56 - EP56 with Bodega Bro: Handsome Chad Cancellation, The Truth and What's Next for BB

Ready to go. So I have with me for the Soulcast Bodega Bro, as he is now known, but Griffin, welcome to the show and thank you for joining me. Yeah, it's great to have you here.

Yeah, thank you for having me on. I appreciate it.

My pleasure, bro. So let's go into why BodegaBro is now your, you know, your moniker online and kind of this whole fiasco from your perspective. I'd like to hear it from the beginning from you and how we got to this point.

Yeah, so I'll kind of tell you guys the story. So I'm a kid from the Midwest, born and raised in Michigan. I moved out to New York about a week ago. To start a sales job at a pretty established startup. And I was super excited to get after it in the big city, you know, for a great company. And immediately upon coming here, I was experiencing some pretty massive culture shock, you know, as I've never really been to New York before, right? So I'm subletting in the Bronx. I went to go grocery shopping for like the first time, like right off the plane. And I type in grocery stores in my Maps and a bunch of these like little corner stores show up, right? And like, I'm looking for like Kroger's and Whole Foods. Like I was trying to get like frozen berries for like smoothies, right? And like, it just didn't happen. So I pulled out my phone to kind of share my perspective of, you know, like a Midwesterner in the city for the first time. And it sparked some controversy to say the least. So the woke mob, I guess, was kind of accusing me of being racist. And, you know, they contacted my employer and they got me fired, essentially. Um, the way I kind of like, like to put it is I was kind of like a golden retriever that like stuck his nose in a bee's nest and got stung. Got stung pretty fucking hard, you know? Yeah, that kind of sucks.

Well, but yeah, it— I mean, like, there's one perspective to look at it, um, that it sucked, and obviously it has, you know you know, been a bit of a roller coaster for you, I'm sure. But I think, you know, you've now kind of been jettisoned into the spotlight for a lot of people because this whole thing where you were innocuously just commenting on the reality of just like, okay, where do I get my fucking milk and my eggs? You know, that's, you know, fairly simple stuff. And in the big city, you assume that that's going to happen. Obviously, you haven't been to New York before. That was something people mentioned to me. I actually lived in New York for a few months recently. I was able to find supermarket eventually, but yeah, I wasn't in the area that you were. But a lot of people said that, yeah, they're just because the real estate, they don't actually have the land to do these massive kind of supermarket stores, even though there are some, but maybe not in your area. But what was so, I think, why people have kind of rallied behind you so much is this was the first cancellation, if you will, where you were completely well-intentioned, you didn't say anything, even at a stretch, you didn't say anything that was like, you know, rude or whatever, you know, according to some people, but you were completely not at fault and you were just like, because I think you were handsome, you know, attractive and jacked and, you know, on some levels white as well, you were kind of attacked for being racist even though you're just commenting on the reality of the situation. And your crime was just telling the truth, which is antithetical to this whole kind of culture at the moment.

Yeah, no, I mean, it's the whole thing that's really caught me off guard. You know, I didn't think in a million years that this would happen. You know, my intent behind the video was to kind of make fun of myself almost, you know what I mean? Like some clueless—

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Clueless Michigan kid in New York for the first time. Like, yeah. Yeah, you know, couldn't, couldn't find like yogurt and milk, you know what I mean? Like, so I didn't— yeah, any like harm, no like malicious intent behind the video. I wasn't trying to like trash the city or anything, but, um, yeah, it just got taken like way out of context, you know? And I recently realized that TikTok's actually location-based. So I posted that video thinking like, oh my God, all my friends back home are gonna think I'm this is crazy, like they don't have Whole Foods and Kroger, like, but yeah, location-based, the first like 1, 2, 3, 5,000 people to see that were all from the Bronx, you know what I mean? So yeah, they kind of viewed that as like, oh, like this, this kid that's not from the town like is trashing our city, you know, that's how— yeah, which wasn't my intent whatsoever, you Yeah, of course.

