"About Me" Could Tell You All You Need to Know

​Everyone recovered from their staring at the TV for March Madness? I’m pretty sure our neighbors think I’m crazy (I know what you’re thinking, very funny) after much yelling during certain games this weekend (GO BLUE). OK enough about that, you all have been deprived of a post from me for a while now, let’s get to it.
 
Let me start by asking this, when you first find an article or workout on the internet how many of you actually dig into who wrote them and what their credentials are? Do you just take those words as the word of god? Shoot I hope not, not with ANYONE, including me. Believe me I’ve had to grow over the years despite having success with clients, doesn’t mean everything I’ve done and written is right on the button.
 
Let’s do this, go to your favorite celebrity trainer or coach and check their about me, oh wait I have one here. Let’s have a look, at what exactly their credentials are, that make them an expert. Any certifications? Maybe a mention of where they picked up their training, education or teachings? Maybe a nod to the people that helped them get where they are (not their clients).

OK they’re published in magazines as well as having their own products, so not terrible. Consider this though, if I put an e-book out there on chemical engineering, does it mean I’m more knowledgeable than a chemical engineer? Not likely, so products only say so much. What is the basis of their training? OK they’re a former athlete, there’s tons of former athletes that are pushing their own fitness lines and products with just their name to back it and not actually having the foundational knowledge base, virtually pulling it from betwixt their cheeks.

I’m not saying they need a bachelor’s, masters PHD and a Knighthood in order to prove their knowledge base and they are in fact, not just pulling this out of the atmosphere. Nor am I saying that doing their routines and listening to what they have to say will give you herpes and tank your credit score, there's a time and a place for most stuff out there. My point is it takes almost 0 foundational knowledge to be a good people person, have high energy, run someone into the ground face first and arbitrarily throw a “system” together. Plenty of trainers and coaches do it ALL the time and have “success” they just don’t live in Hollywood with access to celebrities as clients, that’s the only difference really.

Just because an actor can sound smart and look the part of a doctor, would you listen to them for medical advice? A crude example and maybe not quite on the same line, but  you get the point. Let me help you with that answer just the same, NO you would not.

One final consideration, how many of you out there reading this ARE celebrities and have the time and financial budget that a celebrity does? I'm guessing not many of you and if you do…well we all hate you now…just kidding.
 
OK now that I've just emptied the cooler full of haterade I guess I should provide examples of someone that I might recommend and would be slightly better (in my opinion).
 
Here’s a pair of coaches that I can tell you, for me, they 100% know what they’re doing. One of them I know well and the other one I’ve never met in my life, just trying to provide a bit of balance.

They have a couple things in common that I'd like you to note. First, one difference is one of them isn’t so published outside their own site (as I mentioned that doesn’t make you the best trainer/coach of all time neither).

Both of them emphasize heavy lifting and yes that is important because lifting something lighter than your purse, pet or child isn't really that productive. For example, how heavy were those bags of groceries you just hauled in or the laundry basket you had to carry up 3 flights of stairs?

Yes, also they have listed where they got their foundation, that IS important. For me personally, I need to know, that you at least have the foundational knowledge before I send you anyone I give a damn about. You don’t HAVE acquire the knowledge via a formal education (it’s a bit pricey these days) but you need to spend time learning it in some capacity. Internships and mentorships are great places to pick such a knowledge base up as well.
 
It really doesn't matter how many places someone's been published. It's nice to have and see, but let’s face it, mainstream media hasn't quite figured out there's a middle between (bad) CrossFit and Tracy Anderson. The biggest things I believe you need to look for is where the coach/trainer/expert got their start, education and foundational knowledge. Giving a nod to people that have helped you is usually a nice touch I like to see as well, but not a necessity.

Finally for you all that are thinking, well why don’t these celebs with these incredible physiques that the media has implanted in our minds that we need to attain lift heavy weights, check out this.
 
Oh wait is she lifting something heavier than a hand bag? Yeah I’d say that qualifies, you’re welcome. Browse around that page for more, "Oh damn they lift?" moments.

​That's what I got for your today everyone, hope you enjoyed it on this Monday. Go out there and get after it!