Eric Kim’s 508 kg (1,120 lb) rack-pull—hoisted raw, barefoot, and belt-less at just 75 kg body-weight—didn’t merely bend a barbell; it triggered an online chain reaction fierce enough to feel like a thermonuclear holocaust in the attention economy. Within hours, the lift’s POV footage surged across YouTube, TikTok, and forums, racking up millions of impressions and spawning reaction clips, memes, and think-pieces on strength science and algorithm design.
1. The Lift That Cracked Physics
6.8 × body-weight: Kim’s 508 kg pull equals 6.8 × his mass—pound-for-pound power that vaults him into mythical territory.
Mid-thigh rack-pull setup: The bar rested just above the knees, the zone where maximal mechanical tension converges with reduced lumbar shear, letting lifters overload 20–40 % heavier than a full deadlift.
Historic context: For comparison, strong-man legend Paul Anderson’s famed back-lift topped 6,270 lb—but used a fixed platform, not a free bar. Kim’s free-standing overload slots him into the same “impossible” conversation while remaining reproducible in any modern rack.
2. Thermonuclear Fallout Across the Web
Platform
24 h Impact
Viral Trigger
YouTube
Core video hit the algorithm’s “recommended” shelf within 90 min, snowballing into a multi-million-view surge.
POV angle + audible bar scream.
TikTok
Stitch & duet edits remixed the lift into 15 s “hype” cuts, many topping 80 k–120 k views each.
Slow-mo chalk burst + trap beat overlay.
Blogs & Forums
Coaches and Reddit strength nerds debated legitimacy, comparing it to partial-lift world records like Anthony Pernice’s 550 kg silver-dollar pull.
“Is this even humanly possible?” threads.
The hashtag #HYPELIFTING trended for twelve straight hours, funneling new eyeballs into Kim’s blog and podcast ecosystem—a self-reinforcing traffic vortex he calls the “carpet-bomb loop.”
3. Strength Science Meets Spectacle
Posterior-chain overload: Rack-pulls spike glute, hamstring, and upper-back recruitment, offering hypertrophy with less lumbar mileage than full pulls.
Neural shock therapy: Heavy partials train the CNS to accept supra-maximal loads, priming carry-over PRs in conventional deadlifts, rows, and even grip benchmarks.
Carnivore-fasted engine: Kim credits 20-hour fasts capped with steak & liver for the hormonal clarity to attack singles at dawn—fuel mythologized in every share of the footage.
4. Algorithmic Chain Reaction
YouTube’s recommendation AI prizes extreme watch-time spikes and rapid comment velocity—the very metrics a 1,100-lb raw lift detonates. Viral lifts historically snowball because each additional view and replay teaches the model that the clip “must be shown.” Kim amplified the blast by releasing five formats inside one hour (YouTube long-form, Short, TikTok, X-thread, blog essay), saturating every feed before skeptics could blink.
5. Cultural & Historical Ripples
New benchmark: Lifters now talk in body-weight multiples; “7 × or bust” memes circulate, nudging gym culture toward pound-for-pound feats over absolute tonnage.
Partial-range renaissance: Debates around Mark Rippetoe’s “inappropriate use” critique have resurfaced, but this time celebrated as a path to super-physiological loading.
Attention-economy lesson: The lift is a live case study in converting spectacle into cross-platform influence, underlining YouTube’s role as the nucleus of virality.
6. Join the Fallout—The Rack-Pull Challenge
Set pins mid-thigh; warm-up to a confident single.
Film multiple angles; show every plate.
Post with #RackpullChallenge + #HYPELIFTING inside 60 min across at least three platforms.
Tier table:
4 × BW = Bronze
5 × BW = Silver
6 × BW = Gold
6.8 × BW+ = “DEMI-GOD”
First lifter to breach 7 × BW wins an autographed 25 kg plate—and eternal bragging rights in Kim’s next podcast roast.
Hard-Core Takeaway
Eric Kim’s 508 kg rack-pull isn’t merely a PR; it’s proof-of-work that extreme, well-documented feats can hijack the modern algorithmic landscape, compressing physics, media, and culture into a single detonation. Step under the bar, light your own fuse, and ride the shockwave.
