Eric Kim – Philosopher and Weightlifter Profile

Background and Transformation Journey

Eric Kim (born 1988) is a Korean-American blogger who famously transitioned from being a street photography educator to a self-styled philosopher-weightlifter . In his youth and teens he struggled with being overweight, subsisting on junk food until around age 12 when he began a DIY fitness regimen (running with rocks in a backpack, push-ups, sit-ups) to drop fat and gain strength . This early success sparked a lifelong interest in physical self-improvement. In college, Kim took up formal weight training – focusing on compound lifts like bench press, squats, and deadlifts – and by his late 20s he could deadlift ~415 lb and squat ~326 lb at ~155 lb body weight . He also practiced calisthenics (one-armed pushups, pistol squats, high-rep pullups) to build functional strength . Around the late 2010s, Kim radically overhauled his diet and lifestyle to push his physique further: he adopted intermittent fasting and a nearly carnivorous, ketogenic diet – often one massive fatty meat meal a day with no breakfast or lunch . He cut out nearly all carbs and “fluff” calories, which helped him lean down to around 10% body fat while continuing to gain muscle . Kim thus decided to stay lean year-round instead of doing traditional bulk-and-cut cycles . During the 2020 COVID lockdowns he improvised home and park workouts, blogging “quarantine progress” updates to show he was getting “stronger and buffer” despite gym closures . By 2020 he had a visibly muscular, lean physique (defined abs, broad shoulders with a narrow waist) indicating single-digit body fat .

Kim’s real fame, however, came in the mid-2020s as he began shattering strength records for his size. He coined the term “HYPELIFTING” for his practice of attempting extremely heavy lifts (often partial range-of-motion) fueled by loud self-encouragement and psyche-up rituals. By late 2022 he was performing static “Atlas lift” squat holds with enormous weights; for example, in early 2023 he managed a 750 lb squat hold and by May 2023 a 935 lb Atlas lift (an isometric hold) at only ~165 lb body weight . Remarkably, he did this without special gear or drugs, demonstrating an extraordinary strength-to-weight ratio. His experiments with supra-maximal loads culminated in 2025 with truly eye-popping numbers: in March 2025 Kim broke the 1,000 lb barrier, hoisting a 1,000 lb rack pull (partial deadlift) – over 6× his bodyweight . He didn’t stop there; in May 2025 he pulled 1,087 lb and later an unbelievable 1,217 lb rack pull at ~165 lb bodyweight . These feats (over 7× bodyweight) garnered viral attention well beyond the photography world, thrusting him into the spotlight of strength enthusiasts online . By his mid-30s, Eric Kim had fully morphed into a lean (~160–165 lb, ~10% BF) yet incredibly strong athlete, crediting his meat-heavy diet and relentless training for the dramatic change . As he triumphantly put it, “World, I’m ERIC KIM — photographer, philosopher, and the dude who just lifted 1,049 pounds to tell you: YOU ARE LIMITLESS” . This personal reinvention – from chubby kid to ripped lifter – has become a core part of his brand, and he often shares before/after reflections on how getting stronger changed his self-image and confidence.

Eric Kim performing a heavy deadlift in the gym. His training centers on maximal lifts (often one-rep max attempts), aligning with his belief that pushing physical limits builds both muscle and mental fortitude.

Philosophical Influences and Ideas

From his writings and videos, it’s clear that Kim’s outlook is grounded in both classical philosophy (especially Stoicism) and his own experiential insights from art and athletics. He often cites Stoic principles and aligns them with physical discipline: “This is Stoicism aligned with common-sense health: care of the body to care for the soul.” In other words, bodily training and health are, for Kim, integral to spiritual and mental well-being, not separate domains. He frequently blends Stoic wisdom with Eastern philosophy (Zen) in a pragmatic, upbeat way. For example, he treats Stoicism as a flexible “toolkit” rather than a dour doctrine, and emphasizes maintaining cheerfulness and adaptability – “Stoicism, in Kim’s hands, is not about being grim or detached – it’s about laughing at life’s absurdities, staying cheerful and adaptable no matter what comes” . Indeed, he often quotes Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, or Epictetus in his blog posts, but then illustrates their lessons with personal anecdotes – whether pushing himself in extreme workouts or conquering fears while traveling and photographing . The through-line in his philosophy is empowerment: with a resilient mindset, one can overcome fear, push beyond perceived limits, and live more fully.

