Hey there, I hope this finds you well.
I wanna warn you about “Operation Sucky Fitness” and a wave I see in the fitness industry that I think is totally uncool.. and it ties in perfectly to a guy I wanna tell you about by the name of Bill Hicks… a dude I’ve listened to for years who’s life story was just made into a movie and it is POWERFUL.
Bill was a social critic and satirist who’s humor challenged mainstream beliefs… and he was a straight up BAD-ASS at guiding people to think for themselves.
He saw that people’s best interests we’re being pushed to the side in favor of big profits and he hated that stuff… the dude was like totally against superficiality, mediocrity … and anything that is meant to oppress others …
…or anything that is meant to “keep people stupid and apathetic.”
Right now in the fitness industry there’s some people wanting to keep you stupid and apathetic as well… and if you don’t see any of it yet.. you will soon.
Let’s call the leaders of this movement and the “thing” they’re forcing down the throats of the industry ‘Operation Sucky Fitness’
And good ol’ ‘Operation Sucky Fitness’ needs to be wiped out before it harms our community anymore than it has
Because when it’s about just making money and not delivering solid workouts, solid service and solid results… we all lose.
Man… it really sucks it’s all come to this and I’m about to talk about some pretty negative stuff and for that I wanna apologize in advance… however this needs to be said.
But I promise you, the message for our community here is one of togetherness, strength and hope.. it’s a message of positive change, taking responsibility and standing up for what you believe in.
Ya know, I became a fitness professional because I wanted to have a lot of fun helping a lot of people and make a good living in the meantime…
I wanted to be original, train people my way, build my own brand and never conform or comply with some industry standards or big business corporate B.S. where all that matters is more locations and the almighty dollar… no matter who you have to step on… F-that… for me it’s about freedom and fun… not stabbing backs, cutting throats and telling lies.
Don’t get me wrong… I’m a HUGE fan of making a buck, but not if you have to be uncool to others to make it.
So here’s what’s goin’ on… and it really pisses me off and I think our community needs to rise above and stomp it out.
You see, I’ve spotted a “profit play” movement on the horizon towards trying to convey a message that is so damn dis-empowering to trainers these dudes need a swift kick in the nuts.
The message being spread is that everything and everyone has to be the same to be successful… every training business… every boot camp… all of us.. under one big damn umbrella.
And their message says there’s ONLY one way of doin’ things… THEIR way.
Now THEIR way might cool for the drones of the industry to fall in line with… the ones who could care less about creating anything wonderful and just wanna get paid. This blog ain’t for those guys… for them.. I say fine, go ahead and be a stepping stone.
For them I say the best bet is to probably just do everything these guys say like a little “Jonny On The Spot” Puppet
And using just one source for all credit card processing… now that sounds creepy to me… I’m a firm believer in the one with the money has the power and I’ll be damned if anyone’s gonna tell me how to bill my clients… all so they can take a cut of the action.
Making money is awesome.
But greed sucks.
By all means… market your ass off, but don’t focus so much on new locations that you neglect your client base.. and give fitness training in general a bad name.
Hurriedly trying to put up mass location so they can cash out… locations should come after creating a solid structure, not the illusion of a solid structure when in reality models that are slapped together with haste and have no foundation to support anything fall apart VERY easily… it’s like their built on nothing but sand.
Ever seen what happens to a house in a mudslide ?
Perhaps on the news? Remember what it looked like ?
Now don’t let that happen to your business.
A business built on greed instead of having a solid foundation is never a good thing.
Profits should not come before people.
Make money? … hell yeah make money… but be sure to add massive value to the world in exchange for that money… don’t just focus on more locations and … “World Domination”
Tryin’ to dominate the world is far from cool if it ain’t congruent with the better-good of the people… Hitler tried it and the ones behind this movement should take note of how that all ended for him.
It should be about helping people and adding to their lives… not “taking” from and getting them to “comply” … it should be about having fun, making money and having an awesome life.. where you do what you want when you want.
It should be about freedom… not a bunch of useless rules and policies that when you look at them are for nothing but to make even more profits for ones at the top.
It’s become about attaining “World Domination” no matter how many good and decent fitness professionals in our community get stepped-on in the process.
.What I’ve seen and heard from behind the scenes has blown my mind and just straight up gives me the creeps.
I’ll say this even if I’m the only one willing to say it, however I MORE than suspect I’m not alone… and keep an eye on the market.. because unless this blog post gets em’ to straighten up a little… which I honestly hope it does… you’re gonna see them pull some real messed up stuff… REAL messed up stuff.
I honesty feel that our industries reputation *could* be on the line… and I’m a provider and protector by nature… and by nature I wanna protect the shit out of the training industry by whatever means or force necessary.
When you see all the Ballyhoo, broken promises and good little trainer drones everywhere… just rise above it.
Don’t participate in it… just watch and learn how NOT to do business.