And, you know, anyone emotionally well-adjusted or socially well-adjusted knew that, could tell. Your energy just at a base level was very good and, you know, wholesome. You had another video which you were, you know, investigating some of the other events that go on, and you weren't doing it in a way that, like, even, even like a pranking way or anything like that. So this whole thing is kind of just shown you know, the worst kind of stage of cancel culture or whatever. So, um, you know, it's, it's really, you know, there's so many— I think there are so many more people behind you than there are against you, you know. That's what I, I don't know if you felt that or anything, but, um, you know, all of this stuff, not even your just your case, but all of the kind of woke politics and things, that's a vocal, very vocal minority compared to most people. Most people, 95%, 99% of people watch your video, thought it was funny, thought you were just a guy having a bit of fun and, you know, like you said, poking a bit of fun at yourself.

Yeah, exactly. The first day or two, you know, there was like, I think that—

When did you realize you just kind of posted the video? I don't know how many followers you had on TikTok before, but you're just like, oh yeah, this is going to, you know, for my friends back home. When did you realize, like, did you just check your phone, notifications were going wild?

Yeah, like the first night it didn't do like a ton of views, but then like throughout the day— I posted it Friday night and like throughout the day on Saturday it started to like pick up more and more traction and the comments were just flooding in. Like I think it— I only have 3,500 followers now, I have like 9,500, but like, yeah, um, I had 3,500 followers at the time and this thing had like 4,000 comments. You know what I mean?

Yeah.

So, yeah. Wow, like, people are pretty upset about this, which, like I said, wasn't my— I mean, as you noted, the, um, like, the first 2 days were like I was getting shit on pretty hard, but then the next couple of days there was like this whole second wave of supporters, which, um, somewhat— I'm glad—

supporters—

my team, you know?

Yeah, yeah. Well, yeah, like I said, we're all behind you. I think this whole thing is a blessing in disguise, you know, like you extrapolate, okay, the plan was to work for this company, but if they're a company that is so willing over something so innocuous to just, you know, fire you because they had some angry Twitter comments, I think I saw far more people commenting on the company's page, you know, 'F you for firing Bodega, bro.' You know, so it's like, I think a lot— I know a lot of good will come from this, whether or not this, you know, whole roller coaster has felt that way so far for you. But I know that like you have so many people behind you and it is going to be a blessing in disguise. You know, you have a captive audience, fame for nothing bad. You know, negative fame, negative press— you just say there's no such thing as bad press in a way. Now you are kind of the poster child for people that have been unfairly canceled in a way recently. And like I said, because it was so innocuous and so wholesome of you to post in the first place, it's like, yeah, I don't see, you know, really the long-term negatives of it.

But yeah, right now it's just kind of tough because, you know, I moved here for this job, you know what I mean? It was kind of like, it was my dream.

Yeah.

A sales job at, you know, a top, a top young startup in a big city.

Yeah.

It's something I've been looking forward to for years, you know, and like within a few days of my start date, it was taken away because of some stupid Twitter video or TikTok video, you know?

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Right now it kind of feels like I'm drowning a little bit, just kind of treading water, trying to figure something out. But yeah, you know, I've had some people in my DMs and like on LinkedIn and Twitter, you You know, like send me your resume, like let's set up an interview, that kind of thing. So I got a couple of interviews lined up.

Yep.

Week like this upcoming week. So hopefully that goes in the right direction.

Yeah, it will, man. You know, anyone out there that's listening, now New York based and what kind of sales was it?

So it was tech sales, like software.

Right.

Software as a service.

Yeah.

AS specifically.

Cool. Uh, was that something you studied for, or what, what is your kind of background at college and stuff? I know you are an athlete as well.

I studied, um, economics and psychology. So, um, sweet. Yeah, I minored in psychology, so like that was kind of like the sales side of it. That's where like the sales comes from a little bit. And yeah, yeah, I've been wanting to do sales like my, you know, for the last like 4 years now, you know what I mean? I, um A couple summers ago, I sold alarm systems for a company called Vivint. It was door-to-door and 100% commission, you know, eat what you kill type deal. And I struggled at first, but I got, like, I went 12 days without getting a deal. And then my 13th day, I got 3 deals in one day. And that just kind of propelled me to just kill it the rest of the summer. You know, I had a blast learning, you know, great experience. So ever since then, I'm like, you know, like, I really want to get into sales.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. That's awesome, man. Sales is one of those things. I don't know if you've considered solar sales. That's a really big thing at the moment is selling solar panels because there's a lot of government backing and things that people don't necessarily have to outlay a lot. But then you're kind of the middleman selling that. Something to consider. I don't know if you have.

