Jul 11
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Next Stop is Jerry Springer…

21 Comments

Adam Farrah and Carrie - Strong is the New Skinny

There was a TON of drama around my two last posts. Some people loved them. Some people hated them. Some agreed and some disagreed.

Some people really freaked out, there were even comments posted under aliases (reverse email look up is VERY easy). It got to the point I didn’t even trust the comments coming in because I couldn’t be sure if they were even from “real” people anymore.

None of it was worth the drama when virtually every other experience connected to my blog and my friends online has been so positive. I’ve deleted both posts permanently.

Thanks, Sue…

A note from my friend Sue (a nice, long and thoughtful one, I might add) made me realize that my posts weren’t really accomplishing anything productive and could be alienating people I care about. They were entertaining and thought provoking to some, offensive to others and, apparently, made some others feel bad.

I try my very best over here to talk about things that not everyone talks about, stimulate thinking and discussion, think outside the box and challenge everyone (including myself) to embrace new ideas and discard outdated thinking. I take risks in my thinking and I take risks in my writing. I took a risk when I wrote the original “Is Strong the New Skinny” post and that ended up making a big difference to a lot of people. Once in a while, I take a risk that blows up in my face. This is apparently one of those times...

And, yes, I realize if writing is misunderstood it’s the fault of the author. Since some “got it” and some didn’t, I think the issue was more that there are some diverse feelings around the topic depending where you stand.

I really do care about the community around me and I really do love the people who read my blog. There was a very small handful of people who handled things EXTREMELY immaturely and I’m explicitly leaving them OUT of the following apology…

To all the rest of my friends, I’m very sorry. I’ve written a lot of inspirational posts, a lot of rants and a lot of training posts. You’ve all been incredible and generous in the positive feedback you’ve given and in reading and sharing what I write. I can’t hit a home run every time and this time I surely did not. I’m sorry.

ttys

Adam

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Posted in Rants by Adam 21 Comments

21 Responses to "Next Stop is Jerry Springer…"

  • Next Stop is Jerry Springer… | Paleo Digest says:
    July 29, 2011 at 4:15 pm

    [...] sites on the web!Next Stop is Jerry Springer… PracticalPaleolithic.com / Posted on: July 29, 2011PracticalPaleolithic.com – There was a TON of drama around my two last posts. Some people loved them. Some people [...]

  • jaye says:
    July 29, 2011 at 4:19 pm

    I don’t know what you are talking about but I am new to your site. I LOVE THE SHIRTS that i just ordered and can think nothing of the fact THAT THE STATEMENT stands so true! STRONG is the new skinny!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!!

  • Adam says:
    July 29, 2011 at 4:23 pm

    Thanks, Jaye!

  • Annie says:
    July 29, 2011 at 4:33 pm

    confused a bit, i know you deleted the two posts in question, but could you tell me what the topics were? i’m interested to know what people freaked out about…

  • Adam says:
    July 29, 2011 at 4:37 pm

    I’ll never tell :-) Seriously, if I do that, it’ll start all over again… Sorry..

    Adam

  • Annie says:
    July 29, 2011 at 4:41 pm

    haha, fair enough. just read through some c omments on your fb post about it, so i can kiiiiiiind of take an educated guess.

    in any case, i think the majority of us appreciate all the time and effort you put into spreading the knowledge, and maybe some are just better equipped to process information and opinions that are different from our own, than others.

    the show must go on! keep it up :)

  • Adam says:
    July 29, 2011 at 4:48 pm

    That’s awesome, Annie! Thanks for the support!

  • Margo says:
    July 29, 2011 at 5:39 pm

    If we all had the same opinions and always agreed, things would never change and hence never improve… Just for the record, I didn’t agree with everything in your posts but I enjoyed them and found them thought provoking.

