Vladimir Shmondenko, better known online as Anatoly, began his public-facing journey in 2015 by uploading his earliest YouTube content, initially rooted in straightforward fitness before evolving into a distinct on-camera identity. Over time, his digital persona crystallized into a recognizable concept: a strength athlete who blends real training with entertainment, while staying highly active on platforms like TikTok as @anatoly_pranks and Instagram under his name.

He became globally famous for incognito gym pranks filmed as hidden-camera skits. The formula is simple and instantly readable: he shows up dressed as a cleaner, a beginner, or a worker, earns casual trust, and then flips the scene by moving and lifting weights that completely contradict the first impression. The hook is the contrast, the genuine reactions from other lifters, and fast-paced editing that delivers the reveal quickly without losing the athletic credibility behind the stunt.

Along that path, his content has been linked to collaborations with major strength and fitness figures such as Larry Wheels and Noel Deyzel, appearing together in “cleaner prank” style episodes. He has also shared moments connected to a global icon like Arnold Schwarzenegger, reinforcing how the Anatoly character moved beyond prank culture into mainstream fitness conversation. In parallel, he promotes structured training plans through his official ecosystem, connecting viral entertainment with coaching and products.