I have no doubt that once they see this they’re gonna try to shut me up… that’s cool… what’s right is right and I don’t really give a rat’s ass
If you’re like me you’ve chosen to rise above people like this, be a good person, have an awesome life and your focus is on helping people, having fun, making a great living and building your own thing… one you can be proud of and can always rely on… a business based on your values, your passion, your training philosophy and your brand.
NEVER lose that and protect it with everything in you… and NEVER let anyone try to convince you that having your brand, your own style, your own business is no good and that the ONLY way to achieve a successful training business is to conform to their way of doin’ things’
I say do it your own way, you’ll take more shit but you’ll kick way more ass … trust me
Be weary of anyone trying to get you to come around to their way of thinking, their business system, model… whatever… and tell you it’s the one and only… and the best… ESPECIALLY when it’s unfounded and self-appointed.
Everything to reach your goals is within you already… it’s up to you… different blogs, programs and teachers can serve as signposts but you’re the one making it happen, and you’re the one who deserves the credit.
Never let anyone try to convince you that you need to rely on their anything.
You’re the one with the power, and there’s plenty of guys like me who are willing to give you some direction… find a few teachers who resonate and learn from them, but never let them try to make you feel like you’re reliant on their program, their strategies, their billing system, their business model, their leadership or their brand.
Take pointers, learn lessons, plug-in systems and make a killing… but remember…you actually don’t need anyone or any system… especially not some brand you have no control over what others are doin’ with… like what if other trainers under the same brand are giving horrible workouts and service… THAT will reflect on YOU… building another’s brand is giving your future over to someone else.
I don’t like that there’s big business marketers trying to force the community to comply with their agenda.
DO NOT ALLOW ‘OPERATION SUCKY FITNESS’ OR ANYONE TO MAKE YOU FEEL YOU NEED THEM
You don’t need them, me or anyone…. at the end of the day it all comes down to you and you’re the one who will make or break you.
I’ve been threatened with a lawsuit and shown that I would be forced to take my site down within a day if I mention anything… so I just wanna let you know that that has me a little edgy.. but I figured what’s right is right here and I wanna do what’s best for our community… and when you know in every cell of you’re being that your right and that telling the truth will set you free… it makes doin’ it a no-brainer.
Bill Hicks saw things around him he didn’t like… and he said something about it.
He made you think and he challenged you to not just blindly comply with something because they try and say it with some B.S. tone of authority.
Bill Hicks is one of the voices of the world who has truly changed my life forever… and the documentary about his life just came out so I’m super excited… just watched it like 3 times in two days… and will watch many more times.
If you wanna create something wonderful, help a lot of people and refuse be a stepping stone for others to stomp on and rub the mud off their feet with… Bill’s message may or may not resonate with you… but it always has with me.
Regardless of your personal views on America or Organized Religion or the Vanilla Mediocre Trash popular culture accepts without question… this is a film worth checking out
Here’s the official site for the movie: AmericanTheMovie.com
And here’s a taste of Bill’s comedy, which is often spot on point and very thought provoking… the second half of this video about “The Ride” is spot on the money…
And here’s Bill on something I call Big Selfish-A** Marketing…
( You can find lots’ of great Bill Hicks performances all over the internet )
Now let’s have a blast while the greedy furrow their brows at our community.
I’d love to hear your comments below
I realize the tone of this post is much more negative than what you’re accustomed to with me… however my best personal operational procedure is to get pissed and then get positive.
Ya know, I’ve personally had VERY FEW had fall-outs in the last 25 years … a couple, but not many… seriously…I pride myself in the fact that I’m a pretty cool guy… not “cool” as in “hip, slick and cool” but as in I think I treat people pretty fair and with a decent amount of respect… even the EMO kids I make fun of on Facebook… yes, I’m even supercool to them
Be cool to me and I’m cool to you… you’ll be hard-pressed to find many people that will give you a different story of me.
One was actually a pretty whacked ex-girl-friend who stalked me and would break into my house and go through all my stuff and leave my female client base some pretty wild messages… crazy times. ( That’s a story for another day )
Now while I believe fall-outs are a part of business and natural anytime money and Ego’s are involved… and we all have an Ego…
… These gentlemen have had … well, shall we say dozens of fall-outs each in the industry… and that’s just the ones I’m aware of…. and I’m talking about fallouts with good upstanding trainers… Anyone close to the inside knows this. Just ask around. In fact, I bet a few will be adding comments as they catch wind of this post.
Perhaps the number of fall-outs the forces I’m talking about have each had here might serve as a red flag or indicator of their true intentions… I should have seen it years ago and was actually warned by multiple people, but I too was fooled.
Do we want the ones who stomp on people, stab backs and cut throats to be the so-called “leaders” of the fitness training industry ?
Screw that… I say YOU’RE the leader… and let your compass guide you from the inside… it won’t ever fail you.
