Liam Chong

Well...it seems like Peter Attia sucks... Integrity matters. Principles matter. Doing the right thing matters. Choosing to surround yourself with good folks matters. The ones who stay true to their values build something that lasts. It's founded on something deeper and more fulfilling. It's a longer game. But it's the only game worth playing. As we watch one of the biggest names in the health and performance space be littered all over the Epstein files with vile things (Peter Attia), It's disappointing to see. Someone who proclaimed to value science and evidence, fell for power, fame, and god knows what else. And now you're going to see others use it as a platform to disparage any legitimate science or science communication because one of the biggest science communicators couldn't stay away from Epstein...after much was already known. Like him or hate him, Attia was a big name in the space. And there's a huge jump from getting some things wrong or selling supplements that may not work to...whatever appears in those files. All you've got in this life is your character. I was fortunate early in my career to meet "heroes" and be completely disgusted by what I found behind the curtain. Mostly, it was insecurity. Obsession to prove themselves, to achieve, to gain some sort of power or status led them to "win at all costs." It was disillusioning. But also clarifying. I learned early that reputation and character are often very different things. Ironically, one of the people Attia buddied up to was one of the clearest demonstrations I saw of the cost of the win at all cost mentality and what that need for fame, status, achievement can do...Lance Armstrong. I was also fortunate to have my ethics tested. Did I handle it perfectly? Nope. There were wrong decisions. Moments I wish I could take back. But one thing I'm proud of: no matter the mistake, I did my best to correct the wrong and do the right thing. Even if that means costing your relationships, opportunities, and years fighting battles most people never see. When you stand up for yourself, it can be lonely. It can test your beliefs and your view of the world. It can push you towards disillusionment. But in the end, it's clarifying and freeing. You get to truly lift the veil. To show yourself what actually matters. And to see that the folks posturing, cheating, cutting corners, and manipulating others are chasing hungry ghosts. They'll never be fulfilled. And that's the point...so much of what you see in the online space is deep insecurity. It's people caught in the trappings of chasing fame, fortune, power, status, likes, follows, or whatever else. It's people who for god knows what reason are willing to look past a horrific past and be 'friends' with one of the most vile people on earth. When fame, growth, status are your values...guess what you'll do anything to get there. Even if it means selling your soul. It's sad to see. It's hard to watch. I don't know Peter Attia. I liked much of his writing, disagreed with some. But man, we need to do a better job of supporting good people. Because at the end of the day... it might seem like values, principles, being a decent human is out the window in our chaotic world. That the shortcuts win. That the only way to any kind of success is to compromise your values. I don't buy it. It's the same BS rationalization when cheaters try to convince you in sport that everyone is cheating. It's to make them feel better. My experience is the oppossite: The stronger our worlds pull in the direction towards chaos, fame, status, power, the more sticking by your principles matters. The louder the noise, the more it's a superpower to have an anchor to keep you grounded. Courage comes from clarity. It's when you take control of your story, you let go of the fear, when you know who you are, what matters, and where you belong. That's when you're free. Because you're standing on a foundation that no one else can touch: integrity, principles, and values. We need more folks who stick to them. And we need to support those who do.