In addition to eliminating my back problems, the deadlift helped me in one unexpected area: I had a mild RSI and now I don't. I started from not being able to bend over to pick something off the floor without pain, and got to 495lbs for 5 reps. I also eat much better now, another unexpected side benefit, because you can't really make progress at this without eating the right things.
You all have not met the hogs that I've met in PL, then. I've met people with trash diets (plenty of macros, obtained largely through cheeseburgers and the like) who are strong as hell. I love deadlifting (favorite lift of the 3) but the idea that PL is somehow a cure-all for bad lifestyles is pretty laughable.
