The Rise, Fall, and Unraveling of Liver King: A Comprehensive Look at Brian Johnson’s Decline
Brian Johnson, better known as "Liver King," was once a towering figure in the world of social media fitness influencers, celebrated for his extreme "ancestral lifestyle" and raw meat diet. With a muscular physique and a larger-than-life persona, he amassed millions of followers and built a lucrative supplement empire.
However, his journey from fame to infamy has been marked by deception, controversy, and a dramatic public unraveling. His recent arrest in June 2025 for threatening Joe Rogan, the renowned podcaster, is the latest chapter in a saga of lies, mental decline, and personal turmoil.
Who is Liver King?
Brian Johnson, a 47-year-old Texan, burst onto the social media scene as "Liver King," a self-proclaimed advocate of an "ancestral lifestyle." This philosophy, rooted in what he called nine tenets, emphasized a return to primitive living: eating raw meat (particularly liver and organ meats), intense physical exercise, and shunning modern conveniences like soap (except for specific areas) and processed foods.
Shirtless and often adorned with a wolf pelt, Johnson’s videos showcased his chiseled physique, which he attributed entirely to his diet and lifestyle. His content—featuring raw testicle consumption and rugged outdoor workouts—captivated a niche audience, propelling him to over 3 million Instagram followers and a significant online following.
Beyond social media, Johnson leveraged his persona into a thriving supplement business, selling products that promised to enhance health and vitality through "ancestral" principles. His net worth, once estimated at $100 million, reflected his success as both an influencer and entrepreneur. However, as we’ll see, this empire was built on a foundation that would soon crumble.
Successes: The Rise of an Influencer Empire
At the peak of his career, Liver King was a social media juggernaut. His Instagram account, with its millions of followers, served as a platform for showcasing his extreme fitness challenges and raw meat feasts, resonating with those drawn to unconventional health trends. His message—that modern society had strayed from its primal roots and that his lifestyle offered a path to optimal health—struck a chord, earning him a dedicated fanbase.
Johnson’s success wasn’t limited to online fame. His supplement company capitalized on his image as a "natural" fitness icon, generating significant revenue. Media outlets featured him as a curiosity and a trendsetter, and his brand grew into a multi-million-dollar enterprise. Before his downfall, Liver King was a symbol of rugged individualism and entrepreneurial savvy, with a fortune that placed him among the elite of the influencer world.
Lies and Scandal: The Steroid Revelation
The unraveling of Liver King’s empire began in December 2022, when leaked emails exposed a devastating truth: his physique, which he had claimed was the result of his raw meat diet and exercise alone, was enhanced by steroids and human growth hormone (HGH). Fitness YouTuber Derek from "More Plates, More Dates" revealed that Johnson was spending $11,000 a month on performance-enhancing drugs, contradicting years of public denials. The revelation shattered the "natural" narrative that had been central to his brand.
Facing mounting pressure, Johnson released a tearful apology video, admitting, "I lied, and I misled a lot of people...Yes, I've done steroids, and yes, I am on steroids, monitored and managed by a trained hormone clinician." The backlash was swift and severe. Fans who had idolized him felt betrayed, and his credibility collapsed. A $25 million class-action lawsuit from customers accusing him of fraud followed, though it was later dropped. The steroid scandal marked the beginning of Liver King’s decline, transforming him from a fitness guru into a cautionary tale.
The Joe Rogan Connection: A One-Sided Feud
Joe Rogan, host of "The Joe Rogan Experience," played a key role in amplifying Johnson’s downfall. On his podcast, Rogan openly mocked Liver King’s claims of natural fitness, calling them "preposterous" and pointing out the implausibility of maintaining such muscle mass in one’s 40s without pharmaceutical help. Rogan’s commentary, delivered to his massive audience, intensified the scrutiny on Johnson and deepened the influencer’s public humiliation.
Despite Johnson’s repeated requests to appear on Rogan’s podcast, Rogan refused, labeling Johnson’s actions a "con game" and stating, "You got busted." This rejection fueled Johnson’s resentment, setting the stage for a fixation that would escalate into threats and legal consequences. Notably, Liver King has never been a guest on Rogan’s show, making their conflict a one-sided feud driven by Johnson’s obsession.
Recent Behavior: A Fixation on Joe Rogan
By mid-2025, Johnson’s behavior had grown increasingly erratic, with a clear focus on Joe Rogan. He began posting a series of Instagram videos challenging Rogan to a fight, often shirtless and wearing a wolf pelt. In one video, he declared, "Joe Rogan, I’m calling you out, my name’s Liver King. Man to man, I’m picking a fight with you... I have no training in jiu-jitsu, you’re a black belt, you should dismantle me. But I’m picking a fight with you. Your rules, I’ll come to you, whenever you’re ready."
