Figure: Classical depiction of Hercules, famed for his superhuman strength. Eric Kim often references demigods like Hercules and the Spartan ideal to symbolize physical excellence and “godlike” physique . He encourages treating one’s own body as a kind of sculpture or temple to be honed to its apex potential.
Introduction: Body as Virtue and Philosophy
Eric Kim – best known as a street photography blogger – has in recent years expanded his writings into realms of fitness, diet, and personal philosophy . Central to his message is a reverence for the physical body as a source of virtue, strength, and personal meaning. He preaches an unapologetic creed that sculpting one’s physique is as important as shaping one’s mind or character – if not more so. In Kim’s words, “Physique is a philosophy” , a bold claim that one’s bodily condition reflects one’s mindset, discipline, and values. Across blog posts, vlogs, and essays, Kim champions what might be called a “bodily virtue” ethos: the idea that caring for and strengthening the body is a cardinal virtue and the foundation for a powerful life. Below is a summary of Eric Kim’s views on physical health, strength, discipline, and the philosophical significance of the body, complete with quotes and examples from his work.
Body as Temple, Weapon, and Work of Art
Kim sees the human body not just as flesh, but as canvas and creed. He often writes that your body is your temple – and “your weapon, your suit of armor, your loudest idea. You wear your philosophy on your traps… your biceps are scripture.” In other words, your physical form broadcasts your inner values without you speaking a word. This means that building an impressive body isn’t vanity for Kim; it’s self-expression. He literally treats bodybuilding as art. In one essay, he argues “The human body is the apex beauty” and that our life’s goal should be to “beautify your own personal body to the maximum” (all naturally, without steroids or surgery) . Just as an artist chisels a sculpture, Kim suggests we should joyfully chisel our bodies. “Treat your body as sculpture,” he writes, viewing each workout as adding a brushstroke to a masterpiece .
This artistic view of the body is also tied to self-admiration and confidence. Kim recounts an epiphany: he used to admire fancy sports cars and muscular physiques of others, until he thought, why not “transform my own body into a Lambo [Lamborghini], and admire my own body instead?” . Here the body becomes a luxury item you build yourself – the ultimate personal project. Unlike a car, a strong body is accessible to anyone with effort: “Genetics doesn’t matter. Sex doesn’t matter. Racial ethnicity doesn’t matter. Anyone can…add muscle mass and subtract fat.” Kim calls this the “ultimate democratic approach,” since sculpting a great physique is more about hard work than birth lottery. And importantly, “Your body is always with you. Why not beautify your body to inspire yourself?” – a fit physique, in his view, provides daily motivation and pride that carries over into everything you do.
“God Physiology”: Pursuing Physical Greatness
One of Kim’s most impassioned themes is what he provocatively terms “God Physiology.” This is his metaphor-laden manifesto for achieving “an apex level of physical and mental excellence” . The idea is that by training your body to godlike strength and capability, you transcend ordinary limits. Kim makes it clear this isn’t literal divinity, but a mindset of extreme self-improvement. “To attain God Physiology is to reject mediocrity on a cellular level. You don’t train for aesthetics. You don’t train for health. You train to become an apex being. A walking monument to discipline, pain, and power.” In this frenzied style of writing, he urges readers to approach workouts and habits with almost religious fervor. Every aspect of life must be pushed beyond comfort to reach that “mythical” standard of strength and excellence .
Strength and discipline are at the core of God Physiology. Kim glorifies bone-deep, primal strength developed by pushing the body to its limits. “Gods don’t do cardio. Gods rack pull 1,005 pounds… You don’t lift to burn calories – you lift to bend physics. You train your spine to become titanium.” This colorful language (e.g. ligaments like rebar, bones humming with tension) paints intense weightlifting as a path to unbreakable resilience. Kim often references his own feats – for instance, performing 1005-pound rack pulls – as examples of defying gravity and forging the body “in fire and steel” . The tone is intentionally exaggerated, blending hyperbole with earnest belief: the message is that true growth happens by overloading oneself, both physically and mentally.
