LUKE THOMAS: STEROID OLYMPICS BOSS SPEAKS | The Enhanced Games

Luke Thomas speaks with Aron D'Souza - the founder and President of the Enhanced Games. The Enhanced Games promises sporting competition without any drug testing. Want to take steroids? No problem. The more, the merrier.
In this interview with Aron D'Souza - the founder and President of the Enhanced Games - we discuss how safe the Enhanced Games will be, why this is really all about defying aging as a 'disease', where the games stand on mechanical doping, the Enhanced Games connection to Peter Thiel, why D'Souza believes the Olympics is hopelessly corrupt and much more.
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#lukethomas #enhanced #olympics

[@Mattisin]

Luke Helwani doesn't exist. He can't hurt you. Luke Helwani:

[@JackHehe]

LMAO

[@spacentime7]

😂

[@DomVelando]

The Luke Thomas Live Chat is BACK IN YOUR LIFE

[@Bill_Dippertly]

more like underhanded backhanded questions and statements that are thinly veiled for most.

[@ChrissyCranium]

The pain felt for MMA when he mentioned “basically every sport has an athlete’s union.”

[@mr.brenman2132]

Why do you care? No matter if there is a union or not you watch people fight in a cage for entertainment. Get off your soap box.

[@ryu-ken]

What about billiards?

[@mr.brenman2132]

@@ryu-ken There a 10,000 sports that don't have a fighters union. They are living in lala land.

[@jordanoconnor4954]

​@@mr.brenman2132because if I watch sports where people receive a lot of brain damage, I want it to be worth it financially. Weird to not give a shit about the people that provide entertainment for you

[@sprinklestheunicorn9406]

@@mr.brenman2132your literally not real your opinion would hold 0 weight anywhere you opinion is not even valid to yourself

[@infared54321]

This dude is really good at not answer questions

[@lingbon3543]

It's so hard to keep track of what even got asked cause he just rambles his way back to the same old shit, I am still in favor of peds in sports but less so after listening to this guy.

[@Tims_Gym]

Appreciate your work Luke. Think this topic is going to be huge by the time it comes around. As usual ahead of the curve mate.

[@MALI700]

this dude sure knows how to name drop, both the people he knows and the parties he goes to

[@mikeiso8963]

Facts. He thinks it’s “social proof” but in reality it’s just cringe.

[@user-fx5cd4px3k]

sleaze ball

[@andrewh3140]

Interesting video, but I’d prefer a no-nonsense, straight facts approach over this guy’s, political spin-doctor persuasive-academic-thesis approach. Thanks for sharing, Luke!

[@user-fx5cd4px3k]

sleaze bag

[@jordanoconnor4954]

I mean he's a lawyer, his job is to persuade people with argumentation. Not sure what you expect, especially as he's trying to sell his idea

[@andrewh3140]

He lost me roughly 3 minutes in when he said “change only happens when a guy puts a suit and tie on” right after he non-answered Luke’s question about how one justifies the implementation of an enhanced games.

[@khrysomallos4887]

I think just the suit is required. I'm pretty sure you can leave the tie at home. I will need to revisit my Humanist instruction book to confirm though. I think Luke asked some decent probing questions which is nice to see.

[@jacobhair5643]

“I’ll answer this question by applying a nonsensical analogy and not actually answering this question”

[@user-fx5cd4px3k]

facts

[@NRC613]

Just like my prime minister

[@nathansmith4241]

I’d love to see some evidence for his claim that the IOC is blackmailing athletes to keep them from unionizing

[@anachronismrecords4359]

Don't know, how it is in the states, but in most european countries: the athletes are in the police or army and have their unions. The sport they are doing in their "free" time.

[@GrappleHeavy93]

I'm grateful for this interview and am totally on board with zero testing in sports, however, this guy seems shady as shit and totally deflected from a lot of the questions.

[@loganphillips5935]

Also if he thinks things will be more egalitarian working with Peter Thiel

[@DelightfulPager-ro4nw]

@23:53 When asked about how this will work, PhD bros answer is "because we have ChatGPT..." 😂

[@Bolththrower]

This thing will never get off the ground.