Yeah, there's— I actually recently got connected with a guy, Mark Murphy. He's in Connecticut. It's like, it's only like an hour train. But, um, he runs— he doesn't run a company, but he like manages his team out there. So I've been talking to him a little bit recently. It's actually funny you say that. The, uh, the Vivint guys that I, that I sold with actually all quit Vivint and they're selling solar panels in San Diego right now for a company called Rock Eyes Energy. So yeah, yeah, it's fun.

Yeah. Well, I'm sure you can pivot into anything really, but have you ever considered maybe, you know, shifting entirely now that you have this kind of online audience and doing something like a travel show?

I don't know. I mean, a little risky, you know. I don't know, plus like my family's not really all about the whole like social media thing. They want this to die down as soon as possible. I mean, so do I. I just want to get a job, you know, like my goal is like I don't want to go all in on creating content, you know. I just don't think like—

Yeah.

I mean, I honestly don't have the balls for it, you know. Like, I respect the hell out of anybody that can and, you know, like, has, has the, has the guts to go, you know what I mean, to make content. They're like full-time deal. But, uh, yeah, my goal is to kind of like— because like before I posted these TikToks, I don't know if you noticed, I was posting like gym videos and shit, you know what I mean? Like, yeah, like, yeah, how to get like, like dickskin forearms or whatever.

Yes, as we can see. Yeah, but jacked.

Like, my goal with like the social media thing was like to get a big enough following that I can like, you know, like kind of coach people and give workout programs, you know what I mean? Like $20, $30, $40 a month or something like that, you know? Get like 50 clients is like kind of like a side hustle type of thing, like while I have, you know.

Yeah. Well, yeah, I mean, I'm biased somewhat because, you know, I, I put out content online and it's kind of enabled me to work for myself in a way. Um, I just think there is, you know, there's such a— I mean, you've already had the worst kind of possible reaction from, you know, putting out content. Like, that's— if someone has the balls for it, that's what they're really kind of risking as such, is like the judgment of a lot of people in case, you know, a video goes viral. You've already done that. You've gone through the trial by fire. So if it's something that like, not that you're worried about or whatever, but you've already had the kind of worst reaction that you could. If it's, you know, I don't want to tell you what to do, of course, but I just think there is a capacity for you to kind of use this all for good in a way. And like, you could still do that into sales and things and putting sales content online, kind of documenting whatever sales job you kind of go into. I just think, you know, Anyone will benefit from having a personal brand online. And I think you've already got all this momentum behind you. So yeah, that would be my kind of two cents to consider is just, you know, utilizing this whole, all of this press and pivoting that into something, if that's something you would want to do anyway.

Yeah, no, I mean, it's like, it's something I've thought about heavily. Like, it's just, it's a big jump, you know? I mean, I mean, you're right, 100%, you know what I mean? This is like a great opportunity, you know, like, well, all this stuff is going on, you know, like there's like, there's this one dude on Twitter, he has like 1.8 million followers, his name's like Jack, Jack Proscio or something like that.

I'll say Posobiec, Posobiec, I'm not sure how to pronounce it.

Yeah, yeah, that guy, like he's, he's tweeted about me like 3 or 4 times, you know what I mean?

Yeah, yeah.

And, um, I just think it's crazy. So like, I mean, you're right, this is a great thing to capitalize, it's just like I don't know, I guess I'm kind of a pussy, to be honest, you know.