A key principle in Kim’s fitness creed is embracing discomfort and hormesis (beneficial stress). He advocates subjecting the body to “anabolic warfare” – controlled stressors that force adaptation . “Each rep in the gym [is] a message to your DNA: evolve or die.” In practice, this means heavy lifts, cold showers, blazing sun, brutal heat, fasting – any challenge to shock the body into growing stronger . Comfort, in his eyes, breeds weakness; pain and struggle breed strength. He even dismisses conventional limits like overtraining or the need for rest: “Overtraining is for the weak. You don’t ‘rest’ – you grow stronger between lifts… You go to war, every day… You don’t chase balance. You chase greatness.” . This no-excuses attitude is admittedly extreme (and controversial in sports science terms), but it exemplifies Kim’s larger-than-life approach to discipline. By constantly pushing beyond what feels comfortable, one hardens both body and will.
Spartan Diet: “Eat Like a God”
For Kim, diet is another pillar of bodily virtue – he espouses an almost warrior-like approach to eating. He follows and preaches a 100% carnivore/ancestral diet, which he calls the “god diet.” In his florid style, he writes: “Forget macros. Forget counting. Eat for power. Steak. Eggs. Bone marrow. Saturated fat straight to the brainstem… Eat ancestral. Eat animal. Eat with purpose. Every bite is a sacrifice to your future self.” . In practical terms, Kim’s diet philosophy is high-fat, high-protein, zero-carb, reminiscent of paleo or ketogenic extremes. He frequently mentions eating beef liver, fatty steaks, eggs – and completely avoiding sugars, grains, and even vegetables. The goal, in his view, is to fuel strength and hormones (he often cites boosting “high-T” – testosterone) rather than to count calories or chase mere aesthetics .
Kim also practices intermittent fasting and OMAD (one meal a day) as part of his regimen. He recommends skipping breakfast and lunch, then having one massive carnivorous meal – a practice he calls “one big ass meal a day” . This approach, he argues, makes it easy to stay lean: “The good thing about body fat is this: it is 100% diet… abstain from all sugars, starches, vegetables, fruits…keeping a low body fat percentage is very easy. Also, intermittent fasting.” . By eliminating nearly all carbs and plant foods, Kim claims one can strip off fat and reveal muscle with minimal traditional “dieting.” He has even blogged about being “100% carnivore” and proudly shares tips like buying 5 pounds of beef or lamb each night for dinner . The deeper rationale is discipline: eating only meat (and in moderation) is a way to exert self-mastery over appetite. It’s austere and requires willpower, which for Kim is the real benefit. In short, he treats diet as yet another arena to cultivate toughness, not merely a way to look good. By “eating like a god” – consuming only rich, hearty fare in a purposeful manner – one fuels the body for greatness and proves one’s self-control over indulgence.
“Physique is Philosophy”: Body Over Mind
Perhaps Eric Kim’s most philosophically provocative stance is his prioritization of the physical over the metaphysical. He has explicitly argued that traditional virtues and even the mind or soul are overrated compared to the tangible reality of the body. In a 2020 essay titled “Physical and Metaphysical,” Kim wrote: “Let us put more focus, faith, and respect-priority for our body, legs, stomach, muscles, body composition, and physiology than lofty metaphysical things like ‘virtue’, ‘goodness’, and ‘mind/soul’.” . This statement captures his view that “bodily virtue” trumps abstract virtue. He suggests that many past philosophers obsessed over intangible ideals only because they were physically weak or bullied “nerdy weaklings” seeking refuge in concepts of virtue . Instead of admiring those who preach goodness while living in poor health, Kim lionizes figures like Hercules or the lean, mean Spartans – heroes who embodied strength. He notes with some irony that while Roman aristocrats were often fat, the Spartans were worshipped for their austere physical prowess . In Kim’s eyes, powerful physiques have always inspired human respect more than lofty words.