Johnson’s fixation escalated as he traveled from Willis, Texas, to Austin—Rogan’s hometown—continuing to post provocative content. Videos showed him wielding what appeared to be golden firearms and an axe, and in one instance, he displayed a Joe Rogan podcast-branded box topped with an axe, saying, "We come bearing gifts, for those that deserve it." Other posts featured bizarre rants, including one where he performed a coffee enema while discussing his plans to confront Rogan. These videos, viewed millions of times, alarmed fans and authorities alike, with many urging his family to intervene.
The Arrest: Threats Deemed Terroristic
On June 24, 2025, Johnson’s actions culminated in his arrest at the Four Seasons Hotel in Austin, Texas. The Austin Police Department, after reviewing his threatening Instagram posts, obtained a warrant charging him with making terroristic threats, a Class B misdemeanor. Detectives contacted Rogan, who confirmed he had never met Johnson and felt genuinely threatened by the videos. Johnson was taken into custody without incident, with a video of the arrest—showing him handcuffed and escorted to a police vehicle—later posted to his Instagram.
Notably, Johnson’s wife, Barbara Johnson (known as the "Liver Queen"), and their two sons, Stryker and Rad, were present during the arrest. Moments before being detained, Johnson was filmed praying with his family, underscoring their involvement in this turbulent period. The arrest marked a stark escalation from online provocations to real-world consequences.
Aftermath: Release from Jail and Continued Provocations
Johnson was released on a $20,000 bond shortly after his arrest but was ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation within a week. A restraining order from Rogan barred him from further contact, yet Johnson persisted in posting videos. Now wearing an ankle monitor, he downplayed the charges, claiming the terroristic threat had been reduced, and continued to taunt Rogan indirectly. In one video, he joked that his hotel’s WiFi password was "Fuck you, Joe Rogan," while in another, he sarcastically suggested his feud was with actor Seth Rogen instead.
These actions, defiant in the face of legal repercussions, have only deepened concerns about Johnson’s stability. His refusal to back down suggests either a calculated bid for attention or a deeper psychological unraveling.
Mental Decline: Signs of Instability
Johnson’s recent behavior—erratic videos, fixation on Rogan, and apparent disregard for consequences—points to a significant mental decline. Rogan himself told police that Johnson seemed "significantly unstable" and referenced rumors of a "significant drug issue," though specifics remain unconfirmed. Fans and observers have echoed these concerns, with social media posts on X describing him as "going crazy" or "having a mental breakdown."
The content of Johnson’s videos further supports this narrative. His rambling monologues, bizarre tangents (like the coffee enema), and provocative stunts indicate a departure from the polished persona he once projected. Whether driven by substance abuse, the pressure of his public fall, or an underlying condition, Johnson’s mental state has become a central focus of his story.
Family: The Liver Queen and Their Sons
Johnson’s family has been a constant presence throughout his rise and fall. His wife, Barbara, dubbed the "Liver Queen," has often appeared in his videos, supporting his lifestyle and brand. Their sons, Stryker and Rad, have also been featured, notably during the arrest scene where the family prayed together. Barbara’s role has drawn scrutiny—some question whether she’s enabling Johnson’s behavior, while others see her as caught in his downward spiral. In one post-arrest video, she explained to an off-camera individual that Johnson would "need to see a judge before he is dismissed," suggesting awareness of the legal stakes.
The family’s involvement highlights the personal toll of Johnson’s decline, raising questions about their dynamic and whether they can influence his trajectory.
Podcast Appearances: A Void in the Narrative
Despite his prominence in fitness circles, Johnson has never appeared on "The Joe Rogan Experience," a fact that underscores the asymmetry of their conflict. Rogan’s refusal to host him, coupled with his public criticism, has fueled Johnson’s animosity. On his podcast, Rogan discussed the steroid scandal in 2023, mocking Johnson’s claims and cementing his stance against giving him a platform. This absence of direct engagement has left Johnson’s side of the story untold in that arena, amplifying his frustration and driving his online provocations.
Additional Context: The Netflix Documentary
Johnson’s rise and fall have been chronicled in "Untold: The Liver King," a Netflix documentary that explores his journey from obscurity to infamy. Released prior to his arrest, it delves into the steroid scandal and its aftermath, offering a deeper look at the man behind the persona. The documentary provides valuable context for understanding his decline, though it predates the Rogan threats and arrest, which have since added a new dimension to his story.
A Cautionary Tale of Fame and Deception
Liver King’s journey is a stark illustration of how quickly fame can turn to infamy when built on lies. From a celebrated influencer with a multimillion-dollar empire to a man arrested for terroristic threats, Brian Johnson’s decline reflects the perils of deception, the weight of public scrutiny, and the fragility of mental health under pressure. His fixation on Joe Rogan, coupled with signs of instability, suggests a man unmoored from the persona that once defined him.
As Johnson continues to post videos and defy legal boundaries, his future remains uncertain. Will he seek help and attempt to rebuild, or will his unraveling deepen? For now, Liver King stands as a cautionary tale—a reminder that authenticity, not artifice, sustains lasting success, and that the pursuit of fame at all costs can exact a heavy toll.