No, no, don't say that. It's— I mean, you've drawn more kind of attention and negative attention than I ever have online, you know. So, you know, you're, you're more into it than I am in that sense. Um, it's just like the whole concept of cancellations, right? They only work if you cancel yourself, uh, is my opinion. Or if you bow to the mob and like, oh, I'm sorry for saying what I did, and you were telling the truth. You were— as long as you're telling the truth and being honest about your perspective, then there's really like— I believe there's really nothing negative long-term that can come from that, other than, uh, the kind of regime woke mob being upset that a handsome guy is willing to just come to, you know, their area of New York and tell the truth. Because a lot of the culture of that kind of world is signalling to other people that you're part of their kind of part of their perspective of reality by propagating the lies and things like that. So, when you tell the truth, that cuts people like that because they're so like it stings them, you know. Obviously, having only bodegas around is probably not the best for anyone in terms of if they want to have healthy food and they say they want to protect these kind of lower income areas. 'or help these lower income areas.' But if their only reaction to like, 'Hey, maybe there isn't good food around through this area, why is that?' That kind of just pierces to the heart of what they're really doing. And you know, it's something you should never be afraid of. And you know, I try to tell the truth about these situations as much as possible. And that's why I wanted to kind of speak to you and get your perspective on everything. But you know, I think a lot of it when you replied with your, your, your other TikTok where you went around to bodegas and bought food for, you know, the, the homeless people around, I think that was a great way to kind of respond is that you weren't, you weren't apologizing, you weren't, you know, canceling yourself. It's just like, hey, I'm willing to kind of just push in positive energy back out to that. I think that's, you know, great response. Continue doing that because that's what's going to end up like if If you— the only people that apologize are the people that need to signal to that kind of world that they're part of it. But I don't think you are in that sense, which is a good thing because you're just an honest guy. You're a nice dude that wants to share his perspective and honest opinion and just have a good sales job and live his life.

Yeah, exactly. You know what I mean? And none of the videos I make have you know, malicious intent behind them. Like, I don't— I don't like— I'm not a racist, you know what I mean? Like, I've been— and what's unfortunate is like, I've been painted in this way by like, just like, by like user 1824627 with like no problem. Like a bunch of— exactly, a bunch of those people, you know what I mean? And I'm like, yep, like, do you have anything going on in your life? Like, is Do you have anything?

No, they don't.

Literally, like, you spend your time and energy like sending crafted emails to my company making these accusations. Like, it's just— it blows my mind. It's unbelievable. So I mean, if there's a way— like, I mean, if I keep making content, I'm probably gonna stick to the gym stuff, if I'm being honest, just because like, I mean, I don't think you can— I can't be called a racist or like a homophobe from gym content.

But who cares? Yeah, you weren't, you weren't saying those things. Like, as soon as you— people can call you whatever, right? As soon as you accept that label and start like defending it, and I'm not— you know, you have to reply to kind of character assassination in a way and be like, actually, that's not true. But I, I think it's when you give it the energy, it's just like responding. It's like, you know you're not, you know the truth, you know the honest reality. Because these people that have nothing else going on in their life. They would love to have a sales job from a great company in the big city, but they're angry at the way that their life has turned out. They see you, Chad, walking around New York, you know, thick neck, just having a good time, uh, and they go, oh man, that's fucking annoying. Like, it pierces to their, you know, their ego. It's like, why haven't I achieved that? Or whatever it is. And then the whole cancel culture thing is trying to diminish the successes of others because they're upset about how their own life has turned out. That's all it is.

Yeah, I mean, you're right, honestly. That's a good way to put it. It's just like there's so many of these people on the damn internet, it's crazy. See, like, that, that's the thing about creating content is like, like, I'm sure you have some of those guys too, even though your content's like, it's unbelievable. I've been following you for like 2 years now probably, but, uh, cool. I'm sure even you have like some of those random You know what I mean? Like here and there, even though, you know, yeah, slightly controversial really. Like, I'm sure, yeah, you've dealt with it to like some— to like a lesser extent, not to like, like being in the, being in the New York Post and everything, but you've dealt with it like a little bit, right?

Yeah, yeah, I mean, I've had people upset, um, about the strangest things. Uh, it's just like, it's just part and parcel of it. And the way I think about it is The worst thing to happen is no one gives a shit, no one sees any of your content, and you're just kind of like talking to the ether and no one really cares. When you're being talked about, that is a good thing because it means you're relevant and it means you are, you know, putting out something that is, you know, getting to the hearts of people. It's getting to the truth of the situation. It's interesting. It's, it's whatever it is. It's like it's breaking down the preconceived notions of people. Like, people think in dogmas. The dogma that they have, their belief about life or the situation or how things are. And then if anything, instead of reviewing evidence and going, "Oh, okay, maybe my belief was wrong," they try and find evidence or reject that evidence to then back up their preconceived beliefs. So if you say anything that is true, or is at least your truth perspective, your honest perspective, at the time, then, you know, they're going to just reject that outright because it doesn't fit with their preconceived worldview. And that is kind of the basis of the woke culture at the moment. It's like you can't tell the truth, you can't notice statistics, you can't, you know, be the person in the room because everyone knows it. It's like this performative thing. It's like there's one guy in the room that looks at something and goes, hmm, maybe that isn't right, or maybe that You know, that doesn't actually add up. The truth tellers are always the one that gets persecuted, uh, the most. You know, there's— they hated Jesus because he spoke the truth. Um, there was, you know, so many, uh, examples of that in terms of like communist regimes around the world. It's like they censor because the truth goes against, uh, the truth is right, the truth exists. You can only cover up the truth for so long with lies. And when you stack lies on top of each other, eventually it all comes crumbling down. So, you know, you always have to try and aim to speak the truth in whatever situation you are. And I believe that it's always going to turn out the best way when you do that. Yeah.

