Ask the Doctor: Fail from grace
We invite many forms of writing to this blog. Harsh at times. Always motivating. Beyond thought provoking. Massively educational. But rarely are editorial replies a topic simply because writing and reading are so personal. Its hard to say, let alone comment definitively, if we truly heard what the writer was trying to say or if we were just too lost, sensitive, or stubborn to pay attention. However, when they are as well spoken as the good Doctors below, you just gotta read it.
Empathy –
the intellectual identification with or vicarious experiencing of the feelings, thoughts, or attitudes of another.
During the final years of my schooling as a pharmacist I was constantly told that I must be empathetic with my patients. This concept has been one that I have struggled with the most throughout my career in the field. Empathy has continuously been redefined for me over the years. As an intern it meant unemotionally listening, as a newly licensed pharmacist it meant safety-focused compassion, and as a managing pharmacist it has meant customer service = increased profit margin. However, it wasn’t until becoming a CrossFit trainer that I truly “got it”. I finally understood what it was to struggle, fight, fail, and humbly succeed beside another human being and offering an ear through all these trials even if I can’t offer a solution.
Unfortunately the empathy learning curve is different for all of us. Some get it immediately, some seem born with it, and yet others, like myself, have to go through years of stages and growth to get there.
I stumbled upon such a student recently when a blog post of his entitled, “Fat Acceptance Is Unacceptable” popped up on a Facebook feed. This emotionally charged writer pens by the name Epic, and his rants can be read at beastmodaldomains.com. I suggest all to take the time to read this incredibly offensive article (caution: contains extremely vulgar language), however I will include several excerpts though the opening statement ought to give the full picture:
“The obesity epidemic is the dumbest s#*t to ever occur in humanity and obese people are disgusting (duh). While there’s not much substance to making fun of the obese, I’m tired of hearing them bitch about fat shit. “Wahhhh I can’t lose weight.” “Wahhhh I can’t buy clothes that fit.” “Wahhhh the McRib is on a limited run.””
Obviously this gentleman has some valid points that he is extremely close to, but his choice in delivering the message reminds me of standing in the Ohio Caverns with a flashlight devoid of batteries. Epic goes on to add:
“Who am I to judge? I should accept them, right? F#*k no. I accept no manifestations of stupidity and weakness. Kind of like addiction, since some of them refer to their condition as a “food addiction”. I’m addicted to food, too. I’m also addicted to water, shelter and oxygen. Water intoxication, agoraphobia and hyperventilation are f@#*ing retarded but they don’t taste as good as overeating, do they? Yeah, that last sentence was me wiping my ass with their “addiction theory”.”
Again, Epic sounds like he might have it figured out, but unfortunately the word ego is not considered a curse, so evidently it does not show up in his vocabulary. The author finishes his sermon off with a note to those that he does accept:
“I have no issue with overweight people who are making legitimate attempts to unf%*k their situations by changing behavior. They’ve turned their brains back on and deserve encouragement. The slobs who just want to sit around and bitch while mindlessly pushing assbread down their throats will get no acceptance from me.”
Assbread….very nice, Epic.
Ok, so we get it. This individual is purely offensive for the sake of being offensive, and probably (crossing fingers here) intelligent enough to understand that this is a horrible way to reach out to people. However, I fear that there may be more CrossFitters out there that would applaud Epic for what he has to say. I base this concern on the 159 comments the article received that were made up of fellow meat head sympathizers and occasional equally self-righteous “fat and happy” critics. By the way, I checked on this guy’s credentials and thankfully he is not a certified trainer just an “experienced badass since 1978” who figured out how to type.
I pray that this is not what CrossFit and proper diet means to ANYbody. CrossFit is people, CrossFit is accountability, CrossFit is community, and setting yourself apart destroys that purpose. My thoughts lead me to all the wonderful people that have touched my life simply by walking through Practice CrossFit’s doors, people of all shapes, sizes, and colors. I imagine how horrible statements like the ones made by Epic would have made these friends of mine feel before they found an answer in CrossFit. I think about how hard life may already be for those struggling with their obesity, and how the opportunity to help could be lost through the rants of the uneducated.