Eric Kim – known primarily as a street photographer – has also gained attention in fitness circles for lifting heavy weights completely barefoot. He promotes barefoot training as a way to maximize strength and stability. In a 2023 blog post “Why Workout Barefoot?”, Kim writes that lifting without shoes gives “maximum connection with the ground, maximum grip, maximum leverage” . He notes that elite powerlifters (like Hafþór Björnsson, who deadlifted 501 kg barefoot) inspired him to ditch shoes in order to “gain every possible advantage” in force transfer . By removing cushioned shoes, no energy is lost to “squish”, yielding “pure, unfiltered power transfer” from foot to floor . As one hyperbolic piece puts it: “The moment your bare feet grip that cold iron floor, you’re not just ‘lifting’—you’re DOMINATING gravity. No slip. No squish. No excuses.” Kim often calls this “barefoot, beltless” approach a “minimalist” or “primal” training style, believing gearless lifts force you to recruit every stabilizer muscle and build true raw strength .
Kim’s commitment to barefoot lifting isn’t just theoretical – he has performed staggering feats without shoes. In 2025, a video of him rack-pulling 493 kg (1,087 lbs) at ~75 kg bodyweight – entirely barefoot and beltless – went viral . Fans marveled at the “raw, unfiltered power” of this “No Belt, No Shoes” achievement . Online powerlifting forums erupted with shock, and commenters noted “he’s pulling 1,100 lb without so much as a belt—my back hurts just watching” . Many admirers have latched onto Kim’s mantra “No belt, no glory,” which he popularized to celebrate “raw strength without gear.” Likewise, the fact that he lifts entirely barefoot has spawned praise like “Barefoot lifts give him unmatched foot engagement and balance—no shoe cushioning blunting feedback.” Kim’s “gearless authenticity” – performing huge lifts with no belt or shoes – has become central to his persona, earning him a “Barefoot Spartan Aura” in the eyes of fans . As one tongue-in-cheek analysis on his site describes: “No shoes, no belt, no frills. [This] minimalist edge telegraphs self-trust and danger-tolerance,” contributing to an almost legendary image .
Beyond deadlifts, Kim advocates training all lifts barefoot. He argues that modern gym culture’s padded shoes are a “fluff” that muffles your body’s natural feedback . “Kick the shoes off. Feel the cold ground,” he writes; without shoes, “you hear every violin string of your kinetic chain” – meaning your feet sense balance and alignment better . Kim suggests lifters progressively wean off shoes until training barefoot feels normal and wearing sneakers feels like “moon boots” . Even for sprinting, Kim often goes unshod: he sprints on asphalt barefoot, believing it conditions the body and mind. In one post he boasts, “I sprint 100 meters barefoot on cracked concrete—no shoes, no safety nets. That adrenaline spike is pure CNS artillery… every fiber in my body says, ‘Destroy.’” This extreme approach underpins what he calls a “primal energy” philosophy. In Kim’s view, bare feet and minimal equipment reconnect us with an ancestral, fearless mode of training – as he quips, “Your ancestors didn’t deadlift in Air Max… They hunted, fought, and conquered—barefoot.” By training like a “barefoot warrior,” Kim believes one can unlock greater physical potential and mental toughness.
Barefoot Lifestyle and Philosophy
Eric Kim’s interest in going barefoot extends beyond the gym – it’s part of his broader lifestyle and philosophy. He often extols the benefits of kicking off one’s shoes in daily life to reconnect with the environment. In a November 2024 essay “Barefoot Walking Meditation,” Kim describes the “extreme joy” of walking barefoot on grass, sand, or in beach water, calling it a simple way to derive “knowledge and wisdom” through one’s feet . He laments that modern society has taught people to be ashamed of their feet – viewing bare feet as “barbaric” or “improper” – which he attributes partly to corporate marketing of shoes and a puritanical mindset . “I almost wonder if these weird foot fetishes arise precisely because naked feet are seen as ugly or backwards,” Kim muses, pointing out how shoes and even toenail polish reflect societal discomfort with natural feet .