  • Adam says:
    July 29, 2011 at 5:58 pm

    Thanks a lot, Margo. I appreciate that. :-)

  • Kimmypoo says:
    July 29, 2011 at 5:58 pm

    I think it is great you learned from it. I was on the fence when I read both of the posts yesterday. Although I will admit the only thing I was confused about was your intent. If your intent was to focus on coaches and their technique, it was not that clear. What people in “group” situations tend to do is believe that, if you are not with me, you might be against me. It should be known that if you are sharing constructive criticism to mass people (your followers, Cross Fit lovers, and newbies alike) try to be clear and concise. Especially on the very ambiguous internet! On another note, I really your posts and as a new Cross Fitter (long time swimmer and athlete overall) it is nice to hear your perspective and interpretation of paleo and health. Please continue to write!

  • Adam says:
    July 29, 2011 at 6:06 pm

    Thanks a lot, Kimmy! I WILL continue to write for sure! :-)

    Adam

  • Beth@WeightMaven says:
    July 29, 2011 at 7:11 pm

    Yowsa. I feel for you. I went back and read the posts courtesy of my Google Reader (they’re still in their cache). I’m an old fart who wouldn’t approach CrossFit if you paid me given my age and its hardcore rep … especially wrt injury (as an aside, can’t wait until the CrossFit crowd at Ancestral Health sees Doug McGuff’s presentation!).

    It seemed to me that there were some similarities to what you were describing and what’s also been discussed in the yoga community as it has gone mainstream. Popularity does seem to water things down and/or bring out the superficialities.

    BTW, thanks for the Glassman pointer … his “What is fitness” is amazing.

  • Nick says:
    July 29, 2011 at 7:41 pm

    Adam, ain’t no shame in you’re game and no one is perfect. Besides, if you don’t piss some people off from time to time, you’re not trying hard enough. Good work all around. Nick

  • Davina says:
    July 29, 2011 at 8:00 pm

    Adam. Keep writing what is in your heart. Writers write. We contribute our voices to the discussion. We cannot please everyone, and it is not our job to do so. If you never wrote anything that caused controversy, you probably would not be very interesting. : )

  • judy says:
    July 29, 2011 at 8:10 pm

    Adam,
    If you weren’t before you are now one of my heros. It takes a really big person in heart and mind to do what you did.

  • Jesse says:
    July 30, 2011 at 9:12 am

    I’ve been coming here for about a month now. I’m not in a Crossfit program but I’m learning more about paleo here and I enjoy your sight. So I guess this is an outsiders point of view. Your statements came across as someone who really cares and is well informed on Crossfit. Having gotten back into the gym and decided I needed to increase my basic strength I started powerlifting. Correct form is essential to not getting injured. I’ve been fortunate to get a good workout partner that critiques me and also my wife has been great at finding “quality” web sites that have help me to learn proper technique, yours included. Folks, you can really hurt yourself in a gym, focus on form then slowly add weight.
    As for a business, expanding is always a double edge sword. Its good for business but the fast it expands the faster the core values erode. Stressing and re-stressing the importance of the core values is essential. How Crossfit handles this part of their business will determine much of what it will be in 5 years.

  • Linda says:
    July 30, 2011 at 9:44 am

    I read the posts, and as a someone new to crossfit, found the into useful. Pointed out things I should be aware of, and reminded me to start out slow.

  • Adam says:
    July 30, 2011 at 11:07 am

    I agree on the yoga thing, Beth! And Glassman’s “What is Fitness” IS amazing…

    Adam

  • Adam says:
    July 30, 2011 at 11:08 am

    Wow, thanks, Judy… :-)

  • Adam says:
    July 30, 2011 at 11:09 am

    “Stressing and re-stressing the importance of the core values is essential. How Crossfit handles this part of their business will determine much of what it will be in 5 years.”

    Right on, Jesse!

    Adam

  • Adam says:
    August 4, 2011 at 8:57 am

    Thought everyone would like to know that I rewrote and revised the two posts I deleted and created a single, new post that, again, puts my thoughts on this topic out there. THIS ONE is staying up! :-)

    http://practicalpaleolithic.com/paleolithic-diet-blog/crossfit-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-kettlebell-swing

    Thanks for all the support!

    Adam

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