So Long And Thanks For All The Fish

 Training will come and go and you learn to adapt as time goes on. For instance, I love my Dopa Band Workouts and the last time I did one was when we got back from my Montana this past week which was a "quick" 500 rep circuit. I've hit a goal of beyond 50,000 Reps with these fucking things and I've slowly drifted out to working the bands on occasions or whenever I have an urge and focused on more neck work, Isometrics, O2 Training and some bodyweight. 

 Yesterday, after doing 1000 Step Ups using the Deck Of Cards as my guide, I went out and sold my Pull-Up bar that I've had for close to I think 8 years because there wasn't much use for it and was taking up space in our storage. Saying goodbye to that thing wasn't easy because I don't normally sell off my equipment, actually this is the first piece of equipment I've actually sold as far as I know. Sold it to someone who was looking for a bar to train on and he was all excited with the deal I gave him. Good kid and I got more than what I was asking for. Fully assembled and he just fell in love with it. Glad it made him happy and hope he gets success out of it. 

Fitness has a lot of ups and downs, a number of quirks but also has its dark side to things. We do what we can and we can often get shit just for existing and making something of ourselves. Nobody is above anybody else, there's always someone stronger, faster and more knowledgeable than us. Some act like they're all high and mighty just because they think they need to prove how much of an expert they are when in reality, they can't back up a damn thing and would get their ass kicked by a teenager. Others who not only talk the talk but walk the walk have far better outlooks on the realistic approaches to fitness and health that they don't need to prove themselves, they're just themselves and are successful at being good people.

When I sold off that Pull-Up Bar, I did have mixed feelings. I didn't really want to sell it but in the grand scheme of things, there's something better out there that will bring better success than just a piece of fitness equipment. There's a bigger plan in the works that will have me evolve in other aspects of my training and I will be putting in another pull-up bar that is better equipped to be in a place where I can get better use out of it and be more than just a bar, but also be a dip station as well. In the words of Wayne Campbell "It will be mine, oh yes, it will be mine." So, in this context, I'm saying goodbye to one thing but will welcome something new in the not too distant future.

In the fitness industry, it can be extremely hard to trust people when it comes to knowing what the hell they're doing. Among the hundreds to thousands of influencers out there, you'd be lucky to find 10-15 people that actually have real world knowledge, a backbone into actually helping others & not treating them like they're losers and find those who talk the talk and walk the walk with a powerful presence. Men and women like Matt Schifferle, Dave Whitley, Logan Christopher, Paul O'Brien, Tyler Bramlett, Brooks Kubik, Steve Maxwell, James Cappola,, Curt Ligot, Melody Schoenfeld, Kirsten Moore, Amit Elor and others that show true aspects of being a phenomenal asset to building people up and giving them opportunities to better themselves without abusing their power and being an asshole towards them to get their point across. 

The true suckers and losers of the Fitness Industry are those that tear people down, treat them crap in order to sell you what they think is high quality but is worth far less than a pluck nickel because of unrealistic standards and thinking you need to be exactly like them in order to get results which is far and away from the truth. They're scammers, frauds, marketing scumbags and don't have the ability to be empathetic and/or sympathetic to those who want to better themselves. They talk a good game to be convincing but don't show any actual evidence that what they do is applicable long term or healthy. Some of these numbnuts want you drinking something like 10 Liters of Water minimum which can actually lead to Water Poisoning, even world class pro athletes don't do this or find it possible. They act like they're the very best at everything when they can barely handle a few things before they give in and call it extraordinary in their own head. They may even tell you to go extreme all the time because that's the only way to results. That is dangerous, unprofessional to customers and you're forcing beliefs that can hurt others before they even have a chance to get the results they want. It makes you look like an idiot.

The fitness world has a lot of great people but it has just as many assholes with a Superiority Complex that will do anything to make a buck, even as far as to sell pre orders of products that will never be made public. Taking people's money like that is sick, degrading and destroys any credibility to what you think works but never have people see it.  Don't fall for these people, find the ones that have real credentials, real trials and errors and still have the ability to make you feel you're worthwhile instead of worthless. You know what I say to those asshats, so long and thanks for all the fish because you are what's wrong with this industry that would have men like Bruce Lee, Maxick, Zass, Sandow or Saxon rolling in their graves. 

