Fitness influencers tied to wellness brand reportedly involved in Telegram steroid sales
8 reported
The Guardian reports that fitness influencers publicly representing Gencore Global, a UK-based health and wellness company, are involved in running an illegal steroid market on the social media platform Telegram. The company has appeared at FitXpo North West, sponsored a racehorse, and launched a combat sports promotion. The Guardian identified a dozen Gencore ambassadors, affiliates, and employees with a combined following of over 180,000 on TikTok and Instagram who are also promoting steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs through an underground Telegram network initially called Rohm, now renamed Anabolic By Nature. The Gencore founder and CEO, Darren Wicks, reportedly leads the Telegram group, advising on transporting steroids through airports and recruiting members to become Gencore ambassadors for commission. Wicks stated that Gencore Global “did not sell steroids” and that “crossover between communities happens all the time.” The Telegram groups are repeatedly shut down and recreated, with Anabolic By Nature amassing over 5,500 members since April.
What’s reported
Gencore Global presents itself as a UK-based health and wellness company and sells skincare, hair-loss treatments, and supplements.
The Guardian identified a dozen Gencore ambassadors, affiliates, and employees promoting steroids via an underground Telegram network (Rohm, now Anabolic By Nature).
The collective following of these individuals exceeds 180,000 on TikTok and Instagram.
Gencore founder and CEO Darren Wicks leads the Telegram group, giving advice on transporting steroids through airports.
Wicks suggested chat members can sign up as Gencore ambassadors for commission; the illegal sales website advertises 12% commission.
In the UK, anabolic steroids are legal to possess for personal use but illegal to sell, supply, or distribute without a licence.
Anabolic By Nature was rebuilt from a previous channel “rohm v2,” which had over 13,000 members in November 2025; Anabolic By Nature has over 5,500 members since April.
Geoff Bates, a lecturer in public health policy at the University of Bath, said social media is “increasing the normalisation of steroid culture.”
Key figures
Darren Wicks, Gencore Global founder and CEO
Lewis G (LJG Fitness), Gencore ambassador
Geoff Bates, lecturer in public health policy at the Institute for Policy Research at the University of Bath
Sources: The Guardian
