Netflix’s latest documentary, Untold: The Liver King, premieres May 13 and examines the dramatic rise and fall of Brian Johnson, widely known as the Liver King.
The episode is part of the “Untold” series, which profiles major stories at the intersection of sports, fitness and public interest.
The film follows Johnson’s transformation into a viral figure in the online fitness community and documents the fallout after his steroid use was disclosed. Viewers will see how Johnson cultivated a loyal following through intense routines and bold health claims and how his brand faced widespread scrutiny following investigations into his authenticity.
Joe Pearlman, the director of Untold: The Liver King, told Netflix‘s Tudum publication: “I wanted to find out more; who he really was and what was really going on. The truth was even crazier than I could have possibly imagined.”
Who Is the Liver King?
Johnson built a global profile through a persona rooted in an “ancestral lifestyle.” His brand was centered on nine lifestyle principles, referred to as “Ancestral Tenets,” which emphasized behaviors such as sleeping outdoors, eating raw animal organs, exposure to natural sunlight and physically demanding routines. Johnson portrayed himself as a modern primitive, using his own physique as proof of the effectiveness of this lifestyle.
Before achieving notoriety as the Liver King, Johnson studied biochemistry and worked in the pharmaceutical and supplement sectors. He launched his social media brand in 2021, quickly gaining millions of followers across platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. Johnson claimed his transformation was the result of embracing ancestral wisdom and rejecting processed foods and modern health care practices.
His online content often featured graphic and intense visuals—such as eating raw liver, dragging weights using his teeth or engaging in ice baths—designed to represent resilience and primal strength. He introduced his family to the lifestyle as well and marketed his approach to young men disillusioned with modern culture.
Academic research has since linked his appeal to broader societal trends involving masculinity and identity. A 2023 commentary published in the International Journal of Drug Policy analyzed how Johnson’s brand capitalized on feelings of alienation among young men and noted potential psychological effects tied to body image and steroid use.
Did the Liver King Use Steroids?
Johnson initially denied using performance-enhancing drugs. He told Mark Bell’s Power Project podcast in 2022: “I don’t touch the stuff. I’ve never done the stuff. I’m not going to do the stuff.”
This claim became central to his credibility and the commercial success of his brand, which included dietary supplements, fitness programs and merchandise.
In late 2022, emails published by the YouTube channel More Plates More Dates appeared to show that Johnson had spent more than $11,000 per month on anabolic steroids and related drugs, contradicting his repeated public denials.
He later confirmed the steroid use and issued an apology. In a video posted on YouTube in December 2022, Johnson said: “Yes, I’ve done steroids. And yes, I am on steroids, monitored and managed by a trained hormone clinician.”
The scandal triggered backlash from his followers, some of whom filed a $25 million lawsuit alleging fraud and deception.
Although the case was later dropped, the exposure became a defining moment for Johnson’s public image, shifting the narrative from fitness inspiration to influencer deception.
What Is the Liver King Doing Now?
Following the scandal, Johnson has remained active on social media and continues to promote the ancestral lifestyle. His recent messaging still emphasizes the same core tenets of diet: discipline and physical intensity. At the time of writing, he last posted a video on his YouTube channel in November.
Untold: The Liver King adds another layer to his public story, offering interviews and content that trace his evolution from influencer to cautionary figure. The documentary also contextualizes the case within a broader conversation about the influence of online health personalities, the psychological effects of fitness culture and the regulatory gaps in wellness marketing.
Johnson continues to maintain a large digital following, despite the controversy. His future credibility may depend on whether audiences perceive his new transparency as genuine or as another phase of brand management. For now, he remains one of the most polarizing figures at the intersection of health care and online influencers.
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