The Age of the Influencer: Tons of Content, Zero Knowledge
The second part is a snippet taken out of a bigger article where I cover all the issues of only eating out in Thailand while training twice a day plus some tweaks on how to deal with the issues that come with it (read the full substack here.). It’s clear that influencers have infiltrated every subculture imaginable.
These people are mostly beginners who have no clue what they’re talking about yet pretend they do. It’s a dangerous combo and a very delusional attitude. Fighting is dangerous, and treating it like a joke will only lead to serious, potentially career-ending injuries
What I did notice recently though is that more and more people are getting fed up with it.
Money for nothing, to get shit for free.
For many influencers, it’s about reaping perks without effort rather than developing genuine passion or expertise—a truth most are too proud to face.
It seems like they want to act like they’re some kind of celebrity but have to do all their filming themselves because no one thinks they’re important enough to follow. Which makes sense; they’re beginners and often focus more on appearing accomplished than actually developing expertise.
This whole attitude obviously comes with a price, and in some endeavors the price will be very painful, like fighting, for example. Most of them aren’t in it for a love of the sport but rather for whatever benefits they think they’d get from being in the sport. This could be fame, money, status, or attention from women.
Going to school but acting like a fool
Imagine sitting in class while your mind is fixated on creating content. How much will they actually pick up from that class? The reality is that they’ll never pick up that much because their priorities aren’t there. It’s a bad idea from the start.
So rather than starting an Instagram based on self-entitlement, maybe a better option would be to live a life that’s interesting and actually learn a skill.
Turning your life into a documentary of mundane moments won’t lead to fulfillment—but mastering a skill and living authentically just might.
Speaking of missing the mark on skills, let’s now turn to how influencers completely misunderstand something as basic as nutrition.
The Age of the Influencer: Tons of Content, Zero Knowledge. Nutrition edition.
Post-COVID, Muay Thai camps in Thailand underwent a dramatic shift. What once felt like a haven for dedicated athletes now looks more like a film set, with cameras and tripods everywhere as aspiring influencers document their every move. Heaven forbid you accidentally appear in their footage; it could trigger a meltdown longer than their training session.
Muay Thai’s rise in mainstream popularity brought attention to the sport, but it also unleashed a wave of influencers who know far more about algorithms than athletic performance. Their content spans everything—technique breakdowns, camp reviews, and, of course, “What I Eat in a Day” videos. Being a jack of all trades is apparently easy when you don’t understand the actual craft.
The problem? These videos often showcase chronic underfueling disguised as a Muay Thai lifestyle. Instead of saying, “Here’s how to fuel your training,” they might as well caption it, “Here’s how to burn out in record time.” It’s not just misleading—it’s actively harmful. So follow them for more nutrition advice? No, thank you! And it doesn’t stop with nutrition; it extends to weight cutting, where misinformation has even more dangerous consequences.
Take one infamous case: an influencer boasting about their “research” into waterloading, recommending a staggering 11 liters of water a day. This misinterpretation of science—not even supported by the sole study on waterloading—poses serious health risks, including hyponatremia. When sodium levels in your body drop too low, it can lead to seizures, organ failure, or even death (Sawka et al., 2007). This is life-threatening territory, not another piece of content to release on Thursday night.
Nutrition and weight cutting for athletes aren’t games, and doing them wrong can have devastating effects. Yet the algorithm doesn’t reward accuracy; it rewards engagement. So how do we navigate this content minefield and make informed choices about nutrition?
How to Spot Better Content
Not all content is bad, but the good ones follow key principles. Here’s what to look for:
- Clear Goals: Does the video explain the purpose of the diet? Are they trying to lose, maintain, or gain weight?
- Activity Context: Is it a rest day, a single training session, or a double session? These factors greatly impact daily caloric needs.
- Macro Breakdown: Are they transparent about protein, fat, and carb intake? Without these 3, the content is just a list of meals without any actionable insight.
The reality is that many influencers leave these details out—not because they’re simplifying, but because they don’t know what they’re doing.
A Simple Macro Guideline
As a baseline, protein should be at least twice your body weight in kilograms, and fats should equal your body weight in kilograms. Carbs are the variable that changes based on activity level. More experienced athletes may tweak this by reducing fats to prioritize higher carb intake when in a deficit.
This is a numbers game, but it’s one based on science—not guesswork.
Why “What I Eat in a Day” Videos Miss the Mark
These videos, regardless of intent, are often strange to me. Nutrition is deeply personal. What works for one person may not work for another due to differences in activity levels, body composition, and goals.
Instead of trying to copy someone’s plate, focus on understanding the principles of fueling your own body. That’s the real takeaway: performance starts with individualized nutrition, not blindly following trends.
Nutrition Coaching
Over the years, I’ve helped fighters heal their metabolism, lose weight effectively, and fuel their bodies for peak performance. If you’re struggling with weight loss, underperforming due to poor nutrition, or dealing with a damaged metabolism, send me a message with the word “nutrition” on Instagram to get started.
In my 3-month coaching program, I’ll guide you through:
- Healing your metabolism.
- Losing weight sustainably without burnout.
- Cutting weight safely for a fight.
- And much more.
Spots are limited—I only take on 3 clients every 3 months to provide focused, personalized support. Don’t wait; claim your spot today!
Training and Fighting in Thailand
Dreaming of training or fighting in Thailand? One of the biggest mistakes fighters make is not understanding Thai culture before they arrive.
That’s why I created my comprehensive e-book, designed to prepare you fully for your trip. Learn the do’s and don’ts, navigate local customs, and make the most out of your experience.
Click here to grab your copy and step into the ring with confidence.
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Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram.
Until next time.
Alex