So what now?
I say instead of lowering ourselves to their level, I would like to focus on hope… and keep our eye on the ball.
Now the message has made it to you.
I say after getting pissed and kicking ass if needed, it’s time to focus on making our community and industry as cool, authentic, fun and integrity filled as possible.
And through blogging and social media and giving great workouts and first class customer service, you and I can forever change the direction of our industry. For good or bad… I say do what you feel is right, do it from your heart and do it with passion.
That’s the message I guess.
Bill Hicks carried a powerful message that always resonated with me and I see the awesomeness of things like Facebook, blogging and having at least some kind of influence online as way I can help spread his message
If you’re a fan of Bill’s please help spread the message of this movie… it’s powerful stuff and super entertaining.
Bill’s life was cut short by cancer, but his words don’t have to be… just like we don’t need to be “told” to hand over the future of our training businesses to someone else’s “brand” and idea of what THEY want US to do for THEM.
I’m actually gonna re-post this trailer A LOT on Facebook to turn people onto to a message that needs to be heard, just like doin’ that might agitate a few and I might lose some followers and Facebook friends over it… I’m fully aware that this blog post might agitate a few as well…
… but if you’re cool, like helping people and are proud to be a member of the fitness training industry… then I’m sure you feel as I do.
And if you’re one of the greedy who only care about more money, more locations and could give a rats ass about our community… then by all means, this is me flipping you the bird (;
Our community deserves so much better and I know will never stand for what these guys wanna do… and life has a way of balancing everything out.
My vision for everyone involved is a kick ass community where the uncool either disappear or start acting like good and decent human beings and get back on course… because I truly do believe that at one time their plan of action was more “people friendly” … so I know they have it in them somewhere… and if not then maybe this little blog post will help them find a much needed soul down deep in that empty existence of theirs.
I still have hope for them yet… as I don’t actually think they’re bad people down inside… I just feel right now they’re doin’ bad things.
The fitness training industry is about to face it’s best years ever… and that’s because of fitness professionals like yourself… having a ton of fun.. leaning out our clients by the millions around the world… and always staying true to ourselves.
And each us need to stand up and follow the leader within … or as I like to call it my “Little Leader Within” … kinda dorky I know but it works for me
Let’s take responsibility for our actions, our industry and our community… it comes down to each and every one of us
Greed can give this community a bad name… with greed clients are more likely to suffer injuries than get results.
With greed you have over-crowded gyms, under-qualified trainers, shady marketing, legal issues, bad karma … and a whole bunch of other real bad stuff.
With Greed even if you make all the money in the world life will still suck.
The answer is about delivering the best service to the end user possible ( the training client )
It’s about getting the solution you offer into the right hands.
This cannot be done if profits are put before people
To change this, we each need to do make the shift within ourselves .. otherwise we’re not focused in the right direction.
After being wronged it’s easy to hate.
But at the end of the day … the answer is love.. love for ourselves, our clients and our community
The enemy isn’t out there or any one person… we need to focus on defeating greed, mediocrity, complacency and our own inner demons… and at the end of the day the answers ALWAYS lie within.
Being someone who pretty much failed English… I think I gotta D minus actually … I’ll allow someone to say it much better than I ever could…
“Be the change you want to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi
Thanks for being one of the good ones,
Big Chris
P.S. – I would love to hear your comments
P.P.S. - I edited this post to take out some profanity, making it much more “friendly” to share on the web… please spread the message.
YES.
Thank you Chris.
I know where the Tool quote from "Third Eye" in Salival came from…
Great clip, going to get the movie today via Itunes and watch it.
Thanks again.
Rob
http://www.RobKingFitness.com
You know what man? This is spot on! Refreshing, and so true. Thanks for putting this out there. There is definitely a robotic element forming in the industry.
And now your becoming the "Robot Killer."
Oh, and Bill Hicks is awesome!
Great post man, it's awesome to see someone speak their mind and tell it how it is. I feel the same. Building your business based on your values, your passion and you can't be duplicated.
Thanks for putting this out there, that's why you're the baddest dude around and people love working with you. Thanks again for your posts brotha!
One of your best blogs to date Chris. Thank you. Going to see this movie when it comes to AZ on the 30th.
Thanks again
Chris in AZ
yep and a lot more needs to be said..:)
love it bro … re-enforces how I do things my own way and still have success.
Thanks Chris!
AWESOME Post! YOur right on the money. I think that's the reason why most of us that follow your blog got out of the corporate gym enviroment so that we don't need to conform to any brand or franchise system.
We got out of the corporate gym enviroment so that we can create our own systems and visions to what we think our fitness programs should be.
I like having the freedom to work when I want and I get to keep all my money from all my hardwork.
I feel sorry for those people that think there is only one marketing system or brand that works and feel the need to jump on the band wagon because someone built scarcity in their mind.
