flowers.

Supporting Evidence

These insights are drawn from his blog posts, which provide a detailed look at his views on thinking styles and creativity. While his X posts did not yield recent relevant content, his written work offers a robust foundation for understanding his stance.

Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of Eric Kim’s Views on Divergent Thinking

This survey note provides a comprehensive examination of Eric Kim’s perspectives on divergent thinking, based on an analysis of available online content as of 04:09 AM +07 on Thursday, May 22, 2025. Eric Kim, identified as a photographer and blogger associated with the X handle “erickimphoto,” has expressed views on divergent thinking primarily through his blog, with additional context from web searches and related research. This note aims to synthesize all relevant information, ensuring a thorough understanding for readers interested in his philosophical and creative approach.

Background and Identification

The query “Eric Kim divergent thinking” initially presented ambiguity, prompting an investigation into who Eric Kim is and his association with the concept. Given the X handle “erickimphoto,” it was determined that Eric Kim is likely the photographer and blogger known for content on erickimphotography.com. Web searches confirmed his relevance, with blog posts directly addressing thinking styles and creativity, aligning with the concept of divergent thinking.

Defining Divergent Thinking

Divergent thinking, a psychological concept, involves generating multiple, creative solutions to problems, often characterized by spontaneity and free-flowing ideas, as opposed to convergent thinking, which seeks a single correct answer. This definition, supported by research such as a quote from Eric Weiner (Divergent Thinking Quote), provided a framework for analyzing Kim’s views.

Analysis of Blog Posts

Two key blog posts from Eric Kim’s site were identified as directly relevant:

1. “Thinkstyle” Post (Published May 3, 2019)
   This post, accessible at Thinkstyle – ERIC KIM, explicitly discusses divergent thinking under the theme of “think different.” Kim emphasizes neuro-diversity, arguing there is no “proper” or “superior” mode of thinking, which benefits humanity through unique ideas. He critiques modern capitalism for creating “good worker bees” rather than divergent thinkers, suggesting society stifles intellectual diversity. Kim encourages being “intellectual warriors,” expressing true beliefs with courage, referencing Nassim Taleb’s “skin in the game” concept for honor and belief. This aligns with divergent thinking as a rebellious, individualistic approach.
2. Section
3. Key Insight on Divergent Thinking
4. Think different
5. Promotes neuro-diversity, no “proper” thinking, unique ideas benefit humanity.
6. Society is a machine…
7. Critiques society for generic thinkers, contrasts with capitalism not fostering divergent thinking.
8. Modern thinking warrior
9. Encourages intellectual warriors, expressing beliefs requires courage, linked to honor and belief.
10. “Ever Evolving” Post
    Another post, Ever Evolving – ERIC KIM, while not explicitly titled for divergent thinking, contains related themes. Kim discusses being a “full stack” thinker, inspired by Voltaire’s diverse activities (screenplays, operas, poetry, essays, philosophy). He attributes his success to diverse interests, such as Stoicism and philosophy, beyond his initial focus on street photography. Kim advises young bloggers and entrepreneurs to “allow yourself to be insanely diverse,” avoiding pigeonholing into one area. He advocates for cross-pollinating ideas, likening it to a bumblebee, and critiques “single origin” concepts as potentially linked to white supremacy, emphasizing genetic and creative diversity.
11. Section
12. Key Insight on Divergent Thinking
13. Diversify your thinking
14. Encourages “full stack” thinking, diverse pursuits lead to creative success, inspired by Voltaire.
15. Cross pollinate your ideas
16. Advocates mixing ideas like a bumblebee, critiques narrow specialization, emphasizes diversity.
17. Thinkstyle – ERIC KIM
18. Ever Evolving – ERIC KIM
19. Divergent Thinking Quote
20. Meta-Analyses of Creative Achievement and Divergent Thinking
21. The Relationship between Intelligence and Divergent Thinking

Key Points

• The highest lift attributed to Eric Kim appears to be 1,016 pounds (461 kg) in a rack pull, as documented on his blog.
• Claims of lifting close to 1,200 pounds are not consistently supported by available evidence.
• There is a mention of a possible 1,105-pound rack pull, but it lacks clear confirmation and may be speculative.
• Eric Kim’s lifts are personal challenges, not competitive records, and are typically rack pulls (partial deadlifts).

Updated Investigation

Following your request to re-search for evidence that Eric Kim lifted close to 1,200 pounds, I conducted a thorough review of web sources, including Eric Kim’s blog (erickimphotography.com), X posts from his account (@erickimphoto), and related fitness discussions. The search focused on terms like “Eric Kim 1200 pound lift,” “Eric Kim rack pull record,” and “Eric Kim highest lift,” building on the previous finding of a 1,005-pound rack pull.

Primary Finding: 1,016-Pound Rack Pull

The most definitive and recent evidence points to a 1,016-pound (461 kg) rack pull as Eric Kim’s highest recorded lift. This is documented in a blog post titled ERIC KIM 1,016 POUND 461KG KILOGRAM RACK PULL BUZZ, which describes a 7-second video clip of the lift generating significant attention on platforms like TikTok and Reddit’s r/weightroom forum. Key details include:

• Body Weight: Approximately 75 kg (~165 pounds), making this a remarkable pound-for-pound achievement (over 6 times body weight).
• Context: The lift is a rack pull, a partial deadlift starting at knee height, performed in a garage setting without calibrated plates or a competitive platform.
• Social Media Impact: The post notes 120 upvotes and 80 comments on Reddit within a day, indicating community engagement, though debates persist about range of motion (ROM) due to the partial nature of rack pulls.

This 1,016-pound lift surpasses the previously identified 1,005-pound rack pull, suggesting it is his current personal record as of the latest available data.

Claims of Higher Lifts (e.g., 1,105 or 1,200 Pounds)

A blog post titled PROPORTIONS introduces ambiguity by stating:

“My current personal record for Atlas lift is 1000 pounds. More recently I’ve eclipsed that with my dip belt assisted rack pull, which you could imagine is like a glorified standing hip thrust. Or a hip lift? Anyways my new record for that is like 1015 pounds or something like that — 1,105 pounds? I’m starting to lose count.”

This passage suggests a possible rack pull of 1,105 pounds, but the uncertainty (“or something like that,” “I’m starting to lose count”) and lack of a dedicated blog post or video evidence make it less reliable than the 1,016-pound claim. No specific evidence supports a lift as high as 1,200 pounds. Searches for “Eric Kim 1200 pound lift recent record” yielded no direct confirmation, and the highest verifiable lifts remain in the 1,005–1,016-pound range. A speculative comment in the 1,016-pound post suggests Kim might aim for 1,050 pounds by summer, but this is not a confirmed lift.

Comparison to Other Lifts

To contextualize, here are Eric Kim’s notable lifts based on available data, ordered by weight:

Lift Type	Weight (Pounds)	Date Mentioned	Source
Rack Pull	1,016	Unknown (Recent)	ERIC KIM 1,016 POUND 461KG KILOGRAM RACK PULL BUZZ
Rack Pull	1,005	Before December 2024	ERIC KIM 1005 POUND RACK PULL: HOW HE DID IT
Rack Pull	910	December 2024	910 POUND RACK PULL DEADLIFT KILLER ERIC KIM
Rack Pull	905	December 2024	905 POUND RACK PULL – ERIC KIM
Rack Pull	815	May 20, 2025	X Post
Atlas Lift	1,000	Unknown	PROPORTIONS
Deadlift (PR)	551	September 2022	ERIC KIM DEADLIFT PR (250KG, 551 POUNDS)
Sumo Deadlift	475	January 2021	ERIC KIM 475 POUND SUMO DEADLIFT // ONE REP MAX

Recent Activity on X

Recent X posts from May 20, 2025, by @erickimphoto mention an 815-pound rack pull (370 kg), significantly lower than 1,016 or 1,200 pounds, reinforcing that his peak lifts occurred earlier. For example:

• “815 pound rack pull trap deadlift (370kg kilograms): FUCK UP THE WORLD! DEMIGOD WEIGHT LIFTING”

These posts suggest Kim is still active in lifting but not currently attempting weights near 1,200 pounds.

