The fatal conceit

Not to give myself airs, but this is an important post.

In the 1980s, the renowned economist Friedrich Hayek wrote "The Fatal Conceit" which attacked the underpinning beliefs of Socialism. Hayek argued that any presumption that a central authority could effectively plan and run the lives of its citizens was fatally flawed. Individuals must have the freedom and responsibility to run their own lives if they are to be happy and free.

Smart man. We've build the modern world on the foundation of these theories.

But when it comes to health and fitness, we are falling victim to the fatal conceit every single day.

People want to be told what to do. Clear steps, no thought (and ideally no work) required. The glossy magazine promises immediate results with a new diet. The pretty lady on TV sells a magical giant rubber band that will get you fit in just 3 minutes a day. People eat it up... and wonder why they don't get "results." It's probably something they're doing wrong. Better go stock up on self-help books. Better find a Guru.

Guru says, "Hello, I'm a myth. I don't really exist."

Relying on external factors for your health and fitness WILL NOT WORK. At best, you'll drift from one fad to the next. At worst, you'll fall prey to truly dangerous advice, like this fucking quack*

*Excuse the language. I try not to cuss on the blog, but sometimes it's appropriate. This is one of those times.

This over reliance on external factors is a problem, even when the external factor is actually helpful. A diet/nutrition consultancy, which shall go unnamed, used to sport the tagline "Let us run your life."  It has since been changed to the less authoritarian "Let us change your life." I agree with 95% of what they advise. But they can't change your life. Only you can.

This isn't to suggest that you can't get coaching or advice. It doesn't mean you can't be inspired by others. But good coaches are field guides, not taxis. They point you in the right direction, enrich your experience, and help keep you safe. They don't (or shouldn't) carry you through the wilderness. Role models should inspire you to train harder, not to live vicariously through them.

We constantly get this wrong. I know many coaches and personal trainers who are frustrated with clients who expect magical results just because their check cleared.  My extremely talented Parkour training partners get frustrated when their students show up more to watch their teachers train vs. training themselves. You get out what you put in. Simply showing up is not enough.

Outsourcing your personal responsibility can also give you tunnel vision. Buy into any "system" wholesale and you limit yourself, whether it's Eagle Claw, Crossfit, P90x, or Parkour.  I sometimes see this happening even with more holistic approaches like MovNat. I recently read a forum post which asked "Is it still MovNat if I take my kettlebells out in the woods?"  Who cares?? Try it!

There's no shoe in the world that will make you a good traceur. No supplement that will make you strong. No teaching method that will make you an athlete. There's only you.  You have to form your own relationship with your health and fitness. Start small. Work up to things. Seek good advice. But rely too much on anything but yourself, and you've bought into the fatal conceit.