Joey Swoll is a name that basically carries its own weight in the fitness world. If you’ve spent any time on TikTok or Instagram in the last few years, you’ve seen him—the massive guy with the backward cap, sitting in his car, calling out people for being jerks at the gym. He built a whole movement around "Gym Positivity." For a long time, he was the internet's favorite protector of the underdog.
But lately, things have gotten messy.
Honestly, the "CEO of Gym Positivity" has been through a whirlwind of controversies, health scares, and "I’m quitting" announcements that have left fans and critics alike wondering what exactly is going on with Joey Sergo (his real name). From hospital beds to heated debates over locker room policies, the Joey Swoll story is a lot more complicated than just a guy telling people to "mind your own business."
The Hulk Hogan Tribute and the 72-Hour Retirement
In July 2025, everything nearly imploded for Swoll.
Following the death of wrestling icon Hulk Hogan, Joey posted a tribute video of himself dressed in a Hogan costume at Gold’s Gym. To Joey, it was just childhood nostalgia—the vitamins, the prayers, the "training hard." To a large chunk of the internet, it was an endorsement of a man with a documented history of using racial slurs.
The backlash was instant. And then, Joey made it worse.
During a livestream meant to address the heat, he used the term "colored" instead of "people of color." That was the match in the powder keg. While he quickly apologized and admitted he was "unaware of the extent" of Hogan's past, the internet wasn't in a forgiving mood.
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"You either die a hero, or live long enough to be the villain."
Joey posted that quote to X (formerly Twitter), told his millions of followers he was "done," and deactivated his accounts. He claimed his family, including his sister, were receiving threats. It felt like the end of an era.
But it lasted about three days.
By August 1, 2025, he was back. He told fans he received thousands of messages urging him not to quit and that he was "done apologizing." He leaned back into his brand, basically saying he wasn’t going to let "cancel culture" win. It was a polarizing move that solidified his base but definitely alienated some of his more progressive followers.
The Shift to Locker Room Politics
If you look at what happened with Joey Swoll in late 2025, you’ll notice a distinct shift in his content. He stopped just calling out "gym creeps" and started weighing in on much heavier cultural debates.
Specifically, the "locker room incident."
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Joey became a central figure in a viral controversy involving Tish Hyman and a transgender woman at a Gold’s Gym in California. He didn't hold back. He argued that women have a right to feel safe and comfortable in locker rooms without seeing "a naked grown man."
This pivot sparked a massive divide:
- Supporters praised him for standing up for "common sense" and women’s privacy.
- Critics accused him of "monetizing moral panic" and transitioning from a gym etiquette coach to a culture-war influencer.
Groups like TransVitae even accused him of a double standard, noting that he had never targeted cisgender women for similar filming violations with the same level of intensity. He started getting banned from certain circles while being invited onto more conservative-leaning platforms. It wasn't just about gym "form" anymore; it was about gym "policy."
The Heart Scare That Almost Ended It All
Beyond the social media drama, Joey Swoll faced a literal life-and-death situation in early 2024.
He went in for what was supposed to be a routine 45-minute heart procedure. It turned into a six-hour emergency surgery. Apparently, a piece of a surgical tool broke off inside his heart. He described it as a miracle that he survived, waking up "black and blue" across his entire midsection.
He’s been very open about the mental trauma of that event. He told Muscle & Fitness that he felt like he was still "on that table looking up at the lights." While his heart is technically "the best it's ever been" now, the brush with death clearly changed his perspective on how much time he has left to make an impact.
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Why the Internet is Split on Him
You can’t talk about Joey Swoll without acknowledging the "hating the hater" paradox.
Some people think he’s a hero. He gets bullies banned from 24 Hour Fitness and protects people who are being filmed without their consent. He’s helped people overcome addiction—something he struggled with himself during the pandemic—and he’s visited injured fans in the hospital.
But then there’s the "Swoll Army."
When Joey calls someone out, his millions of followers often descend on that person’s page like a swarm. Critics argue that while Joey claims to be against bullying, his videos often result in the target receiving death threats and being forced to delete their entire digital existence. It’s a "vigilante justice" model that doesn't always sit right with everyone.
What’s the Current Status?
As of early 2026, Joey Swoll is still very much active. He’s moved past the Hogan drama and the "quitting" phase. He’s back to his bread and butter:
- Reaction Videos: Calling out influencers who treat public gyms like private movie sets.
- Education: Defending people doing "weird" exercises like partial reps or drag curls.
- Advocacy: Pushing for gyms to have stricter rules against filming in locker rooms.
He’s no longer just a fitness guy; he’s a brand. He runs Shredz, does online coaching, and has essentially become the unofficial "police officer" of global gym culture.
Actionable Insights for the Average Gym-Goer
Regardless of how you feel about Joey's recent "culture war" pivots, the movement he started has changed how people act in the gym. Here is how you can navigate the "Swoll Era" of fitness:
- Ditch the "Main Character" Syndrome: If you’re filming, make sure you aren't catching 15 other people in your background. If you can't film without being intrusive, don't film.
- Know Your Lifts: Before you laugh at someone doing "half-reps," realize they might be doing partials for a specific bodybuilding goal.
- Privacy is Paramount: Most gyms are now cracking down on any phone use in locker rooms. It's best to keep the phone in the locker or the bag.
- Support the Newbies: The "Gym Positivity" message is at its best when it's about making the 300lb guy or the 100lb girl feel like they belong.
Joey Swoll might be a lightning rod for controversy, but he’s also a reminder that the gym is a shared community space. Whether he’s "done" with social media or leading a new charge, his influence on how we treat each other between sets isn't going away anytime soon.