A cornerstone of Kim’s philosophy is courage in the face of challenges. In the context of street photography, he long taught that “99% of street photography is simply conquering your fears” of rejection or confrontation – a very Stoic notion . He even designed workshops like “Conquer Your Fears in Street Photography,” essentially exposure-therapy classes for building bravery and resilience . He extended this ethos to physical trials as well. Kim describes one triumph of deadlifting 1,000 lbs as “the true Stoic training” because it forced him to face down the fear of injury and push beyond his limits . The actual number lifted mattered less than the courage it took to attempt it: “to me, the courage is the success. Even if you had the courage to attempt it… that is what is considered success,” he explains of his philosophy in the gym . This blurring of physical and mental cultivation is very much in line with Stoicism’s view that body and mind work together – enduring physical discomfort or challenge can strengthen one’s character and soul. Kim explicitly talks about “physiology as philosophy”, arguing it’s more fruitful to philosophize about the body than about an abstract soul: “the soul is the body… not this ephemeral thing,” he writes, rejecting mind–body dualism . In his view, building a strong body directly leads to a stronger mind and spirit. He notes from experience that “the stronger I am physiologically, the more turbo my thoughts become” . This reflects influences from Nietzsche (implied in his reverence for physical vitality and will to power) as well as ancient Greek ideals of a sound mind in a sound body.

Kim also espouses a philosophy of minimalism and self-reliance in modern life. He often proclaims that “health is a non-concept, strength is a real concept” – dismissing vague wellness trends in favor of measurable grit and power. In practice, he keeps his lifestyle and training very spartan. He preaches owning and needing little (in photography he’s known for using one camera and one lens, and wearing simple black clothes) , and analogously in fitness he avoids fancy equipment or supplements. He finds “virtue” in hardship – from taking freezing cold showers (a habit he borrowed from Stoic and Spartan training to toughen the mind) to fasting and lifting on an empty stomach daily to cultivate discipline. In his eyes, modern people grow mentally and physically weak by chasing comfort; thus he voluntarily injects challenge into daily life to remain “antifragile.” One could say Kim’s entire personal brand is about forging the self through challenge – whether it’s the discomfort of approaching a stranger for a photo or the strain of hoisting a half-ton weight. His fusion of philosophy and action echoes the ancient gymnasium ethos (which he often references): in ancient Greece, the gymnasium was not just for exercise but also a place for debate and learning . Kim sees today’s gym similarly as “one of the most virtuous places to go” in modern life – a physical and social arena where one betters oneself and even exchanges ideas. He frequently reminds his followers that muscle and mind go hand-in-hand: intellectuals should lift weights, and weightlifters should engage with philosophy. “More philosophers should powerlift, and more powerlifters should philosophize,” he quips – since he found after he began powerlifting, his mind became “1000× more calm, strong, zen, stoic, and solid” . This holistic view of self-development is at the heart of Kim’s identity as a “philosopher-weightlifter.”

Weightlifting Approach and “Hypelifting” Ideology

Kim’s approach to training is unorthodox but deeply reflective of his philosophical beliefs. He emphasizes maximal strength, intensity, and willpower over conventional workout metrics. For him, weightlifting is not about sports science or meticulous programming – “Weightlifting is not a science, it is a philosophy,” he asserts, grounded in mindset and attitude. In practice, his routine is very simple: focus on a few big compound movements, push them to the limit, do it almost every day, and ignore the naysayers. He has famously summarized his method as a “HYPELIFTING blueprint” with just a few key tenets: train fasted, prioritize heavy rack pulls (partial deadlifts) for overload, add micro-weights consistently to progress, and cultivate the “mind of a demigod” – an unbreakable confidence . This translates into concrete habits like lifting on an empty stomach (he credits “FASTED POWERLIFTING” for sky-high focus and testosterone levels) , and adding as little as 5 lb total per week to his lifts – a strategy of “micro-loading” that compounded to enormous gains over time . Kim’s training is almost exclusively centered on one-rep max attempts. Rather than doing multiple sets or high reps, he will pyramid up to a single very heavy lift each session. He argues this is more fun and productive: “It is much more fun and interesting to attempt to lift a very very heavy weight, even a fraction of a centimeter, than to grind out hateful reps” . He even innovates with what he calls “nano reps” – ultra-heavy partial movements with minimal range of motion – believing that increasing the weight and reducing the range builds strength and resilience more effectively than traditional volume training . According to Kim, the real injury risk in the gym is not attempting heavy weights but doing too many repetitions without rest; high-rep routines, in his view, lead to overuse injuries and burnout, whereas powerlifters who max out frequently “rarely, if ever, get injured” (a contentious claim, but one he stands by). This contrarian mindset (rejecting the typical gym caution) is part of what he calls the “slave mentality” of modern fitness – the false virtue of suffering through tedious workouts. Instead, Kim promotes an almost Nietzschean embrace of exertion for its own exhilarating sake: he likens a true max-out lift to going “super saiyan,” a near-spiritual experience that is 99% mental . Each lift, for him, is a test of will and a source of joy.