I'm glad you wrote on this. I was actually thinking about this topic quite a bit the last couple of months.
Keep speaking the truth.
Great post man, super awesome.
Your way of thinking is true and to the point.
The whole reason that I started my bootcamp is so that I can work for myself, create my own biz, help people out and see how far I can push myself.
It's all about getting away from the main stream, zombie job and doing something for myself.
Thank you for all of your help dude, you rock
great post chris
I've always thought that the world would be a lot better place if everybody watched more Hicks…i make sure to get a 10 minute dose of Hicks each week.
Phenomenal post Chris, got me amped.
Props to you for always speaking your mind and not giving a shit about what society thinks of you. Bill Hicks is a true legend, his wise words will echo in eternity and inspire generations to come.
Great job Chris! Very cool. And, very well said.
I totally agree with this Chris…
Being in this industry is all about having the freedom to make the biz that I want, how I want it. It's about making my own rules and kicking major a$$ while doing it.
It's the best feeling in the world is to know that you have created a biz that helps people out and makes $$ while doing it… AND I BUILT IT MYSELF, what else could I ask for?
The coolest part about having your own biz is that you get to start off with a blank page and paint the picture that you want…
There is no one telling you how many pickles to put on each sandwich…
There is no one telling you “you can’t”
The beauty of being self empleyeed is witing your own rule book…
What kind of entrapanuar would I be if my biz was created from someone else’s model to a T?
Never settle
I AGREE FULLY. THANK YOU CHRIS
AWESOME post Chris, thanks for sharing. Just finished reading this book "You Will Die" by Robert Arthur, great read & well researched, talks about how certain drugs became illegal, while other drugs did not. Essentially, it was racism.
Certain anti-pleasure religions tried for decades to convince people that drugs were bad, but nobody believed them because people would RARELY die from drugs, even "hardcore" drugs like heroin, so everyone new their message was BS.
It wasn't until the Chinese came to America that the govt was able to make opiates (heroin/opium) illegal, it wasn't until the Mexicans came that they could "sell" the American people on the idea that Marijuana is bad (which used to be spelled Marihuana, but they changed it to make it seem more foreign/evil.)
And on and on. Not until the Germans/Irish were they able to make alcohol illegal, and as always with making things illegal, a horrible and violent subculture emerges (in this case, the mafia.) Luckily, that one did not last, but most of these other drugs are still illegal today even though most of them are PROVEN to be less addictive, less fatal, and less harmful than CAFFEINE.
The book also talks about and provides statistics on how the mass media cherry picks the worst drug stories, despite the fact that for every one of those stories there might be thousands of positive stories.
The whole point of the book is that our taboos (things we are not supposed to talk about), actually hurt us, and that if we just put them in the light and asked the right questions, the truth would be clear as day and a ton of pain and suffering would be avoided. Bill Hicks fought hard for moving the culture towards asking the right questions, and this book follows that tradition. (Book can be bought on Amazon.)
Anyway, sorry for the long comment, I'm really feelin this post.
Johnny Fitness
Love it! Nice post CM!
Nice post Chris
One of the best blog posts yet. Thank you for always being honest and always speaking your mind. And I agree 100%.
Chris another great post for sure…I can always count on getting the hard straight facts and NO Bullshit. You hit the nail right on the had with this one and in my eyes your best post yet! Keep speaking the truth bro. Nothing but respect for you…keep crushing it!
Go Chris! In the long term, it's the passion, not the money, that's keeps you going.
AMAZING! I concur wholeheartedly. I got into this industry because I LOVE changing peoples lives. after 12 years i STILL love training people and no matter how big my business grows, I'll always be in the trenches!
Paul
Http://bootcampking.com
Great post. The way I see it is that there are different levels, even as fitness professionals and entrepreneurs.
Some say they are their own bosses and independent, but they are just drones of a different type.
The ones that are on the highest level learn from the greats in the industry (like Chris and some of the commenters here) and they take that knowledge and run with it.
These guys (and girls) Rise Above and blaze their own trails.
These ones are the ones that will truly be remembered and will leave an impact on the industry.
Awesome post and I'm happy to see others share the sentiment here
Thank You Chris, well said!
Ive been a part of the fitness industry longer then most so yes i can say I've seen it all!
All the bullshit preaching about all of the same bullshit stuff over and over and over! Please!!!
I wised up a long time ago and followed what i believed in and guess what? I'm still cranking and had some of my best years in business during the worst times this country has ever seen all by doing it MY WAY! You see there's one thing that i have always had more so then most and that's PASSION BABY! I know it, my clients see it and they believe it! They keep seeing amazing results and that's the bottom line brother. Passion and Results=$
Keep rocking my friend!
Oh and by the way dude you look great! Way to transform that bod!
@Katie Switzer: Nice Katie…I'm with you on that!
