Max Kepler has been suspended for 80 games following a positive test for Epitrenbolone, a banned performance-enhancing substance. This is one of those sports moments that forces us to pause. Not to sensationalise. Not to pile on. But to reflect.
As the founder of TWO XP, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what sport really asks of athletes — not just physically, but mentally and emotionally.
I want to be clear about where I stand: rules matter. Fair competition matters. Integrity is the backbone of sport, and when those lines are crossed, consequences are necessary. Without trust, sport loses its meaning. But I also believe something else just as strongly: athletes are human before they are performers.
The Pressure Few People See
Most fans see the game-day version of an athlete — the highlights, the numbers, the wins and losses. What we don’t always see is the constant pressure that lives underneath it all. For many athletes, especially those navigating free agency or career transitions, performance isn’t just about pride — it’s about survival. Contracts are short. Opportunities are fragile. One injury, one dip in form, one quiet season can change everything. Sponsorships disappear quickly. Teams move on quietly. And the clock — whether age, competition, or recovery — never stops ticking. I don’t believe most athletes who make poor decisions do so casually or recklessly. Often, they’re responding to fear:
Fear of becoming irrelevant,
Fear of losing a career they’ve spent their life building,
Fear of being replaced before they’re ready to let go.
Recognising that fear does not excuse rule-breaking — but ignoring it doesn’t help prevent it either.
When a Ban Becomes More Than a Suspension
An 80-game suspension isn’t just time away from the field. It can mean:
Lost income and stalled negotiations
Damaged reputation that outlives the punishment
Isolation during a moment when support is most needed.
A long road back to trust — from teams, fans, and sometimes from oneself.
For an athlete, especially one who has already given years to the game, that weight can be immense. Punishment addresses the rule violation — but it doesn’t always address the human fallout.
Why I Built TWO XP
TWO XP exists because I believe sport can do better by its athletes. Not by lowering standards. Not by excusing mistakes. But by building environments where athletes don’t feel alone when the pressure mounts. I wanted to create a space where athletes are:
Valued beyond a single season or stat line
Encouraged to speak honestly about pressure and uncertainty
Supported by a community that understands the grind
Reminded that integrity and ambition don’t have to be enemies
When athletes feel seen and supported, they’re more likely to make decisions rooted in long-term purpose rather than short-term fear.
Integrity Grows in Community
Rules protect sport. But community protects athletes.
I genuinely believe that strong, values-driven sporting communities can help reduce the temptation to take harmful shortcuts — not through judgment, but through belonging, mentorship, and perspective. That’s what I want TWO XP to be:
A place where athletes navigate ambition together.
A place where the journey matters as much as the outcome.
A place where integrity isn’t just enforced — it’s lived.
An Open Conversation
This is my perspective — not the final word.
I know these issues are complex, emotional, and deeply personal. I also know there are many voices worth hearing: athletes, coaches, fans, and people who love sport enough to want it protected and humane.
So, I want to invite you into the conversation.
What do you think?
How should sport balance accountability and empathy?
What kind of support do athletes really need when pressure peaks?
Share your thoughts. Challenge my view if you see it differently. Because if sport is going to evolve, it has to start with honest dialogue — not silence.
Okechukwu Onianwa
Founder, TWO XP
Join The Conversation!
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