The Liver King burst onto the scene with a seemingly ready-made audience ready to eat organ meat by the bushel – but is he legit… Or just another 🤡?
Look…
I understand that the Liver King AKA Brian Johnson – has been talked about to DEATH.
His recent (forced) revelation that he is – in fact, NOT natty – has hurt his following for sure…
But should it?
Sure, the presentation is a little… affected – but the fact of the matter is – the Liver King has some absolutely GREAT points with his message…
But is it more sizzle than substance?
More sizzle… less steak?
Maybe…
The Liver 👑 may truly be a Liver 🤡 – but before we make that distinction – let’s take a deep dive on this “primal” and his “Ancestral Tenets”.
Tenet #1 – Sleep
According to the Liver King’s website, “The first Ancestral Tenet is Sleep because it trumps everything else! It’s the time when the body and brain detox, recover, rebuild and restore.”
This is pretty solid…
Sleep IS important – for both physical and mental health.
Most experts agree that 6 to 8 hours as a minimum… but so far – so good.
Tenet #2 – Eat
Now, The Liver King says, “The second Ancestral Tenet is Eat because we evolved eating the whole animal.”
“Primal eating” is probably what LK is best known for – how he eats all kinds of different animal parts that have fallen out of favor with modern society.
He says we should be eating the WHOLE animal…
That being said – our primal ancestors had no idea about nutrients – and where we could get them.
We no longer have to eat bull testicles to get our protein, vitamin B, selenium, and zinc – we can get that stuff from more enjoyable food sources…
So, while he’s not WRONG with what he’s saying – the fact is – now that we actually know what we NEED… we have better and tastier options.
Tenet #3 – Move
LK says, “There is a mismatch between our physical activity we experience in the modern world and our ancestral environment. This is almost as big a mismatch as is diet. That’s why the third Ancestral Tenet is Move.”
Now… on this – we agree.
Movement is the key to life…
I’m convinced that inactivity is the #1 killer of humans – and as we get older – the more inclined we are to it.
However, LK putting this so high on the list makes sense…
And I’m all for it.
Tenet #4 – Sheild
Shield?
In LK’s world – this means, “we need to avoid dangers just like our early ancestors did, but instead of running from lions, nowadays we run from seed oils, excessive wifi, EMFs, and man-made poisons.”
FYI… man-made poisons in LK’s eyes are things like preservatives, perfumes and colognes…
Sooooooo… no WiFi at night and now “smell ums”, huh?
Eh… the LK may enjoy smelling like… bull testicles – but I’d rather smell like a nice day at the beach.
Plus, I ONLY have the internet – no cable or satellite for me – so no WiFi makes for a quiet night…
So, nah… that’s a hard pass.
Tenet #5 – Connect
LK says, “The fifth Ancestral Tenet is Connect. Our early ancestors were in constant contact with the earth 24/7/365.”
What’s this mean?
He walks around barefooted a lot.
While I’m sure they may be some benefit – especially for the shape of feet (check out what our feet SHOULD look like in the pic below)…
But it’s really not necessary.
Is it nice? Sure…
But not necessary.
Tenet #6 – Cold
What does LK say about cold – or more to the point – cold exposure?
“Comfort is not good for the organism. This is why the sixth Ancestral Tenet is ‘Get Cold’.”
While, yes… I do believe that “comfort kills” and there are a LOT of benefits to cold exposure…
Again, it’s something that’s not necessary.
Can it help you – yes – it helps you get used to extreme uncomfortableness…
But we spend eons getting out of the cold – there’s a reason for that.
Tenet #7 – Sun
What does LK think about that fiery ball of gas?
“The seventh Ancestral Tenet is Sun for the natural production of Vitamin D. This prevents tooth decay, increases immunity and improves overall health.”
This is legit…
It’s common knowledge that the sun gives us all kinds of benefits… in moderation – vitamin D through the eyes – keeps the skin healthy (again… in moderation)…
This one has some merit to it.
The sun is good for you – and helps in keeping your circadian rhythms in working order…
So, he got another one.
Tenet #8 – Fight
Now, to be fair – LK doesn’t mean physically fight – but he would if he could (at least that’s what he says)…
No, by “fight” – he means, “I believe for us to really thrive, we have to possess a type of high courage to continue to fight for something meaningful, to foster an inner fire, to take real risks and to continue to create ways to win. This is how we avoid falling into a rut.”
Sure… that’s a great philosophy – but in modernity – we’ve worked to put a lot of the worries our ancestors had behind us.
Not living in fear is the ideal…
But if you find you’re afraid of something – it’s best to face it.
However, it’s not one of those things that’s necessary…
In today’s age – you can avoid your fear your whole life.
But this tenet has more merit to it than it doesn’t.
Tenet #9 – Bond
I can tell you right now – this one is a little too “touchy feely” for my liking…
LK says about bonding, “Start by simply spending focused, present time with loved ones and friends, we’ve always needed each other and we still do!”
Now, while this should be common sense – the fact that he calls it out is a bit… tree-huggy for me.
Sure, our ancestors needed a large tribe for survival…
But humans (at least this one) have become solitary creatures.
I prefer texts to phone calls – and I think that I could go the rest of my life that way.
But I get it…
He’s not wrong on this – just a little soft.
So, of the NINE tenets that Liver King tries to live by…
At least 5 of them are unnecessary – maybe 6.
Now…
Does this mean that Liver King is a 🤡?
No, not at all…
He may be a bit “extra” – but a 🤡? Nahhhh…
I mean, he just found a smart way to market his stuff…
And to be honest – it’s really not a bad way to live.
The bottom line is…
You should live however makes you happy.
If it’s living in the woods and sleeping on plywood – then that’s what you do…
But don’t let some multi-millionaire snow you into thinking you have to.
You don’t…
Just find the what makes YOU happy – but if you’re sleeping well, eating healthy, getting regular exercise and getting a little sun – consider yourself a success.
Most people don’t ever get there…
Until next time, nuggets.
“Stop making excuses… stop being the guy on the goddam couch… stop overcomplicating the hell outta it. You don’t have to do the Super Barbarian… just put one foot in front of the other.” – The Liver King
