Musclehead320 Replace: ‘The Age of Affect’

Nabdak

1 year ago

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 advised the story of my consumer Tyler Baumann.¹ Tyler created a social media alter ego named Musclehead320 that turned so in style 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 identify 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” concerning the darkish facet of social media. They wished to focus a complete episode on Tyler’s case. The outcome was entitled “The Steroids Swindler.”² It drew rave critiques from the bodybuilding group 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 residing round people who find themselves by no means going dwelling. I’ve at all times been mentally sturdy however going via this expertise has made me rather a lot stronger. I do know the world has modified rather a lot since I’ve been away. Loads of my pals have handed. It was notably exhausting dropping my buddy Bostin Loyd.⁴ We spoke daily. Tragedy actually makes you self-reflect.

Q: Have you ever stayed in form?

A: Health in federal jail will be difficult. Fortunately, we do have free weights however there are many lockdowns that make it tough to get into the fitness center. It’s been exhausting to carry on to muscle particularly after being on gear for therefore 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 Arising on 40 years outdated now I’m hanging on as finest as I can.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 after I get out. I want that first T stood for Tren, lol. The vitamin is just not too nice in jail. They do have just a few first rate 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. Additionally they have whey “well being shakes,” tuna packs, beans, rice, and hen 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 important job at displaying the individual behind the Musclehead320 persona. I’m wanting ahead to seeing it after I get out. Thanks and everybody who took half within the documentary.

Q: What’s the plan whenever you get out?

A: I’ve this little brown ebook packed filled with enterprise ventures that I wish to chase after I’m launched. I haven’t let jail kill my entrepreneurial spirit. A person has numerous time to suppose in jail. There are such a lot of issues I wish to do, not simply within the complement and health trade however exterior of it as properly. My social media has at all times been pro-steroid. Loads of my followers had been youthful, and I at all times preached that children shouldn’t use steroids. I want to assist youngsters who grew up with points like me: physique dysmorphia, anxiousness, panic assaults, and so forth. These are all points I’ve handled my entire life and nonetheless do. Plus, I feel it could be good for my very own three kids to see me doing one thing optimistic and serving to individuals.

Q: Inform us concerning the ebook you’re engaged on.

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

Q: Closing 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 properly.

Rick Collins, Esq., CSCS [https://rickcollins.com/] is the lawyer who members of the bodybuilding group and dietary complement trade flip to after 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.]