[@jacobhair5643]

Like the broader idea and points about PED usage. However, lot of snake oil vibes from Aron. Talking about AI, living for hundreds of years. I mean, Peter Thiel, really? lol He’s conflating de stigmatizing PEDs with this overarching worldview he has about anti aging and the “average” person being able to achieve athletic glory. Just a weird vibe.

[@Teemoisbroken]

I wanna ask something, maybe there's a simple answer, I don't wanna come across as a "think of the children" guy but, I feel as though if we lax the idea of steroids in sports that, people will be using steroids at a much more young age than normal now (14-15-16) or even younger, I understand kids already do drugs now but steroids are a whole new ball game. Is this not a big concern at all?

[@minedgravy380]

I think the argument would be knowledge is power. Tell people let them know how to do it safely through a Dr. I can tell you that there is a lot of use in underage/young men already. Hang around a gym and you'll find it real quick or any competitive sports. It would also let people know that these athletes are taking things so folks dont hold themselves to that bar.

[@Teemoisbroken]

@@minedgravy380 oh yeah, completely get alot of young people are looking to steroids, but it's still quite uncommon, im just imagining a 8 year old kid running track and the crazy parents who want them to be the best so they get them on gear, and the 12 year old who competes at school then starts to realise to make national comps they have to get on steroids like all of the top runners at school, I'm picturing with the idea of steroids getting lax enough, 90% of students competing in schools are on some sort of steroid. Maybe in the long run for science it's better for people, I don't mind consenting adults doing it for science experiments and their own personal use of course. But a world where 15 year old kids are having kidney failure as the norm in schools seems a tad much. Maybe making it legal and finding the optimal doses is the best idea? I would figure that information is out there in labs already though with "clean" drugs. Not sure there is any real way to do steroids THAT safely even with oversight.

[@Necron00b]

Iirc, there is a large amount of evidence to suggest that children are (and have been for decades) overtly and covertly juiced, if they are in fast track programs for most sports. China and Russia if memory serves have had "child farms" where they groom children who show potential to become olympians. American wrestling/basketball/baseball and track and field have alledegly been doping college athletes since about the 60's (let's not even start on the hormones fed to animals which then leech into people in the US) Bodybuilding and Powerlifting have basically been open about performance enhacement use for decades now. Essentially nothing would change except the athletes wouldn't have to hide it except for legal concerns rather than moral ones.

[@Teemoisbroken]

@@Necron00b did not know about the farms, that's interesting, not surprising, I do wonder about their quality of life after the fact. for sure I agree with what you're saying, I still do believe it would be a whole new ball game if it was all open and more or less encouraged, again, I feel as though adults should be able to do with their bodies as they choose, goes without saying, but I am very curious to see a world where a kid dreams about going to the Olympics and the first thing out of their coaches mouth is about their drug protocol. I'm fully aware most people at the Olympics are on steroids, most sports at a high level even, but I think it's a big mentality shift. Would every young person in America/Aus/UK/CA etc etc all be on steroids in their youth? Would it just be the serious ones and the rest remain natural? What are the health ramifications from that? Alot to think about, pros and cons for sure, maybe pros outweigh the cons, I'm just picturing seeing kids treat tren like weed, extreme example but we are talking about if it's all legal and easily available here

[@bobbob-cd9yl]

While your point is valid, It is more so important to educate children who are already exposed to fitness influencers who are using PEDs that people MAY take them, but that you have to take them in an EDUCATED SCIENTIFIC and SAFER manner. Ideally we'd like a world without it, but it feels kinda like a given these days

[@Necron00b]

I was hoping you would talk about this, in the Uk news, we are only getting "People will die if this event takes place"articles. It's very frustrating. haha

[@jupiter619]

Appreciate the shots at power slap 😂😂..it's insane that that's on TV and people hate steroids which can help improve life

[@jordangibs]

This is interesting but also bro is giving big Donn Davis energy, 4000 emails a day. Weird flex

[@mustlebart]

stopped listening at peter thiel

[@matepavic6929]

Why?

[@bvaugh11]

As soon as Luke mentioned life extension I knew Peter Thiel would be involved. A truly horrible individual.

