Warning: This article contains discussion of drug use.
A fitness influencer with millions of followers has sparked a fresh debate about performance-enhancing drugs after revealing what he says is a dramatic physical and mental turnaround since quitting steroids.
Cameron Dukes, the man behind the hugely popular Cooking for Gains brand, has shared a stark side-by-side transformation online, comparing his appearance during his time using steroids with how he looks now after more than 100 days “clean”.
His posts have drawn huge attention — not just for the visual contrast, but for the brutally honest message Dukes attached to it.
With 3.2 million followers on Instagram, Dukes is no stranger to life under constant scrutiny. His rise began on TikTok, where he went viral for cooking eggs on a plug-in stove in the back of his car. According to his own website, those early days were driven by a simple goal.
“My drive to help people is what made this dream come true,” Dukes writes. “I get to do what I love [every day] thanks to you all. It is truly a privilege to be able to help people reach their goals and change their lives for the better every day, and I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.”
Since then, the Cooking for Gains brand has grown into a full-blown fitness business, offering meal plans, supplements and lifestyle advice. But alongside the success, Dukes has also faced repeated controversy. He has been criticised for flexing luxury cars, making claims about earning nine figures, and asking followers for money after being involved in a motorcycle accident. There are also Reddit threads accusing him of aggressive behaviour, with some commenters suggesting steroid use played a role.
Now, Dukes himself appears to be addressing that chapter of his life head-on.
Posting the transformation photos, he urged followers to “stay natural” and warned that steroids come with a cost that goes far beyond muscle size.
“Stay natural,” he begins in his first post. Steroids are not worth it.
“They will demoralize your character. They will give you mental problems. You create short fuse, temperaments. You’ll always think you’re above everybody for the most part even if you don’t say it out loud. You’ll never be satisfied you’ll always wanna take more. Your life is nothing but gyming for the most part.
“Not to mention the age comparison, I look like I’m 40 in the picture on the left. I’m 30 and I feel like I have my youth back absolutely absurd I will never do steroids ever get in my life.”
Rather than focusing purely on physical side effects, Dukes repeatedly emphasised the psychological toll he believes steroids had on him — from ego and impatience to a complete loss of perspective outside the gym.
In a separate post, he went even further, describing his mindset during that period in blunt terms.
“Stay natural trust me you do not want to go through what I just went through,” he wrote. “Mentally and physically, I was a complete wreck
“I was hardheaded. I was an asshole towards 90% of people. I always thought I was above everybody, and I truly never wanna live this way ever again in my life.”
Dukes also linked his turning point to a serious motorcycle accident, which he says forced him to reassess his life and behaviour.
“To this day I’m so thankful I got in my wreck on my motorcycle. It put me on the right path to doing better for myself and for people around me,” he wrote.
Since then, he says his priorities have shifted away from chasing size and status, and toward personal growth and accountability.
“Since my wreck, I’ve been praying every single day not just for me, but for other people I want to see you good even if they’re not on the right path yet I know God will put them on the right path eventually with a little push,” he continued. “This year is all about self improvement being a better version of myself treating people with kindness and respect.”
He also issued a public apology to those he feels he wronged along the way, writing: “I’m very sorry to anyone I’ve ever offended for. Didn’t mean to. I hope you can forgive me. Nobody’s perfect.”
Addressing ongoing speculation, Dukes clarified his current situation in detail.
“I am over 117 days clean from steroids. I’m not taking TRT whatsoever,” he wrote. “The only thing I am taking is a peptide called glow to help get my youth back from the harsh addiction to steroids.”
“I’ve also come to realize it does not matter how big you are if you do not treat people respect people will not like you regardless of your situation,” he added.
Rather surprisingly (depending on who you are), the response online has been mixed. Some users accused Dukes of hypocrisy, arguing that he built his platform while using steroids before condemning them.
“Throw shade a steroids after doing it for so many years to build a following, got it,” one critic wrote.
Others pushed back against his claims, suggesting his experience shouldn’t be treated as universal.
“Respectfully, this is your experience — not a universal one. Testosterone doesn’t magically create ego, poor character, or mental instability. Those traits usually already exist,” another commenter said.
But many followers welcomed the honesty, particularly those dealing with similar struggles.
“Appreciate your transparency and congrats on this decision. Never look back,” one new follower wrote, with another added: “Best decision you’ve made for yourself.”
“Hey brother I’m going through the same situation currently coming over [right now] this is motivational and inspiring for me thank you for continuing to post much love and god bless you,” one supporter wrote.
Whether praised or criticised, Dukes appears firm in his stance. More than 100 days on, he has made it clear he has no intention of returning to steroids — and wants his transformation to serve as a warning, not just a flex.
If you’re concerned about steroid use or drug-related health issues, free and confidential advice is available from FRANK on 0300 123 6600 or at talktofrank.com.
Featured image credit: Instagram/@cookingforgains_ (screenshot)
