It Just Takes One Banned Substance to Destroy an Athletic Career or Brand
Nov 20, 2025
It Just Takes One Banned Substance to Destroy an Athletic Career or Brand
BSCG President Oliver Catlin appears in ARD’s latest documentary, offering sharp insight into Aicar, testing blind spots, and why anti-doping is still playing catch-up.
Everything about CrossFit celebrates discipline, precision, and integrity. That same level of exactness extends well beyond the gym floor. Jack Monoghan’s positive test at the Torian Pro found that he had traces of Drostanolone in his system which is a banned anabolic steroid used for muscle building. It’s a tiny molecule that can have very wide-ranging effects on athletic performance. In a sport where every detail counts, Monaghan’s case shows just how narrow the line is between peak performance and sanction.
Precision Turns Punitive
CrossFit’s anti-doping program has the same standards as those its athletes apply to their grueling workouts, where there’s no margin for error. The Drostanolone metabolite found in Monaghan’s sample was banned under the World Anti-Doping Agency’slist for its anabolic effects. While some CrossFit athletes like Ivan Kukartsevhave proved that their supplements were contaminated by SARMS in the past, that wasn’t the case for Monoghan. As a result, he was suspended for 4 yearsand later freely admitted to taking the drug. When an athlete knowingly or unknowingly steps outside the boundaries of clean competition years of work can be erased thanks to a single failed test.
Whistleblowers And Watchlists
This investigative documentary’s power lies in its mix of scientific analysis and people willing to speak up. If you watch it, you’ll find how anonymous insiders allege that doping remains active, especially in the top-tier cycling teams. Some sources even report receiving death threats for speaking up. The Tour is not clean, despite what the stats might have you believe. Despite official claims, these accounts suggest otherwise. The film paints a picture of a world where banned drugs are simply replaced by their biochemical cousins. This means they might be legal in name, but pretty much identical in effect. Catlin’s observations are that the vast majority of similar substances remain unnamed on the banned list, suggesting that most anti-doping detection systems have not kept up. And with Aicar’s close relatives still circulating, the risk isn’t theoretical. It’s immediate. Athletes, brands, and regulators could all be walking blind into the next compliance crisis. These grey zones may not be empty, especially when you look at them across multiple sports. Instead, they’re becoming increasingly crowded and complex.
Supplements Blur The Line
While Monaghan’s story and athletic career ended in a lab thanks to purposeful use of the drug, many athletes fall victim to inadvertent positive drug tests that start on the supplement shelf. This is echoed by a review published in Nutrients that examined the psychology behind doping. They claim that dietary supplements were often a gateway to banned substances. Somewhat unsurprisingly, supplement users were more than three times more likely to engage in doping behavior than non-users. Another survey that compiled data from 50 dietary supplement studies found that more than 28% of the tested supplements contained undeclared performance-enhancing compounds, either due to contamination or deliberate adulteration. These findings are a gentle reminder that doping doesn’t always start with intent, and it’s why well-meaning athletes can end up on the wrong side of a positive drug test.
Precision Starts With Proof
When the stakes are measured in parts per trillion amounts, trust needs evidence, not assumptions. That’s where programs like BSCG Certified Drug Free and BSCG Certified Quality provide the protection brands and athletes need. Every lot of a BSCG Certified Drug Free supplement is tested for more than 450 drugs, including 400+ drugs on the WADA Prohibited List and 50+ prescription, over-the-counter, or illicit drugs. BSCG Certified Quality adds annual testing for label accuracy, heavy metals, pesticides, and microbiological agents. Both programs include a manufacturing quality control review and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) compliance audit to ensure ongoing integrity. For brands, certification turns compliance into proof of quality. For athletes and drug tested professionals, it’s the difference between risking a career ending positive and enjoying peace of mind when using dietary supplements. CrossFit drug policy points to third-party certification as a way for athletes to reduce the risk of supplement positives.
The Weight of Integrity
CrossFit may be the ultimate test of endurance and strength, but there’s also a test in the resolve to stay honest under pressure. It’s the sport of exercise where every workout and rep reflects discipline and fair play. Jack Monoghan’s case shows how quickly these principles crumble, and in a sport where reputations are built on character, it’s hard to know if the CrossFit world will see him compete again. If you’re a brand, one issue with a contaminated supplement can sink a product and brand. A brand, just like an athletic career, takes years of hard work and dedication to build and only one contaminated product to destroy.
CrossFit thrives on precision. From the weight on the bar to the choices behind the scenes. Jack Monaghan’s case shows how one molecule can rewrite a career. A Nutrients review found more than 28% of supplements contained hidden performance enhancers, proving that even well-intentioned athletes can end up sanctioned. That’s why BSCG’s Certified Drug Free program exists, testing every lot for 450+ drugs and auditing manufacturing processes for true integrity. In a sport where rep earns trust, verified third-party certification is the cleanest line between risk and reward.
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