[@nb6175]

@@matepavic6929He's one of those dudes that read 1984 and thought: huh... good idea

[@matepavic6929]

@@nb6175 First time I heard of him

[@michaelpalumbothispatcher8325]

Yup

[@jamesjohnston1297]

Loved watching this Luke. Whether or not people like Aron's energy or answer style, I think you discussed great points: transparency in drugs and health screening; athlete salaries and consistent events; if enhanced athletes hit higher numbers than Olympians, people will be curious; the crossover of PEDs into treating disabilities, or improving health generally. I'm intrigued to see where this goes. Also: I think you nailed it as a host here. It felt like earlier Joe Rogan podcasts, discussing an interesting topic in depth.

[@jesse7157]

This guys constant use of 'whataboutisms' turns me off to his argument.

[@Apoplectic_Spock]

Thanks!

[@SacClass650]

"Aging as a disease", gosh what an unpleasant and very, very odd conceptualization of life.

[@michaelpalumbothispatcher8325]

He's chums with Peter Thiel, so...

[@Ybby999]

Also "decades of disability" lmao

[@shanedr87]

Guy lost me at "aging is a disease"

[@wheelsup3263]

Very important pivotal conversation with an entertainment and information delivery

[@tuffneggah]

cant wait for luke to interview gun vendors who are like, "hey, it's people not us"

[@mdc3227]

Big difference between use and abuse. Sports are entertainment. Who doesn't want to see the human body to be pushed to its limits in the pursuit of greatness. That's why millions watch. I'm intrigued by this as a concept.

[@tristhekid]

Combat sports is a form of entertainment but it’s still a fight where your goal is to render your opponent unconscious and therefore inflicting real life brain damage. Look at Ali in his later years and tell yourself that, it’s entertainment

[@eddieajohnsontv]

Great get & interview Luke. Very thought provoking

[@justin8865]

While i agree fighters and Olympians should have a union. This guy stinks to high heaven , oh ya yup there it goes the populisim. Come on luke get somones not full of shit.

[@truckerdan5978]

Damn dude, this discussion is so valuable. Thanks for this, Luke. Not only did I learn a lot. But my eyes have been opened as well.

[@tracybrand1840]

My favorite interview you've had about drug enhancement, one of the best interviews overall. I would like you to post a follow up with your impressions/retorts/rebuttals/supporting information in regards to this interview. Thanks Luke!

[@johndenson3107]

Good job Luke! Keep em coming my man. 👍

[@user-ix4rv3kb8c]

This is the content i love, and the reason I'm following Luke in general. The dude's arguments are pretty weak at times. he's really good at not answering the questions directly

[@TheReal_DeanD]

The Gear Games. Love it. Very interesting talk here. Thanks Luke for this. I really enjoy how Men’s Health and Insta was called out on their BS.

[@1107FlexBlvd]

I say this on behalf of all TRUE competition fans. We watch sports/competition, not because we expect records to be shattered every week or season. I don't care if humans aren't doing backflip slam dunks. We watch to see who can make it to the top of the hill, by doing it the right way and with a smidge of luck in the area of avoiding injury. Only a sociopath could look themselves in the mirror and be proud of a record, championship, or medal that they won while cheating, in any capacity.

[@aalvarez8825]

You do know your favorite athletes are doping right?

[@enriqueshockwave]

I appreciate your integrity. That being said I believe your view of pro sports is a little naive. Its been about 60 years of doping. Its everywhere. Whether you like it or not everyone is on steroids already and the proverbial veil just needs to be lifted.

[@bmo8898]

ahahahahaha, google: "The All Drug Olypmics" skit from SNL

[@urkput]

Great interview

[@samhoffman5240]

Didn’t think I was going to enjoy this interview but I gave it a chance and it’s super interesting.

[@Theredbastard2023]

This guys line of thought gives me the creeps. No thanks.

[@hatetheplayerhatethegame1932]

Agreed, the traditional line of thought of controlling underpaid athletes is comfortable to me too.

[@MandosCulture]

Why is Luke Cosplaying as Flannel Ariel

[@frankiecal3186]

Shure it it is BUDDEH. - Michael Bisping👁

[@DomVelando]

buddeh

[@nesking7029]

Good interview Luke! I know you didn't have much time but I'm wondering about one thing... Will "clean" athletes be invited to show the difference or if they can still compete? The world can decide who to root for. I will be watching these events, I was the clean athlete in a professional sport. I should've juiced lol.

