How Did We Get Here?

A point where companies are allowed to spread the idea that all you need is the latest gizmo to “burn fat” and “build muscle.” I don’t know what’s worse – people who don’t know any better (that should) peddling dumb ideas, or people who DO know better doing the same. It’s astounding to me the justification that goes on – “well, they’ve gotta make a buck,” – there are a lot more than fraudulent ways to make money! Many a dollar has been made in an honest way.

As the immortal poet of our time, Tupac Shakur rapped:

“’I made a G today’

‘But you made it in a sleazy way’”

There’s a whole host of people pulling some sketchy shit in the name of making a buck. Fuck that, I’ll struggle along for now, knowing that I’m building a solid foundation on which I can build the rest of my life.

It’s frustrating as hell for those of us that know what we’re doing to have to deal with the mounds of bullshit that is propagated every day and overpowers what the few smart people are saying. Those that know, know that calories in vs. calories out is the deciding factor for weight loss. They know that no exercise in and of itself is “fat burning” or “muscle building.” They know that it’s not the equipment or lack thereof – it’s how it’s used. So many people attach themselves to only one piece of equipment or tool, they feel the need to continually prop it up as the ONLY solution to the problem. Additionally, it seems that anything that uses a barbell is “muscle building” and anything done with bodyweight is “fat burning.” Any type of jumping is “plyometric.” Certain foods are “muscle building” or “fat burning.” Ugh.

I have literally seen people say they would rather be a great marketer and lousy trainer than the other way around. Really? So in your quest to be financially satisfied, you would rather fuck over those willing to put you in that position? Give me a fucking break. Unfortunately, it’s real. And again, it’s not only limited to the fitness industry. It’s everywhere.

What’s the answer? I wish I knew. Unfortunately, those who know how to market and sell (but not train) will always be heard over those who can coach and train (but not market and sell). I think, like many movements, it has to start at a “grassroots” level – educate as many in your circle as you can, and let the ideas spread. 

It seems everyone everywhere is much more concerned with their own well-being than to try to help others. We have such a short-term focus, we are willing to throw out nearly all concepts of right and wrong, and forgo building a foundation of values upon which you can build a stable future. Then people wonder why society as a whole is so fucked up. Think about it – who are some of the most famous people? People who are, by and large, driven and motivated by popularity, money, and fame, as opposed to actually, you know, being people worthy of emulation. And yet, these are the people we hold up on a pedestal.

As another example, and admittedly going in yet another different direction, I was listening to Mike & Mike this morning (it’s there for noise purposes), Mike Greenberg, when talking about Terrell Owens, who recently fired Drew Rosenhaus, said (paraphrasing), “If your agent is telling you what you don’t want to hear, you need to fire your agent and hire someone else.” WHAT?!?! How often do we say athletes (and people in general) need to surround themselves with those who will say what needs to be said, not what they want to hear? And now we’re saying the exact opposite? But of course, it fits the current narrative – when an athlete gets in trouble tomorrow, I’m sure he’ll have a different opinion. And really, that’s what it all comes down to – everyone doing what is convenient and best fits their needs in that particular moment. But when others do it in order to advance their own cause, at the expense of others, people get pissed.  So everyone wants others to act civil and give a shit about others, at least when it will benefit themselves. But then they will turn around and justify their decisions based on the need to make money. 

The unfortunate part is, the only way to expect it all to change is to expect everyone to stop being assholes (I’m not holding my breath). You know, give a shit about others, the Golden rule, all that shit. Doing things and making decisions because it’s the right thing to do, not because it will put you ahead in the endless race of life in that particular moment. Jim Wendler says “I can’t save the world if my house is a mess.” I agree wholeheartedly with the philosophy, so here’s what we need – more people cleaning up their own damn house. Get your shit in order, stop blaming others, and stop trying to fuck over everyone else to further yourself. Don’t blame “the rules of the game,” or claim that “that’s how it is.” Guess what, you get to choose how you treat people, how you approach your job, business, and personal life. Take some fucking responsibility for your actions. Everyone.

In closing, I'll leave this post from Seth Godin here. Smart people will figure out what I'm saying. Others won't.

Ashamed to not know

Society changes when we change what we're embarrassed about.

In just fifty years, we've made it shameful to be publicly racist.

In just ten years, someone who professes to not know how to use the internet is seen as a fool.

The question, then, is how long before we will be ashamed at being uninformed, at spouting pseudoscience, at believing thin propaganda? How long before it's unacceptable to take something at face value? How long before you can do your job without understanding the state of the art?

Does access to information change the expectation that if you can know, you will know?

We can argue that this will never happen, that it's human nature to be easily led in the wrong direction and to be willfully ignorant. The thing is, there are lots of things that used to be human nature, but due to culture and technology, no longer are.