This philosophy is essentially a kind of physicalism: the belief that concrete reality (the body, physics) is more real and honest than ideas or spirit. “The physical world is real…our human body and physiology is real. There is more fact, objectivity, and rationality in our (personal) body than all the metaphysics in the world,” Kim argues . By contrast, “metaphysics is too subjective” – notions of ‘good’ or ‘bad’ are relative, but a strong body is an unambiguous achievement . He even quips that people who obsess over metaphysical things tend to dislike reality and escape into virtual distractions or hopes of an afterlife . His solution is to double down on “embodied reality.” He urges finding joy in “pleasures of the flesh” – not just base hedonism, but appreciating human form, sensuality, and the physical experiences of life .
One of Kim’s memorable maxims is that “The mind is overrated; the body is king.” In his view, we are our bodies – there is no meaningful separation between body and soul. In a vlog, he puts it bluntly: “The soul ain’t some random gaseous substance which can exist independently of your body. No. Your body is your soul, and your soul is your body.” . This radical embodiment philosophy leads him to treat physical training as spiritual practice. For example, in the “God Physiology” ethos, gym workouts become “prayers” and meals “offerings” to one’s future self . The divine or the virtuous in Kim’s framework is not found in churches or holy books, but in the mirror: “God is not in the heavens. God is in the mirror,” he writes, suggesting that by transforming oneself physically and mentally, one realizes their own godlike potential . This almost Nietzschean idea (echoing the Übermensch) places bodily excellence as the highest virtue. To sum up Kim’s stance: why chase abstract virtues or an afterlife, when you can build tangible greatness in your own physique here and now? Action and embodiment, he insists, “trump mere theory” – concrete, bodily self-mastery is more valuable than any armchair philosophy or moral posturing.
Fitness, Posture, and Lifestyle as Daily Practice
Kim’s emphasis on the body extends into many practical lifestyle tips and personal habits. He is a big proponent of daily movement and posture as part of one’s identity. For instance, he advocates walking profusely – sometimes 20,000 steps a day – and using a standing desk, both to stay fit and to keep the mind energized . He sees walking not only as exercise but as a creative and mental clarity tool (many of his ideas, he notes, come during walks). Kim even goes so far as to prefer barefoot-style shoes and outdoor workouts in parks, emphasizing a return to natural human movement. In his blogs you’ll find him doing one-armed kettlebell swings at the local park or sprinting up hills, rather than confining fitness to an air-conditioned gym. This aligns with his idea of “functional strength” – building a body that is useful and capable in the real world, not just aesthetic. As one summary of his beliefs put it: “For Kim, physical fitness plays a crucial role in ambition. He advocates building muscle, reducing body fat…including intermittent fasting…and also suggests activities like walking and using standing desks to clear the mind and boost energy.” . The body and mind are linked, so an active body yields an active mind.
Posture and presence are another theme. Kim encourages a proud, confident physical demeanor. In a photography context, he tells street photographers to “walk tall… you are the street god… the environment adapts to you.” The idea is that commanding your body’s posture will project confidence, affecting how the world interacts with you (crucial when doing bold things like shooting street photography of strangers). He believes a fit, upright posture not only makes you look strong but actually reinforces a mental state of courage. Likewise, he writes that a “godly” physique generates an aura: “Your skin glows. Your voice resonates. Your presence makes weak men shrink and strong men take notice… People feel your weight before you speak…you radiate conviction.” . This almost mystical description suggests that having a powerful body changes the atmosphere in a room and gives one a psychological edge. While the wording is exaggerated, it underscores Kim’s genuine belief that strength radiates – that others subconsciously recognize and respect someone who visibly takes care of their physique.