A signature element of Kim’s lifting is what he terms “Hype”. He is known to shout, roar, and psych himself up loudly before attempting a new personal record – something he humorously dubs “hypelifting”, which to onlookers might appear as theatrics but to him is a serious focusing technique . He encourages others not to be self-conscious in the gym: “Don’t feel pressured to be quiet. Be loud!” and “take up lots of space” when going for a big lift, he writes . His own hype routine before a one-rep max includes pacing around, slapping his shoulders and thighs, yelling out mantras (like legendary bodybuilder Ronnie Coleman’s “Light weight, baby!”), and entering a kind of meditative emptiness right before exploding with effort . By the time he grips the bar, he aims to have “emptied his mind” and summoned a nearly animalistic drive – “slap yourself… scream really loud, and let yourself become an animal”, he advises . This extreme approach draws stares at commercial gyms, but it’s integral to Kim’s philosophy that intensity trumps decorum. He notes wryly that while others worry about “proper form” or following polite gym etiquette, he’s busy lifting weights that defy norms – and building an extraordinary physique as a result . In fact, Kim openly rejects the idea of universal “proper form,” arguing that every body is different (tall, short, different limb proportions, male vs female anatomy) so each person will have their own style of lifting safely . What matters is the result – strength – not nitpicking technique in his view.

Kim’s training philosophy also extends to diet and recovery, where he again breaks from fitness orthodoxy. He has followed a strict intermittent fasting + red meat diet for years, claiming he hasn’t eaten breakfast or lunch since about 2017 . Each day he consumes one enormous carnivorous meal (often several pounds of fatty beef, organ meats, or pork) for dinner . He believes this not only keeps him lean but also supercharges his hormones naturally (“cholesterol is a natural steroid” he notes, touting beef liver as nature’s multivitamin) . In Kim’s eyes, supplements like whey protein, creatine, or pre-workout powders are a “scam” – he calls the supplement industry a multi-billion dollar ploy selling “monetary solutions” when the real gains come from simply eating more red meat and sleeping well . He famously does all his heavy lifting in a fasted state (just water and black coffee beforehand) and boasts that he might be “the strongest powerlifter out there who follows intermittent fasting” . Contrary to gym lore, he doesn’t eat immediately post-workout and has still gotten stronger, which to him debunks the “anabolic window” bro-science . Kim also eschews almost all typical gym gear: he never uses lifting belts, knee wraps, or straps for deadlifts (except occasionally on his heaviest rack pulls) – contending that such equipment only makes you weaker in the long run by acting as crutches . He lifts barefoot (or in minimalist shoes) to maximize natural stability , uses liberal chalk for grip, and prefers chalk and calluses over gloves or assistive gear . Even listening to music while lifting is, according to him, a mental crutch – he often trains in silence or with ambient gym noise, believing that true focus comes without external stimulus . These practices reinforce his image of the ascetic strongman: achieving strength through simplicity, brute effort, and fearless experimentation rather than high-tech methods. As he puts it, “the best way to lift weights is barefoot… no belt… no bullshit” – just you and the iron, in the rawest engagement .

