If you look up the word guru in the dictionary, you’ll see something that says
“A teacher and especially intellectual guide in matters of fundamental concern”
“One who is an acknowledged leader or chief proponent”
There may as well be a picture of Jillian Michaels or Tracy Anderson in the dictionary, because people look up to them like they have 20 letters after their names.
I wonder how many people have bought Jillian Michaels’ books that she didn’t write herself. Funny how she became a writer only after becoming a celebrity. I wonder how many people have bought into Tracy Anderson’s method, only to find out that there is no method at all.
I often wonder about other gurus, too, like Tony Robbins. I wonder how many people spend mucho money attending one of Tony Robbins’ seminars, only to come home and continue being in the same place they were before. How many people have found wealth and prosperity and fulfillment as a direct result of attending a Tony Robbins seminar?
Can I take your money to tell you how to get out of your own way and unleash the power within you? That’ll be $799 please. Plus tax.
Here are some examples of what gurus say:
If Charlize Theron’s personal trainer says so, it must be true.
Don’t even get me started on Tracy Anderson. Although I give her credit for gaining popularity as a knucklehead.
If you ever listen to Tony Robbins, there are few things that come out of his mouth that you couldn’t tell yourself or that a college football coach doesn’t already say to his athletes in the locker room before every football game.
Why are we so enamored with celebrities and gurus? We look up to them and hang on their every word. It’s the main reason why Donald Trump has gotten as far as he has in the Presidential race. In today’s social media society, it’s gotten worse. Now everyone from Jillian Michaels to Tracy Anderson to grandma next door has a public voice.
[tweetthis display_mode=”box”]In today’s social media society, everyone from Jillian Michaels to grandma next door has a public voice.[/tweetthis]
Attractive women wearing skimpy workout clothes leaving little to the imagination are all over Instagram with their protein shakes and nutrition advice and their half a million followers. I remember the days when someone had to be a bona fide expert to have a public voice. Can we go back to those days, please?
So stop following health and wellness gurus, and tell the people you work with to stop following them. Become the expert yourself. Knowledge is power. And with that knowledge, you’ll come to realize how little these gurus really know.
Great post. I wholeheartedly agree. I long for the days when having a public voice required more than an internet connection. It is discouraging as one who works in the “fitness industry (I cringe as I type that given the company it puts me in) to try to share evidence based information with a public who assumes that start quality and social media shares are proof of competency. The bigger question is what can coaches, trainers, and instructors who truly embrace scientifically sound methodology do to turn the tide?
That’s a great question, Emily. Perhaps we can start by posting as much real information as we can on social media every day until people notice. If you share my posts and I share yours, and the people who see it also share, we will slowly but surely gain a public voice larger than those of the gurus.
I Loved this post! I am not on any social media and feel our society is being educated by douchebags who know nothing about this subject simply because they can tweet or use whatever other platform to reach people. I have been a trainer nearly 20 years and am disgusted by the celebrity “coaches” who have never taken a science class. By the way, They are usually younger and haven’t had to deal with the reality of sagging skin, menopause, unable to afford a trainer, stress of life and the list goes on. Jason, Thank you for recognizing and writing about it. I wish this could reach more people. I will forward it.
Ah yes, so little respect for science these days. Perhaps based on not understanding the meaning of the word! I think people fall victim to “gurus” because they are looking for the instant “fix”. Actually, I am still waiting for it myself, specially on those days when I just don’t feel like going to the gym or when I feel like eating a chocolate bar instead of carrot sticks!
Confidence ain’t competence.