BIG C,
I too applaud u for speaking what's on your mind. When I started full time pushing in this industry I did it because I cared about helping people get in shape, change their lives and give them the cocky ass confidence that I walk around with everyday
.. THE BEST thing About fitness when I started was I was being coached and taught to do my own thing , THE OMLY WAY TO MAKE IT IN THIS INDUSTRY and be successful at it was to NOT do what very e else was doing and to make your business personal and in turn profitable..
There will never be only one way to be successful in life. Originality, dedication, an having a passion to do what you want, when u want and how you want is the key to success as I see it
Great post bro and keep speaking what's on ur mind at all times
JB
Great Post Chris! I love it how you are always willing to speak your mind about stuff like this. I've been grappling with this issue for the past couple months and it's nice to know that there are a lot of us who still want to do things our own way and stay true to who we really are. I'm all for coaching and for mentors…what I'm definitely not for is having someone tell me what to do. I think the absolute best coaches and mentors out there ask questions to help you find your way because they know that it is within you. All they are really there to do is help you find the right way to express your passion because if you can find or develop that then you can do, be or achieve anything and in this industry we are ultimately blessed to be able to help thousands of people in the process. Thanks again for posting man. Definitely going to check out Bill Hicks!
Re-posting Here Because It Looks Like It's Getting Buried in The Facebook Comment Section Super Quick and I Want To Make Sure This is Heard:
Hey Chris,
First of all I want to applaud you for standing up for what you believe. I know that many more feel this way but fail to communicate. If everyone communicates properly we would never be here.
I feel some fitness professionals are just as much to blame by not expressing their concerns.
I hear too many fitness professionals complaining to me, to you and everyone except the people they need to complain to.
If your new car breaks and you don’t take it to the dealership then how can the manufacturer know anything is wrong?
THE ONLY WAY A BUSINESS/ORGANIZATION CAN IMPROVE IS TO GE THE CORRECT FEEDBACK FROM THEIR CUSTOMERS.
And that’s the case here my friend.
I am sure this will be fixed very soon.
Here is something to think about:
The financial facts of life tell you that doing what everyone else is doing invariably wrong. Here are some examples:
1) The tech stock sin the 90’s
2) Bonds in 2002
3) Real Estate in 2006
In business most follow most. 95% of most is broke so following that path in anywhere in anything is quit predictable.
Warren Buffett, said doing the opposite of many is likely to make you helluva lot of money. Doing the opposite of all of them even more likely to make you helluva lot of money.
There is often great illusion in “what you think everyone else is doing”.
Marrying a 14 year old as your 5th wife is perfectly normal in some parts of the world.
In conclusion to reach your goal as an entrepreneur adhere to the following:
1) What everybody else is doing should NEVER be your reason for doing anything. It will be hard to come with a worse reason
2) The fact that everyone is doing something is more likely a good reason NOT to do it than to do it.
3) Most of the time, everyone else doing it is illusion, not reality anyway.
Thanks for speaking the truth, Chris. I knew it was only a matter of time.
chris, all i can say man is thanks for this post! this has helped me more than you'll know! i am a firm believer that our gifts (talents) will continue to broaden and create opportunities for those of us who have the passion for what we do in this fitness industry! thanks for sharing!
Chris,
That's an incredibly inspiring post. I can't believe how true it is. If you're going to do something, you had better do it right, and focus on delivering the best product you can. If there is any deviance in a plan, it will be exposed, exploited, and eventually it will destroy the plan.
I have been on a path of doing what I do the best I can, and really not giving a sh$! about making sure I do it the same as someone else – And it has produced the best results I have ever seen. If you just focus on one element at a time and then try to just do that one thing the best that you can (and then keep going), it will work.
Do what you do man – thanks for the post
AMAZING post Chris! My level of respect for you after reading this has skyrocketed. I have been feeling exactly the same thing for quite a while and have wondered when somebody was going to step up and say something and I'm glad that it was you who finally had the balls and integrity to do it.
You are an awesome dude and a huge influence to all the trainers out there who want to lead and change the world with INTEGRITY, not just for the sake of the almighty dollar.
I guarantee you that if anything goes down you have PLENTY of people who will have your back in a second so not to worry brother. We support you and agree with your sentiments 100%!
Take care
Yudi
It takes a LOT of balls to call people out in a situation like this. RESPECT. Our industry deserves better and we need to protect our reputation. People and passion FIRST….the money will follow.
In line with the article above that Big Chris just wrote…"The Dumbing down of America" has been going on for a long time. The process unfortunately has created a lot of what our current economic and health situation is right now in our country. From the scare tactics our own media and government to the everyday street hustle card game called “3 card molly” that seems to bewilder the innocent passer-by (picture a street hustler) on the train station platform…the volume of misinformation is so much easier to get past the “gate keeper” portion in the mind of the not so healthy individual.
