Netflix’s documentary Untold: The Liver King offers a compelling exploration of Brian Johnson (Liver King)’s rise and fall as a fitness and wellness influencer. Known for his raw meat diet and promotion of an “ancestral lifestyle,” Johnson built a following of millions as well as a $100 million supplement empire (including Ancestral Supplements – code MEG10 – one of my favorite companies). The film delves into the Liver King persona, the steroid scandal that undermined his credibility, and the broader implications of influencer culture.
It’s important to point out that the Johnsons’ had a total health journey prior to making a public appearance online. They were living the standard American lifestyle until their two sons began having major health issues that caused them to dig deeper and go back to basics. They went back to basics to a point where they don’t have wifi in their house (they use ethernet cables) and everything in their home and on their land is as natural as possible.
With these changes, they noticed that not only their sons health improved, but also their own. As they spent time consuming organs, Brian and Barbara came up with a business idea where they would desiccate and encapsulate the bovine liver in their homes – that’s where Ancestral Supplements was born. The business scaled so astronomically that it amassed over $100m in revenue as people continued to see results from desiccated organs.
With this, Brian started to appear in Ancestral Supplements content online, which he felt very uncomfortable with at first, given he barely has internet in his home and is a pretty private person offline. As he continued to appear on their socials, a friend told him that he should create an instagram account for himself to help spread the ancestral health message to a broader audience… which he decided to do.
Liver King (Brian Johnson) promoted a lifestyle based on what he called the 9 Ancestral Tenets, which he claims are foundational to human health and vitality (I actually agree with this). These tenets were central to his brand and Ancestral Supplements.
Here are the 9 Ancestral Tenets:
- Sleep
Prioritize quality sleep by aligning with natural light cycles and avoiding artificial light at night. - Eat
Follow a diet based on nose-to-tail animal consumption, including organ meats, bone marrow, and raw milk, while avoiding processed foods and seed oils. - Move
Engage in regular, functional movement like walking, lifting, sprinting, and climbing. - Shield
Limit exposure to harmful environmental factors such as Wi-Fi, EMFs, and synthetic chemicals, and optimize natural sunlight exposure. - Connect
Maintain direct skin contact with the Earth (aka grounding or earthing) to balance energy and reduce inflammation. - Cold
Embrace cold exposure (like ice baths or cold showers) to build resilience, boost hormones, and strengthen the immune system. - Sun
Get regular sun exposure to naturally boost vitamin D and hormonal health. - Fight
Seek out challenges—whether physical, mental, or emotional—to build strength, courage, and discipline. - Bond
Cultivate close relationships, particularly with family and tribe, to support emotional well-being and purpose.
These principles were the foundation of his personal routine, public messaging, and product marketing—though the steroid scandal (in the next paragraph) later cast a shadow over the authenticity of his claimed results. Still, many people found value in returning to a more “ancestral” way of living through these practices.
In 2022, leaked emails revealed he was spending $11,000 monthly on steroids and human growth hormone, contradicting his claims of natural fitness. He eventually admitted to the use and lying, leading to public backlash and a $25 million lawsuit, which was later dropped.
The documentary, directed by Joe Pearlman, presents Johnson’s story with a mix of humor and tragedy. It showcases his eccentric lifestyle, including extreme workouts and ‘unconventional’ dietary habits, while also highlighting the consequences of his deception.
Despite the controversy, Johnson’s message about returning to a more natural way of living resonated with many. His journey serves as a cautionary tale about the allure of influencer culture and the importance of authenticity. I have learned so much from him, his companies and his family. Regardless of a wild, over-the-top personality, it’s no doubt that his central message including the tenets is a positive one.
As the documentary concludes, Johnson reflects on his experiences, acknowledging his mistakes and expressing a desire to move forward. In his own words, “I’ve told the truth in this movie. Well, mostly the truth.”
It was also very interesting to see him consuming a more ‘animal based’ lifestyle rather than a strict carnivore as he consumes fruit and vegetables on camera with the meats (learn more about all the types of ancestral diets here). It was also very interesting to see him clearly state that in a sense he was ‘starving’ by being a strict carnivore and has a larger sense of fulfillment now that he has a more balanced ancestral diet.
Based on the end of the film, he seems so much happier and so much more at peace. However, I sincerely hope he has found, or does find God. It’s evident that his abandonment issues from his father have affected him his whole life, but he has come out stronger from it and I wish the Johnsons the best.
To conclude, Untold: The Liver King is a fascinating watch that underscores the complexities of modern fame, going to extremes for the ‘gram, and the consequences of publicly lying. It reminds viewers that, ultimately, the truth really does set you free.
LIVER KING: OUT!
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*Not medical advice