October 7, 2024 • 1hr 27min
#848 - Will Tennyson - Male Body Dysmorphia, Fat Loss & Insane Challenges
Modern Wisdom
Key Takeaways
- Will Tennyson went from being overweight as a teenager to becoming a popular fitness YouTuber with over 3 million subscribers
- He emphasizes the importance of doing fitness for yourself, not to impress others or gain validation
- Will believes in taking a science-based approach to fitness rather than relying on "bro science"
- He struggles with imposter syndrome despite his success, finding it difficult to appreciate his achievements
- Will advocates for a balanced approach to fitness that focuses on overall health and longevity, not just aesthetics
- He stresses the importance of sleep consistency and having a regular sleep schedule
- Will recommends finding one trusted source of fitness information rather than getting overwhelmed by conflicting advice
- He believes injecting more playfulness into daily life and communication is beneficial for mental health
- Will emphasizes the value of persistence and consistency in achieving success, rather than relying solely on talent
Introduction
In this episode of Modern Wisdom, host Chris Williamson interviews Will Tennyson, a popular fitness YouTuber with over 3 million subscribers. Will shares his journey from being an overweight teenager to becoming a successful fitness content creator. The conversation covers a wide range of topics including body image, mental health, the fitness industry, and the challenges of being a content creator.
Topics Discussed
Will's Experience Becoming "Fat for a Day" (02:10)
Will discusses his video where he wore an obese suit for a day:
- It brought back memories of his past struggles with weight
- He felt people's perceptions of him change dramatically
- The experience gave him more empathy for those struggling with obesity
"Even though in that wasn't me. It scared me." - Will Tennyson
Will's Past Relationship with Food and Weight (06:15)
- As a teenager, Will was very overweight despite being active in hockey
- He would overeat healthy foods like salad in large quantities
- At his heaviest, he weighed 275 lbs at 5'9" when he was 15-16 years old
Male Body Image and the Fitness Industry (13:23)
Will shares his thoughts on male body image issues:
- He believes many men pursue extreme fitness for the wrong reasons, like impressing women
- Will advocates for a more balanced, healthy approach to fitness
- He's concerned about the prevalence of steroid use among young men
"I think sexy is healthy, happy, you know, going out to eat when you wanna eat." - Will Tennyson
Advice for Those Struggling with Body Image (17:02)
Will offers advice for those dissatisfied with their bodies:
- Focus on doing fitness for yourself, not to impress others
- Understand that confidence comes from within, not just physical appearance
- Avoid comparing yourself to others, especially on social media
Will's Past Struggles with Disordered Eating (17:23)
Will opens up about his history with disordered eating:
- After being overweight, he developed an eating disorder and lost weight very rapidly
- He became addicted to seeing the scale drop and received positive reinforcement from others
- This experience taught him the importance of having a healthy relationship with food and fitness
The "Lonely Chapter" in Personal Development (21:11)
Chris introduces the concept of the "lonely chapter":
- A period where someone outgrows their old social circle but hasn't yet found a new one
- Can last for years as someone works on self-improvement with no guarantee of success
- Will's content serves as a refuge for people going through this phase
Will's Experience with Brian Johnson (55:58)
Will shares his experience filming with biohacker Brian Johnson:
- Describes Johnson's intense daily routine and commitment to longevity
- Was surprised by how normal and friendly Johnson was in person
- The experience inspired Will to take sleep more seriously
"Sleep is one thing in your life that should be non negotiable." - Brian Johnson (quoted by Will)
The Rise of "Hybrid Training" in Fitness (01:01:26)
Will discusses the trend of combining weightlifting and running:
- Believes it's popular because it provides a new source of progress for experienced lifters
- Speculates it may be influenced by fitness influencers like Nick Bare
- Views it as potentially positive for overall health and longevity
Advice for Those Overwhelmed by Fitness Information (01:05:01)
Will offers advice for navigating the abundance of fitness information online:
- Choose one trusted source and stick with their advice for a while
- Don't constantly switch between different programs or advice
- If what you're doing is working, don't feel pressured to change it based on new trends
Will's Top 10 Exercises for Building Muscle (01:09:21)
Will lists his top 10 exercises for building and maintaining muscle:
- Hack squat
- Romanian deadlift
- Incline barbell bench press
- Preacher curl
- Pull-up
- Overhead press
- Lateral raise
- Overhead tricep extension
- Chest-supported row
- Weighted dip
Will's Current Mental Health and Imposter Syndrome (01:15:21)
Will discusses his current mental health:
- He's overcome many of his past insecurities about being watched or judged
- However, he still struggles with severe imposter syndrome
- Finds it difficult to appreciate his achievements or feel worthy of his success
"I have a hard time. Like, even like, meet and greets. I'm always like, wow, like people are gonna line up to meet me. I don't understand why." - Will Tennyson
The Challenges of Being a Content Creator (01:24:31)
Will shares some of the mental challenges of his career:
- Feels pressure to make videos increasingly extreme or difficult
- Gets anxious if a video seems too easy or smooth to produce
- Struggles to recognize and appreciate his own progress and success
Conclusion
Will Tennyson's journey from an overweight teenager to a successful fitness influencer offers valuable insights into the complexities of body image, mental health, and the fitness industry. His emphasis on doing fitness for oneself, taking a science-based approach, and maintaining a balanced perspective on health and longevity provides a refreshing counterpoint to more extreme fitness ideologies. Will's openness about his struggles with imposter syndrome and the challenges of content creation highlights the often unseen mental toll of social media success. Ultimately, his story underscores the importance of persistence, self-compassion, and maintaining a playful attitude in both fitness and life.