Joey Swoll Quits Social Media Amid Tornado of Backlash and Threats
Joey Swoll, a fitness influencer and CEO of Gym Positivity with a loyal following of over 13 million, sparked a harsh backlash after posting a tribute to late wrestling icon Hulk Hogan. Dressed in Hogan’s iconic red-and-yellow gear and re-enacting his signature poses, Swoll intended to honor a childhood hero. Instead, critics quickly pointed to Hogan’s controversial history and labeled the tribute tone-deaf.
During a TikTok livestream, Swoll defended the post, arguing that mistakes in a person’s past shouldn’t erase their positive impact. However, he used the word “colored” to describe Black people, which intensified the criticism and triggered even more backlash.
Apology and Announcement: “I Am Done”
In the days that followed, Swoll posted an emotional, unreserved apology. He acknowledged that he wasn’t fully aware of Hogan’s history and accepted responsibility for his own insensitive language. Then, he made a startling announcement: he would be quitting social media. His Instagram Story read, in part, “All the good I’ve done… all for nothing… people just wait for a reason to hate… I am done.” The post quickly spread across platforms, garnering millions of views, especially on X (formerly Twitter).
Harassment Hits Home
According to coverage by PrimeTimer, Swoll’s decision was fueled not only by criticism but also by threats made against his loved ones. He revealed that messages had been sent to his girlfriend and sister, and even included his sister’s phone number. Though Swoll said he could handle personal threats, when harassment extended to those close to him, he reached a breaking point. “Maybe I am done with social media,” he wrote, citing safety concerns for those he cares about.
Community Response: Polarized and Emotional
The reaction from the online fitness and influencer community was sharply divided. Journalist Collin Rugg criticized Swoll, saying his apology was a mistake and calling him a quitter. Others accused him of capitulating to a “woke mob.” Yet some supporters expressed concern for his mental health, urging him to take a healthy break rather than vanish entirely. Meanwhile, critics on Reddit accused him of longstanding racism and misogyny, with commentators quoting:
“He’s always been a racist and misogynist piece of garbage ... his followers harassed a girl he featured … he deleted the video and didn’t address it.”
Public discourse around his decision has highlighted deeper issues of accountability, online harassment, and cancel culture—especially in creator-led communities.
Broader Takeaways: Fame, Accountability, and Burnout
Joey Swoll’s exit from social media underscores the fragile line influencers walk between visibility and vulnerability. As someone known for confronting “gym creeps” and advocating respect, the events reveal how quickly public trust can erode—and how backlash can spiral into personal crisis. His departure speaks to larger debates over online culture, forgiveness, and the pressures that come with public personalities.