The endless TV, billboard, internet and radio commercials “pushing” drug company’s promises of all physical and mental problems simply going away with the popping of a pill is just plain stupid! Or is it?
All of us in the fitness industry know about the supplement industry also cashing in on the opportunity to convince the young unsuspecting gym novice to take this or that to build a great body. What happened to whole, real foods?
Oh and who’s silly @ss idea was it to stop gym class for kids from K-12? That pisses me off. We now have a nation of fat, diabetic little kids and their parents hardly able to move, eating crap food, watching TV and playing video games or texting sitting on their butts all day and night. “GO OUTSIDE AND PLAY TILL THE SUN GOES DOWN,” my mom would say (actually yelling at the top of her lungs-LOL!- Thanks mom!)
The slow process of profiting from ignorance and not knowing what or where to get real evidence to support scientific results from fitness is beyond the common mans ability due to removal of thought by decaying mental capacity. Sounds sinister, right? Not really…how easy it to get someone elected and have more laws passed, that further remove more services that can assist those that can’t think for themselves… along with a majority of a public that doesn’t or can’t read, is challenged by anything interpreted as too hard to do and continues to “poison” their body and minds with anything but real food. That makes it pretty damn difficult in schools or life to “plant any seed type of knowledge in the soil of a mind” a mind that’s basically…barely fertile.
WE are part of this and WE can be part of the re-engineering of a movement to get the public awareness back to what it once was.
Recent events bursting the bubble of the good old days is helping people get back to basics including the understanding of what’s truly important and again highlighting the fact that if things are going to change…WE, YOU and THEY have to take responsibility for ourselves and stop blaming them (whoever “them” is to you) and create whatever needs to be created to get this country back on the top or least contributing equally to bail this planet out of the situation that profit and greed may have something to do with…the dumbing down of America. Just a little rant…feel me?
Keep Poking the Box Brotha!
Emile Jarreau
http://www.M2FitnessPros.com
Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit. – by Hill, Napoleon
Emile.. I'm with you brother.. I think Mahatma Gandhi said it best…
“Be the change you want to see in the world.”
Chris this post is so tremendous that I had to comment twice.
Everything you wrote is exactly what we all have been thinking in the back of our minds, but didn't have the Power or Platform to say it.
I am sure some may say you are writing it from a place of jealously or hatred but the truth seekers know the exact place its coming from.
This post will separate many from your list and we all know that… However the ones who stay by your side will love you and respect you more than ever.
You will have so much more loyalty and they will have your back beyond anything.
Sooner or later, everyone will see the reality if what is to come.
At that point the truth shall prevail and those blinded by the bullshit will search for their own answers.
You have bought up man valid points and it is in "their" best interests to come on here and defend themselves and to clarify things.
Your Words are profound and they caused a major paradigm shift in the fitness industry.
“The mind, once expanded to the dimensions of larger ideas, never returns to its original size”
I have known Chris McCombs since 1998. I can tell you firsthand I have known him at one of his "worst" points in life. Chris and I actually worked together in the bar scene in Lubbock, TX just before I opened up my very first large Martial Arts facility. Let me tell you this about Chris; Evene in his hardest times Chris was known to put himself aside. If you had a problem, couldn't get something done on your own, or needed back up in any way Chris would not only be the first person there by your side, but in EVERY situation would most likely be standing in front of you getting the job done before you could blink an eye. HIs work ethic was and still is amazing. The guy literally just does not know how to go less than 180% on anything and everything that he is involved with. He doesn't do it to show off ….he does it because it is the only way he knows how. Another thing that is for sure…If you're asking Chris a question on something he knows how to do or knows something about, you can guarnatee that his answer is a 100% knowledge based answer. He just does not know how to not know everything about whatever it is he is interested in. Most people call it obsessive compulsive disorder….and if they saw Chris work that's probably what they would say, but I'm telling you, I know it more to be about Chris' passion. I promise you…I PROMISE YOU…you will NEVER find another person that is so invigorated and passionate about anything he is involved in. Thats just one more reason I know I can trust anything Chris advises on ANYTHING he says a person should do.