Folks like Epic are to the CrossFit community what abortion clinic bombers are to the Christian community, suicidal assassins are to the Muslim community, and Andy Dick to the homosexual community. This bad-egg ego is not welcome here.
CrossFitters are a part of an elite fitness community where not one single person should consider him or herself elite. Every member is responsible to grow emotionally, mentally, and physically throughout their time spent with this community. Refusal to lose self in the pursuit of rescuing others is one hurdle in this program; however, an all-out determination to set one’s self higher than another is directly in violation. Let us never lack empathy to the lost.
Skill:
2-Hang Snatch High-pull+1-Hang Squat Snatch-Rest 60sec/AHAP
5×2
For Time:
4-Deadlifts 205/275
8-CB Pull-ups
4 Rounds
Auxiliary:
Max-False grip ring pull-ups
Max-Supine Ring Rows
AMRAP 6 Minutes
(Alternate between each, not for time. Quality.)
Post impressions and time to comments.
Was, also, compelled to read this when it popped up on FB. Had to do a double-take on the following after finishing the post:
“Who am I to judge? I should accept them, right? F#*k no. I accept no manifestations of stupidity and weakness.”
Never surprised by what our freedom of speech turns out.
“Let us never lack empathy to the lost.” …or compassion for the personal challenges along their path. Many ways to appreciate and apply this statement, Cobster. Thanks.
4:55(m) … CB PU w/ red & purple bands; 135DL#
3:44m 135#DL
3:21 (m) – rows instead of pull ups. Did the 275#. That was a shit-ton of weight.
Also- got my first hand tear this morning thanks to the deadlifts.
4:30(m) 115# DL
Wow….
“Folks like Epic are to the CrossFit community what abortion clinic bombers are to the Christian community, suicidal assassins are to the Muslim community, and Andy Dick to the homosexual community.”
Awesome comparison…..writing to murder…hmmm yeah, could you be more dramatic…..
6:16M
175# DL/ PU weren’t Chest to bar
Fabulous 5am class!!!!! So excited about the weight you guys moved on the deadlifts this morning!
Congrats to #10 who recorded a 1:52 time on the W.O.D. That will be hard to beat.
Congrats Joel – first hand tear!
Honorable mention: Krissy, Carol and Nikki for first W.O.D. with competition weight and you did it!
Also – Carrie, Mo and Cassie – the skill work on Hang Pulls with a Hang Squat Snatch was very impressive. Great power and technique!!
One last comment toward the post: Justin wonderful perspective and very well said. Our words whether written or spoken have the power to kill/destroy people. Or we have the power to give life and build up. Everyone will be held accountable for whether we’ve destroyed or given life with what we have said. There is a passage of scripture that speaks of people of influence being salt and light. Salt being that additive that seasons and stings and burns and light is shedding “light” of awarness and leading others out of darkness. There is a balance as a person of influence to be firm and honest (truth may sting) / but never spoken without humility and love to the degree you are will to come along side those struggling or hurting inorder to lead them out of a dark spot in life. That’s what I would like our community to be.
Seriously? What about the ponies and the rainbows? You might want to come back to reality…
4:30 (m) for pullups, did 205# DL
Sorry I had to leave before auxillary…
Great class this morning!
5:15
4:45
4:25 (m)
Why would you have empathy for the person that over eats and causes themselves to fail at life? I am not going to limit this to being fat, though. I think that Epic’s words ring true and the more you coddle the weak, the more you will be like them.
You state: CrossFitters are a part of an elite fitness community where not one single person should consider him or herself elite. So I am part of an Elite community but not Elite myself? How does that work? You post this morning echos with the sound of accepting mediocrity. If I accept that mediocrity then that “elite” community you claim we are all a part of will soon be no better than the 9:30 zumba class.
