The Risk of the Stage: Why Influencers Like Mike Israetel Put It All on the Line

By: Marc Lobliner, IFBB Pro

There’s no greater display of personal accountability than stepping on a bodybuilding stage. You’re standing there, nearly naked, with judges and audiences tearing you apart with their eyes. Every missed meal, every half-assed cardio session, every cheap “I'll make up for it later” moment shows up on that stage, whether you want it to or not.

For influencers like Mike Israetel, the stakes are even higher. And honestly, the risk they take by stepping onstage far outweighs the rewards.

Let’s break this down the way it really is — no filters, no sugar-coating, no fake hype.

The Double-Edged Sword of Influence

When you're an influencer, especially in the fitness space, you're selling one thing above all else: your credibility. Sure, you might be pushing programs, supplements, books, or coaching, but it all boils down to "does this guy know what he's talking about?" Your physique, your strength, your athleticism — they’re your business card.

Now, when someone like Mike Israetel — who’s built an empire off of being a PhD, a training genius, and a brutally honest voice in the industry — steps onstage, he’s putting that entire reputation on trial. If the conditioning is anything less than flawless, it’s ammo for the haters. If he’s holding water, if his glutes aren’t tight enough, if his tan is off — the internet WILL let him know. Mercilessly.

You’re not just compared to other competitors. You’re compared to the fantasy the public has built in their head about you. You're held to a higher standard, an unforgiving one.

And trust me, I know.

Why I Made Shredded My Game

This is exactly why, when I decided to compete, I made being absolutely shredded — peeled out of my damn mind — my calling card. No "almost ready." No "pretty good." I wasn't stepping onstage unless my glutes were striated, my lower back was crisp, and my skin looked like a sheet of cellophane stretched over my muscles.

Because once you’ve built a platform, once people know your name, the expectations change.

It's not enough to be "good for a local show." You have to be “pro-level” or better every time you step up there. People will expect you to look like the living embodiment of your Instagram.

And here's the cruel reality: nobody cares about the context. Nobody cares that Mike might have been deep in a bulk six months ago. Nobody cares that he balances a full business, academic pursuits, and life outside the gym. All they’ll see is whether or not the photos he posts match the conditioning he brings to the stage.

Unfair? Maybe. But it's the game.

The Costs of Missing the Mark

Here’s what influencers risk when they don't nail it:

1. Loss of Authority

Fitness is visual. If you don't bring it, some percentage of your audience will instantly doubt your advice. Even if you've got a PhD, even if you've coached 1,000 athletes to wins, if you step onstage looking soft, people will question if you really know what you're doing.

2. Memes and Mockery

We live in a savage era. It takes about 15 seconds for a bad stage photo to turn into a meme, a Reddit thread, a YouTube roast. And once it’s out there, it’s out there forever. Your name becomes a punchline.

3. Business Backlash

When your personal brand is your business, and your brand takes a credibility hit, it’s not just your ego that gets bruised. Sales, sponsorships, partnerships — all of it can take a hit.

4. Mental Toll

For guys who’ve built themselves up mentally as experts, falling short in public can be devastating. The imposter syndrome creeps in. Motivation takes a hit. And worst of all, it’s a wound that heals slow.

Perfection Isn't Optional

When you're a regular amateur competitor, the audience cuts you some slack. You're up there chasing a dream, maybe looking to earn a trophy to validate the years of grinding. You can be 5% off and still be applauded.

But if you're an influencer? You're expected to show up at 100% perfection. Period.

Mike Israetel could bring a package that’s better than 95% of the field, but if his glutes aren't diced to the bone, the trolls will tear him down.

That’s why when I compete, or when I even post a shirtless photo, it’s never at 90%. I go full-on, zero excuses. Shredded abs, feathered quads, cross-striated glutes, the whole show.

Because in this game, close doesn’t count. Only undeniable counts.

Why Even Do It Then?

You might be asking — if the risk is that high, why even step onstage?

Simple: because it’s the ultimate flex.

When you crush it, when you show up peeled, dry, full, and polished, there’s no stronger statement you can make about your knowledge, your discipline, and your work ethic.

The handful of influencers who have done it RIGHT — guys like Jeff Nippard, when he competed, or even natural guys like Doug Miller — showed the world they’re the real deal.

The stage is a truth serum. You can’t fake it. And if you succeed, your credibility skyrockets.

The Game Plan for Influencers Thinking About Competing

Here’s my advice if you’re an influencer considering competing:

1. Give Yourself Enough Time

Forget the 12-week prep. Think 20-24 weeks minimum. Getting to truly elite conditioning, especially if you’re balancing work and life, takes serious time.

2. Hire an Objective Eye

Even if you’re a world-class coach, you need someone to tell you the brutal truth. Coaches see what they want to see in the mirror. You need an outside expert to call out when you’re not ready.

3. Prioritize Conditioning Over Size

Size impresses judges; conditioning wins fans. Especially in the social media era. Nobody talks about the guy who "looked big but soft." They talk about the guy who looked like he was carved from granite.

4. Plan for Recovery

The mental toll of dieting and exposing yourself to public judgment is massive. Make sure you have a post-show plan, not just for reverse dieting, but for mental health.

5. Prepare for Criticism

No matter how good you look, there will be haters. Accept it, expect it, and don’t let it define you.

In Closing: Respect the Courage

No matter what happens, I give props to Mike Israetel and others like him for stepping up. It takes guts to walk the talk.

But the truth is simple: in today’s world, being an influencer comes with strings attached. When you get onstage, you’re no longer just competing against the other guys up there — you’re competing against the idealized version of yourself your audience has in their heads.

You can either exceed it — and win their respect for life.

Or you can fall short — and spend years trying to rebuild what took a lifetime to build.

I chose to make shredded my identity. Not "pretty good," not "better than most." Shredded.

Because when you're held to a higher standard, "almost" is a four-letter word.

Be undeniable. Always.