On a more professional note:
I don't know if some of you guys really understand how valuable the knowledge Chris puts out on his blogs, in his products, and in your hands actually is. The stuff he puts out are things I know that VERY solid minds in marketing and sales have flipped out on when I have shown them. So you understand—– I own Monster X Camp : a Krav Maga, Ju-Jitsu, Kickboxing, Monkey Bar Gym, Yoga and Bootcamp facility in the DFW, TX area. One of my mentors is a gentleman who literally was the nations highest paid marketing and customer sales rep for Gold's gym by the time he was 17 years old, in a corporation which owned Gold's Gyms and the two other largest gym franchises in the world. The way most people look at celbrities is LITERALLY the way celebrities look at him when it comes time to start a new business venture. People like Randy Cotoure, Jose Conseco, Larry Jacobsen (Former Vice Oresident of Capital records who now has his own AMAZINGLY SUCCESSFUL LABEL), Rob Thomas (of Matchbox 20), the list goes on and on and on, but they run to him when it comes time for them to start up a new venture and they want advice and a business plan to follow, along with ongoing business structure advice. RUN to him if theAnother is actually the founder of Skymall, who furthermore made Pepsi-Co, the dominating force that Coka Cola cannot get rid of, that it is today. The third person I take advice from—you guessed it— Chris McCombs. Before moving to Dallas, I owned Three facilities that all ran simultaneously in the small town of Lubbock, TX (Two large full time facilities, and a sattelite) that grossed roughly about $50k per month between the two larger facilities alone. This isn't to toot my own horn..it's so you'll understand that who I take advice from will be VERY limited as I have seen a ton of success in using the knowledge of others and then also running with it forming my own business structure platforms and procedures out of what I saw in their methods. In fact, my mentors now currently ALSO use my methods in place of some of their old ones. Chris stays so far beyond the curve, that I can only hope to one day have a bit of structure to offer back to him.
So let's have a word about history and the oldest marketing scheme in the book:
It's unfortunate that people try to use one's history to label them and to try to defame them by it, but when you're probably that much of a low life currently, what better to do then focus on someone's bad decisions from the past. Here's what you don't know about me…. I have a pretty psychotic history, myself. Some of you right now are thinking, "well duh, who doesn't?". My point exactly. Knowing that, you can probably list off lesson after lesson that you truly genuinely learned about yourself and about how you "should've done something" in the past instead of the way you chose to do it, and more than likely wwill never make those same kind of mistakes ever again. Here's the other thing you don't know about me … I HAD MY IDENTITY TOTALLY YANKED OUT FROM UNDER ME ALSO on a martial arts forum because of some of the same type of stuff that the guy going around trashing other trainers and the way they do things, to try and build his own credibility. Here's what is true…. The people who end up following this guy are total sheep. He can't get his name out the honest way- by good old fashion experience, work, and experimentation and the actual proof from those three things- so who has to do the fastest thing he can to get his name out. He ABSOLUTELY has to talk about, and trash the industry leaders to draw attention to himself. Here's why this type of marketing scheme works. Because if you can absolutely point out how horrible a person is (and generally in most cases is not an "is" things as much as it is a "was" thing), then create a cult like following of people by creating that drama, while people tend to be very drawn to dram they also tend to keep coming back and seeing what the latest post about the current "bad guy" is constantly, and what furthermore usually happens is that the "bad guy" being attacked attempts to defend himself, and then no matter what he says- and I meean no matter WHAT he says- he is picked apart and can never prove himself right. It becomes an ongoing thing becuase the person being thrown out to the wolves knows the real truth about himself and can never fully prove who he knows himself to be….no answer is good enough. WHAT A PERFECT SCHEME…. If any of you have followed the guy doing this, you should seriously know you have just been had. You followed one of the oldest tricks in the books because here's what you don't understand and may not remember. Every successful business man has failed and failed again immensely. Whether it was at life or at business, and whether it was his fault or someone elses that he shouldn't have tied himself up with, he has failed. What's amazing is, the people have come back with such a fire for life and doing things the right way, that they cannot and will not be stopped. Let me tell you, the guy you've been following – Chris McCombs -is one of those guys. He IS the guy who failed but like an absolutely unstoppable mass of passion, has done more than just came back—he's risen to the top and came back even stronger while REFUSING to let the old ways take him down. ARE YOU KIDDING ME???- I finally found Chris again after almost 8 years and the first thing out of his mmouth was "Bro…do you know how I can get in touch with Becky???….She loaned me $75 i wasn't able to pay back a long long time ago and I caan't find her"…SERIOUSLY!!!—THE FIRST THING OUT OF HIS MOUTH!!!!
Do you know why I find that type of thing so valuable?—–Guess what, the guy writing this entry on this blog (me) is another example of a person who has done that and is still doing that, but I have to be honest— I don't think I am even doing this at the level that Chris has and is. Here's what is really nutty about that…. I AM ALSO IN MINISTRY AND AN ABSOLUTE GODLY MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER. By now, some of you have probably already researched Monster X Camp (my facility http://www.monsterXcamp.com) but feel free to research my ministryas well (www.allworksforgood.com). My ENTIRE ministry is based off of my crazy/psychotic history, bad things I've been through, and bad choices I made and what GOD has done thru me and with me. So, long story short, all I can say is two things.
1). Do not be the sheep who falls prey to some trash talking wolf that slams and slanders good people and their methids just to get his name and method out there.
2). Let the first sinless man cast the first stone (there are none who are sinless, with exception of a great man and a great GOD who died so that we may be forgiven—Christ alone) Lonis
Coach Larry Clay
http://www.monsterXcamp.com
http://www.allworksforgood.com
PS….You guys give good ol' Chhris a nudge, and I'll come out and speak at his next convention, and make sure that you know you have no reason to ever look back at any point of life as a failure, and furthermore send you full steam ahead.