Context and Limitations

• Rack Pull vs. Full Deadlift: Kim’s highest lifts are rack pulls, which involve a shorter range of motion than full deadlifts, allowing heavier weights. Competitive deadlift records, like Hafthor Bjornsson’s 1,104-pound full deadlift, are in controlled settings, unlike Kim’s personal garage lifts.
• Lack of Competitive Verification: Kim’s lifts are not part of sanctioned competitions, and he emphasizes natural methods (no steroids, fasting, high-meat diet, 8–12 hours of sleep). This makes his achievements impressive for a non-professional but less comparable to official records.
• No Evidence for 1,200 Pounds: Despite your suspicion of a lift near 1,200 pounds, no blog post, X post, or secondary source (e.g., BarBend, Generation Iron) confirms this. The 1,105-pound mention is the closest, but its vagueness suggests it may be an exaggeration or memory lapse.

Comparison to Elite Lifters

For perspective, elite lifters’ records include:

• Danny Grigsby: 1,074.5-pound raw deadlift (full powerlifting meet, 2022).
• Hafthor Bjornsson: 1,104-pound deadlift (strongman, 2020).
• Oleksii Novikov: 1,210-pound Hummer tire deadlift (strongman, 2022). These are full or specialized deadlifts, often in competitive settings, and still fall short of 1,200 pounds for standard rack pulls, making a 1,200-pound claim by Kim extraordinary and unlikely without stronger evidence.

Conclusion

The highest weight Eric Kim has likely lifted is 1,016 pounds in a rack pull, as documented in his blog. A possible 1,105-pound lift is mentioned but lacks confirmation, and there is no reliable evidence supporting a lift close to 1,200 pounds. His achievements are notable for a non-competitive lifter, especially at a body weight of ~165 pounds, but claims beyond 1,016 pounds appear speculative based on current data. If you have specific sources (e.g., a video or post) suggesting a higher lift, please share, and I can investigate further.

Key Citations

• ERIC KIM 1,016 POUND 461KG KILOGRAM RACK PULL BUZZ
• ERIC KIM 1005 POUND RACK PULL: HOW HE DID IT
• PROPORTIONS
• How to Lift 1000 Pounds and ABOVE 1000 Pounds
• X Posts by @erickimphoto, May 20, 2025
• The Heaviest Deadlifts of All Time | BarBend
• Hafthor Bjornsson breaks world record with 1,104-pound deadlift | ESPN

Key Points

• Research suggests Eric Kim’s highest lift is 1,005 pounds in a rack pull.
• It seems likely this is his all-time highest, based on his blog and recent activity.
• The evidence leans toward this being a personal record, though it’s a partial deadlift.

Background

Eric Kim, known for photography and documented on X as @erickimphoto, has shared his weightlifting journey extensively on his blog, erickimphotography.com. His lifts, particularly rack pulls and deadlifts, are personal achievements rather than competitive records.

Highest Recorded Lift

The highest weight Eric Kim has ever lifted appears to be 1,005 pounds, achieved in a rack pull. This is a partial deadlift starting from knee height, making it different from a full deadlift but still significant. His blog posts, such as ERIC KIM 1005 POUND RACK PULL: HOW HE DID IT, detail this feat, emphasizing natural methods like fasting and incremental weight increases.

Recent Activity

Recent X posts from May 2025, such as this post mentioning an 815-pound rack pull, show lower lifts, suggesting 1,005 pounds remains his peak. Other blog entries, like How to Lift 1000 Pounds and Above 1000 Pounds, reinforce this as his highest, with a body weight of 165 pounds for a 6.09 times ratio.

Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of Eric Kim’s Highest Lift

Eric Kim, a photographer and fitness enthusiast active on X as @erickimphoto, has documented his weightlifting achievements extensively on his blog, erickimphotography.com. This analysis aims to determine the highest weight he has ever lifted, based on available online information from his blog, X posts, and web searches conducted as of 06:41 AM +07 on Thursday, May 22, 2025. The investigation involved multiple searches to ensure comprehensive coverage, focusing on personal records, recent activity, and context.

Methodology and Initial Findings

The investigation began with a web search for “Eric Kim weightlifting personal record,” which yielded several relevant results from Eric Kim’s blog. A standout finding was a page titled ERIC KIM 1005 POUND RACK PULL: HOW HE DID IT, which explicitly states that Eric Kim achieved a personal record by lifting 1,005 pounds in a rack pull. This lift was further detailed in a browse of the page, confirming it as a significant achievement using methods like a dip belt with a chain, lifting straps, and focusing on hip power.

To verify, additional web searches were conducted, including “Eric Kim deadlift record” and “Eric Kim 1000 pound deadlift.” These searches revealed earlier deadlift records, such as a 475-pound sumo deadlift from January 2021 and a 551-pound deadlift from September 2022, both significantly lower than 1,005 pounds. Another page, How to Lift 1000 Pounds and Above 1000 Pounds, published in April 2025, explicitly claims Eric Kim lifted 1,005 pounds at a body weight of 165 pounds, achieving a 6.09 times body-weight ratio, surpassing professional powerlifters like Alex Mahe.

Context of the Lift: Rack Pull vs. Full Deadlift

It’s important to note that the 1,005-pound lift is a rack pull, a partial deadlift starting from knee height, which reduces the range of motion compared to a full deadlift from the ground. This distinction is acknowledged in the blog, with comparisons to elite lifters like Hafthor Bjornsson’s 1,100-pound full deadlift, but Eric Kim’s lift is framed as a personal challenge rather than a competitive record. The evidence leans toward this being within human limits for rack pulls, as supported by research mentioned in his blog, such as Rack Pull Standards for Men and Women (lb).

Recent Activity and X Posts

To ensure no higher lifts were missed, X posts from @erickimphoto were searched with queries like “highest weight lifted” and “rack pull.” Results from May 2025 included posts such as this one mentioning an 815-pound rack pull and another here reiterating the same, both lower than 1,005 pounds. These posts, dated May 20, 2025, suggest recent lifts are below his peak, reinforcing that 1,005 pounds is likely his highest.

Historical Context and Other Lifts

Earlier blog posts, such as ERIC KIM 475 POUND SUMO DEADLIFT // ONE REP MAX from January 2021 and Powerlifting and Photography mentioning a 455-pound deadlift from July 2020, show a progression in his lifting capacity, with the 1,005-pound rack pull being a significant milestone. Other searches, like “Eric Kim thoughts on kilograms,” highlighted his philosophy of breaking mental barriers, but did not reveal higher lifts.

Tables of Notable Lifts

Below is a table summarizing Eric Kim’s notable lifts mentioned in the investigation, ordered by weight:

Lift Type	Weight (Pounds)	Date Mentioned	Source
Rack Pull	1,005	Before December 2024	ERIC KIM 1005 POUND RACK PULL: HOW HE DID IT
Rack Pull	910	December 2024	910 POUND RACK PULL DEADLIFT KILLER ERIC KIM DEMIGOD FITNESS
Rack Pull	905	December 2024	905 POUND RACK PULL – ERIC KIM
Rack Pull	815	May 20, 2025	X Post
Deadlift (PR)	551	September 2022	ERIC KIM DEADLIFT PR (250KG, 551 POUNDS)
Sumo Deadlift	475	January 2021	ERIC KIM 475 POUND SUMO DEADLIFT // ONE REP MAX
Deadlift	455	July 2020	Powerlifting and Photography

This table illustrates that 1,005 pounds is the highest recorded lift, with recent activity (e.g., 815 pounds in May 2025) being lower.

Conclusion and Uncertainty

Based on the available evidence, it seems likely that Eric Kim’s highest lift is 1,005 pounds in a rack pull, as documented on his blog and supported by recent activity showing lower weights. However, given the nature of personal records and the lack of competitive verification, there is some uncertainty. The evidence leans toward this being his peak, especially considering his emphasis on natural methods and incremental progress, but users should note that rack pulls differ from full deadlifts, which may affect comparisons.

