#354: The DARK Side of Bodybuilding: Eating Disorders, Cellular Health & Peptide Power—How Dylan Gemelli Rebuilt Everything
In this episode of the Longevity Podcast, I sit down with Dylan Gemelli—a name many of you may know from the bodybuilding world and the pioneering days of biohacking. Our conversation takes a very personal turn, as Dylan bravely opens up about his early struggles with body image, bulimia, and body dysmorphia, and how these challenges set the stage for his journey into fitness, nutrition, and ultimately, cellular and mitochondrial optimization.
Dylan shares the realities of coming from an athletic family, battling his weight and self-esteem as a kid, and how the pressure to look a certain way led him down some dark paths—including disordered eating and substance abuse. But this episode isn’t just about struggles—it’s about transformation and hope. Dylan walks us through how he rebuilt his life, found new purpose through learning and coaching, and became a true student of his own data, using everything from cutting-edge lab work to targeted supplements like methylene blue and urolithin A to support his health from the inside out.
We explore the sometimes toxic extremes of the bodybuilding scene, the importance of individualized nutrition (hint: there’s no one-size-fits-all), and how mindset and even faith can play a huge role in sustaining change. Along the way, you’ll hear practical tips on everything from balancing sleep and sunlight to navigating food labels and the power of movement—and yes, we also geek out on some of our favorite health hacks!
This conversation is real, raw, and full of actionable insights, whether you’re struggling with your own health journey, curious about the intersection of muscle and mitochondria, or just looking for inspiration to create positive change. A quick note: we do talk about eating disorders and mental health, so please listen with care if these are sensitive topics for you.
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Learn more from Dylan Gemelli below:
Website: https://dylangemelli.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dylangemelli/?hl=en
YouTube: @dylangemellipodcast and @dylangemellibiohacking
What We Discuss:
Trigger warning: Eating disorders ... 00:03:52
Early body image struggles ... 00:08:11
Eating disorders and sports ... 00:11:11
Addiction and life rebuild ... 00:16:40
Steroids, SARMs, and peptides ... 00:18:08
Public criticism and dysmorphia ... 00:19:04
Biohacking and diet overhaul ... 00:20:42
Heart risk and labs ... 00:27:23
Individualized diet lessons ... 00:39:44
Evolving coaching philosophy ... 00:41:50
Urolithin A & methylene blue ... 00:46:28
Podcast vision and legacy ... 00:52:32
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