An Australian fitness influencer and local Aussie Rules footballer has sparked controversy online after calling on men to unfollow women.
This week, Thomas Baulch, known as ‘Prime Train’, posted to Instagram urging followers to “unfollow girls that you aren’t dating”.
Here’s what to know.
Prime Train
Baulch is a fitness influencer who first attracted attention for his training videos and football vlogs in 2020.
He posts on Instagram and TikTok under the username Prime Train.
He has appeared in the AFL Legends Game for the All-Stars, playing alongside football greats including Gary Ablett and Cyril Rioli.
Comments
In a carousel post to Instagram, Baulch told followers that “if you’re a guy, probably you shouldn’t be following girls that you aren’t dating or that could be distracting you online.”
The most recent edition of the post urges followers “unfollow every female influencer” who is “posting promiscuity/[OnlyFans]”.
“Every time you open your phone you see soft 🌽,” he said, using the corn emoji in place of the word ‘porn’.
Baulch said he had reduced the number of accounts he followed from 5,456 at the start of 2025 to below 200 by the end of the year.
“Control your lust. Control your brain. Control what you see,” he wrote.
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Other slides advised followers to avoid phones after 10pm and stop checking social media first thing in the morning. He added: “Lust grows in boredom”.
When a commenter asked him to delete the post, he replied: “nah I stand by what I said”.
Response
Baulch’s post drew widespread criticism.
Businesswoman and podcaster Laura Henshaw commented: “Women are not ‘objects’ that you sexualise… Respectfully, grow the f up before you continue to influence a group of young men who are impressionable and look up to you.”
Sports reporter Sarah Burt commented: “If all you see in women is sexual temptation, then that is on you”.
She later urged followers to unfollow Prime Train “if you have any respect for women,” adding: “How long will we go on giving men with dangerous, misogynistic views a platform… before we finally admit that what they put out in the world is directly tied to our violence against women epidemic?”
In an interview with CODE Sports, male fitness influencer Alex Rodriguez said Baulch’s message was “dangerous and reckless.”
“He has 180,000 followers, many of whom are young boys and he needs to take responsibility for the way he’s promoting his messages.”
Some creators defended Baulch, including mixed martial artist Max Kruger (@maxkrugerx) who said: “If you want to level yourself up, you need to put focus on yourself”.
Influencer Chris Griffin commented: “The woke army really is hella lame. Love you brother.”
In a follow-up post responding to backlash, Baulch said: “The hook definitely worked, but the caption was not read… Women are not objects. To even think that’s what I’m saying is ludicrous.”
“Anyway. Sorry. Should’ve worded myself better I guess,” he added.