 Be better and show what compassion and teaching really means to those who want to be better for themselves and help them with tools that mean something. Quite frankly, we all could learn a thing or two but it's also important to show that results are worthy of the effort without breaking someone's spirit or calling them losers because they don't follow your path. That's what cultists and egotistically brainless bullies do. Sometimes, it's good to get a few things off your chest and be open about what's important to you. Be amazingly awesome and I hope you all find success that leads down a path that is going to give others the chance to have success of their own. 

Spotting The Frauds: Charlatans & Cowards vs. The Real Deal In Fitness

If you're grinding in the gym, sweating through those reps, busting your ass and chasing that unbreakable mindset, you've probably crossed paths with the snakes in the grass of the fitness world. I'm talking about the damn charlatans – those slick-talking frauds who peddle miracles in a bottle, promises six-pack abs (yet doesn't have any real strength to back it up) and then vanish when the going gets tough. But here's the kicker: many of these numbnuts aren't just liars; they're cowards too. They hide behind filters, dodge real accountability, take people's money giving them false hopes and crumble at the first sign of pushback. On the flip side, the real motherfuckers in fitness? They're the ones who show up, deliver the hard truths, and lead by example. No bullshit, just results.

This isn't some fluffy rant I go on (hardly ever actually). As someone who's been around this a long time and powering workouts for years, I've seen it all. From garage warriors to being trained by and worked out alongside the pros, the industry is packed with gems and garbage. Today, I want to give you some insights into the stark differences between these cowardly so called "men" and the authentic powerhouses who actually move the needle. If you're serious about your fitness journey, strap in. We're exposing the fakes and celebrating the real. Let's crush this.

The Hallmarks of a Charlatan: Promises Without Proof

First off, let's define the enemy. A charlatan in fitness is that guy (or gal) who rolls up with a shiny Instagram feed (or lack thereof), flexing or even talking like he's god's gift to exercise, claiming they've cracked the code to eternal youth or superhuman strength. But dig a little, and it's all smoke and mirrors. These folks thrive on hype, not substance. Make incredible claims such as "Losing 60 KG in less than 2 months", I've seen these words.

Take their marketing tactics. Charlatans love the quick-fix narrative. "Drink 10 liters of water a day" or "Build rippling muscle" even though he looks skinny fat. Sound familiar? It's because they've mastered the art of preying on desperation. They know you're tired of the grind, so they sell shortcuts that don't exist. But here's where the cowardice creeps in: they never back it up with real science or personal proof. No peer-reviewed studies, no long-term client testimonials (the real kind, not paid actors), and definitely no transparency about their own failures. They use copy and pasted reviews from others and turn them into fake reviews for their products. 

Real people in fitness? They're the opposite. Think of trainers like Matt Schifferlee or Chrys Johnson – evidence-based beasts who cite studies, explain biomechanics, and admit when something doesn't work for everyone. They don't promise the moon; they deliver a roadmap. A real pro will tell you, "Hey, this program works if you put in the work. No magic here." Charlatans? They ghost when you ask for details. Cowards can't handle scrutiny. Not to mention they get off on hate.

And let's talk money. Charlatans are all about the upsell. They hook you with a book that seems promising (Even though it's a carbon copy of Matt Furey or some other author), then bombard you with "premium" courses like a membership site that costs thousands of dollars a year, or coaching that's overpriced and  not only underdelivers, but potentially cause more harm than good. I've seen dudes charging $500 for a "custom plan" that's just a generic template. Cowardly? Absolutely. They avoid real competition by building echo chambers – blocking critics and surrounding themselves with gullible people. Real fitness pros welcome debate. They thrive on it because their methods hold up.

