AstroSky Interview: The OG of Mewing

If you’ve spent time in the looksmaxxing space, you’ve probably come across Austin Shelton, better known as AstroSky. 

He’s one of the first people who started talking about mewing online, sharing his progress and what worked for him. Over time, he’s built a following by posting about facial aesthetics, building an aesthetic physique, and self-improvement in a way that’s straightforward and personal. 

Interview Date: July 7th, 2024

Early Life and Discovering Mewing

DR: Could you give us a little bit of a background about yourself and how your life was growing up?

AS: From a younger age, I was often concerned about my skin. Initially, I didn’t care much until I started getting horrible cystic acne. It was pretty bad and made me deeply insecure. I didn’t have many insecurities back then, except for wanting normal skin like the rest of my peers. I remember very well being in class when a girl came up to me and said, “You’re really fucking ugly.” 

The acne definitely detracted from my face, and that comment stuck with me. I did a lot of research trying to find a solution to my acne problem. Nothing really worked until I fixed my diet and started using Tretinoin. I learned the Tretinoin trick from skincare forums and other cool places. 

Despite the skin issues, I was a pretty happy-go-lucky kid and considered a class clown. I loved doing crazy stuff for fun and getting attention from it. I remember doing a front flip at recess and landing on my butt on purpose just to impress girls. It kind of worked but did a number on my bottom. I’ve always been a child at heart, even into my adult years.

DR: Many will agree that you were one of the first pioneers of mewing, when and where did you first learn about mewing before it gained mainstream notoriety?

AS: This is an interesting one for me. Growing up, I had concerns about my front teeth. I felt like there was something wrong with the way they lined up. I even thought about using a rock to shorten my front teeth to make my face appear shorter. I don’t know why I came up with that idea, but it seemed intuitive at the time.

I used to look into facial exercises, as there were many gurus back in the day who claimed you could work out your facial muscles to improve your facial tone. I felt my face was fat, bloated, and soft-looking. One day, I came across a special YouTuber whose name I believe started with “Josh.” Unfortunately, I can’t remember his full name, but to me, he was the original “mewer.” He taught a lot of facial exercises that he claimed improved his face over the years. In one particular video, he talked about a trick he used to look good in photos: pushing his tongue on the roof of his mouth and holding it there.

That single piece of advice changed my life. I started doing it consistently. For me, mewing was uncomfortable and weird at first, but I felt there was something to it. I also liked how my jawline improved, so I made sure to keep doing it. Interestingly, I accidentally came across orthotropics way back in the day, and they made it clear that I was indeed “mewing” and that there were more benefits than just looking better in pictures.

After mewing for a long while, I noticed all the benefits and made my first mewing video. This sparked Mike Mew to message me personally on Facebook. He felt my way of explaining and my transformations (though my before and after back then were much less dramatic compared to now) were compelling enough to reach out. We became decent friends, and he mentioned he could see me being the face of mewing one day.

DR: What’s your current opinion on mewing? Do you think it’s only effective for young individuals, and how much of an impact do you think it has had on your facial development?

AS: I believe mewing is effective at any age, but it requires a significant commitment, especially for adults. The older you are, the longer it will take to see noticeable results. From my experience and observations, it can take around ten years for adults to achieve significant changes through mewing. It’s not a quick fix, but with dedication and consistency, the results can be quite impressive.

In my case, mewing has had a profound impact on my facial development. Over the years, I’ve seen improvements in my jawline, facial structure, and overall appearance. It’s been a long journey, but the benefits have been worth the effort. The key is to stay consistent and patient, as the changes happen gradually over time.

DR: What’s your relationship like with Dr. Mike Mew?

AS: My relationship with Dr. Mike Mew is pretty good, though we aren’t as close these days. I haven’t been as active as I’d like on YouTube, and although Mike Mew does DM me with offers to meet from time to time, it often causes issues. I have a real-life job and bills to pay, which gets in the way of my free time. Despite this, I still value our connection and the support he has shown me over the years.

Looksmaxxing and Personal Development

DR: When were you first exposed to the concept of ‘looksmaxxing’ and what is your opinion of the space?

AS: For me, I accidentally came across the concept of looksmaxxing when I was looking up Elliot Rodger and skincare. I was just trying to learn about him, and I found a site called S*******e, which later became L*****m. The community was much different back then, and hardly any of the original members are left. Most have become “some kind of folklore”; Orb is one name that comes to mind, often mentioned by many. I was a poster then, though my username is lost to time as I used a random one. I didn’t really understand what I was getting myself into back then, but it was an intriguing journey that led me deeper into the looksmaxxing space.

DR: Do you believe that improving one’s looks is important?

AS: Yes, I believe improving one’s looks is important, but only to the degree that it doesn’t detract from other areas of life. It’s like the saying, “the dosage makes the poison.” Too much of anything is bad. Looking good can provide a self-improvement boost, but obsessing over it and convincing yourself that you are not valuable because you’re not as good-looking as you wish can be detrimental. It’s crucial to remember that you still provide value in many other areas of life beyond just appearance. That’s why I created the gold pill.

DR: You’re an advocate of the ‘gold pill’ ideology, what does it mean to you and why do you think it’s important?

