“Be The Change You Want To See in the World.”
– Mahatma Gandhi
Hey there, I hope this post finds you in good spirits and I wanna wish you a Happy Easter if you celebrate it.
I would LOVE to hear you thoughts on this…
The emails and Facebook comments and the blog post I just did called “This Needs To Be Said” … got a little passionate at times.
It was something the needed to be said for a LONG time, and it was a pretty intense day… glad to be at a new day now.
I believe in focusing on the positive but when you take money from my children and abuse the community I love… my inner Genghis Khan is gonna barrel down on your ass with the vengeance of my entire bloodline.
Some of the things I tell my son everyday are…
“Baby Christopher … remember to ALWAYS be a good person little buddy… you’re a genius dude and never ever doubt that …. no matter what anybody tells you…
Be sure to dare worthy dreams and goals but also enjoy the journey in the great HERE and NOW…because really the NOW is all we have. There is not anything that is not now.
Always stand up for what you believe in… no matter what others think of you … and in reality what they think DOES NOT MATTER .. and in fact… MOST of the time we’re all just thinking about ourselves anyway… so there’s really not much of a point to concerning yourself with it what anyone thinks of you.. and truth be told… the less you care… the more you will be liked
Let your awesome and powerful personality shine through in EVERYTHING you do … dance your dance and sing your song Little Buddy…
And ALWAYS REMEMBER that you’re perfect JUST as you are… and even so … ALWAYS strive to improve yourself, be the best “you” that “You” can be…
Love the world around you… be cool to others… help others…
Think good thoughts and do the things that make you happy
And ALWAYS remember… YOU are responsible for YOU, your life, the ones you love, your friends, family, community and your world.
And ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS stay true to your self”
That’s kind of my overall daily lesson for my son Baby Christopher.
Standing up for what you believe in is one of the most important things each of us can do… and my son will never doubt that if he truly knows in his heart of hearts that he’s right about something… ESPECIALLY if someone is stealing from his families mouths or is harming good people… even if he feels like it’s him against the world … that he needs to do something about it.
With Truth, you NEVER lose.
And the consequence of NOT standing up for what you believe in is a regret that can eat at you from the inside out.
To make our industry what it can be and what we deserve it to be all comes down to each of us taking responsibility on an individual level
Personal responsibility for the future of our community and the reputation of our industry
It’s about you, me and everyone committing to make this community.. the die hard fitness training community.. the best it can be and help as many people as possible, profit like crazy by adding massive value into the world and have one helluva good time doin’ it.
And do it with Passion, Integrity, Authenticity, Wisdom, Class and Friggin’ Style Man
Two days ago I did the blog post “This Needs To be Said” where I let out poison I had been keeping in for an entire year
You can see the post by clicking here
Here’s something VERY few people know…
For a good year I felt I had no one except family to open up to about all this… not that I don’t have a great deal of people who care about me, but when you’re bullied with lawsuits, millions of dollars and some seriously sneaky and under-handed stuff from people who are good at that kinda thing.. it can throw a guy like me for a loop.
This ate at me for along time, and being an introvert by nature .. which is one of the reason I love internet marketing by the way… make’s me always feel kind of like an outsider and alone anyways.
No biggie, I actually kinda like being an introvert (=
Honestly unless I’m with friends, I can’t stand goin’ to gatherings to “socialize” … it’s like I’m, awkward in those situations…
I honestly have no idea how to “socialize” or “make small talk” … but I am a good listener and can go on for hours with anyone who has similar passions and values… as long as they’re cool (=
It’s like I have OCD for my passions and A.D.H.D. for EVERYTHING else in the world… it’s ALWAYS been that way
I use it to my advantage.
Ok, so ONE of the reasons I got into being self-employed in the fitness industry and then into the information marketing and consulting industry is because I have a personal issue with people telling me what to do.
… is it the worlds healthiest most humble “higher way”?
No.
Have I evolved through it ?
No.. in fact I think it gets worse over time.
But hey… I know myself, and I know what I’m good at and what I’m not.
Working for someone else… even if it’s a super-cool someone else… has never worked for me.. even if the boss was some super awesome guy everyone loves and I should as well… by week two I resent the guy because he was telling me what to do.
It’s not necessarily bad or good… it’s just what is.
I’m not some kind of natural leader or anything like that and have no interest in being.
But I am not a follower either… and I never will be.
I just follow my gut, my instinct, my intuition, my inner voice… that sorta thing… call me “woo woo” but it works for me better than anything else every single time.