Kim has also tackled topics like body image and “fat shaming” in his blunt, contrarian style. In a post entitled “Why I Don’t Trust Fat People,” he argues that excess body fat signals (fairly or not) a lack of discipline. “Your body is a billboard of your habits,” he writes; to him, an overweight body advertises poor self-control or comfort-seeking . He acknowledges this view is “brutal” and “primal” – a gut instinct rather than a polite sentiment . But he doubles down on it, claiming that in high-stakes situations “I need warriors, not wallflowers,” and a soft body doesn’t inspire confidence as much as a hard, muscular one . Interestingly, he turns this into a challenge rather than outright prejudice: “If you hate that I distrust you [for being fat], earn my trust. …Show me discipline in your habits… Push through the pain.” . In essence, he invites people to use fitness as a proving ground of character. One striking line from that essay encapsulates his view: “Your body is not just a shell – it’s your manifesto. …If you don’t respect your own body, why should I believe you’ll respect anything else?” . This ties back to his core idea that physical virtues (strength, self-control) underlie all other virtues. While Kim’s tone here is deliberately provocative (and many would find it offensive or oversimplified), it is consistent with his overarching philosophy: respect is earned through bodily discipline and the willingness to endure hardship. Comfort and complacency, symbolized by an out-of-shape body, are the enemies of greatness in his book .
It’s worth noting that despite his almost militaristic stance, Kim’s approach to lifestyle does include balance in the sense of listening to one’s body. For example, after becoming a father, he wrote about the importance of rest and recovery when exhausted, even if that meant skipping workouts to sleep . He pondered whether working out too frequently might sap his “physiological energy” needed for parenting . He cites the example of wrestler-turned-actor John Cena only lifting weights three times a week, suggesting that “perhaps working out less frequently, but with higher intensity is better” . In another musing, Kim advises “when in doubt, don’t work out… Just eat more meat and let your body recover. It actually takes more discipline to force yourself not to work out, than to work out.” . This shows a nuanced understanding that rest is also a form of discipline. The end goal is not reckless training for its own sake, but optimal performance and energy management in life. Thus, while he glorifies pushing limits, he also experiments with minimalism in exercise – doing just a few heavy lifts, or quick high-intensity sessions, rather than grinding for hours with mediocre effort. Everything circles back to effectiveness and intentionality with one’s body.
The Body’s Role in Creativity and Photography
Though it might seem far removed, Eric Kim draws a clear line connecting physical vitality to creative and professional excellence. He firmly believes that a strong body breeds a strong mind, which in turn breeds stronger art. “Becoming god means aligning your physical reality with your mental ambition,” he writes, tying physical discipline to achieving one’s life goals . In his own experience, building muscle and endurance has enhanced his photography and writing. One of his slogans: “More muscle, more productivity” – suggesting that the extra energy and confidence from fitness allow him to produce more creative work. He explains that “The more muscle you have, the more energy you got. The more power you got to make art-work, and live with…hyper-vigor.” . Here “energy” is both literal (stamina for long photo walks, late-night writing, traveling) and metaphorical (enthusiasm and drive). Kim often credits his intense workout routine and diet for giving him the vigor to blog daily, shoot photos, and manage business projects without burnout.
In a post where he merges his fitness philosophy with photography, “I’m becoming to feel like a street god!”, Kim encourages photographers to adopt a warrior’s mindset on the street. He writes in almost biblical cadence: “Every step is deliberate… Every photo you shoot is divine intervention” . One of his tips for becoming a “street god” is literally titled “Train Beyond the Frame.” In it, he explicitly links physical training to creative focus: “God Physiology isn’t just bench presses – it’s mental toughness. Cold showers. Daily runs. Fasting. Discipline in the mundane fuels godlike focus behind the lens.” . In other words, the grit you earn through things like a 5AM run, an ice-cold shower, or resisting junk food will translate into greater courage and concentration when doing something artistic like street photography. By hardening the body and will, you become less afraid to crouch low for a shot, to approach a stranger for a portrait, or to persist through discomfort to get a great image. Kim even advises photographers to use their body language assertively – as noted earlier, “walk tall” and project confidence, because “the environment adapts to you” . He practices what he preaches: known for getting very close to his subjects on the street, Kim’s physical presence and fearless movement are part of his creative style.