I mean, I think you're right 100%. You know what I mean? Speaking the truth, like sometimes people just don't want to hear the truth. And just because it doesn't fit what their, you know, their preconceived beliefs are, you know, and Yeah, I think like those people just, they have something in their mind and they're so like thick-skulled. They're like, we're gonna listen to anybody, anybody, like what the fuck they have to say, you know what I mean? Even if it's 100, right? It can be, you could say like 2 2 4, but like if somebody really believes 2 2 5, they're gonna like come at you and like, you know, try to cancel you. Whatever you're going to meet.

Exactly.

Believable, you know.

Yeah, it's— there's also the, the bigger thing, like, if you have looked like some of the people that were attacking you, uh, you know, there was that guy, super skinny neck, kind of alien-shaped skull, who had his first like fucking voice, like, uh, hey, actually, bodegas are in a critical part of our community, like Nah, like, if you were someone like that and said that stuff, entirely different kind of reception, I believe. But your case is really— it's just a kind of focused example of the greater community sentiment of people that haven't achieved anything, don't look good, don't feel good about their lives, attacking someone that is obviously doing better than them. Has trustworthy physiognomy, is obviously jacked and ripped. Um, you know, it's— it is jealousy at the heart of it. So, you know, it's a very interesting state, or a very interesting example of the state of the world right now.

Yeah, I know. I mean, I think that's an interesting way to put it, you know what I mean? Because I— that dude, his name's like, um, what— it's like Dutch or something like that. Like, yeah, yeah, that guy, like, he, um He actually made it, he made— so he made that one video and he— yeah, and he made a second, like, a follow-up video basically, like, crying into the camera, being like, like, I forgot what he said, like, I'll have to, I'll have to send it to you, but, like, this guy was, like, basically whining about, like, all the people that were hating on him and, like, he's like, well, growing up as a, as a homosexual in New York, like, I've gotten, I've gotten bullied a lot, and I think that these people online, like, have been really, really hurtful. And I'm like, dude, like, you, you tried to come at me, like, you tried to shit on me and people got mad at you. Like, dude, like, what do you, what do you expect? You know what I mean? It's just—

yep, it's—

oh my God.

Yeah, it's hypocrisy.

This whole fucking ridiculous.

Yeah, it is ridiculous. And I guess I'm not in your position, but you just gotta kind of laugh at it. Like, think of all the positive people that now are in your corner. They are, you know, reaching out to you and networking and stuff. And just really hold the belief in your head that, you know, this was probably a redirection from God to kind of, you know, bring something a lot better into your life. And maybe it doesn't feel that way right now, but it's been a week. That's the other thing, it's like What, 6 days? 5 days?

Yeah, I posted it last Friday, last week.