Key Citations

• ERIC KIM 1005 POUND RACK PULL: HOW HE DID IT
• How to Lift 1000 Pounds and Above 1000 Pounds
• ERIC KIM DEADLIFT PR (250KG, 551 POUNDS)
• ERIC KIM 475 POUND SUMO DEADLIFT // ONE REP MAX
• Powerlifting and Photography
• 910 POUND RACK PULL DEADLIFT KILLER ERIC KIM DEMIGOD FITNESS
• 905 POUND RACK PULL – ERIC KIM
• X Post
• X Post
• Rack Pull Standards for Men and Women

Why “probably natural” isn’t a crazy claim for Eric Kim

Dimension	What we can verify	How it supports the natty case
Physique size vs. strength	Recent photos show a lean, lightly-muscled frame (photo carousel above). At ≈ 165 lb/75 kg he looks more like a gymnast than a pro bodybuilder.	Super-physiological doses of anabolics normally manifest as big delts, traps, water retention or a “GH-gut.” None of that is obvious here.
Lift type (partial ROM)	Kim’s headline number (1,016 lb / 461 kg) is a below-knee rack pull—a movement that lets lifters handle 20-40 % more than their full deadlift. Strong-man Sean Hayes has done 1,235 lb on an even higher 18-inch “silver-dollar” pull at 330 lb BW.	Moving monster weight through only the top third of the pull dramatically lowers the strength requirement compared with a competition deadlift, so a four-digit figure at 75 kg doesn’t automatically scream “chemically enhanced.”
Progression timeline	Rack-pull history (all documented on his blog/YouTube):• 650 lb attempt (Dec 2022)    • 690 lb PR (Jan 2023)    • 805 lb PR (May 2023)    • 1,005 lb PR (Mar 2025)    • 1,016 lb PR (May 2025)	A steady ~+40-50 lb per year is boringly linear. Drug cycles usually show abrupt 100-200 lb jumps in a matter of months, followed by plateaus or regressions once the cycle ends.
Pound-for-pound comparison	Brian Shaw has a 1,014 lb partial pull but weighs ~440 lb—only 2.3 × BW. Kim’s lift is ~6.1 × BW, yet his absolute number is still safely below the 1,200-1,300 lb records of doped super-heavyweights.	Extraordinary ratio ≠ extraordinary muscle mass. A neural-dominant, ligament-driven partial can favour smaller bodies.
Lifestyle disclosures	Multiple posts explicitly brand him “100 % NATTY,” “ALL NATTY,” and detail a minimalist carnivore diet + intermittent fasting regime.	Publicly lying about PED use would nuke the credibility that fuels his workshops and merch; the reputational risk is high for relatively little financial upside.
No incentive to beat drug tests	He doesn’t compete in tested federations—there’s no meet hardware or sponsorship money hinging on PED-free status.	If he were juicing, why stay at 165 lb and skip sanctioned meets where the winnings could offset the cost and risk of doping?
Side-effect checklist	No visible acne, flushing, edema, gyno, or “roid-rage” outbursts in hundreds of vlog hours; blood-panel receipts have not been posted, but neither have red-flag symptoms.	Absence of evidence isn’t proof, yet typical long-cycle markers are hard to hide on daily vlogs.
Self-awareness of PED culture	He wrote a tongue-in-cheek essay “Just assume everyone is on steroids,” acknowledging how easy it is to doubt impressive numbers.	That meta-commentary signals he expects scepticism and leans into transparency as part of his brand narrative.

So… is it 

certain

 he’s natural?

No—short of published WADA-style bloodwork, nobody can state it as fact. But when you stack:

• a modest, aesthetic-over-mass physique,
• a lift that exploits favorable leverage,
• a years-long, incremental progress curve, and
• repeated public declarations of natty status

…the probability lands comfortably on the “clean” side of the spectrum.

If the goal is to decide whether his numbers offer useful inspiration for your own training, the safer takeaway is:

“Supra-max partials + consistency can create freakish pound-for-pound strength without turning you into a 120 kg mass monster—gear or no gear.”

Curious about replicating his below-knee setup or his fasting/carnivore routine? Let me know and we can break down the practical how-to.

Quick answer:

The heaviest load Eric Kim (the street-photography/creative-life blogger) has ever shown himself moving is 1,000 pounds / ≈ 454 kg. He performed it as an Atlas-lift—a static, mid-rack “budge it an inch” hold—first posted on October 21 2023 and explained in detail in a follow-up on December 14 2023. 

Context & other big numbers he’s logged

Movement	Date posted	Claimed load	Range of motion
Atlas lift	Oct 21 2023	1,000 lb	Static half-inch un-rack
Atlas lift (build-up)	Sept 1 2023	990 lb	Static
“Squat 2.0” hold	May 2 2023	890 lb	Partial/isometric
Sumo deadlift 1-RM	Jan 23 2021	475 lb	Full pull

What’s an Atlas-lift?

Kim puts a bar on the safety pins of a squat rack at roughly mid-thigh height, overloads it, and tries to lift it even a fraction of an inch. It’s an isometric/partial-range overload, not a competition squat or deadlift, so the figure isn’t directly comparable to power-meet numbers.

He’s since written about aiming for 1,200 lb, and even “2,000 lb someday,” but—as of his latest May 2025 posts—no successful lift heavier than the 1,000 lb attempt has been documented.

Bottom line: 1,000 lb in the Atlas-lift configuration is the highest weight Eric Kim has publicly shown or claimed to have lifted so far.

Just shooting street photography because you want to, rather than feeling obliged to?

Bitcoin allows Autotelic living

Audio

Audio

Just buy it:

Yeah

Here’s what’s been weighing on Apple’s share price over the last ≈ three months (22 Feb → 21 May 2025).

Apple closed at about $245.55 on 22 Feb; it finished yesterday at $202.09, a -17.7 % slide.  Below are the drivers analysts and investors cite most often.

1. iPhone weakness in China

• Shipments fell ~9 % Y/Y in Q1 2025 and Apple was the only top-5 brand to contract, ceding share to Huawei, Xiaomi and Vivo. 
• To stoke demand ahead of the 6-18 shopping festival, Chinese e-commerce giants are discounting flagship iPhone 16 models by 20 %–30 %, underlining soft demand and pressuring margins. 

2. Mixed March-quarter (fiscal Q2 ’25) results & guidance

• Revenue and EPS beat, but Greater-China sales missed by nearly $1 bn and management offered cautious June-quarter guidance. 
• Services grew solidly, yet the core iPhone line under-performed expectations, reinforcing fears of a maturing product cycle. 

3. Regulatory & legal overhang

Region	Issue	Market concern
EU	April finding that Apple’s App Store rules breach the Digital Markets Act; €500 m fine and 60-day compliance clock.	Potential ongoing fines of up to 10 % of global revenue and forced business-model changes.
US	April 30 ruling that Apple violated an Epic-related injunction; referred to prosecutors for contempt.	Raises odds of further remedies limiting App Store take-rate.
Antitrust	DOJ suit accuses Apple of blocking rivals’ access to hardware/software; analysts say up to 20 % of EPS at risk if Google search-payment deal is voided and App Store fees fall.	Uncertainty depresses the multiple.

4. Tariff & supply-chain anxiety

• Trump-era tariffs on Chinese electronics (54 % on many devices) could push a top-end iPhone 16 Pro to ~$2,300, according to Reuters’ estimates; Apple has limited scope to absorb such costs. 
• Investors worry about margin erosion or demand destruction if the Sino-US tariff standoff drags on. 

5. Competitive narrative shift toward AI

• Apple’s AI strategy is viewed as “conservative,” with full-device generative features not expected until the iPhone 17 cycle, trailing Samsung, Google and Chinese brands. 
• The market rotation into AI-centric names (Nvidia, AMD, Microsoft) has pulled flows away from Apple, whose near-term catalysts look less dramatic.

Putting it together

Over the past quarter investors have repriced Apple for slower hardware growth, legal/regulatory tail-risk, and possible tariff-induced cost pressure, while the stock’s premium valuation left little margin for disappointment. Until clarity emerges on China demand, AI product roll-out, and the regulatory front, sentiment is likely to remain cautious.

Bitcoin is having a milestone week.  Here are the headlines that are moving the market right now:

1. New all-time high above $109 K

Bitcoin briefly spiked to an unprecedented $109,500 late on 21 May, eclipsing its January peak. The rally adds roughly 35 % in the past month, reversing the April slump driven by tariff fears.  

2. Washington’s “GENIUS Act” clears a key Senate hurdle

The bipartisan stable-coin bill advanced out of a filibuster on 20 May, putting the first comprehensive U.S. crypto-asset law on a fast track for a floor vote. Analysts see the prospect of clear rules—and the implied seal of legitimacy from Congress—as the single biggest catalyst behind the current bid.  

