VIDEO: Drake’s ex-bodyguard apparently involved in incident at Burlington gym; charges laid
Published October 23, 2024 at 4:17 pm
Charges have been laid after a viral incident at a Burlington gym that reportedly involved a bodybuilder who was once part of Drake’s security.
In a video that has been widely circulated online, a man reported to be Mike Van Wyck is apparently seen pushing another bodybuilder, Jeff Nippard, from his throat.
INsauga.com sent the video to Halton Regional Police, who confirmed that officers attended Pure Muscle + Fitness on Sunday “regarding an altercation.”
The gym is located in the Appleby Line and Highway 403 area.
Police said a 43-year-old Etobicoke man was charged with two counts of assault, but didn’t provide his name.
Van Wyck is a former bodyguard of rapper Drake, he says online.
In case you missed it, Mike Van Wyck assaulted Jeff Nippard. This is not fake. Here’s the original video.
Word has it that this was not the end of the encounter.#massiveiron pic.twitter.com/tki16f3RS9
— MassiveIron (@massive_iron) October 21, 2024
He has hundreds of thousands of followers online and posts videos about working out. In one, Drake attends the Pure Muscle + Fitness gym with him.
Nippard, who has millions of online followers, also posts videos regarding bodybuilding.
In a post on Instagram, Nippard said he got a CT scan done and is “okay.”
He also talked about his account regarding the incident and said he doesn’t know why he was allegedly assaulted, “other than that he really, really hates my training style.”
“My opinion is that it was the result of anger brought on by the clip I posted yesterday responding to his question about science-based training,” Nippard wrote.
View this post on Instagram
Meanwhile, Pure Muscle + Fitness said in an Instagram post that it has “a strict zero-tolerance policy for violence and bullying.”
“We are deeply saddened by a recent incident involving unacceptable behaviour by a member. This individual was not employed by or formally associated with our gym and we have permanently removed their access to our facility, including any privileges to train clients,” the post said.
“Our hearts go out to the member affected, and we stand in full support of their wellbeing. The safety of our community is our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for everyone. The matter is currently under police investigation and we are cooperating fully with authorities.”
Van Wyck has posted messages of support on his Instagram story.
INsauga.com reached out to him via the social media platform for comment but hasn’t heard back.
INsauga's Editorial Standards and Policies
View this post on Instagram