Musclehead320 Replace: ‘The Age of Affect’

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By Rick Collins, Esq.

It’s a rise-and-fall drug narrative cliché: supplier plans to retire however destiny intervenes, and the empire comes crashing down. In a 2018 column, I informed the story of my consumer Tyler Baumann.¹ Tyler created a social media alter ego named Musclehead320 that grew to become so fashionable that his movies had 2 million views on YouTube and the underground steroid model he co-launched made hundreds of thousands of {dollars}. A “good storm” of aggravating components – his prior drug felony convictions, his sky-high revenues, and the infringement of an actual pharmaceutical firm’s title and brand led to a prosecution for trademark counterfeiting and a jail sentence.

Final 12 months I used to be contacted by ABC Information/Hulu concerning a brand new docuseries known as “The Age of Affect” in regards to the darkish facet of social media. They needed to focus a whole episode on Tyler’s case. The outcome was entitled “The Steroids Swindler.”² It drew rave opinions from the bodybuilding neighborhood and those that know Tyler. With this new wave of recognition,³ I requested Tyler for an replace on how he’s doing.

Q: How’s your psychological outlook?

A: I’ve needed to do most of my time in medium safety prisons, coping with the jail politics and dwelling round people who find themselves by no means going residence. I’ve all the time been mentally sturdy however going by means of this expertise has made me loads stronger. I do know the world has modified loads since I’ve been away. A whole lot of my pals have handed. It was notably laborious dropping my pal Bostin Loyd.⁴ We spoke each day. Tragedy actually makes you self-reflect.

Q: Have you ever stayed in form?

A: Health in federal jail may be difficult. Fortunately, we do have free weights however there are many lockdowns that make it troublesome to get into the health club. It’s been laborious to carry on to muscle particularly after being on gear for thus a few years. Arising on 40 years outdated now I’m hanging on as finest as I can. I’m wanting ahead to being on TRT once I get out. I want that first T stood for Tren, lol. The diet just isn’t too nice in jail. They do have just a few respectable issues within the commissary that assist me get a few of my protein wants. They’ve this egg sense stuff that’s like crystalized egg whites. In addition they have whey “well being shakes,” tuna packs, beans, rice, and rooster pouches. I work with what I can.

Q: Have you ever seen “The Age of Affect”?

A: I haven’t been in a position to see the Hulu present but, however I heard you and my pals did an excellent job at exhibiting the individual behind the Musclehead320 persona. I’m wanting ahead to seeing it once I get out. Thanks and everybody who took half within the documentary.

Q: What’s the plan once you get out?

A: I’ve this little brown e book packed stuffed with enterprise ventures that I need to chase once I’m launched. I haven’t let jail kill my entrepreneurial spirit. A person has quite a lot of time to suppose in jail. There are such a lot of issues I need to do, not simply within the complement and health business however exterior of it as nicely. My social media has all the time been pro-steroid. A whole lot of my followers have been youthful, and I all the time preached that youngsters shouldn’t use steroids. I want to assist children who grew up with points like me: physique dysmorphia, nervousness, panic assaults, and so on. These are all points I’ve handled my complete life and nonetheless do. Plus, I believe it might be good for my very own three kids to see me doing one thing optimistic and serving to individuals.

Q: Inform us in regards to the e book you’re engaged on.

A: It’s an autobiography of kinds. It covers the ways in which individuals receive steroids legally as by black market. It explains how I went from being a buyer to a provider. Each web page has photos so you’ll be able to see my transformation. As my social media grows my physique morphs into the 260-pound individual I grew to become earlier than my arrest. You’ll see my sick however humorous fascination with steroids, and a few behind-the-scenes stuff that was happening off social media. The e book takes you thru my mindset once I selected to promote steroids on social media in addition to the results. Anybody who has learn the draft has informed me as soon as they began studying it, they couldn’t put it down.⁵

Q: Last ideas for now?

A: I’m wanting ahead to my freedom. We don’t recognize all of the little issues in life, like with the ability to simply open your fridge and eat what you want or sleeping in an actual mattress. I hope to see everybody someday subsequent 12 months if all goes nicely.

Rick Collins, Esq., CSCS [https://rickcollins.com/] is the lawyer who members of the bodybuilding neighborhood and dietary complement business flip to once they want authorized assist or illustration. [© Rick Collins, 2023. All rights reserved. For informational purposes only, not to be construed as legal or medical advice.]

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