Bigger, Stronger, Blogger*

If you haven't listened to this week's episode of The FitCast (Bigger, Stronger, Faster*), you missed a fantastic interview with the Chris Bell, the writer and director of the documentary Bigger, Stronger, Faster*

Simply put, I was able to see the movie, and it was fantastic. Steroids are, of course, currently a hot-button topic and has seen an increase in media and cultural interest recently. Chris forces us to look at ourselves as a "culture on steroids" and challenges us to see that even as we damn the use of performance enhancing drugs in the media and in polite conversation, we applaud it and encourage its use in our society. This deleted scene, featuring among others current Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler, demonstrates this perfectly:

Have a listen to the interview and then do yourself a favor and get a hold of the dvd to watch it for yourself. The movie looks at more than just a drug or even a "drug-culture," but rather at America as a "culture on drugs." In fact, even as I write this, I am guilty of being part of the culture as well, have already used drugs today: two Tylenol Cold multi-symptom tablets to help me with a stuffed nose and sore throat that I woke up with this morning. I also used protein powder in my morning breakfast shake, took a handful of fish-oil tablets and of course a multi-vitamin, along with the caffeine in my tea.

So the question that Chris ultimately asks is an important one: if we are a culture and society where supplements and drugs are woven into the fabric of our existence, where do we draw the lines between acceptable and unacceptable substances? In fact, am I, in this sense, being hypocritical by using a powerful stimulant (caffeine), dietary supplements (whey, vitamins, fish oil) and even an assortment of drugs (Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan and Phenylephrine, the active ingredients in Tylenol) while at the same time deciding that steroids are not only a "bad thing" but in the past being guilty of passing judgment on those that choose to use them?

While we may feel that there is a big difference between a Tylenol and a steroid, ultimately it's not the differences between the two drugs but the similarities that bind them that is so important in understanding the current issues with performance enhancing substances, whether they help us to compete in sport, stay awake for an early morning meeting, or help us to suppress the discomfort of the common cold. It is our society that produces these issues and not the other way around, and ultimately we as a society must take a hard look at who we are as a people and not just at the people themselves who use these substances.

I hope that you'll agree that it was an excellent interview! Tony, Leigh and I will be returning this weekend for the round-table discussion with all-new listener questions and discussions. We're working on some cool new segments for future episodes, so I hope that you'll continue to enjoy listening!

-Jonathan