build credibility, merchandise, supplements, and online training—which all seemed to herald a legitimate fitness-influencer empire.

But trouble has been brewing behind the scenes. In the broader fitness influencer space, a very public altercation erupted: Jeff Nippard, a respected fitness/physique influencer, was assaulted by Mike Van Wyck (founder of the gym brand “Hostile”) and charged with two counts of assault.

Then came the involvement of Wes Watson, a controversial influencer sometimes called the “failed alpha male” in fitness-content circles, who publicly sided with Van Wyck and harshly criticized Jeff Nippard.

According to some articles and fitness-forum sources, Big Boy (associated with Strength Cartel) is now “under intense scrutiny” due to alleged involvement in these leaping controversies and supposed revelations from a “former member” of Strength Cartel (often referred to in forums as “Pitbull”) who claims to have internal knowledge of wrongdoing, verbal misconduct or shady business practices.

As one headline put it: “Wes Watson’s business is failing … and now even Big Boy … is getting involved and [his] inner-circle secrets are spilling out.”

The specific allegations making the rounds include:

That the former Strength Cartel member (named “Pitbull” in some discussions) has submitted documentation or videos exposing unethical business practices, inflated credentials, and questionable coaching claims within Big Boy’s circle.

That Big Boy may have been using the controversies and alliances (Wes Watson, Kali Muscle, etc.) to prop up his brand, but now his association with the drama is damaging his reputation.

That the assault/feud involving Jeff Nippard and Mike Van Wyck has drawn a spotlight onto the entire gym-influencer ecosystem, with Big Boy and Strength Cartel caught in the crossfire (or seen as complicit by association).

That sponsors, clients or followers are beginning to question the legitimacy of Big Boy’s coaching programmes and whether the “Transformation” promises hold up under scrutiny.

While some of these claims remain speculative or sourced from forums rather than formal investigative journalism, the fitness community is very much watching. The optics are bad: public altercations, social media takedowns, and now an influencer whose brand built on authenticity is facing credibility questions.

Impact on Big Boy’s Career & the Fitness Industry

If the allegations hold weight (or even if the perception of scandal persists), the consequences could include:

Loss of credibility: Many of Big Boy’s clients may feel mis-sold if the “inner-circle secrets” prove accurate.

Sponsor drop-outs: Brands aligned with Strength Cartel or Big Boy may distance themselves to avoid reputational risk.

Revenue decline: Online coaching, supplements, merch—all may suffer if the public turns skeptical.

Broader industry ripple: The scandal contributes to a growing awareness of influencer fitness culture’s weak regulatory oversight, exaggerated claims, and potential misconduct.

For the fitness-influencer industry at large, this scandal underscores a recurring theme: when personalities outgrow their credentials, the fallout can be severe. Big Boy’s rise was dramatic; if his fall is similarly dramatic, it could mark a cautionary tale.

At this stage, the story is still developing. Big Boy and Strength Cartel have not (to public knowledge) released a full transparent response addressing every claim. Meanwhile, the fitness community is divided—some loyal fans continue to support him, others are calling for accountability.

In the coming weeks: We’ll likely see public statements from Big Boy or Strength Cartel in response to the former member’s claims.

Additional legal, social-media or sponsor-related developments may emerge.

The broader debate around fitness influencer authenticity, credential-verification, and business ethics will be amplified.

In short: Big Boy’s career may not be irreversibly destroyed yet, but the foundation of his brand has been exposed to serious damage. The question now is whether he acts to rebuild trust—or whether the scandal becomes the defining arc of his story.