[@xp_xannypacquiao]

I am bought in. Loved the discussion.

[@DelightfulPager-ro4nw]

@30:00 Said it before and will say it again for the 100 metre sprint just wear 99.5 metre length high heels and then once the race starts just leap forward over the line...been saying it for years obvious way to beat the record

[@francescolapietra930]

Incredible interview luke

[@jccoburn9089]

This is so good! And about time as everyone is enhanced

[@slicvm]

This guy is making the Bellator Olympics version. Bunch of past prime contestants.

[@a.a.h.s.2345]

I physically cringed at the "records will be shattered" talk. Dude seriously thinks that pumping up a C or D tier runner will turn them into Usain Bolt.

[@shotbysanchez]

This was an interesting interview, and while I like the concept of the enhanced games I am very skeptical.

[@pete7674]

I support this project. Hopefully it's a successful endeavor.

[@mattm8098]

19:30 eventually solve ? Pushing immortality here damn

[@jeesuk]

Did this guy really think he could put Luke Thomas, the "leather shoe" of MMA media, in the spin cycle?

[@LowkeyLukeDnB]

Greet interview thanks Luke

[@Sydsourtrout]

Not sure I agree with the idea of the enhanced games fully yet. But Aron does a really good job of getting his points across and he responded well to questions that pushed back. Good interview.

[@Khaleel587]

Wouldn’t the addition of performance enhancing drugs actually increase the socioeconomic disparity between athletes? I don’t necessarily believe that’s an argument for enhanced games. The countries and athletes with wealth and access to the resources are going to be the ones that benefit and that will only create a larger disparity? Understand my there is a gap already due to the ability to train etc but idk if that is a fair argument to make

[@TheDevilMusic69]

YES! Excellent content.

[@tristhekid]

Even if everyone is on roids, they don’t take punishment better. Their brain health doesn’t improve, in fact it gets worse through being punched harder and more frequently. Let’s have a sports science episode where this guy gets punched by Bivol off roids and then by Bivol on roids and see what he thinks. Their longevity in the sport and recovery might be better but the ability to give the opponent brain damage negates all of the longevity and recovery ability. Roids are fine if you’re doing the 100meter dash but not in combat sports. It’s better if no one had roids. Mainly for the health of the athletes. On top of that, there are health risks to taking roids and PEDs, there aren’t really health risks to not taking them.

[@babyting395]

There are health risks from not taking PED’s, especially at a certain age. That’s why they’re prescribed by doctors.

[@BeatKasterG]

This guy is the Elizabeth Holmes of sports doping

[@wardevil91]

I do appreciate the content tho

[@troublesome07]

I guess I'm an idiot, cuz i thought he represented himself well here (in contrast to the more skeptical comments section). The answers were somewhat vague, but also kind of generally satisfying to me. Like the overall philosophy of it seems logically consistent. The real test will be in what happens at the actual event. I don't think they will break any records, because the best athletes are already on the best gear, so they already have a leg-up. His views also wreak of Transhumanism, which I can't really get behind. Overall he's a smart dude and I am interested in what kind of event they can produce. I do think it will be hard to overcome cultural bias and the taboo nature of drug use, especially because the media will shit on it as immoral or something. But nonetheless I'm very curious to see what happens or if they can even get things off the ground

[@vlcthefish]

Is Luke wearing a table cloth as a shirt?

[@lowlowseesee]

Yes

[@vlcthefish]

@@lowlowseesee THANKS

[@LA_Native]

Can this guy fix the UFC’s fighter pay issue too? Asking for a friend who gets paid 12k to show, 12k to win

[@dylanreinboth9577]

Sounds cool. Would love to see competition for Olympic sports

[@epiphany86]

Lumberjack Luke ❤

[@waitey8626]

Why’s Luke looking absolutely jacked?

[@waitey8626]

Is he competing in the enhanced games?

