In a revealing new Netflix documentary released on Tuesday, May 13, Brian Johnson—better known as the “Liver King”—publicly disavowed the extreme carnivore lifestyle he once promoted to millions of followers online. The social media figure, who built a brand on ancestral living and raw organ meat diets, now admits that his message was misleading and fueled by deception.
The documentary offers a raw look at Johnson’s dramatic change of heart. After years of urging followers to adopt a primitive diet and lifestyle, Johnson revealed that his transformation was supported not just by diet but by steroids. “Yes, I’ve done steroids and yes, I am on steroids, monitored and managed by trained hormone clinicians,” he admitted.
Johnson addressed the backlash following leaked emails that exposed his steroid use, telling his followers that he felt “embarrassed and ashamed” for misleading them. “I lied and misled a lot of people,” he said in a video clip featured in the film.
“I was so convinced all the carnivore stuff was what you need to really kick ass in life. I’m convinced now that I was starving myself,” he admitted. “I guess I want the world to know I was wrong. I got it wrong. I got all of it wrong.”
Reflecting on his past, Johnson expressed regret and disillusionment. “There’s a lot more that I don’t know than I do know,” he said. “An extreme approach to anything probably ain’t working out.”
He also shared how the pressure of growing his brand left him disconnected from himself. “I was so intense and so focused on growth and numbers and getting the message out… I have this new freedom,” he said. “I don’t have to lie about anything.”
The documentary not only exposes the truth behind Johnson’s controversial lifestyle but also shows a more vulnerable side of the internet personality. For many viewers, seeing his old photos and hearing his admissions has sparked strong reactions. Some say they feel “sad” after learning the reality behind the carefully curated image of the Liver King.