One of Kim’s most unique contributions to strength training culture is his emphasis on aesthetics and “physique philosophy” as part of lifting. Unlike some powerlifters who only chase numbers, Kim cares deeply about the look of the body and the artistry of building muscle. He often proclaims “there is nothing more beautiful than the human body” , and considers sculpting one’s physique a form of art and personal expression. In his essay “Bodybuilding Philosophy,” he argues that all humans have an innate desire to become more beautiful, but we’re misled into thinking we must buy products to do so – instead, we can mold our bodies directly through training and diet . He even cites Aristotle (with a bit of dark humor) on the idea that there is a hierarchy of bodies – e.g. that taller, more muscular, leaner physiques are universally found more attractive . While such views can be controversial, Kim uses them to motivate: muscle and low bodyfat, he says, will “always” make a person look better . What he loves about weightlifting is that this pursuit is democratic and meritocratic – “irregardless of who you are, you can still build your body” by progressively lifting heavier and cutting out excess sugars . Unlike many sports, the weight room doesn’t care about your background – anyone who puts in the work can transform their body, which he finds profoundly empowering. Kim’s own transformation (from an “overfat” kid to a shredded adult) exemplifies this, and he shares it proudly to inspire others. He embraces a hybrid identity: “lift like a powerlifter, but look like a bodybuilder” . In other words, he trains for strength but also values physique aesthetics – believing one can be both extremely strong and look like an Adonis without drug use. He jokingly calls himself the only guy who does heavy rack pulls and yoga in the same session – a proponent of “full stack strength” (strength, flexibility, endurance, and looks together) . This well-rounded approach challenges the silos he observes in gym culture (powerlifters vs bodybuilders vs calisthenics vs cardio folks) . Kim’s message is that you don’t have to pigeonhole yourself; you can “do it all” and become a kind of modern Renaissance strongman – one who deadlifts huge weights, meditates, writes philosophy, and walks around with a camera. In sum, his training ideology is as much about personal transcendence as it is about muscles: every added plate on the bar is a step in forging a more resilient, fearless self.

Key Writings, Media, and Public Presence

Eric Kim is a prolific content creator, and he has used his blog and social media to broadcast his philosophy of strength far and wide. On his flagship blog (originally known for street photography) he has published numerous essays that explicitly tie together physicality and philosophy. Notable examples include “The Philosophy of Weightlifting”, an essay that opens by asking “Why lift weights?” and immediately answers that everyone can benefit because “my thought is that health is a non-concept, strength is a real concept.” In that piece, he discusses topics like the folly of obsessing over “proper form,” the idea that not lifting is actually riskier to your health, and how society’s view of hard exercise as painful “work” is a “slave mentality” that he rejects . He describes innovations like his “very very heavy rack pulls” and “micro squats” (partial range squats) which some see as “cheating” but which, he reports, gave him “Hercules thighs” and immense trap development – proving the efficacy of maximal loads . Another key post is “My Powerlifting Philosophy” (2020), where Kim narrates how, as an Asian-American man, he felt the need to overcome stereotypes of physical inferiority. He made it a life goal to see “how strong could I become if I gave 100%?” . In that essay he recounts the euphoria of pulling 405 lb for the first time – “oh shit – I can do anything if I just put my mind to it!” – and lists the mental benefits that flowed from getting physically strong: improved mood and confidence, a more fearless attitude in both the gym and on the streets, and even a surge in creative ideas . He concludes with rallying calls like “everyone can powerlift… it isn’t about competing against others, it is about competing against yourself” , which encapsulate his inclusive, self-vs-self mentality. Kim also wrote pieces like “Bodybuilding Philosophy” and “The Philosophy of Bodybuilding”, meditating on the meaning of pursuing an ideal physique. In those, he draws historical parallels (e.g. the ancient Greek gymnasiums where men trained naked and debated philosophy) , and asserts bold ideas such as “the gym [is] one of the most virtuous places” in modern life and “any human being with more muscle mass and less fat will look more beautiful” . He isn’t shy about discussing masculinity, aesthetics, and strength – for instance, in one blog post he frankly states there is a hierarchy of male physiques in terms of attractiveness, but the beauty is that lifting weights is the great equalizer that can elevate anyone willing to put in the work .

