Azaan Bilal, Rahi Patel & Joshua Thomas (HBS, ’25)

Project Showcase

Make Alphas Great Again – How Online Fitness Spaces Turn Biology into a Moral and Political Ideology

This project is a research-driven magazine that focuses on how contemporary online fitness communities transform analytical objects – such as testosterone, masculinity, and discipline – into political and moral ideologies. By going undercover in the Red Pill community, conducting impactful interviews with various stakeholders, studying case studies, and analyzing scientific evidence, this project provides an opportunity to trace pipelines on platforms like YouTube, Reddit, TikTok, and X that push young men into the manosphere. As strict definitions of masculinity, the fusion of gym and politics, and nationalist rhetoric permeate society, the intentions of fitness shift from promoting health and wellness to serving as a vessel for political identity formation, ultimately shaping how young men view their bodies, values, and place in society.

About the Authors

Azaan Bilal is an undergraduate student at UCLA majoring in Human Biology & Society. Azaan is from Long Island, New York and is interested in the intersection of human biology, clinical medicine, and athletic performance. Through his academic coursework and hands-on experiences as a sports medicine intern, he has developed a strong appreciation for how biological systems, injury, and recovery directly impact patient outcomes, particularly in athletes. Azaan aspires to attend medical school and pursue a career as an orthopedic surgeon, with the long-term goal of working with a professional basketball team. In his free time, he enjoys playing and watching basketball, training in the gym, and traveling to new countries.

Rahi Patel is an undergraduate student at UCLA, majoring in Human Biology & Society. Originally from Anaheim, California, he is passionate about the connections between biology, medicine, and social justice, especially in understanding health and illness within broader social contexts. Through his research experiences, clinical opportunities, and volunteer work, he has developed an interdisciplinary appreciation not just for science, but also for how policy, government, community health, and other facets of everyday life affect patient outcomes. Rahi aspires to become a physician with an interest in orthopedic surgery, and he also aims to work on the business side of healthcare to promote fair, efficient, and accessible care systems. In his free time, he enjoys watching and playing basketball, hiking with friends and family, discovering new restaurants, and working out.

Joshua Thomas is an undergraduate student at UCLA with strong interests at the intersection of biology, medicine, and human health. Through hands-on experiences in research, sports medicine, and clinical care, he has developed a deep appreciation for how science translates into patient care. Joshua aspires to pursue medical school, with a particular interest in orthopedics and sports medicine, driven by his own experiences with athletic injuries and recovery. He is also interested in understanding medicine beyond the clinic, including research, leadership, and health systems. In his free time, Joshua is a tennis coach at UCLA, and he enjoys playing basketball, working out, and spending time with friends and family.