Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago

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Before Instagram fitness gurus and alt-health influencers, there was Eugen Sandow.
He promised science, strength, and a way to live forever — while attacking medicine and selling supplements.
Historian Conor Heffernan, author of When Fitness Went Global, explains how early “physical culture” created the original wellness influencers… and why the grift hasn’t changed much in 120 years.


#ConorHeffernan
#WhenFitnessWentGlobal
#FitnessHistory
#WellnessCulture
#AltHealth

This interview is from a Full episode of The Gist Podcast, Hosted by Mike Pesca.
🎧Listen Here👉open.spotify.com/episode/3aW486KMsnLvvNNjMXUeUT?si=LvZmXzKzQ2eRirMUP6tgdw&context=spotify%3Ashow%3A3Q5MaJxR4gS4CwgZUCCYVt

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CREDITS:

Creator & Host:
Mike Pesca

Producer:
Corey Wara