It’s not that his points aren’t valid, it’s that he states them in a completely disrespectful manner. And it’s not about coddling the weak- it’s about offering a solution rather than sitting back and just tearing them down.
Crossfitters may be elite athletes, but by no means does it make them a better person, though I’d like to think the majority of crossfitters are quality individuals. What makes the CF PROGAM elite is that it can truly take anyone right where they are, and make them better… not matter what that looks like. It’s also the quality individuals within the program. The crossfitters I know don’t walk around boasting about being elite, even if they are at the top of the totem pole. It’s those individuals who can always be humbled, always accept the newbie, always look to improve, and always look to build up those around them that create our amazing community.
Great point, but if Epic’s article changed even one life then he is making people better, right?
Sometimes the truth hurts and I am glad that Epic had the stones to say what he did. All too often we pussy foot around the issue when in reality we should just be more open and honest.
I was obese and happy until I read that post and then it really got me thinking. Why were people like you always so nice to me when you knew that I was killing myself with each Big Mac. Epic did the right thing and called me out for being gross (because I was). You would’ve patted me on the back for “doing my best” whereas Epic expects me to always strive for more. Your “community” could learn from Epic.
Just my two cents.
I am all for being honest and not coddling those that need to be told the truth- but there is no need to go to the other extreme calling people ‘fatbodies’ and ‘foodblisters’.
There is not a single useful suggestion in that rant.
Yes, I agree that Epic is probably a little in-your-face for the 1% of Americans that haven’t heard a curse word yet today, but when he writes something like: “I have no issue with overweight people who are making legitimate attempts to unfuck their situations by changing behavior. They’ve turned their brains back on and deserve encouragement. The slobs who just want to sit around and bitch while mindlessly pushing assbread down their throats will get no acceptance from me.” I think that it shows exactly the kind of guy he is. He is willing to help and encourage but the decision is YOURS and YOURS ALONE.
Yes, he is overly vocal at times, but he says what he needs to in order get the desired effects. Just a quick note: I was a huge hater when this post first came out and I am in the comments speaking out for obese peoples’ rights. I have since righted my ways and I have Epic to thank for that.
4:47
6:27
6:24
Deads are tough enough for me already. Just didn’t have a good morning.
A bad day is only that. Tomorrow will be better!
4:43 M (145 # DL & reg pull ups)
Or maybe 4:23 (can’t remember now…it’s Monday!)
6:14(m…pulled the 205#, but couldn’t hit all my chest to bars)
My shoulders are SORE today!!!!
4:21(m)–145# DLs w 3 CB & 5 Reg pull-ups each round!
48# skill
5:37 (m) 185# DL first round, then 165# for the rest, and 4 CBPUs for the first 2 rounds, then 8 regular PUs for the other 2 rounds
1:55 @315#
3:26
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4:15
4:28(m) reg pullups
4:11 m … Chin to bar instead of chest to bar
3:30m … 183#dl and regular pull ups.
4:24
Nice post, Justin. I agree with Nalin’s point…being honest is important and in the long run helpful to the person in need..but there is no reason to go to the extreme and use nasty, hurtful words.
3:26 ish
I feel that if we judge Epic’s post as a stand alone post you are completely right, he comes across as ignorant and elitest as well as a few other choice words. However, Epic’s blog is all about taking views and making them sound rediculous. If you’ve read most of his other posts he rants about and makes fun of many other topics including Crossfit Newbies, Training Plateaus, and being weak minded. Just to name a few.
The goal of Epic’s blog is humor more than it is anything else. Yes, he chooses to find his humor in many of the nuances of Crossfit which makes the post you are talking about seem as though it could be a crossfit view point however, I belive that if we talked to Epic he would not truely belleve much of what he says.
Concur. But you would be more credible if you knew what spellcheck was, bro.