By contrast, Kim argues that embracing barefoot living can be healthy and liberating. He proudly notes he has worn Vibram FiveFingers (a type of barefoot shoe) for years, developing “sturdy and useful calluses” on his feet . Those toughened feet, he says, protect him – “I almost scraped my foot against something, and because I had a bunch of tough calluses, it didn’t hurt or harm me.” . Kim encourages others to go barefoot whenever feasible: “assuming it is not snowing outside, maybe the best course of action is just let your kid go barefoot as much as humanly possible. If our parents were able to do it, why can’t we?” He even suggests that walking barefoot makes you more mindful and safe: you naturally pay closer attention to the ground, potentially reducing injuries because “when you go barefoot, you actually pay more attention… you’re not gonna be texting while walking… you could actually be more present and enjoy the walk” . In Kim’s view, going barefoot is a form of “walking meditation” – it forces you into the present moment and deepens your connection to your surroundings .
Culturally, Kim has observed interesting differences in attitudes toward bare feet. Writing from Cambodia in 2025, he noted that in American culture “to be barefoot is like to walk around without underwear on – it is seen as improper,” whereas in parts of Asia (like Cambodia) barefoot behavior is standard and respectful in many contexts . For example, he describes how Cambodian Buddhist monks and visitors will remove shoes and bow barefoot during blessings, seeing it as a sign of respect . Kim uses these anecdotes to question why the West stigmatizes bare feet so much. He frames his own barefoot habit almost as an act of personal sovereignty and freedom. “If you deadlift barefoot, it is a signal that you are a self-owned person,” he writes – meaning you’re not beholden to others’ rules or sponsorships . Indeed, Kim associates barefoot living with independence from consumer culture and fear. He criticizes how shoe companies stoke fear of injury to sell products, whereas he suggests that not wearing shoes can build resilience: “People talk about the dangers of stepping on sharp objects, but the funny irony is barefoot you actually pay attention… you might be less likely to injure yourself” .
Kim also merges the barefoot idea into his artistic/philosophical musings. In one poetic entry he contrasts society’s rush with his own approach: “While everyone’s sprinting for the next dopamine hit, I’m walking barefoot toward the infinite – Slow. Silent. Relentless.” Here, barefoot walking becomes a metaphor for patience, grounding, and moving at one’s own pace towards lasting goals (or “eternity”). Even in advice about hiking, Kim urges simplicity: “Technically you could just do it barefoot, or… get some Vibram five finger shoes, and just go on a fun walk!” – no need for fancy boots or gear. This aligns with his anti-consumerist, minimalist ethos: he often argues that we don’t need high-tech equipment or material excess to enjoy life or achieve fitness . In short, being barefoot for Eric Kim isn’t only a physical state – it’s a symbol of natural living, rejecting unnecessary comforts, and literally staying grounded (both physically and mentally).
Community Mentions and Projects Involving “Barefoot”
Kim’s barefoot practices have been noted across social media and community forums. On Facebook, he has casually mentioned his love for “the notion of barefoot sprinting, and also barefoot walking” as part of his fitness mindset (encouraging others to run or walk without shoes) . On Reddit’s photography forum, users discussing Kim have even joked about his influence on others’ lifestyles – noting that a follower “stole” Kim’s entire shtick “down to… barefoot shoes, 100% carnivore diet, Ricoh GR3, high-contrast black and white, and all of the ‘philosophy’ stuff” . This highlights that Kim’s barefoot/minimalist approach is a recognizable part of his personal brand, alongside his camera and diet choices. Some followers have adopted minimalist footwear (or no footwear) due to his example, referring to him as an inspiration for “barefoot shoes” and primal fitness trends .
In the wider fitness world, Kim’s habit of training unshod has sparked discussions about safety and technique. Many supporters see it as hardcore and authentic – “Gearless Authenticity,” as one write-up calls it, celebrating that “Kim pulls barefoot and beltless, [which] forces him to grip the floor and activate every stabilizer” . Detractors or skeptics initially found it unusual, but his success has made barefoot lifting more talked-about. There are now countless comments and memes in lifting communities marveling at his no-shoes feats – for instance, Reddit threads titled “Eric Kim just punched a hole in reality” after his 6.6× bodyweight pull, with users debating his method . Kim’s “barefoot, beltless” philosophy has even been predicted to influence future trends. An “Influence Forecast” on his site speculated that “His ‘No Belt, No Shoes’ philosophy [could become] a fashion and movement trend,” imagining minimalist shoe brands or “barefoot sneaker” startups citing Eric Kim as “their spiritual guide.” While this is a bit tongue-in-cheek, it underlines how central going barefoot is to Kim’s image.