Kim’s broader point is that creativity isn’t purely mental or spiritual – it’s deeply physical. The brain is part of the body, after all, and a sluggish, unhealthy body can stifle inspiration. He frequently quotes the Latin proverb “mens sana in corpore sano” (“a healthy mind in a healthy body”) and takes it to an extreme degree. For example, when he’s in peak shape, he reports feeling an almost electric confidence that influences all his work. This is why he champions things like one-rep-max deadlifts or sprinting with a weighted vest – not because a photographer needs to deadlift 400+ pounds, but because conquering such challenges builds an unshakeable self-belief. That self-belief is what allows an artist to take risks and innovate. As Kim puts it, “Be fearless, be bold – approach life like a child” , and he sees caring for the body as a way to reclaim that fearless, bold energy.
Finally, Kim emphasizes freedom through strength. He argues that by attaining physical self-mastery, one gains confidence to defy conventions in art and life. His own career is an example – he often mentions that he doesn’t have the traditional markers of success (he’s not chasing a 9-5 job or academic accolades), but through sheer hustle and self-belief, he has crafted an unconventional life as a nomadic photographer, blogger, and entrepreneur. He credits his fitness journey as a major part of that self-belief. In his view, mastery of the body is the first step toward mastery of anything. It’s a daily training ground for the spirit. “Discipline in one domain (like exercise) bleeds into all areas of life,” he suggests. By resisting that donut, pushing for one more rep, or waking up at dawn to run, you practice the same discipline needed to, say, finish writing a book or start a business. Everything is interconnected by the will – and Kim hones his will through bodily challenges.
Conclusion: The Ethos of Bodily Virtue
Through his writings and videos, Eric Kim presents a cohesive if intense worldview: the body is the linchpin of a good and great life. Physical health, strength, and discipline are not just health tips in his eyes, but a philosophical statement and way of living. He invites readers to see their own body as a reflection of their values and effort – a “manifesto” written in flesh . He is fond of drawing grand analogies (Spartans, demigods, “God Physiology”) to drive home a simple message: take charge of your destiny by taking charge of your body. Across his blog – whether he’s talking about lifting weights, skipping breakfast, or shooting photos in the streets – Kim returns to this empowering idea. “Sculpt yourself (literally and figuratively) into something extraordinary, and never settle for being merely average,” he urges . The language may be hyperbolic, but the underlying ethos is one of self-responsibility and aspiration. By relentlessly working on one’s body – through exercise, diet, posture, and tough habits – one cultivates the virtues of courage, persistence, and self-respect that lead to excellence in any field. In a sense, “bodily virtue” for Eric Kim means using the body as both the proving ground and the proof of one’s character.
Kim’s approach is certainly not without critics; even fans might find some of his claims extreme. However, his writings have struck a chord with readers who feel empowered by the no-nonsense call to action. He doesn’t sugarcoat the fact that greatness requires sacrifice. “Trust isn’t handed out – it’s earned. And your body is one of the first résumés people scan. So shape it. Sharpen it,” he writes bluntly . This unapologetic linking of physical and moral fitness is what defines his philosophy. Ultimately, Eric Kim’s teachings on the body remind us that the physical and the philosophical are deeply intertwined. As he succinctly puts it, “Your body is your temple, yes – but also your weapon… Each individual, through willpower and work, can reflect a bit of the divine by realizing their highest potential” . In the mirror of our bodily efforts, he suggests, we might just find our better selves – our own version of the “god” within.
Sources: Eric Kim’s blog posts and essays, including “Physical and Metaphysical” (Feb 2020) , “The Philosophy of Fitness” (Jan 2022) , “GOD PHYSIOLOGY” (2025 manifesto) , “Are You Ready to Become God?” (May 2025) , “Trap God” (May 2025) , “I’m becoming to feel like a street god!” , “Why I Don’t Trust Fat People” , and various philosophy vlogs and diary posts on Eric Kim’s official blog .