That inner voice was like.. “Distancing yourself from these guys is not enough… you GOTTA say something about this”
But I really didn’t know WHERE to turn.
Feeling I had NOWHERE to turn, things continued to escalate… I was threatened with huge law suits, and told the legal team doesn’t even send “Cease and Desist” letters, they’ll just come shut down me, my site, my business… everything…
What authority was gonna allow them to do all this I’m still not clear on … and I say BRING IT… it’ll make for one helluva blog post.
I felt backed into corner with no where to turn.. but over the last 3 to 6 months… numerous fitness professionals… many of them OSF’s high-level customers and clients… started coming to me expressing their varying levels of discontentment for what these guys are doin’ to the community we all hold so dear
Now when OSF heard a few of their customers and clients started to reach out to ME… not ME reaching out to THEM… but THEM reaching out to me… the good ol’ boys at OSF came at me with force, threats and intimidation
Well it took me awhile to figure out how to deal with it all.
I really just wanted to settle it with my fists.. that’s how angry I was… but my higher self knows better
Soon it was hard to ignore ALL the phone calls and emails and texts from trainers feeling they’ve been wronged and that the OSF is taking all the fun out of doin’ business … GOOD trainers who felt they were bullied into just following along.
Many scared to speak up… and none really having the ideal platform for it.
So, after being soooooo close to resorting to some “lower self” behavoir… basically kicking ass F-ing Charles Bronson style… but after trying and praying and holding back and searching for an answer.. then… I wrote the blog post
After the post went live the messages, emails, calls and comments started coming in… and I’m in total awe of all the overwhelming amount of support. The emails and feedback we’re…
“You took the words right outta my mouth” …
“I got your back” ..
“Finally someone said it” …
it made me feel so good to hear all this… thank you to EVERYONE who has been doin’ that, seriously, it means the world to me.
I finally feel that I’ve settled all this in the best way possible.
A way that serves the industry and challenges us all to be our best
And there’s something I wanna say
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for having my back .. I want you to know that I have YOUR back as well”
Do I want this to turn into a war?
Absolutely not.
Honestly … I pray for peace..
But I AM PREPARED for a war … and if it comes to it in the end I promise OSF will lose… because you can’t win with greed, back stabbing and false promises.. and that’s really all they’ve got.
I want our community to be the best it can be... and that doesn’t have to be a situation where ANYONE loses
It should be win, win, win … all the way around
We all need to look within, follow our passion, be our own leaders, and become what we want our industry to be.
It all comes down each and every one of us on an individual level.
I will not take shit from OSF or anyone.. and I hope you’re the same when it comes to your family, livelihood, community, core values and what you believe in.
The best way to do this is to do what’s right and to take responsibility for ourselves and realize that the future of the most awesome community and industry in the world is in our hands here…
So I have a question for you now …
What are we all about?
Let’s be the best people we can be, best trainers we can be, best experts we can be, best leaders we can be, best community we can be and the best industry we can be
Let’s build something our children and their children and their children can be proud of.
I want our Great Great Great Great Great Grandchildren to know that their Great Great Great Great Great Grandmas and Grandpas were BAD ASS
I’ll leave you with a clip of one of my all time favorite movie scenes growing up… it always resonated with me.. and now I feel I just kind of lived through it.. how cool? …
Because No One Is Really Free Until Nerd Persecution Ends…
I would love to hear your comments below and let’s not forget the words of Mahatma Gandhi …
“Be the change you want to see in the world.”
Talk soon,
Big Chris
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.
Whew,
Holding things in can crush you. Glad you were able to finally be able to get out what's been on your mind. Hope your feeling better for it!
Happy Easter big Chris..
Don't know about others but I have your back and agree with you. Stand up for what you believe in.
I know alot of people are thankful for you for standing up for them and saying what they've been thinking. You've earned massive amounts of respect for being authentic and speaking your mind. even though most won't comment because they are afraid to stand out agreeing with you.
Thanks for always looking out for our best interest and always adding massive value. I hope whatever the battle is gets settled and we all move forward. You're one of the most positive dudes I know and one of few people I look up to. Thanks for everything brotha
If osf are the people I think they are..
I had one of the most horrible experiences of my life and was treated like garbage. There is a lot I could say but will end it with..
You have my support.
Hey Chris,
Knowing both sides I want nothing more than everyone getting along and do what's best for the fitness industry.
I do agree with you 100% that the industry has been divided for a while and there are lots of fitness pros with lots of concerns. Including myself.
