Zak Wilkinson, a 32-year-old bodybuilder from Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, endured a harrowing battle with steroid addiction that nearly ended his life. Over more than two years, Zak spent upwards of £35,000 on steroids—including Anavar, Masteron, and Equipoise—and adopted extreme eating habits to compete in bodybuilding contests.
His severe regime involved taking steroids up to three times a day and adhering to a punishing diet of only five foods: broccoli, chicken, rice, egg whites, and steak. Zak consumed six meals daily and dedicated at least 45 minutes every day to cardio workouts. He also meticulously tracked every detail—measuring syrups in his coffee and salt on his food—keen on achieving the perfect shredded physique.
The intensity of his lifestyle culminated on March 23, when Zak suffered seizures, excessive sweating, and vomiting. His sister Chelsea swiftly called for help and placed him in the recovery position. Rushed to the intensive care unit at James Cook University Hospital, doctors initially suspected meningitis. However, they soon determined his symptoms were caused by the combination of steroids and fat loss tablets.
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Zak was placed into a medically induced coma for seven days, diagnosed with “likely provoked seizures in context of multiple drugs.” His family was braced for the worst, but Zak’s eventual recovery was hailed as a miracle. Yet, he faced a long road ahead, relearning to walk and regaining enough strength to lift his three-year-old son, Saint.
Zak now dedicates himself to warning others—especially young bodybuilders—about the dangers of steroid abuse. He empathizes with Strictly star John Whaite, who recently shared his own struggles with steroid use and its devastating impact on his mental health and self-image.
“I understand how they grip you,” Zak confided. “Steroids make you train harder and more often, but that’s when the addiction takes hold. I lost myself completely.”
Zak explained how steroid addiction affected every part of his life—including his mood swings, libido, and finances. “You become snappy; relationships suffer. And when you’re injecting multiple times a day, the costs add up fast.”
He also highlighted the dangerous cocktail often involved: hormones, peptides, growth hormones, and fat loss tablets—all taken to accelerate physical results. Zak described an obsessive attention to detail with tracking his meals, weight, and calories burned.
“Nowadays, people are chasing that instant physical perfection—whether it’s for photos or holidays,” he said. “But the terrible effects come afterward. I can relate to that, and I hope others listen.”
Zak’s journey is a stark reminder of the hidden costs behind the pursuit of muscle and perfection—one he hopes others will avoid.