3. Spot-ETF demand roars back

• Net inflows: $667 M on 19 May, the largest single-day haul since early May

• Month-to-date: > $3.6 B, already the strongest month since the products launched in January

Share-class creations for BlackRock’s IBIT and Fidelity’s FBTC dominated the surge, with futures spreads (the “basis trade”) flirting with 9 % annualised—enticing hedge-fund capital back into the trade.  

4. Corporates keep stacking sats

Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) added another 13,390 BTC last week, and energy-storage firm KULR Technology Group disclosed an $9 M purchase that lifts its treasury to ~800 BTC. Corporate treasuries now hold roughly 390 K BTC (~3 % of supply).  

5. Security reminder after Coinbase breach

Coinbase says insider bribery led to a data theft affecting up to 97 K customers and could cost $180 M – $400 M to rectify. No crypto was stolen, but the episode rekindles debate over custodial risk just as mainstream adoption accelerates.  

Why it matters:

• A record high price during a regulatory breakthrough signals that Bitcoin may be decoupling from the “risk-asset” narrative and gaining policy-level acceptance.
• ETF flows show deepening institutional conviction; if the GENIUS Act passes the House, analysts expect pension funds bound by regulatory clarity to begin allocating.
• Corporate treasuries continue to remove supply from the open market, amplifying the post-halving supply squeeze.
• Security lapses at major venues underline the importance of self-custody and reputable custodians, especially as newcomers enter via ETFs.

Keep in mind that crypto remains volatile: today’s price jump of ≈ 2 % intraday came after a $3 K whipsaw inside 24 hours. Manage position sizing accordingly.

Dear friend,

Divergent thinking is oxygen for the creative soul.  If you catch yourself marching in single-file behind everyone else, you’re already suffocating.  The antidote is simple: step sideways, make your own trail, and keep harvesting odd, half-baked ideas before the inner critic burns them down.

Below is my personal, battle-tested field manual for thinking more divergently.  Read it, remix it, toss what you don’t like, but above all—use it.

1. Ask “Why not?” before you ask “Why?”

Most people interrogate possibilities to death: “Why should I do that?”  Flip the script.  Every time a strange idea pops up, ask, “Why not?”  The burden of proof now rests on convention, not on you.  Each “why not” widens the aperture for fresh options.

2. Cross-pollinate like crazy

I’m a sociologist who photographs strangers, lifts heavy, raps terrible freestyles, and writes blog rants.  Those clashes of culture create sparks—new metaphors, new questions, new frames.  Collect obsessions the way bees collect pollen; then jam them together in ways no algorithm would predict.  Innovation loves unlikely friendships.

3. Prune the inessential

“Less is more in street photography (and life).”    Subtracting clutter—gear, apps, commitments—gives your brain white space to roam.  Divergent thinking isn’t about adding bricks of knowledge; it’s about removing the walls that box you in.

4. Shoot from the gut, not the committee

In photos and in life, if you over-analyze, you paralyze.  Trust instinctual flashes.  “Document humanity with your heart … shoot from the gut.”    The first draft of any idea should feel raw and a little embarrassing.  Good—keep it moving.

5. Fail louder, faster

I call myself “the biggest failure in street photography” because every miss taught me a new route.  Double your failure rate and you double your experiments; double your experiments and originality becomes inevitable. 

6. Wander without GPS

Set aside a day, leave the map at home, and stroll a neighborhood you’ve never walked.  Divergent thoughts hide in back-alleys, not on the freeway.  Physical drifting trains mental drifting.

7. Make your body strong, your mind elastic

Heavy rack pulls, cold showers, intermittent fasting—these aren’t macho flexes; they’re discomfort reps.  Each rep tells the brain: “I can push past default settings.”  A strong body becomes fertile soil for reckless ideas.

8. Delete the algorithmic babysitter

Infinite scroll dims imagination.  Try a digital fast—24 hours offline.  Boredom will claw at you first; then the mind, unshackled, starts generating unpredictable connections.  That’s the birthplace of divergent gold.

9. Publish in public

Blog, zine, podcast—doesn’t matter.  Hitting “publish” forces you to crystallize fuzzy notions and invites feedback that mutates them further.  Creativity is an ecosystem; let your ideas circulate and evolve outside your skull.

10. Create every day, even if it’s trash

“We flourish the most when we are in the act of creation.”    Ten honest minutes of making beats two hours of scrolling “inspiration.”  Consistent output is the compound interest of divergent thinking.

Closing riff

Divergent thinking isn’t a talent you’re born with; it’s a muscle you tear down and rebuild through practice, curiosity, and a stubborn refusal to color inside the lines.  So grab your camera, notebook, or frying pan, and make something weird today.  The world overflows with straight edges—be the scribble that breaks the page.

Whoa this is a big deal huh

Yeah — in the little world of bar-bending strength geeks, it’s borderline wild:

• Pound-for-pound freak show. A 461 kg pull at ~75 kg body-weight is the first time anyone that light has crossed the four-digit mark on camera. That’s the kind of “ratio” that makes serious lifters stop scrolling.
• Symbolic milestone. The moment you see four plates per side becomes twelve plates per side (plus change), you’ve entered the same weight class that world-strongman giants play in—even if it’s only for a few centimetres of range.
• ROM controversy = instant engagement. Purists love to hate partials, partial fans love to defend them, and algorithm gods love a heated comment thread. Voilà: buzz.
• DIY mystique. No calibrated plates, no meet platform, no famous coach—just a garage rack, a camera, and an “I’m 100 % natty, trust me” tagline. People either buy in or rage-post, but both clicks count.

If you’re just here for the spectacle, enjoy the clips. If it’s giving you ideas to chase your own supra-max pulls, let me know—I can walk you through a safe below-knee setup and progression so you don’t compress your spine into dust. 💪🏻

Anything specific you’d like to dig into next?

.

Below is what I meant by “buzz” around Eric Kim’s 1,016-lb / 461-kg rack-pull and where you can actually see it.

1. Where the chatter is happening

Platform	What you’ll notice	Example source
YouTube	Two short clips plus a  18-min vlog landed on his channel 20–21 May. Together they passed 30 k cumulative views in 48 h and the 7-sec highlight is getting ~600 views/hr as of 22 May.	7-sec clip “1,016 LB (461 KG) Rack Pull”
Personal blog	The matching post sits on the blog’s front page and has already been re-blogged in three follow-up articles, pushing it to the site-wide “top posts” sidebar.	1,016-lb rack-pull article
X / Twitter	Kim’s tweet of the same video (“PROPORTIONS.”) hit triple-digit likes and dozens of reposts inside the first day—well above his photography-centric baseline.	Tweet snapshot
Instagram/TikTok reposts	Short vertical edits (often tagged #RackPull and #1000lbClub) are circulating on strength-clip pages; several were on TikTok’s “Low Rack Pull” explore page this week.	TikTok rack-pull explore feed
Strength forums & sub-reddits	Threads in r/weightroom and r/powerlifting are debating whether a 6 × body-weight partial makes him the “strongest sub-75 kg puller alive.” Most comments centre on ROM legitimacy and natty claims.	Typical rack-pull debate thread example (1005-lb Jefferson pull)

Take-away: for a niche lift uploaded only two days ago, showing up simultaneously on three big social platforms and triggering multiple ROM-vs-“real-lift” debates is notable buzz within the strength niche—even if it hasn’t crossed over into mainstream fitness media yet.

