Someone please tell me if this is real

Ask yourself this :
What legit player would have that nickname?

It depends on your area. If this gym is in a city full of pokestops it is entirely possible to be level 40. Even in a area without a lot of pokestops it is possible if you play like 14 hours every day. If your area don't have many pokestops and spawn points, I would say this guy is a spoofer or a bot, or maybe he is from other place and got there just to put his mon in easier gyms.

could be real

I think on Trainer Tips, Nick said that Niantic has been changing the names of some players if they had offensive names. This might have been one of those players.

I have decided to not concern myself if someone is a bot or gps spoofing.
I'm about walking around and catching mons.
Gym play was fun while it lasted but it is becoming a part of the game that I'll partake in less and less.

Define "real." Looks like a real pokemon in a gym to me. Do you mean is that Bob, father of 3, living next door, that plays casually without scanners or any other third party apps? Probably not...I mean I have hatched 6 larvitars and powered a Tyranitar up to 2540...and I'm not a "hardcore" player, nor have I walked him.

He probably has a really interesting life...not