Dear Prudence is Slate’s advice column. Submit questions here .
Dear Prudence,
I’m a 22-year-old competitive bodybuilder, and I recently acquired a primary sponsor, “Jeremy,” who is extremely successful. He’s funded my entire life, paying for my gym membership, supplements, rent, and coaching, so I can focus 100 percent on training. It’s a dream come true, and he asks for very little in return beyond weekly updates and the occasional lunch or dinner.
Jeremy spends a lot of time at my gym. He watches my workouts, brings me protein shakes, and asks incredibly detailed questions about my diet and physique. He says he’s fascinated by the discipline. I always thought this was just the normal level of attention you get from a top-tier financial backer.
However, my brother, “Justin,”