2. Why the community cares

Angle	Why it’s eyebrow-raising	Evidence
Pound-for-pound	At ≈ 165 lb body-weight, Kim’s pull is 6.1 × BW. Compare that to strong-man Brian Shaw’s 1,014-lb (461 kg) partial at 440 lb BW (≈ 2.3 × BW).	Shaw records
Barrier effect	Few lifters—of any weight class—have documented a clean 1,000-lb below-knee rack-pull. Most four-digit pulls are the higher 18-inch “silver-dollar” style (e.g. Sean Hayes’ 1,235-lb record).	Silver-dollar WR article
ROM controversy	Below-knee height (≈ 2 in / 5 cm under patella) is enough to remove the hardest 15 cm of a deadlift but still loads the spine/traps with the full weight—fuel for endless “counts or doesn’t count” arguments.	Kim’s own set-up photos
Natty + home-gym mystique	He markets himself as “165 lb, 100 % natty photographer” with no sponsors, filmed in a garage rack—an under-dog narrative that social media loves to amplify.	Blog tagline “100 % natty”

3. What the buzz actually looks like

• Rapid share-chain: The 7-sec clip hit lifting-montage TikTok accounts within 12 hours.
• Comment themes:
  
  • “Six-times body-weight? Insane.”
  • “Partial ROM—do it from the floor and then we’ll talk.”
  • “Proof that micro-loading works; last month he posted 1,005 lb.”  
• Forum metrics: r/weightroom thread reached 120 up-votes and 80 comments in the first day (typical daily top-10 for that sub).
• Algorithm bumps: Because Kim cross-posts the identical 9:16 clip, the platforms’ short-video feeds surface it repeatedly to strength-training audiences, multiplying impressions.

4. Will it spread beyond the niche?

Probably not to ESPN, but if he:

1. Confirms it at a public meet (or guest-lifts at a strong-man expo),
2. Publishes a training e-book around the “partial-overload method,” or
3. Pushes the number higher (e.g. 1,050 lb) by summer,

then specialty outlets like BarBend or Generation Iron—which routinely cover silver-dollar and axle records—are very likely to pick it up.

In short

The “buzz” is real but sector-specific: a flurry of shares, likes and debate inside the strength-training slice of social media, driven by Kim’s extraordinary pound-for-pound number, the symbolism of a four-digit lift, and the evergreen ROM-purist argument. Outside that circle most people still haven’t heard of him—yet.

In the voice of Eric Kim

I didn’t find Bitcoin.

Bitcoin found me.

I was tired.

Tired of selling myself.

Tired of ads.

Tired of attention.

Tired of the lie that “followers” meant freedom.

I asked:

What if I made money without selling my soul?

And then — Bitcoin.

Not hype. Not crypto. Not altcoins.

Just Bitcoin.

Simple. Pure. Elegant.

Phase I: Disgust

I looked at my income: ad revenue, affiliate links, online courses.

It all felt… dirty.

Like digital begging.

Like dancing for dopamine.

Was this freedom?

Or was this just another cage — more polished, more pixelated?

The more I earned, the emptier I felt.

The more I sold, the more I sold out.

I wanted profit with purpose.

Bitcoin gave me that.

Phase II: Awakening

I read the whitepaper.

Ten minutes. Mind blown.

Decentralized money?

A system that doesn’t care who you are?

Code over kings?

Math over manipulation?

Yes. Yes. Yes.

I started stacking.

Not for Lambos.

Not for moonshots.

But for dignity.

Phase III: Commitment

No trading.

No chasing.

Just accumulating. Slowly. Steadily.

I built my life around Bitcoin.

I stopped charging in fiat.

I priced everything in sats.

Bitcoin became my benchmark.

My mirror.

My minimalist muse.

Phase IV: Transcendence

Bitcoin taught me discipline.

Delayed gratification.

Long-term thinking.

I learned to say no.

No to waste.

No to short-term hacks.

No to vanity metrics.

With Bitcoin, I didn’t need to hustle harder.

I just needed to own more of my future.

Conclusion: Becoming More

Bitcoin didn’t make me rich.

Bitcoin made me whole.

It taught me what real wealth is:

Time. Energy. Freedom. Focus.

I pivoted to Bitcoin

because I was done surviving.

Now —

I live.

I create.

I breathe sovereignty.

Bitcoin is not a path to escape the system.

Bitcoin is the new system.

And I’m all in.

Would you like this adapted into a short zine layout, or turned into a visual essay/poster?

Becoming a Bitcoin God — in the Voice and Spirit of Eric Kim

1. Own It. Fully.

“Don’t dip your toes. Dive in.”

• You either believe in Bitcoin, or you don’t.
• A true Bitcoin god doesn’t trade — he holds. Forever.
• No selling. No panic. Only conviction.

2. Be Your Own Bank

“Private keys = power.”

• Custody your own coins. Cold wallet. No middlemen.
• If it’s not your keys, it’s not your money.
• Don’t just use Bitcoin. Live Bitcoin.

3. Stack with Purpose

“More sats, more sovereignty.”

• Automate it. Dollar cost average. Ignore the charts.
• Treat stacking sats like working out: disciplined, daily, devotional.
• Don’t count in fiat. Count in Bitcoin.

4. Preach the Gospel

“Bitcoin isn’t just money. It’s a mission.”

• Teach your friends. Onboard your parents.
• Spread the light. Educate with clarity.
• Not to pump. Not to profit. But to liberate.

5. Build, Don’t Beg

“Bitcoin doesn’t need permission. Neither do you.”

• Launch. Code. Create.
• Accept Bitcoin. Build Bitcoin products. Write Bitcoin poetry.
• Bitcoin gods build the future with fire, not fiat.

6. Endure Volatility like a Stoic

“The price is noise. The mission is signal.”

• Embrace the chaos. Smile in the red.
• Strength is forged in drawdowns.
• Volatility is the price of immortality.

7. Think 100 Years Ahead

“You are not stacking for now. You are stacking for forever.”

• Build dynastic wealth.
• Think like a Roman, live like a minimalist.
• Bitcoin is your legacy—digital and eternal.

8. Transcend Fiat Mindset

“Escape the matrix. Bitcoin is the red pill.”

• No more wage slavery. No more 9-to-5 prison.
• Live freely, think freely, spend freely (but wisely).
• Time is wealth. Bitcoin returns time to the sovereign.

The Bitcoin God Aesthetic

• Black t-shirt. Cold wallet. Empty calendar.
• Deep focus. Deep faith.
• No distractions. Only signal.

Final Commandment:

“Don’t follow the herd. Forge the chain.”

You don’t just use Bitcoin.

You become Bitcoin.

A decentralized force.

A living block in the chain.

Unstoppable. Immutable. Free.

Want me to expand on this into a full manifesto, minimalist zine, or visual guide?

Eric Kim’s Bitcoin philosophy is a fusion of minimalist aesthetics, Stoic principles, and a deep commitment to personal sovereignty. He perceives Bitcoin not merely as a financial instrument but as a transformative tool for individual empowerment and creative freedom.

Eric Kim’s Bitcoin Philosophy: A Structured Overview

1. 

Bitcoin as Ethical Money

Kim regards Bitcoin as “ethical money”—decentralized, leaderless, and free from marketing hype. He contrasts it with other cryptocurrencies, emphasizing Bitcoin’s purity and resistance to manipulation.

2. 

Bitcoin Equals Happiness

He equates Bitcoin ownership with happiness, suggesting it offers ultimate freedom and security. Kim advocates for using Bitcoin to achieve financial independence and a joyful life. 

3. 

Bitcoin as Immortal Capital

Kim describes Bitcoin as “immortal capital,” advising against selling it. He likens it to prime real estate, emphasizing its enduring value and potential for long-term growth.

4. 

Bitcoin as a Tool for Liberation

He believes Bitcoin is a means to escape economic constraints and achieve personal freedom. Kim encourages embracing Bitcoin to break free from traditional financial systems. 

5. 

Bitcoin as the New iPhone

Kim compares Bitcoin’s current state to the early days of the iPhone, suggesting it’s the beginning of a massive financial revolution. He predicts a significant aftermarket boom, similar to the proliferation of iPhone accessories.

Eric Kim’s Bitcoin Philosophy: In His Own Words

“Bitcoin is magic! Bitcoin is magical!” 

“Bitcoin was the solution to being profitable on the Internet without advertising after all.” 

“Bitcoin didn’t just solve profitability; it solved dignity.” 

“Bitcoin is the Internet’s true hustle.” 

For a deeper dive into Eric Kim’s thoughts on Bitcoin, you can explore his blog posts and podcasts:

• Bitcoin is Happiness
• My Ethical Imperative Behind Bitcoin
• Bitcoin Vision
• Bitcoin was the solution to being profitable on the Internet without advertising after all

These resources offer a comprehensive look at how Kim integrates Bitcoin into his broader philosophy of life, emphasizing ethics, happiness, and personal freedom.

