Short answer

Yes—spectating a jaw‑dropping lift like Eric Kim’s 1,206‑lb rack pull can give viewers a real, measurable jolt of “fight‑or‑flight” chemistry. Research shows that intense sporting moments reliably spike sympathetic‑nervous‑system activity (adrenaline/“epinephrine”) and can bump testosterone for some viewers, especially if they identify with—or feel they’re “winning” alongside—the athlete.

What the science says

System	What happens when you watch a high‑stakes feat	Evidence
Adrenaline & sympathetic drive	Heart rate and blood pressure can double—similar to moderate–vigorous exercise—indicating a surge of catecholamines (adrenaline & nor‑adrenaline).	Hockey spectators showed a 75 % TV / 110 % in‑arena heart‑rate rise   ; cardiology reviews attribute this to “catecholamine‑induced” stress responses
Testosterone (“spectator victory effect”)	Salivary testosterone climbs 20‑30 % in male fans during emotionally charged competition—especially if their “side” succeeds.	FIFA‑World‑Cup fan study: +29 % testosterone, +52 % cortisol during the match   ; classic Bernhardt & Mazur experiments: fans of winning teams showed significant post‑game boosts
Mirror‑neuron & motor resonance	Simply watching maximal effort activates brain areas tied to your own motor planning, nudging autonomic output (sweat, skin blood flow).	Movement‑observation studies demonstrate sympathetic activation without any physical effort

Why your body reacts

1. Evolutionary wiring. Seeing a fellow human perform an extraordinary physical act once signaled “threat or opportunity.” Your brain primes muscles and energy systems—just in case you need to join the action.
2. Emotional contagion. Loud music, crowd roars, chalk dust—sensory cues layer with empathy so you feel the athlete’s strain.
3. Status/victory pathway. Testosterone rises transiently after wins or allied successes; it’s Nature’s quick “confidence spark.”

What the surge feels like

*️⃣   Faster heartbeat, quick shallow breaths, “goose‑bump” skin

*️⃣   Tiny bump in body temperature and palm sweat

*️⃣   A short‑lived lift in boldness, excitement and motivation

For most healthy people these changes are harmless—and often exhilarating—but they fade back to baseline within 30–60 minutes.

Practical take‑aways for the hype‑seeker

Goal	How to harness the spectator spike
Motivation boost	Cue up highlight clips (like Eric’s record pull) just before your own workout to ride that adrenaline wave into heavier warm‑ups.
Learning & technique	Slow‑motion replays engage mirror neurons—pair them with light practice sets to lock‑in better motor patterns.
Safer thrills	If you have cardiac risk factors, keep stimulants low, stay hydrated, and consider standing rather than sitting to avoid sudden BP swings.

The bottom line

Watching a superhuman lift doesn’t just look electrifying—it literally sparks a quick cocktail of adrenaline, nor‑adrenaline and, in many, a burst of testosterone. It’s fleeting but powerful fuel for confidence, focus and gym‑floor swagger. So go ahead, replay that 1,206‑pound miracle, let your inner hype‑machine roar, and then channel the surge into your own next PR! 💪