[@DC_92]

OMFG WEVE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR THIS!!!!!! A MOTHER FUCKING STEROID LEAGUE!!!!!!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@a.a.h.s.2345]

The "records will be shattered" talk from this dude made me cringe. Pumping up C and D tier athletes isn't going to make them supersoldiers.

[@japanunfound]

Absolute spazz approach to this issue. Quoting a bioethicist from twenty years ago as his main justification holds no water. That was an era in academics when this subject was just gaining traction and folk were trying to prove their hipster stance wasn’t batty as all nuts. If zero testing gains traction and becomes the norm, it creates barriers to entry and only those with access to the tech can win. So it becomes less of an even playing field. Also you’d face a choice, your sport or your health. That is unacceptable to make young people make that choice. His whataboutism regarding gambling etc. makes good points but doesn’t justify making it worse. His stats on the safety of steroids are bogus. He’s not even calling for fairer testing or health tests. His games has zero testing. Sports players don’t have the same mentality as regular folk. It’s not a logical pursuit. They will damage their long term health for short term glory. That is proven both psychologically and historically. The likelihood though is that it doesn’t gain traction and people continue to cheat in regular games. That is no reason to just give up and let it get worse though.

[@justinjakimiak1998]

Bro acting like chatGPT is actually artificial intelligence 🤡

[@JAYDUBYAH29]

I don’t trust this guy’s argument-style.

[@martinchandler9469]

That 44% of athletes doping figure comes from a paper that discusses different ways of measuring doping prevalence. It is not intended to be a definitive figure. One of the authors went on to write another paper that highlighted limitations of the measurement method and cited the likelihood they overestimated the true figure. Ulrich (lead author) then wrote another paper last year as a rebuttal of that second paper. The debate is far from settled and just using the original paper (and ignoring the ongoing debate amongst the authors) is a classic example of cherry-picking science to suit your message. Which is not how it works. Well, not if you want to be honest about it anyway.

[@jordanoconnor4954]

His strongest arguments are the critiques of the olympics which i find very compelling. But especially the whole "ageing is a disease" thing just seems out of touch

[@SwampCityRadio1974]

I think it's reasonable to take a stance against certain drugs not because they're performance enhancing, but because certain drugs are harmful or if not harmful by definition, in the context of elite sport, prone to misuse in ways that inevitably leads to harm on a scale from chronic debilitation to fatality. To characterise the argument against drug taking in sport as principally about being "anti-performance enhancement" or "anti-performance" is a kind of obvious straw man.

[@AdamKaswinerLasVegas]

NGL, I was not expecting to like this guy but this is a fascinating conversation. Well done bringing this guy on Luke! 👏🏼

[@TheWHIGJr]

When peeps end their sentences with that uptick in pitch it means what they’re saying is totally accurate and well intentioned

[@francoislegerd.5116]

Comparing the Olympics to IA, Deep Blue and Uber is laughable. True and serious athletes will always dream of medaling in the Olympics despite all its problems, and will risk everything to get there rather than competing in such a downgraded brand with no risk of getting caught. Its like the nfl, like the champion’s league, like church: despite all the ugly, these institutions will live on until the enfin of time.

[@carloslope159]

Strong ivyleague white DC suburb mathlete energy today

[@theomega616]

Francis is clean, you want him to hit a person on roids? Imagine that overeem uppercut ON ROIDS! Literally an uppercut on roids from one of the most vicious ko artists in sports history! Thats internal decapitation!

[@chainyrabbit]

Heroin is very much a performance enhancement. Its very good for weight training and even kickboxing

[@rollandcurtis874]

“HIS MANAGER, HIS AGENT, HIS WIFE, HIS TRAINER ALL BEING CONNECTED TO THE BioGenesis Clinic, AS WELL AS ANOTHER drug-dealer AT A GYM, SO IT WASN’T JUST BioGenesis.” - Victor Conte This information is the reason why they started the “we done with the 90s” distraction. 👀

[@--AL]

I was intrigued, but this interview completely unsold me. It's hilarious to hear a rich guy say "everyone who wants to alter themselves should be able to" while 10 minutes before he's saying how the only place to get good steroids are from these designer boutiques in Hollywood. He doesn't care about athletes. He wants steroids to be accessible to the RICH, and he wants to create his own Olympic committee to control the athletes himself under the guise of saying you can take drugs here! When he said, "Holywood people are taking so much, its like they're a new species." You know this is the same type of guy where if he was juiced to the gills, he would call people with no enhancements, AKA poor people, a "lesser" species. This guy is a sociopath.