AS: For me, the gold pill is a counter to the black pill. It’s the only ideology that nullifies the determinism of the black pill’s points and worldview. The gold pill emphasizes having hope, becoming better than you were yesterday, and making yourself your own competition. Comparing your progress to others is a fool’s errand because we all have different genetics and starting points.It’s about recognizing that you can only be yourself and maximizing your own potential. 

Your genetics and starting point are all you have, so focus on self-improvement and be grateful for the opportunity to do so. The gold pill removes envy and competition, centering on personal growth and internal validation. It’s the evolved black pill, focusing on your personal journey without feeling overshadowed by others.

Methods and Routine

DR: What have you done to improve your appearance and what do you think has had the highest / lowest impact?

AS: Skincare: I try hard to have good skin, slow my speed of aging, and wear sunscreen. These things have done a lot for me. Skincare is a huge part of softmaxxing.

Working Out and Hormonal Balance: I work out, which is very important for many reasons. Additionally, I fixed my hormones. If a man is looking to be the best version of himself, he needs to be physically fit and have an optimized hormonal profile. It’s simple but highly effective.

Chewing: Chewing gave me a better jawline. Some say it’s a meme, but it works. It’s an easy and passive thing to try.

Leanness: When I was lean, it made me look better too. Basically, getting super lean helps a lot.

Eyebrow Coloring: I like to color my eyebrows in as it helps me look more striking. It’s an easy method to self-improve.

Mewing: It just works, though it takes time.

Niche Treatments: I’ve tried several niche treatments to maximize my appearance. Some ended in failure, and some had a temporary effect. These include cool sculpting, fibroblast therapy, plasma therapy, ultrasonic mini HIFU, RF therapy, and skin peels. These treatments can significantly improve facial fat and skin quality if done correctly.

DR: What’s your opinion on ‘hardmaxxing’ as a concept?

AS: Some people need and want hardmaxxing. I’m not against it if it fits their needs and has actual benefits. It’s important to consider the risks and cons involved. As long as these are taken into account, hardmaxxing can be a viable option for those seeking significant changes.

DR: Are there any general looksmaxxing techniques / methods that you do not condone?

AS: Basically, I do not condone bonesmashing. It’s not the best idea because it involves deliberately inflicting trauma on your bones in the hopes that they’ll heal in a more aesthetically pleasing way. This method is extremely risky and can lead to permanent damage, infections, and other serious health issues. 

Additionally, bonesmashing can damage the collagen matrix and the SMAS (Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System) layer of the skin, which can result in long-term detrimental effects on skin quality and elasticity. The potential downsides far outweigh any perceived benefits. 

It’s always better to seek safer and more proven methods for improving one’s appearance.

DR: What is your current skincare / gym routine?

AS: Right now, my skincare routine includes using red light therapy, Retin-A, and sunscreen. I don’t currently do much else, as I’ve entered a maintenance mode and am figuring out what’s worth doing these days. I’m considering doing a phenol peel eventually, which is like the ultimate peel you can get that gives you a 10-year reset.

As for my gym routine, it’s a 5-day program focused on high-volume training to build muscle and gain strength:

Day 1: Upper Body – Bench Press, Overhead Press, Chin-Ups, Barbell Curl, Tricep Extension

Day 2: Lower Body – Squats, Deadlifts, Calf Raises, Weighted Crunches

Day 3: Chest & Back – Incline Bench, Pull-Ups, Dumbbell Flys, Barbell Rows, Dumbbell Pullovers

Day 4: Legs – Front Squat, Leg Curls, Leg Press, Calf Raise, Hanging Leg Raise

Day 5: Shoulders & Arms – Arnold Press, Upright Rows, Lateral Raises, Bent Over Laterals, DB Curls, Tricep Pressdown, Cable Curls, Overhead Tricep Extension

Reflections and What’s Next

DR: Has your life improved since improving your appearance? Have you noticed any differences in your everyday life?

AS: For me, improving my appearance has given me more confidence. Those who know me in real life don’t really treat me much differently, but strangers do seem to treat me better. It helps that I’m a friendly person and don’t try to be creepy, weird, or judgmental. I’d say improving my looks is more of a personal experience.

Yes, life is a bit easier, and I’ve had relationships, sex, and now have a beautiful girlfriend. However, the overall improvement I’d highlight is a sense of well-being. That’s the best way to describe it.

DR: Are you satisfied with how you look now? If not, what else would you like to improve on?

AS: No, I’m not satisfied with how I look right now. I want to look leaner. Currently, I’m bulked up from the gym and have put on some fat. I want to get shredded and be in top shape, aiming to achieve that “sick cunt” look, if you know what I mean.

DR: Do you have any advice for others that are looking to improve their appearance?

AS: Yes. Manifesting is the first step to any improvement. You have to want it and go out and do it, but first, you must believe you will achieve it. Otherwise, you’ll never try to make it happen.

DR: Do you have any future plans / what’s next in store for AstroSky?

AS: For now, my plan is to spread my philosophy and go back on YouTube. I’m waiting until I’m lean again because I’m pretty insecure about how bloated I am right now, but I know it’ll be worth it as it will be like another butterfly transformation. I also want to collaborate with people and make more friends in these spaces.

DR: Where can people find you if they want to follow you?

AS: You can find me on Instagram at @astrosky_official1, on YouTube at @AstroSkyOfficial, and on TikTok at @astrosky_archives.

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