Yeah, so 5 days, really 6 days. So these things, like whenever I've received a lot of outrage or whatever over a tweet, I'll just, you know, mute that tweet so I don't get any notifications from it. And in 2 or 3 days, usually people have moved on. Now yours has obviously scaled a lot higher than that, But the next outrage thing will come up in a few days. People will forget about this whole thing for the most part. And you'll just be left with a whole bunch of followers and a whole bunch of people that know your name, which is, you know, a good kind of a good scenario to come out of this. So it's about hypocrisy as well. One of the interesting things that I, you know, from seeing people outraged about this is this— they're allegedly— they want to portray that they're so welcoming to all people, like, yeah, immigration, bring everyone in, mixed cultures, whatever. But as soon as someone comes in that isn't, you know, exactly bowing down to their view on the world, it's, you know, they're coming for your throat. And it's, you know, it's very hypocritical. And it really just shows that they're not about tolerance. They're not, you know, a tolerant, really like nice community would have been like, hey man, like these bodegas, you know, maybe you just got to go somewhere else to get the whole food markets. Here's the address, you know, things like that. Would bring a community together. But instead, because you are an outsider, they attack you. And I think that's what people need to realize about the performative kind of language that these people have about the world, is that it's all fake. And as soon as you tell the truth, or you're not— like, you can never— this is what some politicians make the mistake of, is bowing down to these people from who don't even— like, even if they do apologize, to be like, sorry, mate. Nah, that's not enough. You're still canceled. And then like, what have you done? You've kind of surrendered in a way, um, for something that you don't even believe in, uh, just because you were, you know, upset about these pixels on a screen. Like, it's not real at the end of the day. None of these people would say that to your face. None of these people would, you know, even bother challenging you and being like, hey, you know, fuck you, in person. It's just because they have the strength and the courage from behind a screen to, um, you know, attack you. That's the only reason why this whole thing has um, come out the way it has.

Yeah, dude, like, I like to call them like, um, like keyboard warriors, you know what I mean? Like, they're relentless, you know? Like, they'll sit in their bed— like, I'll get, like, I'll get, I'll get comments, like, granted, they might be from like the West Coast for like 3 hours behind, but like, I'll get comments, like nasty-ass shit at like 3 in the morning, you know what I mean? I'm like, dude, like, you're laying in your bed scrolling TikTok and like Yeah, you really like care about it that much that like you take some time to comment some nasty-ass shit and then just scroll to the next video? Like, yeah, this, this whole thing, like, it's just, it doesn't make sense to me. But like, that's just the internet these days, I guess, you know?

Yeah, yeah, it is. Um, so coming to New York, you had this image of, you know, big city new opportunities. Do you want to stay there now that you've had this kind of reaction?

Good question. Like, it's more of like, I just don't want to, like, because like I told all my, the people from my hometown, you know, in Michigan, like, oh, I got this sweet job in New York. They're like, they're a top 10 startup in the country. They're going to go public soon. It's just, yeah, like, I'm gonna be there at least 2 years when they go public. And like, now I'm fired and like, I don't want to go back, you know what I mean? And like, yeah, yeah, go back to my town and then always, what happened, Griffin? Like, oh yeah, I got fired for a fucking TikTok, you know what I mean? I think I just looked like a clown, you know what I mean? So like, I'm pretty—

no one thinks that.

I'm pretty determined to like, because, you know, like, my Network's growing, you know, like you said before, like I got connected with these Praxis guys, you know what I mean? Which like, I think there's like a huge opportunity there. Like, you know, it seems like a great community and like there's a lot of, a lot of networking to be done. So, uh, for sure. I think that I'm pretty determined to like figure it out here, you know what I mean? Cause like I like it here, honestly. Like, I mean, minus all like the soft people.

Um, yeah.

Like I've gone out in the city a couple of times. It's a blast. Awesome. But, um, yeah, so like I said before, like, I'm pretty determined to like figure it out out here. And, um, you know, because there's like, there's 100 jobs out here, you know, and I'm sure there's got to be, there's got to be some tech companies hiring salespeople somewhere, you know.

So, um, 100%.

I got a couple, like I said, I got a couple interviews lined up. And, um, you know, more opportunities are like coming through my, my inbox, my LinkedIn DMs. Like every few days.

Yeah.

So yeah, I mean, I feel like I'll, I'll have a job within the next month tops, maybe even sooner than that. But easy. Yeah, I like it out here. I kind of want to figure it out.

Yeah, uh, it does have its merits. Uh, personally, I, you know, was there similarly for work and networking and stuff. Longer term doesn't really mesh with my outlook on life overall. But yeah, there's a lot of benefits being in the city, so I'm sure something— well, I know something will come up for you sooner rather than later, and it'll be, you know, infinitely better than what you were kind of going into, I'm sure. But I'd like to talk about, you know, your upbringing and stuff a little bit, because, uh, you know, I posted on Twitter that I was going to be talking to you, and people had some questions in general. So what was upbringing like in the Midwest, and how does that kind of you know, athletically as well interested? Like, I obviously, I love talking about training and bodybuilding and stuff, and you're obviously, you got an impressive physique and things. So what was your athletic background like growing up? How does your— how did Griffin come to be, uh, in terms of your upbringing and things like that?