So an idea just popped in my head…… If we all want the best for the fitness industry like we say we all do
We SHOULD SETTLE IT BY HAVING A DEBATE
Here is an idea.
1) Let's organize a one day CIVIL debate and invite fitness professionals to attend. I am willing to bed that it will outsell any fitness marketing event to date.
2) Fitness Professionals can attend by making a $100 donation to the charity of their choice.
3) At the end of the the day everyone will hear both sides as well as have the opportunity to be heard.
If you video it that WILL BE THE BEST SELLING VIDEO IN THE HISTORY OF FITNESS MARKETING. (Of course the proceeds will and should go to charity)
I think the industry deserves it and it's the basis for our great country. "United we stand, divided we fall"
I know this is kind of out of the box but just a thought.
I see some people Who don't know who you are talking about and they are lucky they don't know because those of us unquestionably know for a fact who u are referring to are the ones who have been discouraged and mistreated. Idk how I am going to sleep tonight when you keep writing blog posts so saturated with passion that it relights a deep fire within me to fix this industry. Thanks chris!
And in the spirit of bill hicks the marketers that your speaking of are thinking, "wow chris this is genius. Targeting the renegade fitness pro that hates shadiness. Great market to target. Lots of money there." lol
Describing the type of person you are is pretty much perfectly in line with how I am and feel. Not that it matters to you or anything, but it's such a beautiful thing to be able to be real and honest in the integrity of what we do on a day in and day out basis. Hey we got into this business to help people with the passion of our knowledge and as long as we don't get lost in the shuffle of sell-out-itis then we'll go out the same way we cam in.
Doesn't it just feel GREAT now to get that all off your chest?
Proverbs 16:18 – First pride, then the crash—
the bigger the ego, the harder the fall. (Message Bible)
GREAT post Chris, super awesome.
ok now that we for the most part identified the problem (of coarse we are all trying to read between the lines here) or what we do not want…and never did in this industry; ..let's get into the solution…this post could be the start of that! yes? or yes?
What is OSF, and do we have one in Australia?
@Sam Bakhtiar – AKA 7 Figure Sam: In the words of John Lennon – "All that we're saying is give peace a chance"
@Julius– Trust me, you don't want one in Australia. You are far away and that is where you want to be. Read the last blog post called "this Needs To Be said" to find out what OSF is.
And Chris. I got mad respect for you. I sincerely hope this brings the situation to light.
Cuz like you said, they are not bad people and we have seen the good in them in past years.
It really is a shame and an unfortunate situation but you know what? This is what sets you apart from them and why you have come so far.
You have so much support here that it would be a very bad idea for them to choose war. But I really hope this will knock some sense into these guys. I have seen them do good and also watched it fade away.
Heres to you Chris.
You are the FUCKING MAN
Billy "Badass"
Hey Chris;
Amazing posts and you have certainly sent shocking waves to the fitness community.
In all honesty, as sour as things are now, OSF were once really awesome guys, and one could feel their energy and authenticity. They undoubtedly helped many fitness professionals and they inspired many more.
However…
Something changed…
They are no longer the same. Their responses feel mechanical and their unconditional generosity is no longer there. They are making promises they are not interested in keeping to increase their sales and lately have been changing the nature of their products to cut their costs. Their "overdelivery" days are but a memory and when they use the phrase, it seems rather cynical.
But I believe they can change and return to who they were once. They are still helping others and while it is impossible to be flawless every time, it is important to pay attention when the number of complaints start increasing steadily without a voice to channel them.
You my friend, are that voice and I believe it is a good thing you brought up this subject before scalated even further and turned into a giantic mess where the ones paying the consequences would be the fitness professionals trapped in the middle.
I really like what 7-Figure Sam proposes as he is also a smart businessman not afraid to speak with his mind. I believe the debate should included the input of those who feel wronged without fear of repercussions. I also believe those who feel they have nothing but good things to say without fear of being ridiculed. That would make it fair, productive, and hopefully lead to a solution.
Chris, you are an outstanding guy and these past two days you have provided a voice to those who are afraid to speak and you have also helped those two guys realize that perhaps, just perhaps, they may have been wrong and somewhere lost sight of what made them once great.
Hats off to you bro!
Much respect!
I am a personal trainer and power and abilities enhancement coach. I just recently started working with the public and I love your stuff. Who is osf and how are they attacking the fitness industry? Should I be looking out for them?
Operation Sucky Fitness. like chris said… read the first post. I know who the people he is talking about… its damn obvious.