Cowardice in Action: Hiding from the Hard Stuff

What really sets these charlatans apart as cowards is their aversion to discomfort – both physical and mental. Fitness can be brutal yes; it's about pushing limits from time to time, learning from mistakes, and emerging stronger. But cowards? They fake it till they flake. Say they can do 25 pull-ups in one set when they show only 5. Say things like step ups being a lazy man's training when they can barely do 10. Then again, a 16 year old girl can probably outwork him LOL. 

Exhibit A: The social media facade. Charlatans post pics at times that look like they haven't showered, do maybe 3-4 reps of an exercise and tell you that they can really do 50 but never show the raw, unfiltered grind. No videos of them actually saying the numbers thy claim or sweating through a tough set. Why? Because vulnerability exposes weakness, and cowards can't risk that. They act tough online but bail on real challenges. They cherry-pick winners (often plants or non existent customers) and ignore the 90% who fail because their advice sucks.

Real people? They're in the trenches with you. Take someone like Adam Sinicki (AKA The Bioneer) – that man's a bad ass for a reason. He shares his breakdowns, his ideas, his battles. It's raw, it's real, and it inspires because it's honest. Or look at Brooks Kubik; he documents highs and lows, owns his mistakes and knows adaptability when it is necessary. No hiding. These folks embody courage by showing that failure is part of the process. The other douche-canoes, make claims that drinking 35 cups of espresso and smoking Marlboros is healthy and never changes. Tell you to go extreme all the time and not let your body heal or truly recover.  

Another cowardly trait: Avoiding confrontation. Charlatans love to bash those that don't agree with their methods or make you have logical debates in vague terms but crumble when called out and couldn't handle a debate that even a 5th grader can beat them at. The real badasses, they can debate but also listen to what you have to say, you may go back and forth but regardless of the outcome, they'll be shaking your hand or even saying thank you and give you props.

And don't get me started on accountability. Charlatans dodge refunds, ignore client complaints, and shift blame: "You didn't follow it right!" Cowards can't admit fault because according to them, they're right even when they believe 2x2=5. Real ones? They offer guarantees, follow-ups, and revisions because they believe in their work and willing to work with their customers or clients.

Real people also emphasize sustainability. Charlatans push extremes: diets that are harmful to the human body, insane workouts that lead to burnout or injuries. Cowards don't care about long-term health; they want quick sales. Real pros? They build habits with starting points. "Track progress, adjust as needed." It's about lifelong gains, not fleeting highs or pushing to exhaustion without getting recovery.

In terms of community, real people foster growth. They create spaces for discussion, not worship. Charlatans build cults, expect followers to do as told as if you don't follow their commandments, you're a loser and a weak POS. It's sickening and degrading. 

Stark Contrast To Authors Who Either Publish Or Scam Those Into Believing Something Will Be Published

One of the things I've noticed in recent years is that when an author is about to write a new course or about to publish....Some will let you in on little details and even show a glimpse of what the possibilities are. Sure it's a tease, but they make it worth the wait. Others (and I'm not joking about this), will tell you one thing, then another and throw your brain around like a ragdoll with what they "plan" to publish but never actually do. There are those who put products on pre-order and keep them there for YEARS and still make people believe they should buy it when in reality, they're pushing people to invest in basically air. This is pure scamming and it has happened to many people. The ad copy is there but there's nothing behind it. 

Why It Matters: Empowering Your Journey

At the end of the day, the fitness industry is a battlefield. Charlatans and cowards clutter it with noise, making it hard for genuine voices to rise. But you? You have the power to choose. Ditch the frauds who hide and lie; align with the real ones who fight alongside you.

Next time you see a flashy ad, ask: Does this person show their work? Do they handle heat? Are they in it for you or their wallet? Choose wisely, and you'll crush goals like never before. We all need to make a living but there's a difference in investing that is worth it vs. investing in someone who couldn't deliver a pizza. 

If this resonates, share your stories in the replies, or hit me with questions (No Anons or you will be deleted). I'm here for the real talk. Let's build that unbreakable body and mind together. Be amazingly awesome.