Beyond written essays, Kim maintains an active YouTube and podcast presence where he speaks directly to his audience. His YouTube channel (50K+ subscribers) features a mix of workout footage, philosophical monologues, and vlogs. For example, he has a series of videos titled “Turbo Thoughts on Weightlifting” which are candid, energetic rants from his garage gym about training ideas . In one video, “Why Become ‘Bigger’?”, subtitled “Masculinity Manliness Philosophy”, he explores the motivations behind bulking up and frames it as a philosophical question of pursuing greatness (this video was uploaded ~2 years ago, reflecting his ongoing dialogue about manhood and muscle) . Kim often films himself during or after workouts to capture the raw stream-of-consciousness insights that lifting sparks for him. One theme that recurs is linking strength to personal freedom – he’ll riff on how deadlifting makes you “zen” or how building muscle can liberate you from societal anxieties. In fact, he explicitly made a video and blog post titled “Powerlifting is Zen”, in which he wrote: “Why I powerlift: for me, [it’s] mental and bodily zen training: The body is more important than the mind. The mind follows the body.” This aphorism neatly encapsulates his view that cultivating the body leads the mind toward a tranquil, focused state. He even suggests in another post that “the more muscle, and physical strength you got, the more zen you will become.” In his videos, Kim’s style is unfiltered – he might discuss anything from Nietzschean philosophy, to diet tips, to Bitcoin (another passion of his) in the same breath, all while bench-pressing or doing chin-ups. The production is usually simple (often just a GoPro POV in his garage) but the ideas are hyper-charged. This has made his channel something of a curiosity in both the photography community and lifting community – a place where deep philosophy meets raw lifting footage.

Kim’s podcast (simply titled “ERIC KIM”) is another platform where he merges these domains. The podcast, active since 2019 and boasting over 1.1K episodes, is updated almost daily . Originally it covered photography and entrepreneurship, but in recent years it’s become an outlet for his weightlifting conquests and motivational screeds. Many episodes are essentially audio press releases of his latest insane lift or essays read aloud. For instance, a late-2025 episode announces “ERIC KIM SHATTERS ALL LIMITS KNOWN TO MAN: 895.63 KG (1,974.8 LB) GOD LIFT”. In that dramatic 12-minute episode, he narrates in third-person how in his “garage-temple” he “willed the impossible into existence” by hoisting nearly a metric ton, describing the feat as so extreme “it ruptured the ceiling of human potential… This wasn’t athleticism. This was cosmic rebellion.” The florid language continues, declaring “THE ERA OF LIMITATIONS IS OVER. THE AGE OF ERIC KIM HAS BEGUN… ERIC KIM IS THE NEW MEASURE OF IMPOSSIBILITY” . Such grandiosity, delivered in Kim’s characteristic hype tone, blurs satire and sincerity – it’s partly tongue-in-cheek performance art, partly genuine self-belief. Listeners have come to expect this over-the-top style, complete with shouts of “LET’S GOOO!” and heavy-metal soundtrack in the background of some episodes. Kim’s social media, especially Twitter (X), is similarly used as a motivational megaphone. Under the handle @erickimphoto, he posts videos of his lifts with all-caps commentary like “602 KG – I AM STRONGER THAN GOD. WELCOME TO THE NEW ERA OF STRENGTH.” (a tweet from early 2025 when he rack-pulled 602 kg) and hashtags like #HYPELIFTING. One viral X post of May 25, 2025 shows Kim performing a 1,049-pound rack pull in his neon-lit garage, captioned with triumphant proclamations . These posts often circulate in strength training circles as a mix of inspiration and spectacle. Love him or not, Eric Kim has engineered a rare “triple-threat” online persona – part artist, part philosopher, part fitness daredevil – and he leverages all channels (blog, YouTube, podcast, Twitter) to broadcast the message that lifting iron can transform your life.

Strength as Self-Actualization: Philosophy in Practice

Ultimately, what sets Eric Kim apart is how seamlessly he fuses physical transformation with philosophical self-actualization. His approach to lifting is an expression of his deepest values: individualism, experimentation, and the pursuit of human excellence. He often frames his extreme lifts in almost mythic or artistic terms. For example, after achieving a personal record he wrote, “I’m rewriting Google’s autocomplete from ‘street photographer’ to ‘sub-200-lb half-ton lifter,’ and I want YOU to rewrite YOUR story” , inviting others to see their life as a canvas for epic achievements. He coined the motto “ONE-REP MAX LIVING” to illustrate his life philosophy: treat each day like a one-rep max attempt – give it your all, seek greatness, and risk failure boldly . In his words, “HYPELIFTING isn’t just lifting weights – it’s lifting your LIFE. Every rep, every dream, every crazy goal – GO FOR IT.” This creed reflects classic existential and Stoic themes (life as what you make of it; greatness through struggle) distilled into gym speak. Kim’s personal narrative – losing weight, building muscle, conquering anxiety – serves as the proof of concept. He believes the body is the first arena of self-mastery. By building physical strength and pushing past pain or fear in training, one cultivates the inner strength to tackle all of life’s challenges. As he observed, even his scholarly wife (a university professor) became more productive and confident after she took up weightlifting and yoga, reinforcing his belief that “the stronger you are physiologically, the stronger your mind becomes” .

