Andrew Schulz's Flagrant with Akaash Singh
Andrew Schulz's Flagrant with Akaash Singh
"You know what the fuck we're exposing for. This guy has been telling us that he's been taking creotene. He was 18. What did he say? He's been saying he's been on creotene. He says he put on 20 pounds of muscle with just creotene in a couple months." — Host confronting Mark about questionable fitness claims.
"I mean, I think people know that he did, you know. He took steroids. Absolutely. People knew that. Yeah. That's what I was going to do. I was going to do that. I was going to do that." — Bradley Martin discussing historical figures in fitness and their use of performance-enhancing substances.
"Yeah, my childhood, man. What happened? I don't like to just blame it on us. I lost my father when I was six years old. That's tough. My father hung himself. Abandoned him. Whoa." — Mark discussing the profound impact of his father's suicide on his life and relationships.
The episode opens with a lighthearted but pointed confrontation regarding the host Mark's alleged exaggeration of his fitness progress, specifically concerning creatine use and muscle gain. This sets a tone of playful yet direct questioning that carries through much of the discussion. Bradley Martin joins, and the conversation delves into the reality of fitness achievements, the potential use of performance-enhancing substances, and the societal perception of figures like Arnold Schwarzenegger. The discussion then takes a significant turn as Mark shares the deep-seated trauma of his father's suicide at a young age, detailing how this experience has profoundly shaped his relationships and psychological outlook, leading him to use the gym as an avoidance mechanism.
The dialogue transitions to broader themes of mental health, personal growth, and the normalization of family struggles with mental illness. The speakers reflect on the realization that the seemingly "figured out" adults of their youth were also grappling with uncertainties. This leads to a discussion about the role of success and financial stability in allowing for self-reflection and addressing personal issues. The episode also touches upon relationship complexities, past heartbreaks, and the fear of intimacy stemming from past traumas, with personal anecdotes illustrating how early experiences can create patterns in adult romantic connections.
The latter part of the episode explores various competitive and performance-related topics. The speakers discuss the mental fortitude required for extreme physical feats in weightlifting and running, emphasizing the "out-of-body" experience and the crucial role of the mental game. They also touch upon aspirations in combat sports, including MMA, and the strategic considerations involved in fighting against opponents like Jake Paul. The conversation then shifts to the nature of online trolling, the ethical considerations of pranks, and the dynamics within content creation collectives. Finally, the episode touches upon serious topics such as the Jeffrey Epstein case and the French judicial system's handling of sexual offenses, alongside discussions on conspiracy theories and the normalization of certain societal issues. The episode concludes with a lighthearted strength competition involving crushing an egg.