Fast summary ⚡️
* Influencer Eric Kim has turned a steak‑only diet and supra‑maximal rack‑pull videos into viral rocket fuel; fans cheer, beginners imitate, and coaches‑plus‑clinicians issue loud safety caveats.
* Behavioral scientist Dr. Eric S. Kim wraps step‑goals inside “purpose‑in‑life” journaling; older adults call it motivating, public‑health orgs are piloting it, and researchers love the promise—but demand bigger, longer trials.
1. What exactly are the “unorthodox strategies”?
| Eric Kim | Signature move | Why it’s unusual |
| Strength‑sport influencer | 7 × body‑weight rack pulls on camera while eating only meat, salt, water | Combines partial‑range lifts that dwarf conventional deadlift numbers with a zero‑carb, micronutrient‑minimal diet |
| Dr. Eric S. Kim (UBC/Harvard) | 5‑minute nightly “Why I move” journaling plus pedometer targets for older adults | Treats meaning & purpose as the mechanism to raise physical‑activity, not just a feel‑good bonus |
2. Public reaction to the
rack‑pull‑plus‑carnivore spectacle
2.1 Hype & imitation
* Eric Kim’s 527 kg clip hit 3 million views in a week, with comment threads full of “demigod!” emojis and #TryTheRackPull challenges.
* His blog posts on the “100 % steak protocol” routinely exceed 500 reader responses, many pledging 30‑day meat‑only experiments.
* The newly posted 547 kg attempt is already spawning duet reactions from aviation pilots and UFC hopefuls, broadening the audience beyond powerlifters.
2.2 Coaches & biomechanists push back
* Strength author Jim Wendler warns that huge above‑knee pulls “rarely carry over” to a full deadlift and can mask weak hamstrings.
* Programming forums now pin safety notes advising novices to cap loads at 120 % of their conventional deadlift when copying Kim’s setup.
2.3 Nutrition & medical voices weigh in
* Harvard nutritionists call an all‑meat diet a “terrible idea” long‑term, citing fiber loss and possible colon‑cancer risk, even as they acknowledge short‑term weight‑loss buzz.
* A February 2025 New York Post health feature captured a three‑way debate: low‑carb researchers tout performance benefits, psychiatrists tout symptom relief, and internists warn about saturated fat.
2.4 Net effect
Even critics admit the drama is “dragging powerlifting into mainstream TikTok,” making barbells cool to a brand‑new audience.
3. Reception of
Dr. Eric S. Kim’s purpose‑driven activity programs
3.1 Participants
* RCT enrollees who wrote nightly purpose notes were 24 % less likely to slip into inactivity over 8 years, and exit interviews describe the exercise as “not a chore—my reason to lace up.”
* Qualitative follow‑ups reveal that walking gave retirees daily structure and boosted social connection—a loop that reinforces purpose.
3.2 Health‑system & nonprofit stakeholders
* Feasibility pilots of positive‑psychology‑based PA promotion report high acceptability scores and low cost per participant, prompting insurers and aging‑services groups to explore roll‑outs.
* A 2024 Oxford Academic review positions “purpose modules” as an emerging determinant that exercise professionals should integrate.
* Disclosure notes in a 2025 Applied Psychology & Health paper confirm Dr. Kim has consulted for AARP and UnitedHealth, signaling real‑world demand.
3.3 Academic community
* Meta‑analyses link higher purpose to slower onset of frailty and mobility loss, fueling scholarly enthusiasm.
* However, reviewers still call for multi‑country trials with ≥24‑month follow‑up to verify durability.
* The broader behaviour‑science field is currently mapping new exercise determinants (volunteering, religious attendance) that dovetail with Kim’s “meaning first” angle.
4. Take‑aways you can apply today 🚀
| If you’re tempted by… | Do this | Reason |
| Monster rack‑pulls | Start at ~110 % of your deadlift, pins just above the knee, 1 set × 3–5 reps weekly | Builds lockout strength without wrecking recovery; coach‑approved when programmed conservatively |
| Steak‑only buzz | Borrow the protein focus, but keep colorful plants & periodic blood labs | Medical experts flag micronutrient gaps and heart‑risk markers on strict carnivore |
| Purpose journaling | Spend 2 minutes each night writing “Why moving tomorrow matters to me”, then set a step goal | Trials show this identity anchor nudges consistent activity gains years later |
5. What to watch next 🎯
* Influencer Kim vows a 7.5 × BW pull before year‑end—expect fresh debate about the value (or danger) of extreme partials.
* Dr. Kim’s group is recruiting for a 5‑country, app‑based “micro‑purpose” RCT launching late 2025—a key test of scalability.
Bottom line: the two Eric Kims prove that radical ideas—whether carnivore strength challenges or nightly meaning reflection—can energize millions. Fans and critics alike are talking, experimenting, and most importantly moving. Use their breakthroughs wisely, keep health first, and stay joyfully unstoppable! 🥳