Here's my story
Coach Larry Clay
http://allworksforgood.com/claysstory.html
I've always said guys that:
* Walk up to me at Disneyworld and roar like a lion "King of the Jungle" instead of saying hello like a normal person
*Display laughable amounts of PDA indicating they more than likely have matching little pink BFF heart necklaces nestled into their chest hair
…well, they clearly have unresolved childhood issues.
Uh…who the hell are we talkig about, so I steer clear?
Chris,
you're the fucking man! Period…..
Luka
Chris..
FINALLY! I am not 100% sure who you are chatting about, but am 99% I know who it is..LOL
'Small fish in a big pond'
Glad you are rid of the negative environment and saw what is very noticeable to some and unrecognizable to many.
One can only tell others, THE SAME OLE PEOPLE, how great they are over and over for so long..Then the shit really starts to stink.
Keep it rockin man!
To respond to Chris and 7 Figure Sam above,
You're absolutely right. I can tell you from personal experience though..
As a coaching client, I expressed my concerns to the Bro dude man himself and I was always brushed off. He had no problem sending me pitch after pitch and offer after offer but when I needed a simple response to make quick business decisions through email I'd often be left hanging for days.
I was told that whenever I felt like I wasn't receiving the quality of service I invested in, " to just tell myself that BRO DUDE man would never ever do something like that to me."
I was told that out of 120 coaching clients, I was the ONLY one to ever have concerns and needed to be held by the hand. I'm sorry, I must have been confused after clicking the submit button to pay over $3000 for "Personal Coaching". This came from the guy that sent me an email shortly after signing up that said " I'm going to take you personally by the hand and help you reach multiple six figures", and at the end of that email I was told to upgrade for another $1000 to go to in person meetings because they wouldn't have time for the coaching calls I signed up for.
That doesn't even scratch the surface.
I remember this guy sending me an email before I signed up saying, " I promise you will make your money back within the first week of signing up."
When I asked him over the phone to "promise" to give me a refund he asked me if I was 3 years old.
Funny coming from someone making promises to get money fast!
Chris, thank you. I thought I was living in the twilight zone after that experience.
Chris… I dont know if you remember or not but at the Fitness Info Summit, I rode the elevator with you and mentioned that you were the one person I related with most because we had a relevant past. From the drugs to the jail time.
Let me tell you. If I had the power to bring this to light, I would have a long time ago. No need to specify the scumbags you are referring to. Most of us know who they are and I have personally fell victim to their "My way is the best" and bought into it.
I cant thank you enough for putting this out and I admire you for it. This is why you have so much respect in this industry.
You will always have my support and we can pray for peace together, but Im prepared for war if it comes down to it.
I got your back
You are THE FUCKING MAN
Thanks again
Billy Badass
Hey Chris
I fucking love your passion and I respect your giants balls.
Looking forward to seeing the next few moves, keep rising above dude!!
Wow Chris !! never expected a post about this from you. I have had contact with these guys and always found them to be nice people. They have always delivered on the products I have bought but these where the lower end business products so nothing talk about the big box stuff.
I have just had a World domination bootcamp open in my town by a trainer who has signed up with these guys . funny thing is that when I was running bootcamps last year this trainer was telling people group exercise like that was unsafe and got poor results blah blah. The great thing is now he has gone all cookie cutter I can actually predict the business decisions that he is going to make by watching others who have followed the same path.
If you open Chris's Burgers it might be harder to get things going but you can grow and eventually open more chris burgers outlets have people saying wow Chris's burgers are great etc. OR buy a Mcdonalads franchise prob make more money upfront maybe long term but it will never be yours , your reputatution and mouse in the burger in another country could sink your business.
Sam makes some great points aswell.
reminded me of "YOU WILL BE ASSIMILATED" http://peterhaas.org/files/2010/11/Borg.jpg
Dude, I know you're probably under legal orders not to name them, but I feel compelled to ask if there's a way to let us know who these guys are????
Too many comments that resonate and hit the mark so I'll keep mine simple. Simply put….thank you for posting from your heart. Obviously I have to do my research on any product or person coming my way and so the responsibility ultimately lies on me. But thank you for helping "us" think twice and double check ourselves in our investments, character, actions, and integrity.
Coach B
Thanks for putting this out there Chris…I was soooo close to becoming part of OSF when it first launched, but I just had a feeling in my gut that something wasn't right about it as I was going to click the buy button. Your sentiments seem to be exactly how I was feeling about it.
I just wish that everything could have remained cool with all you guys, because I was really looking forward to that 1 film project (I won't name names) getting released…maybe 1 day for charity?!?
Thanks for being real Chris
Someone has GOT to tell me who we're talking about here.