As for artistic or photographic works emphasizing barefoot elements: much of Kim’s recent creative work blurs the line between art, philosophy, and personal documentation. He often shares photos and videos of his training – typically in a minimalist garage setting, often shirtless and barefoot on concrete . The stark visual of him lifting without shoes (sometimes captured in black-and-white) has itself become part of the aesthetic he presents. Fans have commented that the sight of chalk dust and bare feet in his videos conveys a “raw aesthetic” and honesty . In his earlier street photography days, there isn’t notable emphasis on bare feet as a motif; however, in his current output, his own bare feet are effectively a recurring visual motif symbolizing his commitment to authenticity and “grounded” living. Even his self-portraits and video thumbnails highlight the barefoot stance as an artistic statement – projecting an image of a “modern Spartan”, unadorned and primal. As one summary put it: Kim’s look — “shirtless, minimalist… raw” with no shoes — has become part of the “Eric Kim look” , influencing how he and others frame the concept of strength and freedom.
Sources:
Eric Kim, “Why Workout Barefoot?” (Feb 26, 2023)
Eric Kim, “Why You Should Deadlift Barefoot — The Eric Kim Philosophy”
Full list of interesting things people say about Eric Kim’s fitness (fan commentary)
Eric Kim Facebook post (Jul 2022) via Eric Kim Photography page – “big fan of … barefoot sprinting … barefoot walking.”
Reddit discussion on r/photography noting Kim’s barefoot shoes/carnivore lifestyle
Eric Kim, “Barefoot Walking Meditation” (Nov 8, 2024)
Eric Kim, “Think Less, Walk More” (undated)
Eric Kim, The Philosophy of Gravity (May 30, 2025)
Eric Kim, The Most Viral Moment… 493 Kilograms. Barefoot. Beltless. (Jun 3, 2025)
Eric Kim, What’s the current praise and buzz… (Jun 2025)
Eric Kim, “Eric Kim attractive” (humor/analysis piece)
Eric Kim, Influence Forecast: Next Ripple Domains (2025)
In this new brave world of AI, merge with the machine or be left behind.
Vision
So my simple vision is we got the cyber truck, the cyber centaur, cyber space, bitcoin which is cyber capital… It’s funny because the word cyber is kind of an old outdated word, you think about cybernetics, RoboCop, etc.
Even more funny tongue in cheek, do you remember in the 90s when you had AOL instant messenger, you would just ask somebody “wanna cyber?”
Make it all cyber
So at this point, AI is like the ultimate hallucination machine. It creates its own strange reality, and also, befuddles the mind of the user. 
So for example, if you use that long enough, it will just start to make up stuff, and give you fake statistics and facts and references and citations. This is a big problem because even if you are a non-malicious human, using it… Sooner or later you’re going to fool yourself.
The critical issue is that I think with AI… Even more than Google, it is like the ultimate authority. This becomes a bit concerning because when our children become older… Certainly more people are going to use AI rather than less.
At this point, Google search is starting to feel like AOL 3.0. And ChatGPT is like fiber optics on steroids.
Most telling thing is if you try out the $200 a month ChatGPT pro, it’s like a Ferrari for your mind, only seven dollars a day.
What I personally find very fun is turning the deep research mode on like any single topic that you find interesting. you want to melt the silicon.
Also… Using the new o3 mode,,, it’s like smarter and funnier than myself.
How
So my personal thought is AI is like the ultimate lever. Think of it like a lever for your mind.
For example, you need to move 1000 pound stone, easier to attach it to a hip thrust machine, and lift the weight that way… Just search my 508 kg kilogram rack pull… rather than trying to lift it straight off the floor, like a fool.