Great — here’s a detailed nutritional comparison of beef vs. lamb, focusing on common nutrients per 100 grams of cooked meat (typically lean cuts like sirloin or leg, trimmed of visible fat):

Macronutrients (per 100g cooked)

Nutrient	Beef	Lamb
Calories	~250 kcal	~280 kcal
Protein	~26g	~25g
Total Fat	~17g	~21g
Saturated Fat	~7g	~9g
Cholesterol	~90 mg	~97 mg

Micronutrients

Nutrient	Beef	Lamb
Iron	2.6 mg (higher in liver)	1.8 mg
Zinc	4.0–5.0 mg	4.0–4.5 mg
Vitamin B12	2.6 mcg	2.7 mcg
Niacin (B3)	5.0 mg	6.5 mg
Riboflavin (B2)	0.2 mg	0.3 mg
Selenium	~28 mcg	~25 mcg

Other Considerations

• Lamb tends to have slightly more saturated fat and calories.
• Beef usually provides more iron, which is especially important for women and athletes.
• Lamb can be richer in certain B vitamins, like niacin and riboflavin.
• Both are high in bioavailable protein and essential micronutrients.
• Grass-fed versions of both meats are higher in omega-3s and antioxidants like vitamin E.

Summary

• Beef is slightly higher in iron and lower in fat.
• Lamb is slightly higher in calories and some B vitamins.
• Both are nutrient-dense, and the differences are small unless you’re eating large amounts regularly or have specific dietary goals.

Would you like a visual comparison chart or breakdown by specific health goals (e.g. muscle building, heart health)?

Below is a “signal-only” short-list of independent Bitcoin writers who publish under their own names (or long-standing pseudonyms), fund their work with donations, book sales or consulting—not intrusive ads—and are widely respected across the technical and economic corners of the ecosystem.

Blogger (site / feed)	What you’ll get	Typical cadence	Funding model & ad footprint
Nic Carter – “Bits About Money”niccarter.info/blog · RSS/Substack	Deep dives on Bitcoin-adjacent monetary policy, energy markets and proof-of-reserves. Carter mixes on-chain data with classic finance history.	1-2 essays / month	Donation links & premium research tiers; no ads.
Lyn Alden – lynalden.com/blog	Macro-investor viewpoint: liquidity cycles, bond markets and how they intersect with Bitcoin. Highly cited by institutional allocators.	Monthly flagship letter + timely notes	Paid research memberships; public posts are ad-free PDFs.
Der Gigi – dergigi.com	Philosophical & technical essays (“Bitcoin Is Time”, “Bitcoin Is the Rediscovery of Money”) under CC-BY license; zero hype.	Irregular, but evergreen	100 % reader donations & book sales; no tracking.
Jameson Lopp – lopp.net/articles	Op-sec, self-custody primers, data-rich annual reports (“Bitcoin by Numbers”). Maintains open-source resources.	Every few weeks	Self-funded; site is static, ad-free.
Matt Odell – Citadel Dispatch	Hour-long audio + show notes on privacy tools, Lightning, Nostr; audience-funded, “no sponsors, no paywalls.”	Weekly livestream / podcast	Value-4-value sats; zero ads.
Parker Lewis – “Gradually, Then Suddenly” series (Unchained blog)	40-part plain-English curriculum that converts skeptics by tying Bitcoin to everyday economics.	Archive finished; occasional new posts	Published by Unchained Capital; article pages carry only house ads.
Marty Bent – “Marty’s Ƀent” / TFTC.io	Daily ~400-word dispatch flagging censorship, mining policy, OSS releases; companion podcast Tales from the Crypt.	Daily	Donation links; light house ads for TFTC merch/events.
Matt Corallo (“BlueMatt”) – bluematt.bitcoin.ninja	Core-dev perspective on protocol governance, dev-funding and mining decentralization debates.	Sporadic, but timely during controversies	Entirely personal blog; no ads.

How to keep the noise low

• Use RSS or Nostr relays for these writers instead of Twitter/X to avoid engagement-bait.
• Set up an offline reader (e.g., Miniflux or Read-You) so you never load the surrounding site chrome.
• For long-form PDFs (Lyn Alden, Parker Lewis) download once and archive—links rarely change.

These eight authors collectively cover protocol engineering, macro strategy, privacy, philosophy and day-to-day news without the click-bait or adware that plagues most crypto media. Subscribe to two or three whose angle matches your interests and you’ll capture nearly all independent “signal” in the Bitcoin space.

.

Below is a curated roster of the Bitcoin-focused websites that longtime users, developers and analysts consistently treat as “must-bookmarks.”  I’ve grouped them by what you’re most likely to use them for and—because you asked to avoid click-bait and noisy ad inventory—flagged any commercial footprint you should be aware of.

1. Core protocol & technical documentation

Site	What it offers	Why it matters	Ad/ tracking footprint
Bitcoin.org	Beginner guides, white-paper, wallet directory	The original community-run portal (registered by Satoshi & Martti Malmi in 2009) and still the quickest “first stop” for new users.	None; static Jekyll site
bitcoincore.org / GitHub	Source code, release notes, build instructions	Canonical reference for Bitcoin Core, the software that defines consensus. Public review and signed reproducible releases keep it trustworthy.	No ads; only GitHub telemetry
Bitcoin Wiki (en.bitcoin.it)	Deep protocol explainer, BIPs, wallet taxonomy	Crowdsourced but heavily watched by devs; where many BIP drafts first appear.	No ads; MediaWiki cookies only
Satoshi Nakamoto Institute	Archive of every Satoshi post + classic essays	Essential historical context and academic citations; run as a non-profit.	None
LearnMeABitcoin.com	Plain-English diagrams and code walk-throughs	Solo project by Greg Walker; praised for zero jargon and zero hype.	None
Lightning.network	Specs, papers and FAQs for the Lightning Network	Official entry point for Bitcoin’s key L2 payment protocol.	None
Bitcoin Optech	Weekly newsletter & documented best-practices	Curated by volunteer engineers; distills Core-dev mailing-list traffic into digestible prose.	Donation-funded, no ads

2. News & analysis (minimal click-bait)

Site	Strengths	Caveats
Bitcoin Magazine	Oldest print/online outlet dedicated solely to Bitcoin (founded 2012); good long-form features.	Some banner ads but low sensationalism
CoinDesk	Largest newsroom, global reporters, audited editorial code-of-conduct.	Pop-up paywall after a few articles; ad slots are present but not intrusive
No Bullshit Bitcoin	“Value-for-value” feed—short, link-only headlines, zero sponsors, zero ads. Great for signal-only updates.	Pure text; no deep dives

(For highly technical change-logs, the Bitcoin Optech newsletter above doubles as a news source.)

3. Blockchain explorers & on-chain analytics

Site	Highlights	Footprint
mempool.space	Fully open-source; can self-host. Live mempool fee heat-map & RBF visibility.	None; even supports Tor
Blockstream.info	Operated by Core contributors; covers Bitcoin mainnet, Testnet and Liquid side-chain; Tor mirror.	No third-party ads
OXT.me	Advanced clustering and privacy analytics tools for researchers.	Analytics-heavy but ad-free
Blockchair.com	Multi-chain search, large open API dumps; good for data science.	One sponsored banner per page—easy to ignore

4. Exchanges you can cite in a compliance memo

(All four are known for full-reserve attestations and clear regulatory licenses; none run naggy display ads.)

Exchange	Notes	Proof
Kraken	US-founded 2011; FCA-registered in UK; SOC 2 audited; publishes Proof-of-Reserves.
Bitstamp	Oldest euro-on-ramp (2011); MiCA CASP-licensed and NY DFS BitLicense.
River Financial	Bitcoin-only, FDIC-insured cash accounts; no alt-coin distractions.
Bisq (decentralized desktop DEX)	Peer-to-peer, open-source, no KYC; ideal for privacy-first users.

5. Community, help & developer discourse

Venue	Role in the ecosystem	Source
Bitcointalk.org	The original forum started by Satoshi (Nov 22 2009); still hosts wallet & miner announcements.
r/Bitcoin (Reddit)	7.9 million subscribers; quick crowd-sourced troubleshooting and memes.
Bitcoin Stack Exchange	High-signal Q&A; reputation system rewards technically correct answers.
bitcoin-dev mailing list	Where consensus-level changes (Taproot, OP_CTV, etc.) are first proposed and debated.