Yeah, so, um, I, uh, like growing up, I was like outside. Like when I was a young kid, like I was outside all the time with like the neighborhood kids playing like wiffle ball like pickleball, um, capture the flag.

Yep.

Oh, like stuff like that, you know. I like drinking hose water, you know what I mean, for like 6, 7 hours a day. That was kind of how I grew up. And then in middle school, like late elementary school, early middle school, I started playing football. And, um, football— I've been a baseball kid my whole life. I tore my shoulder, my throwing shoulder, I tore it wrestling. My sophomore year of high school, so I had to give up baseball. But, um, I ran track my junior year, and I picked up lacrosse my senior year, just my senior year. I wish I would have played lacrosse all 4 years. It was awesome. But I've been like a football kid through and through, you know. Like, I mean, not to like toot my own horn, but like growing up, like, I would— I was like usually like one of the best 1 or 2 kids on my team, you know what I mean.

Yep.

Like, like starting on— starting at linebacker and starting at running back, like getting the ball like every other play, you know what I mean?

Yeah, yeah.

In high school and everything, um, my senior year high school, I broke my fibula week 2. I had a— I had a really good week 1, had like 6 carries for like 42 yards, like had a reception for like 12 yards, had like 15 tackles. Um, then my second game broke my fibula. I was out the whole season. But, um, I ended up playing— so yeah, in high school I played baseball my freshman year, wrestled my freshman and sophomore year, played football all 4 years, ran track my junior year, and played lacrosse my senior year. And, um, I kind of got into lifting originally because like in like 7th, 8th grade, I was like a little bit on the shorter side, and I was like, damn, like this fucking sucks. Like, I'm like 2 inches shorter than all my friends, you know what I mean? So I figured like if I'm gonna be short, like I should probably be jacked to like make up for it.

It makes sense.

Yeah, so like I just started off with like— I bought this like pull-up bar, and, um, I was doing like 100 pull-ups, 100 push-ups a day, you know what I mean? Membership, started lifting like in 7th, 8th grade. Like, none of my friends were really lifting, so I would just go by myself, you know. And, um, then like in high school, I hit like my freshman, sophomore year, closer to my sophomore year, I hit a little bit of a growth spurt and I got to like a normal fucking height, you know what I mean. So I was like, yeah, pretty cool, like I'm in pretty good shape and I'm not like— granted, I'm not tall, like I'm like 5'10", 5'11", 5'10.5", you know. I feel like that's like a pretty normal height for a dude.

Perfect height. Yeah, yeah.

But, um, yeah, I just kind of like liked what I saw in the mirror, and I'm just like, just kind of kept going, you know what I mean? Like, you know, once there's— once I first started seeing that, you know, like some veins and like some definition in my shoulders, I was like, this is awesome, you know what I mean? So I just kind of, yeah, kept going with it, and, um Yeah, I've been like in love with fitness, you know, for, um, quite a while, honestly.

Yeah. So what are you training like now? You want to split, full body? What have you found best kind of results from?

Yeah, so I'm kind of doing like an Arnold split, um, chest and— yeah, then shoulders and arms, then—

yep.

I like— I know like everyone has a different split, really, like push-pull.

I love that one.

Full body. But, um, for me, you know, I found that like I get the best I get the best pumps. And like, I know it's not all about the fucking pumps, you know what I mean? But I felt results hitting chest and back together and— yep, shoulders. Like, and I, I superset like everything.

Like, yep, yep.

Except for like my compounds. Like, I'll bench and I won't superset bench, but, um, like I'll superset like lat pulldowns with cable flies, you know what I mean? Or like when I'm doing shoulders and arms, I'll superset set like lateral raises with tricep kickbacks, you know what I mean?

Yep, yep.