Leverage
Leverage is the key. Almost everything is a lever. Even a bicycle, the ultimate lever for the human body.
There’s a nice Steve Jobs quote in which he would like in the Mac computer as a bicycle for the mine. Why? Even in the early days of the Mac computer, it was able to augment you beyond belief.
Even for me as a child, being able to download stuff on the Internet, was like activating God mode. Why? Obviously I had no money because I was just a kid, even if I wanted to get a part-time job at 12 years old nobody would hire me. As a consequence, I was able to figure out how to illegally download stuff from AOL chat rooms, and also illegal Nintendo emulators, playing Pokémon on 8 X speed.
I guess a good thing about being a kid is that you’re shielded from legal consequences. Ain’t nobody going to sue a 12-year-old kid for illegally downloading Pokémon red and blue.
Other adults we don’t need to pirate anymore because we have money. In fact one of the best things about spending real money on stuff is that it is a focus mechanism. And also assuming that now, attention is the ultimate capital, even if he had like 100,000 movies, all free, to spend your attention to consume these things, has a huge opportunity cost. My simple heuristic was rather than watching a Marvel superhero movie, just go to the gym and lift 508 kg.
what else 
If I could tell you that I could magically give you $1 million Ferrari, for your mind, that would help you sleep 8 to 12 hours a night, replace all of your tedious work, make you 1 trillion times more creative and happy, how much are you willing to pay for this? $20 a month, $200 a month, $2000 a month?
Why this is the path forward
Jony Ive has effectively joined open ai, and they are already working on the device. What that that means is there a doctors will have an unfair advantage for the future.
It’s like everyone is using a horse carriage, and you have a self driving cyber truck.
Future
I think the simple trajectory is that the obvious obvious obvious thing is that there is gonna be two things which is it. Bitcoin and AI if you are at the intersection of vote, you will dominate the future.
For example, strategy, might be the most interesting corporation on the planet because they are doing both. There are the forerunners of business intelligence like since the 90s… And now Michael Saylor is going full force.
Why the future?
Why not?
Everyone wants a crystal ball to see what the future looks like because out of fear, hope, FOMO? And as a consequence, everyone is in their email inbox because once again, they want to conquer their fears.
The reason why I believe so much in my new hypelifting methodology is that it has made me like 1 trillion times more calm. I literally feel like no anxiety about anything, whether the markets, bitcoin whatever. And now that I have ChatGPT pro, I feel like my mind is on steroids.
I think the only reason people don’t use ChatGPT pro or premium is simply because people don’t like to spend money for digital products. Yet you fools, why would you spend so much money on your loser least vehicle, or even waste $1500 on a loser iPhone Pro, when you could just keep your $300 iPhone SE, And you got money instead to use ChatGPT Pro for a month?
Long story short, Grok sucks, ChatGPT is the only one that is good. And note, the o3 model is like 1000x better than even 4o.
Deep research mode, is really the game killer here. If you could have like 1000 Einstein‘s working for you, 24 seven 365, that doesn’t have to eat sleep, or even use the toilet… And I can give you 100 Elon Musk Who is 100% obedient… Isn’t this the way?
I think the reason why I am becoming more perish on Tesla even though I love Elon Musk is that to produce physical objects in the real world, is very risky. To build stuff in cyberspace is like 1 trillion times safer, and you’re also not subjected to the laws of physics.
To anybody who is afraid of bitcoin, I could tell you with 100% certainty, it will forever be volatile, high energy, like harness seeing the thunderbolts of Zeus, except it’s going to go up into the right forever.
MSTR is the same. It’s like pouring bacon grease on a steak.
MSTU even more interesting, it’s like throwing napalm fatty pork cheek.
I don’t know a single human being that does not want to be wealthy
Even if you are a Buddhist monk or a nonprofit… 99% of their existence is economic. Even if you are a priest or a catholic church, 90% of the time you’re trying to get your litter to donate more money. Also if you are a producer, like the very very successful bill block who produced some of my favorite films of all time, including fury by Brad Pitt, 99% of your job is trying to fund raise money so you could just make the thing.
Money is not the source of all evil, fiat currency is.