It's no secret that Russia's Vladimir Putin has made an effort to project a certain air of machismo, via photo stills or recorded footage, from shooting at whales with crossbows to playing hockey against Russia's national team to showing off his judo chops.
But this latest parody account, @Putinspiration, might take the cake: an Instagram account that recasts the prime minister as an inspirational personal trainer.
The account pairs images of the Soviet leader -- a good many of them featuring Putin shirtless, semi-shirtless, or clad in a tight muscle tee -- with an expressive axiom, printed meme-style with fonts that give the "inspiring" quotes a "breathless" quality.
Sayings include "the only walls in your way are the ones you build yourself," "stars can't sparkle without darkness," and the ever-popular "follow your dreams," among a delightful plethora of others.
Don't believe what a mirror has to say. # #innerbeauty
A photo posted by Vlad (@putinspiration) on Sep 2, 2015 at 3:22pm PDT
Because sometimes you're your only ally. #friends #relationships #inspired #confidence
A photo posted by Vlad (@putinspiration) on Aug 30, 2015 at 6:00pm PDT
Blew past 1k. Thx @browncardigan
A photo posted by Vlad (@putinspiration) on Sep 2, 2015 at 2:20am PDT
Fittingly, the bio line for @Putinspiration makes full parodic use of the prime minister's name: "You only get out what you putin [sic]." And as for listed interests? Horses, swimming, and annexing the Ukraine.
You can check out @Putinspiration here.
Via The Verge
Photo: @Putinspiration | Instagram
Be sure to follow T-Lounge on Twitter and visit our Facebook page.
