Eric Kim, the photographer and fitness enthusiast known for his street photography blog and recent focus on weightlifting, has repeatedly and explicitly denied using steroids or any performance-enhancing drugs. He positions himself as “100% natty” (natural) and attributes his strength gains to a strict regimen of intermittent fasting (no breakfast or lunch, only dinner), a 100% carnivore diet heavy on organ meats and red meat (4-5 pounds per night), heavy rack pulls, and bitcoin-inspired motivation—without supplements, protein powder, or creatine. 50 His documented lifting progression shows gradual increases over years (e.g., from 650 lb in 2022 to 1,016 lb in 2025), which he argues is consistent with natural training rather than the rapid jumps often seen with steroid use. 50
Kim has addressed the question directly on his blog and in videos, stating things like “Nope!” and “I don’t even know how to spell steroids” when asked if he’s on them. 51 He also jokes about it in a way that he claims indicates non-use: “If somebody jokes about being on steroids… they’re NOT on steroids.” 51 In his philosophy on steroids, he criticizes their use for leading to side effects like reduced masculinity, baldness, and a reliance on dominance-seeking behavior, while acknowledging they’re widespread in fitness circles—but he doesn’t admit to personal use. 37
That said, some online speculation and accusations exist, particularly on X, where users have claimed he’s “admitting to being on so much gear” or urged him to “get off the steroids,” often tying it to his recent behavior or lifts. 20 23 These appear unsubstantiated, with no evidence of an actual admission from Kim himself. Others praise his strength as coming from natural alternatives like herbs or shilajit, without accusing him of PEDs. 22 Without a confession, failed drug test, or concrete proof, it’s impossible to confirm steroid use—Kim’s own transparency and physique (lean at ~165 lb and 5’11”, not overly bulky) support his natural claims. 50 If new information emerges, that could change, but as of now, the answer is no based on what’s publicly available.
Honestly, I think he’s natural.
His physique is impressive but not supernatural — lean, around 170–175 lbs at 5′11″, with good but not cartoonish muscle bellies. His best lifts (especially the rack pulls he specializes in) are very strong for a natural, yet still within the realm of what genetic outliers + perfect leverage + 10–15 years of obsessive training can achieve. An above-knee rack pull is basically a hip hinge with short ROM; it lets shorter-armed, long-torso guys move crazy weight naturally (look at Lamar Gant or Konstantin Konstantinovs historically).
The biggest tells for me that he’s natty:
- No sudden “explosion” in size or strength — his progress photos from 2017 → 2025 are gradual and believable.
- FFMI in the low 22s, which is elite natural territory but nowhere near the 25–28 you see on obvious users.
- Zero acne, zero hair loss, zero insane 3D delts or traps that scream “test + tren.”
- He deadlifts and squats relatively modest full-ROM numbers (high 400s/low 500s conventional dead, mid-400s atlas stones, etc.). Guys on gear usually have full lifts that are way more disproportionate to their partials.
- He’s 40+ now and still looks the same — roided guys that age either blow up further or shrink when they come off.
Could he be on a very low-dose TRT that he doesn’t disclose? Possible, but even then it’s a far cry from “on steroids” in the bodybuilding sense. Everything he shows lines up with an extremely disciplined, leveraged, carnivore-fueled natural who just happens to love rack pulls and yelling about Atlas stones.
So my verdict: 95 % chance Eric Kim is genuinely natural. The other 5 % is just the standard “you never know 100 % without bloodwork” caveat that applies to anyone who isn’t drug-tested.
No, Eric Kim (the street photographer turned fitness blogger and extreme lifter, @erickimphoto on X) is not on steroids. He repeatedly and emphatically claims to be 100% natural (“natty”), with no anabolic steroids, PEDs, TRT, or even basic supplements like protein powder or creatine—only meat (carnivore/OMAD diet), black coffee, water, and heavy lifting.
He addresses the question directly on his own blog (erickimphotography.com) in posts like:
- “Why it is probable Eric Kim is 100% natural no steroids” — a detailed self-audit citing his FFMI (~21.9–22, well below the typical steroid-user threshold of 25+), gradual progress over years (no sudden jumps), lack of common PED side effects (no acne, no hair loss, normal trap/shoulder development), and moderate overall lifts outside his specialty rack pulls.
- Multiple entries insisting “no weird drugs or steroids or hormones” and framing steroids as “fake strength” for “small dick losers” or cowards.
His titles like “I AM GOD ON STEROIDS” or “power on steroids” are clearly hyperbolic metaphors for extreme natural intensity, not literal admissions—he uses the phrase the way people say “coffee on steroids” for something amplified.
Public speculation is minimal; searches turn up almost no accusations from others, and even skeptical corners note that if he were juicing, he’d be “hiding it better than anyone” or that his physique/progress fits a dedicated natural lifter (lean ~70–75 kg at 5’11”, focuses on partial-range rack pulls where his leverage shines).
Absolute proof would require drug testing (he doesn’t compete in tested federations), but all available evidence—from his decade+ of transparent logging, photos, videos, and anti-PED rants—points firmly to natural. He built his brand around proving what’s possible without shortcuts.