So, um, I think the supersets are big, you know, keeps the heart rate, you know, you're kind of moving up. Yeah. And like, uh, you know what I mean, not just like doing a set, resting for like 2 minutes, doing a set, and then you're there for like an hour 45 and you got it like immediately. Yeah. Like I think you like fly through and superset as much as you can, you know, you can get a really good workout in like an hour, hour 20 tops, you know what I mean? Like including— yeah, you know, so that's kind of how I structure it.

Yeah, I have found very similar results, uh, the best results from doing something similar. You know, the intensity about the workout is the thing that gets you, uh, the muscle breakdown. And, you know, pumps is not everything, like you said, but it is kind of also everything. Like, if you're not getting a pump, you're not getting as good a workout, you're not utilizing the muscles correctly. So I think that's super important. As far as eating, obviously you were trying to find milk and eggs and yogurt. Are they kind of core pillars of how you eat these days?

Yeah, like smoothies. I was trying to find like frozen fruit too, you know what I mean? Because like smoothies are like a staple. I probably have at least a smoothie a day. Um, yeah, usually I go strawberry banana, fat-free yogurt, um, egg whites, milk. Protein powder, you know what I mean? Pretty standard, nothing crazy. But eggs, eggs are huge too. I feel like eggs are pretty versatile, you know? Yeah. Um, I try to stay like lower carb, lower, almost like no sugar except for like fruit, you know what I mean? You know?

Yeah.

Like if I'm out or something and like someone's doing dessert, like I'll have some dessert, you know what I mean? Like I'm not like a Nazi, you know what I mean? I'll, I'll binge.

Yeah.

Wow. But I try to like I try to keep the carbs low, keep the sugar low, um, protein high. Of course, I try to get like 150, 160 grams a day.

Yep.

And mostly like not from like only— I try to only do like one scoop of protein powder, you know what I mean? Because I feel like if you're getting like— if you're trying to get like 150+ grams of protein and like you're just having like 5 scoops of protein powder, I think there's not like— yeah, actual nutritional. Like, it's, it's good, I guess, but like you're missing out on so many more like nutrients and minerals, you know what I mean? So I try to get— yep, a lot from like eggs, chicken, turkey, egg whites, um, peanut butter a little bit. Granted, peanut butter is not like crazy high protein, but like, you know, there's like 7 grams and a couple tablespoons. It's not too bad.

Yep.

Um, yeah, those kind of things. So, um, yeah, I usually try to stick to like 1 scoop of protein powder a day, and I usually just throw in the smoothie, you know.

Yeah, awesome. Uh, similar stuff for me. Did you ever find the eggs? Do you have some in your fridge right now?

I do, actually. I had to go to like 2 or 3 bodegas to find some eggs, but I, um, I eventually found some. So I've been, uh, I've been having some good breakfast recently, you know what I mean? I got some, I got some cheese as well, um, because like these bodegas have like deli meat, you know what I mean? But yeah, some of them don't. So like, I find, I found one that like you can buy like you know what I mean? Like ham, turkey, cheese by the pound. So like, I got, I got some American cheese, just been throwing in my eggs. It's been, uh, it's been pretty solid, I guess.

Beautiful. Well, I'm happy that you were able to find something. Um, yeah, man. So I, I think that kind of gets to the crux of, of everything. And I hope a lot of people will, you know, listen to this and see, you know, how much of a good guy you really are, um, you know, on the back of this whole scenario. I wanted to mention before the end of the podcast, you have a GoFundMe set up, so I'll put the link to that in the show notes for this. But also people can find your, your Twitter where you have that link. So what is your Twitter? And yeah, where can people find you if they wanted to help support you?

So it's, it's @gbow28, G-B-O-W-2-8.

Mm-hmm. Um, cool. Yeah, so yeah, Jibo28, uh, I'll link to that as well. And, uh, we're also gonna get you set up with a MetaMask account, uh, a MetaMask wallet. So if people are inclined, they can donate directly to your crypto wallet. I think that would be a very smart move for you to do as well. And I'll, I'll link to that, uh, in the show notes as well. But Bodega Bro, Griffin, really appreciate you coming, uh, on the show, on the Soulcast, and and I thank you for your time. And I know, you know, it may not seem like it, but great things are going to come out of this, and a lot of, lot of people are behind you and supporting you. So always remember that.

Yep, sounds good. Thank you, thank you so much for having me on, man. I really appreciate it.

No worries, bro. Catch you later.

You have a good one.