Last week, Austin police arrested social media fitness influencer Brian Johnson—better known as ‘Liver King,’ famous for promoting a raw meat diet—for allegedly making “terroristic threats” against UFC commentator and podcast icon Joe Rogan, placing Rogan at the center of an unexpected controversy. The Class B misdemeanor charge came after Johnson launched a bizarre and public challenge aimed at the comedian, reigniting their long-standing feud. Liver King had shared a series of videos on Instagram, aggressively calling Rogan out for a fight.
In one of the clips, Johnson declared, “You never come across something like this, willing to die, hoping that you’ll choke me out because that’s a dream come true.” The drama intensified as Johnson was allegedly on his way to Austin to face Rogan directly, leading law enforcement to step in and make the arrest. This incident has reignited the intense and peculiar rivalry between the two, capturing the attention of fans everywhere. What’s behind the tension between Liver King and Joe Rogan? Let’s dive deeper into this.
Who is Liver King?
Opting for natural food instead of processed choices is generally a wise decision—but Brian Johnson, better known as Liver King, has taken that idea to a whole new level. He adopted a diet that primarily consists of raw animal organs and meat, a choice he enthusiastically labels as the “ancestral lifestyle.” This bold strategy not only defined his persona—it evolved into his trademark.
Liver King didn’t embark on this journey solo; his wife was right there with him, fully embracing the lifestyle of our early ancestors. In addition to his meat-centric diet, Brain Johnson adheres to a rigorous workout routine, which he attributes to his impressive, muscular physique. His dedication to traditional living is profound—he opts for a wooden slat bed, turning away from the ease of a modern mattress in pursuit of a more elemental lifestyle.
Liver King has taken social media by storm. Frequently seen without a shirt in his videos and vlogs, he has amassed 1.21 million subscribers on YouTube, 3 million followers on Instagram, and 6.1 million followers on TikTok, establishing himself as a prominent figure in the online fitness community.
But it hasn’t all been smooth. His feud with Joe Rogan stretches back to 2022, when Rogan publicly criticized him following leaked emails that exposed a deeper truth: raw meat wasn’t the only reason behind Liver King’s sculpted physique.
Joe Rogan’s criticism of Liver King
Back in 2022, Joe Rogan was one of the first to expose Liver King after leaked emails revealed the truth behind his sculpted physique. The emails, brought to light by fitness YouTuber and bodybuilder Derek—better known for his channel More Plates More Dates—showed that Brian Johnson had privately admitted to using steroids to achieve his muscular build. In those emails, Liver King even asked Derek to help monitor his steroid cycle.
Although Johnson later came forward and acknowledged the use of performance-enhancing drugs, he downplayed it as a “one-time experiment.” But the revelation caused significant backlash, and Rogan didn’t shy away from calling out the deception. Following the controversy, the podcaster invited Derek to the JRE, where even more behind-the-scenes details came to light. During the episode, Rogan confirmed that Liver King had “tried real hard” to appear on the JRE podcast—reaching out multiple times and even attempting to connect through mutual contacts.
At one point, Johnson went as far as approaching Joe Rogan’s close friend, comedian Bert Kreischer, in hopes of landing a guest spot. Speaking candidly on the show, the Austin native criticized Johnson’s dishonesty. the podcaster said, “This is dumb, man. You ran a con game, and you got busted. And it’s unfortunate that you feel terrible. I’m sorry you feel bad. ‘Cause, that’s just what happens when you get caught lying, but you didn’t have to lie.”
Since then, the feud between Liver King and Joe Rogan has only escalated. Just last week, it hit a new peak when Brian Johnson attempted to confront Rogan at his Austin-based comedy club, the Comedy Mothership. However, before he could make it inside, he was detained by authorities.
Liver King’s arrested for threatening Joe Rogan
Once upon a time, Liver King held Joe Rogan in the highest regard—ranking him among the four most respectable individuals he admired, alongside George Washington, Chuck Norris, and Rocky Balboa. He even praised the podcaster publicly, saying, “usually kill ‘em with spears… unless they’re one of the greats like @joerogan… Then, I’m obliged to kill ‘em with kindness.”
In 2022, following Joe Rogan’s criticism over his alleged steroid use, Liver King attempted to spin the controversy in his favor. But the dynamic between the two has drastically changed since then. Today, Brian Johnson appears to be “picking a fight” with Rogan—an escalation that culminated in his recent arrest.
Although now out on bail, Johnson’s release from Travis County Jail came with strings attached. The court granted him $20,000 bail and issued a restraining order, requiring him to stay at least 200 yards from Joe Rogan and his family. Addressing the incident, the podcaster revealed he had no idea Johnson had attempted to confront him, describing his mental state as “significantly unstable.” Meanwhile, Liver King has doubled down, making it clear that he “will never stop” chasing Rogan.
The post What Happened Between Liver King and Joe Rogan? The Truth Behind Their Feud appeared first on EssentiallySports.