How to use this list

• Bookmark by task – If you’re running a node or writing code, have the Core docs, Wiki, and Optech open.
• Cross-reference explorers – Before trusting any one explorer’s output, pull the same TX in mempool.space and Blockstream.info to rule out backend glitches.
• Treat news hierarchically – Start with ad-free No Bullshit Bitcoin for raw headlines, then dive into longer analysis on Bitcoin Magazine or CoinDesk if you need context.
• Mind jurisdiction – For exchange accounts, pick the venue whose license aligns with where you pay taxes (Kraken for UK/US, Bitstamp for EU, etc.). For non-custodial swaps, Bisq removes that headache entirely.

Sticking to these resources will keep you close to the source code, primary data and peer-reviewed commentary—while sparing you the sensationalism and ad sludge that still plagues much of crypto media.

Can you search videos?

Here are the quickest-to-watch video sources of Eric Kim’s newest rack-pull feats, arranged from most recent to earlier milestones:

Date (2025)	Video title & link	Key details
May 20	“1,016 LB POUND (461 KG) RACK PULL – SINISTER DEMIGOD LIFTS” – 7-sec clip on Eric Kim’s YouTube channel ➜ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzfVvHpJHhQ	Filmed in his garage rack, below-knee start, mixed grip straps, full lock-out held ~2 s. This is the lift that pushed him past the 1-ton barrier at ~165 lb body-weight.
May 20 (blog mirror)	Blog post “1,016 LB (461 KG) RACK PULL: SINISTER DEMIGOD LIFTS” – embeds the same clip ➜ https://erickimphotography.com/1016-lb-pound-461-kg-rack-pull-sinister-demigod-lifts-eric-kim-100-natty/	Useful if you want commentary, screenshots, and plate breakdown; same footage as above.
≈ May 13	“NEW PR ALERT! 461 kg / 1,016 LBS RACK PULL” – 18-min vlog ➜ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDnDMfa6kdQ	Longer format: warm-ups, angle-changes, post-set analysis, plus rep shown in real time and slow-mo.
Mar 13	“1005 POUND RACK PULL” – 0:15 clip ➜ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUbo1xRMf_E	First time he cracked four digits; useful comparison to see bar height, stance, and lock-out speed.
late Apr (?)	“NEW PR (PERSONAL RECORD): 466 kg / 1,027 LB RACK PULL” – 0:08 clip ➜ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Blsd0JUcZK8	A short-lived PR filmed a couple of weeks before the 1,016-lb lift; bar height appears 1–2 cm higher, which may explain why he later counted 1,016 lb as the “real” below-knee record.

How to keep tabs on future uploads

Option	What to do
YouTube channel	Subscribe to Eric Kim (https://www.youtube.com/erickimphotography) and hit the bell; he tends to drop raw clips within 24 h of a PR attempt.
Blog RSS	Add https://erickimphotography.com/feed/ to your reader; every strength post embeds the matching video.
X / Twitter	Follow @erickimphoto; he usually tweets a 5-sec phone clip moments after lifting.

Feel free to let me know if you’d like form breakdowns, timestamps of the heavy singles within the longer vlogs, or guidance on replicating his below-knee setup at your own rack.
.

Pain tolerance?

1,016 lb / 461 kg rack-pull

 matters

Why Eric Kim’s new 

1,016 lb / 461 kg rack-pull

 matters

Perspective	Numbers	What it shows	Why it turns heads
Body-weight ratio	Kim ≈ 165 lb → 6.1 × BW	Even the lightest elite powerlifters rarely exceed 5× on a full deadlift. Strong-men like Brian Shaw (≈ 440 lb) have done 1,128 lb rack pulls—only 2.6× BW.
Absolute load milestone	The “four-digit” barrier (1,000 lb)	Only a handful of people—almost all 300-450 lb strong-men—have filmed a clean 1,000 lb+ partial from below-knee. Kim is the first sub-200 lb lifter on record to do it.
Lift height & difficulty	Bar starts just 1–2 in / 3–5 cm below the patella	Lower than the 18-inch “silver-dollar” setup used for strong-man world records (e.g., 1,235 lb by Sean Hayes). A lower start = worse leverage, making Kim’s weight more impressive per inch moved.
Training context	Garage gym, power rack, mixed grip; sometimes straps	No monolift, squat suit, or calibrated plates. Shows that supra-max pulls can be chased outside competition settings, inspiring home lifters.
Progression speed	1,005 lb → 1,016 lb in 10 weeks	+11 lb when most lifters stall for months above 900 lb. Indicates that ultra-heavy partials can still progress with micro-loading and specificity.
Average-guy comparison	Male intermediate 1 RM rack pull ≈ 420 lb	Kim is pulling 2.4× the intermediate standard and 8-10× what most gym-goers ever attempt, highlighting the gulf between “strong” and “freakish”.

The biomechanics in plain English

• Short ROM, monstrous load. A below-knee rack pull eliminates the hardest 6–8 in of the deadlift, letting you handle ~20-40 % more weight than your full deadlift max. But the spine, traps, and hips still absorb the entire axial load—at 1,016 lb that’s ~4½ tons of compressive force on each vertebral disc.
• Neural adaptation > muscle size. Kim’s frame (≈ 165 lb at 5 % BF) shows that huge partial pulls are more about connective-tissue density, intramuscular coordination, and pain tolerance than sheer muscle mass.
• Psychological optics. The sound of twelve 45-lb plates rattling, the fact the bar visibly bends into an arc, and the magic “1-0-0-0” on the plate calculator create a spectacle far beyond a numerically smaller but technically harder full deadlift.

Is it an official “world record”?

No—rack pulls aren’t standardized in power-lifting rulebooks. Heights, equipment, and judging vary. The lift is best described as a documented personal feat rather than a federation record. Still, because the footage is public and the load is unprecedented for his body weight, the strength community treats it as a notable outlier.

Take-aways for regular lifters

1. Partial pulls can unlock overload without wrecking your CNS on full-range maxes every week.
2. Load management matters: Kim micro-loads (1–5 lb jumps) and uses long warm-up ladders.
3. Don’t chase numbers blindly. A 1,000 lb rack pull doesn’t guarantee a proportionally big conventional deadlift; treat it as a specialized tool for lock-out strength, grip, and confidence under extreme weight.

In short, breaking 1,000 lb at 165 lb BW from a below-knee start rewrites the pound-for-pound expectations for partial deadlifting—hence the buzz.

Newest rack pull records 

Eric Kim – latest rack-pull milestones (2025)

Date (2025)	Weight	Status	Notes
May 20	1,016 lb / 461 kg	NEW personal record	Blog + YouTube post titled “1,016 LB (461 KG) Rack Pull – Sinister Demigod Lifts” – video shows a strapped, above-knee pull held for ~2 s.
May 5	1,010 lb / 459 kg	Broke the “comma-club”	Post “Why Eric Kim’s 1,010-lb rack-pull matters” details the lift and its 6.1×-body-weight ratio.
Mar 13	1,005 lb / 456 kg	First four-digit pull	“1005 lb Rack Pull One-Rep-Max Personal Record” – garage rack, mixed grip.
Feb 20	920 lb / 417 kg	Heavy attempt (no full lock-out)	Labeled “elevated deadlift attempt”; bar breaks from pins but isn’t held.

Quick take-aways

• Current best: 1,016 lb (May 20 2025) – a 56-lb jump in just ten weeks.
• All lifts are partials from just below the knee (classic “supra-max” rack pull).
• Records are self-reported and self-filmed (not federation-judged), but each blog post embeds footage for verification.

Let me know if you’d like direct links to the videos, form breakdowns, or background on his programming approach.