Great post Chris. I had a gut feeling that things were heading in this direction for about the last year now. I kind of equate OSF with an arms dealer…he sells guns to both sides, really doesn't care who wins as long as he gets paid.
Keep on Keepin on.
You are a one of a kind rockstar.
Chris in AZ.
Hey man I also would like to see you create an event from Sam's suggestion. You yourself have said something to the effect "If you don't have any haters, you aren't doing something right." Are you now their ultimate hater and trying to start a hater movement?
It seems more like a :US vs THEM" campaign than a "we're all in this together" movement. I don't know the whole story, but if I was reading your blog for the first time and didn't know who were referring to than I would immediately be turned off and probably head over to "their" blogs.
I do respect your keeping it real, speak what's on your mind attitude and mindset. I just hope your obvious passion for the industry isn't overshadowed by your OSF well-versed and strategically placed bashing.
Have an awesome week man!
Rise Above, Brother. Rise Above!
This post exemplifies exactly why I started working with Chris as his personal assistant.
When I first started reading Chris’s blog I was hooked by his positive outlook and never-ending amounts of life changing inspiration. I had followed some other fitness marketers a little bit here and there but it was obvious to me that they were in it for the money and their egos and not so much for the well being of their followers.
When I moved to Southern California a few months ago I started facebook stalking Chris. I let him know time and time again that I saw his vision, that I felt his positive vibes and that I wanted to help him help the fitness community. He finally noticed my determination and gave me a chance.
Chris is truly selfless. His openness and giving is not an act, it is truly the real Chris. He has a goal to make the fitness community a fun thing to be a part of, he wants to makes sure that freedom and fun stays in the fitness community and even with his success he is never lets greed and power get in the way. He is truly in it to help; it is his passion to help.
Chris has helped me not only with my business but also with my view of the world and my way of thinking and I have seen so many people who are lucky enough to be a part of his life say the same thing. He has let me be a part of his life, a part of his family’s life and has been a great role model for me (something that I have never really had before). He sees his community of fitness enthusiasts as his family, as his friends and always thinking about ways he can help them.
In the past few weeks before his new blog post “This needs to be said” I could see how upset he was by seeing others take advantage of his community. I could tell that it was eating away at him and that he needed to let it out, to let everyone know what was going on and to stand up for those who aren’t brave enough or aren’t able to stand up for themselves. It was like poison running through his veins, he knew what he needed to do and he did it.
This blog post is a testament to how much he really cares about his community and that it’s just not all about money for him like it is for other people in fitness marketing. Chris loves his community and fights for the freedom and honesty that they deserve.
Chris, thank you so much for staying true to yourself, staying true to us as the fitness community and for standing up for what you believe in. I see you putting 110% into every aspect of your life. Thanks letting me be a part of your it. You are doing amazing things right now. Thanks for being my role model and the most super duper awesome boss ever.
Awesome article Chris!
I know CHris and his family personally and they are the real deal.
Thanks for staying honest and true to yourself.
You guys rock
Kameorn
Right on Chris McCombs. I gave your guy SF2 one of his most popular blog posts back in 09 by calling out the testimonial of one of their people.
Basically my position was… you've been a member for close to 9 months, aren’t you supposed to be making six figures by now?
Maybe the next time **** is released your testimonial shouldnt say how awesome the program is, but how you dont even have a car and you walk 30 minutes in freezing cold. Not busting on you as much as the promises of **** that might not deliver.
Speak the truth.
I had noticed a disconnect for some time between you and these guys, no promotion of anything by each other and then this hit the internet. Sad because I feel you really put these guys on the map in the first place, well at least SF2.
This is exactly why I do not even read their bs anymore…after investing $….and then seeing the content…it was joke…For a long time I thought I was off base…all of this now confirms my initial thoughts and feelings.
Okay, fine for having your opinion Chris! But, personally I have got a lot more value from what these guys are saying than from any other "guru". And that’s my opinion!
As for being "bullied" into following a certain path. They give you an idea of what they think is best for your business, as any franchise would, and as we know the large majority of businesses that succeed have franchise models (as stated in the book emyth, which you recommend) People should listen to advice given, then strong enough to follow their own path. So in no way should this be the fault of the people you are describing!
I think there are a lot of comments come in here from people who are clearly doing well from their business and forgot about what it took to get there! How you need to scrap, and do whatever it takes to ensure the survival of your business, and if this is to follow a franchise model that gets customers active, moving and healthy, then so be it!
I appreciate everyone's input
cool to see I'm not the only one who feels this way
thanks a ton