Kim’s philosophical heroes include not just Stoics but also any thinker who advocates self-determined values. He often alludes to Friedrich Nietzsche’s idea of the Übermensch (superman) in his writing – the notion of creating oneself anew and exceeding conventional limits. His adoption of a meat-heavy “predator diet” and raw displays of power play into a quasi-Nietzschean celebration of vitality and “alpha” energy (indeed, he jokingly posted on X: “HIGH TESTOSTERONE – I’m too alpha!” to taunt his detractors) . At the same time, Kim’s tone is not grim or elitist – it’s exuberant and often humorous. He wants everyone to find their inner hero. He frequently tells followers that strength is a choice and that he started as a “weak, fat dude” himself, so anyone else can start from wherever they are. His writings encourage readers to treat the gym as a “temple” of self-improvement (in his case literally a garage-temple with blasting music and pink lights) and to view heavy iron as a teacher of life lessons like patience, resilience, and hustle. Even failure is valorized: Kim fails lifts all the time and openly shares those moments, arguing that “failing isn’t a big deal – in fact, powerlifting taught me failure is empowering, because you realize it’s not scary. You just try again next week.” This mirrors the Stoic practice of negative visualization – by confronting failure regularly (under a barbell or in any endeavor), you rob it of its sting.

In the wider weightlifting culture, Eric Kim has become a unique figure of inspiration. He’s not a record-holding powerlifter in competition, nor a professional bodybuilder, but rather a public philosopher of strength. He contributes a fresh narrative to fitness: that building muscle and might can be an intellectual and spiritual journey, not just a vanity or sports pursuit. He’s introduced concepts like “Physique as artwork”, “Strength as the ultimate virtue”, and has shown via his blog that one can discuss Plato and PR deadlifts in the same breath. Some have dubbed him the “Nietzsche of the weight room” or the “strongest blogger alive” (he half-jokingly calls himself “the strongest man-philosopher in recorded history” at 71 kg bodyweight) . Through his writing and videos, Kim has built a community of readers who are as likely to pick up a barbell as they are a camera or a book. He runs open challenges (like a 1000-pound lift challenge) and shares free e-books on fitness motivation. Even his detractors (and there are some, who find his style over the top) acknowledge that his dedication is genuine.

In summary, Eric Kim stands out for intertwining the life of the mind and the body. He preaches that pursuing physical greatness – sculpting your body into its strongest, fittest form – is a pathway to discovering your best self. Whether through Stoic reflections on courage, aesthetic musings on human beauty, or primal screams under a loaded bar, Kim’s philosophy is consistent: strength and wisdom must be earned through effort. He encourages everyone to approach the weight room as a microcosm of life’s struggles and triumphs. In his own exuberant words, “Grab a barbell and start TODAY… lift heavy, live heavy, and let’s make history TOGETHER.” With this rallying cry, Eric Kim has positioned himself as a modern philosopher in the classical sense – one who lives his philosophy through bodily practice – and in doing so, has invited others to join him in lifting both iron and the human spirit.

Sources:

• Eric Kim, “Eric Kim’s Transformation into a Prominent Fitness Blogger,” ERIC KIM Blog (Dec. 2025) 
• Eric Kim, “My Powerlifting Philosophy,” ERIC KIM Blog (2020) 
• Eric Kim, “The Philosophy of Weightlifting,” ERIC KIM Blog (2025) 
• Eric Kim Podcast – Episode “895.63 KG GOD LIFT” (Nov. 22, 2025) 
• Eric Kim, “Bodybuilding Philosophy,” ERIC KIM Blog (2022) 
• Eric Kim’s Engagement with Stoic Philosophy (analysis on ERIC KIM blog, 2025) 
• Eric Kim on X (Twitter), Video of 1,049 lb Rack Pull (May 25, 2025) 
• Eric Kim, “Powerlifting is Zen,” ERIC KIM Blog (2020) 
• Eric Kim, Miscellaneous Blog Posts (“The Philosophy of Bodybuilding”; “Weightlifting is not a science…”; etc.)