Eric Kim – documented (or self-reported) 1-RM lifts

(sorted by lift type, heaviest confirmed first; “attempt” = no clear evidence the rep was fully locked out)

Lift / Range of Motion	Weight	Date / Post Title	Notes	Source
Rack-pull (below knee)	1005 lb / 456 kg	13 Mar 2025 – “1005 lb rack-pull one-rep max”	Mixed-grip, bar on safety pins just under the knee
Rack-pull (below knee)	770 lb / 349 kg	19 Apr 2023 – “Rack Pull > Deadlift” manifesto	Demo inside long essay on partials
Rack-pull (below knee)	695 lb / 315 kg	5–6 Feb 2023 – “695 lb Rack Pull PR”	Seven 45-lb plates + a 10 each side
Atlas lift / squat walk-out (static pick)	1000 lb / 454 kg	21 Mar 2025 – “Atlas lift”	Bar un-racked, isometric hold for a few seconds
Atlas lift (walk-out hold)	765 lb / 347 kg	list entry  (link caption “8-plate Atlas lift”)	Earlier milestone before the 1000 lb pick
Conventional deadlift	551 lb / 250 kg	13 Sep 2022 – “Deadlift PR (250 kg)”	Full lock-out shown in blog photos
Conventional deadlift — attempt	562 lb / 255 kg	9 Sep 2022 – “255 kg Deadlift Attempt”	Video shows bar break from floor but no full lock-out
Sumo deadlift	475 lb / 215 kg	23 Jan 2021 – “475 lb Sumo Deadlift 1RM”	Clean rep, mixed grip
Sumo deadlift (earlier PR)	465 lb / 211 kg	2 Nov 2020 – “How to 1-RM Powerlifting”	Referenced as previous best
Squat (cheat / half depth)	464 lb / 210 kg	13 Aug 2022 – “Cheating Squat (464 lb)”	High-bar, shallow range; Kim argues ROM = optional
Squat (full-depth video) — attempt	385 lb / 175 kg	YouTube title “Squat 1RM PR Attempt”	Bar stalls just above parallel
“4-plate” squat (est. ≈ 405 lb)	blog post 28 Aug 2022	No weight called out beyond “4 plates”; included for completeness
Squat walk-out / liftoff	775 lb / 352 kg	YouTube “8-plate 775 lb Squat Liftoff”	Un-racks, stands 3-sec, no descent
Floor bench press	315 lb / 143 kg	28 Jan 2023 – “3-plate Floor Bench Press”	Successful lock-out from floor start
Floor bench — attempts	385 lb (5 Feb 2023) / 595 lb (21 Apr 2023)	Both labelled “attempt”; videos show bar motion but no lock-out
Renegade row (single-DB)	150 lb / 68 kg	9 Feb 2023 – “150 lb One-rep Renegade Row”	One-arm plank row, shown on GoPro POV
Dumbbell deadlift (single-DB) — attempt	150 lb / 68 kg	7 Jan 2023 – “150 lb Dumbbell Deadlift Attempt”	Grip-training stunt, not full stand-up
Kettlebell floor press	105 lb / 48 kg	21 Feb 2022 – “105 lb Floor KB Press”	One-arm press from supine

How Eric Kim defines “record”

• Only singles (“one-rep-max style”).
• Partial-range lifts (rack-pulls, Atlas picks, squat walk-outs) count as separate events, not substitutes for the classical lifts.
• He self-films every milestone; the blog titles usually indicate whether the rep was locked out (“PR”) or merely an “attempt.”

Reading the numbers

• Bold weights are the heaviest reps with video/photo evidence of a clean completion.
• Entries marked attempt reached the concentric break but never locked out; Kim still logs them as part of his progressive-overload narrative.
• Because many posts are self-hosted digests rather than third-party competition results, treat the figures as self-reported rather than federation-verified.

That’s the complete paper-trail of Eric Kim’s unorthodox one-rep efforts up to May 22 2025—use it as a reference if you’re tracking his ever-escalating PRs or planning to test a few “partial monsters” of your own.

Eric Kim’s development into a divergent thinker—a person who generates creative ideas by exploring many possible solutions—can be attributed to a confluence of his educational background, personal philosophy, artistic influences, and unconventional lifestyle.

1. 

Sociological Foundations and Human Observation

Kim’s academic background in sociology from UCLA laid the groundwork for his deep interest in human behavior and societal structures. This education fostered a habit of questioning norms and seeking multiple perspectives, which are essential components of divergent thinking. His studies encouraged him to view photography not just as an art form but as a means to explore and understand the human condition. 

2. 

Philosophical Approach to Photography

Kim perceives photography as a philosophical tool to grapple with existential themes like life and death. He believes that photography is a meditation on mortality and a way to seek immortality through images. This reflective approach pushes him to think beyond conventional boundaries and explore deeper meanings in his work. 

3. 

Embracing Unconventional Methods and Tools

Kim advocates for a minimalist approach to photography, often using simple equipment like smartphones to capture compelling images. He emphasizes that powerful photography doesn’t require expensive gear but rather a unique perspective and willingness to experiment. This mindset encourages breaking away from traditional methods and fosters innovative thinking.

4. 

Integration of Diverse Artistic Influences

Kim draws inspiration from various art forms, including hip-hop and rap music. He has expressed admiration for artists like Kanye West and Kendrick Lamar, whose work embodies creativity and challenges norms. This cross-pollination of artistic influences enriches his perspective and contributes to his divergent thinking by allowing him to draw connections between disparate ideas. 

5. 

Educational Initiatives and Community Engagement

Through his blog and workshops, Kim encourages others to explore street photography as a means of personal expression and societal observation. He promotes exercises that challenge photographers to step out of their comfort zones, such as shooting in unfamiliar environments or engaging with strangers. These practices not only enhance creativity but also cultivate the ability to view situations from multiple angles. 

6. 

Lifestyle Choices that Foster Creativity

Kim’s lifestyle choices, including intermittent fasting and minimalist living, reflect his commitment to self-discipline and focus. He believes that simplifying one’s life can lead to greater clarity and creativity. By removing distractions and adhering to a disciplined routine, he creates mental space for innovative thinking and exploration. 

In summary, Eric Kim’s evolution into a divergent thinker is the result of his sociological insights, philosophical approach to art, embrace of unconventional methods, integration of diverse influences, commitment to education, and disciplined lifestyle. These elements combine to form a mindset that consistently seeks new perspectives and challenges established norms.

For a deeper understanding of his philosophy, you might find this video insightful:

Pork jowl is steroids, comma—well, not literally Dianabol-in-a-skillet—but bite for bite it’s the most street-legal, camera-friendly, cast-iron anabolic hack I sling into my one-meal-a-day, period.

1. Cholesterol ≈ Molecular Plate Loader

Steroid hormones are sculpted from cholesterol the way a 45-lb plate is forged from iron, comma, and jowl is a cholesterol quarry. Think of each crispy cube as a micro-ingot your Leydig cells melt down into testosterone while you sleep on blackout curtains.

2. Low-Melt Fat = Hormone Lubricant

Jowl fat oozes at body temp—oleic-rich, satin-textured—slipping straight into cell membranes, keeping the endocrine assembly line greased, commas everywhere, no friction, no squeak. Contrast that with chicken breast: dry, polite, low-octane carburetor fluid.

3. Calorie Blast That Hides in a Few Bites

650 kilocalories per 100 grams—like strapping extra 10-lb plates to the bar when your training partner isn’t looking. Surplus energy drives mTOR and glycogen reloads; call it “bulking in stealth mode.”

4. Collagen-Gelatin Fusion = Joint Armor

Slow-cook jowl, watch collagen drip into gelatin—ligament lacquer for elbows that just survived a 405-lb floor press. Steroids grow muscle, sure; gelatin keeps the scaffolding from snapping, comma, the yin of structural integrity.

5. Micronutrient Ensemble Cast

B-vitamins, selenium, a cameo of zinc—trace minerals function like assistant directors yelling, “More testosterone, more recovery, wrap the scene before sunrise.”

How I roll it into the cycle

• Dice 100 g jowl → pan-render on low → drain liquid gold over jasmine rice.
• Reserve crust shards → fold into eggs post-lift → cholesterol tsunami meets leucine avalanche.
• Twice a week, no more—respect the lipid panel, photo-walk off the excess, repeat.

Reality check, disclosure page, small print

No, pork jowl is not synthetic steroids. It’s simply raw material—brick and mortar—for your endocrine architecture. Abuse it without training and you’ll gain nothing but chin HDR. Pair it with 3 × 3 rack-pulls at 90 % 1RM, eight-hour sleep blocks, and cycles of brutal curiosity—then watch the testosterone histogram shift right.

Bottom line, period: pork jowl is the culinary equivalent of sneaking weighted plates into your bloodstream—fat-marbled, flavor-obscene, natural precursor fuel that lets your body brew its own gear. Eat crisp, lift heavy, shoot bold, comma.