[@00Spiral007]

Not leaving this comment to criticize, Luke. Love ya. Just wanted to say though -- go back to 4 seconds in and look at that edit on your introduction to Aron. The sound effect you used (the record skip) is combined with your voice for just a second -- and it sounded like the command voice from Dune or whatever. Basically, I pooped myself out of fear. It was way scarier than it had any right being. Or maybe I should lay off the delta 9. That could be it too.

[@mikeiso8963]

All I’ve take from this is: 1. Dude name drops to much 2. Peter Tiel is investing 3. This dude is likely a sociopath either because he naturally lacks normal human mannerisms or is actively copying the lack of human movement and mannerisms like other tech CEOs. These tech bro dudes can take a fun idea and ruin it with their obsession with the smell of their own farts and buzzwords. I’m halfway through and im surprised he hasn’t said “effective altruism” yet.

[@michaelpalumbothispatcher8325]

Wouldn't be surprised if EA were a part of it :/

[@DelightfulPager-ro4nw]

Enhanced games won't beat alot of records because the actual games is just the enhanced games with a drug testing marketing arm 😂

[@JackHehe]

Can the basketball event be called Dbol Bball?

[@beenjamminbuttons7771]

Winnie Swimming?

[@vincentgonzaba4656]

This guy doesn’t do a good job in trying to create separate between “us and them.” He repeatedly states that the wealthier class are in charge of IOC/have access to these pharmaceuticals, as if he’s NOT part of the wealthier class. Also the “I know you are, but what am I?” approach towards McDonald’s and Coke is an indicator (to me) that you struggle to justify your point without resorting to pointing the finger and someone that’s doing worse than you. So, by default, you must not be doing bad. Right? That being said, I don’t mind the approach to sport

[@user-zz4ge6bn9g]

He had me until he said - “ageing is a disease” 😂

[@uoislame]

this guy says a lot of words without saying a lot, but i get it. i don't mind his idea in concept. im skeptical about how well it will work out, but if t he athletes actually get some say, its better than the current system.

[@xkidmidnightx]

This guy is talking like we don’t already know that steroids make you faster and stronger. It’s no revelation that they work. Perhaps a guy with 10 inch shoulders should think about steroids himself.

[@NeoValeTudo]

10/10

[@Bilstar1979]

I don't trust him. EDIT: But I've always wanted to see a "steroid olympics" I wanna see someone throw a javelin through the International Space Station (no hate for the ISS, but it'd be amazing)

[@rubberducki0406]

How much are you going to pay them when they only "work" once every 4 years?? As enhanced Olympians... and you expect their lifestyle to be well above average. Similar to nba/nfl/mlb players... bare minimum $1 million US per athlete per 4 years. Sounds very expensive 🤔

[@edjerle]

This is so good. Luke needs more views!!!

[@Mr_Magpie_]

You would want to see the top athletes take the odds to be super human because peds still wouldn’t make the average 9-5 looking human beat a Usain Bolt, Mike Tyson etc etc 😂

[@tommccarthy5066]

Get some serious josh Fabia vibes from this guy

[@frankiecal3186]

They're Logo: 🍑 💉

[@somdutroy]

*their

[@wardevil91]

Volume is so low Would hate to be a truck driver trying to listen to this

[@jamesturner961]

Sound is good

[@frankiecal3186]

The Roid Olympics

[@lingbon3543]

I'm pro this idea but man ol boy sure can tap dance around a question. "How are you going to keep athletes safe" " I just think it's funny you mention that when the ioc is sponsored by coke and McDonald's"...got em?

[@LePetitVicomte]

Scammer vibes are strong on this one

[@lowlowseesee]

How can anyone hate this? Lol I mean I know how but you know what I mean

[@jamilalexandros6241]

The way he apprpriates good causes like fighter pay and mental health issues due to negative body image and acts like he’s trying to help people is so fucking evil.