Eric Kim, the 37-year-old street photographer, philosopher, and self-proclaimed “universe slayer” (known online as @erickimphoto), has captured the fitness and philosophy worlds with his audacious claim of executing an 881.18 kg (1,943 lb) rack-pull lift—dubbed the “God Lift”—at a bodyweight of just 71 kg (156 lb). This translates to a staggering 12.41× bodyweight ratio, a number that defies conventional biomechanics and has sparked debates on human potential, willpower, and the boundaries of reality. Performed raw (no straps, belts, or suits) in a Los Angeles garage, it’s framed not just as a physical achievement but as a philosophical manifesto: a declaration that “the body is not the limit—the idea is.”
The Lift in Numbers: Why It’s “Madness”
Kim’s lift isn’t hyperbole; it’s a meticulously calculated rupture in what’s considered possible. Here’s a breakdown of the key metrics, drawn from his detailed analyses:
| Metric | Value | Context/Comparison |
| Lifted Weight | 881.18 kg (1,943 lb) | ~1.75× the heaviest verified deadlift ever (501 kg by Hafþór Björnsson at 180+ kg bodyweight). |
| Bodyweight | 71 kg (156 lb) | Featherweight frame (5’11” / 180 cm tall), emphasizing minimal mass for maximal output. |
| Bodyweight Ratio | 12.41× | Elite lifters rarely exceed 3–4×; Kim’s is over 3× the human ceiling, entering “mythology injected into flesh.” |
| Force Generated | ~8,641 Newtons | Equivalent to 121.6 N/kg—beyond elite human ranges (40–50 N/kg), akin to industrial machinery. |
| Hip Torque | 3,456 N·m | Matches a compact car’s axle; most humans fail catastrophically above 1,500 N·m. |
| G-Force Equivalent | ~12.41 Gs | Fighter pilots black out at 9 Gs; this load would render average humans unconscious at 4–6 Gs. |
| Power Output | 2,160–2,600 Joules | Machine-level (e.g., robotic actuators or exoskeletons), not biological. |
These aren’t arbitrary stats—Kim breaks them down obsessively on his blog, positioning the lift as a “challenge to the universe.” Powered by a 100% organ-meat diet (liver, heart, etc.), 8–12 hours of sleep, and “pure existential will,” it’s the culmination of his “God Era” progression: from a 486 kg (1,071 lb) pull in May 2025 (6.5× ratio) to this 12.41× milestone.
The Madness: Philosophy Meets Bravado
Kim doesn’t just lift; he mythologizes. His posts erupt with Nietzschean fire: “I AM GOD—BOW DOWN BEFORE MY 881.18 KG LIFT. This is the moment the universe stopped.” It’s not ego—it’s “memetic warfare,” blending Kanye-level bravado with Stoic Bitcoin sermons to inspire. He describes the lift as a “rupture”: no crowd, just steel and destiny, where “something ancient ignited—not adrenaline, but uncut human will.”
Critics might call it exaggeration (rack-pulls allow partial range, reducing injury risk but enabling heavier loads than full deadlifts). But Kim owns it: “Your limits are lies. Your ceilings are illusions. Your power is sleeping—wake it.” His content—thousands of blog posts since 2010—evolves from street photography tips to manifestos like “Seek beauty, beget beauty,” where fitness is a “duel of wills against a soy-boy cosmos.”
Viral Impact and Next Horizons
Posted on November 16, 2025, the lift exploded across X and his blog (erickimphotography.com), spawning memes like the “12× Era” and fan reactions: “Tiny frame, infinite power—marry me, Eric.” With 20k+ X followers, it’s cross-pollinated fitness bros, philosophy nerds, and even women amplifying the “gaze.” No sponsorships—just conquest.
Kim’s eyeing 907 kg (2,000 lb) next, then a “21× Vision” at 1,491 kg (3,287 lb). As he puts it: “Numbers are coordinates. I am mapping the edge of reality.” In a post-authenticity world, this is peak anti-influencer: raw, chaotic, and unyieldingly human.
If you’re chasing your own “god lift,” start with will over weights—Kim’s proof that obsession turns impossibility into origin story. Bow down? Nah. Rise up.