Gather round kids, I have something to talk about. And I will use "kids" despite being 25 years young, because some of you may be my elders in linear fashion, but you do a damn good job at acting like fucking CHILDREN. I won't let all of that go yet, need to reel it back in. I have a point to make.

So, social media in powerlifting. It's good, it's bad, it's everything in between. What I want to focus on however is the wish that it grants to the masses. It gives YOU a voice and a medium to use it. What we fail to realize however, is that your voice sometimes should not be heard. Rather, think about pauses in serious discussions you've ever had. Break ups, interviews, arguments and the like. What happens during those pauses? You think, contemplate, and ideally absorb and recognize what the other party is presenting.

How is that circumvented on social media? Through mob mentality and a self aggrandizing way of thinking that devalues another person's viewpoint and overvalued our own. I'm sure some of you can think of very recent examples to push my point home.

Remember when Casey Williams wrote that article about "we" verbiage being used by coaches that was a thinly veiled reference towards Trevor Jaffe and his client Stacy Burr and her recent best in the world performance? I have respect for both individuals, and have disagreed vehemently with BOTH of them on issues related coaching and otherwise. And simply look at the conversation the two of them had on IG live to understand both of them are rational adults that are capable of disagreeing and still UNDERSTANDING.

But where I take issue is with how violently and maliciously supporters of both individuals attacked the other, and more so EliteFTS as a whole. Our company is built on the motto of "live, learn, and pass on" and how effectively WE (oooh spicy I got jokes) achieve that is through the diversity of the staff and athletes here. Casey and I both share different opinions a huge amount of time but manage to still achieve that primary goal.

Taking a moment to think and consider where another is coming from, ON BOTH SIDES of this is paramount. And further, why do we all think Jaffe is as successful as he is. He does not have secrets, no one does, his secret is being fluid. Being able to let criticisms roll off of him and pay them no mind. He cares about himself and his athletes which is a lesson so many of us could take to heart. Why care about what other people are doing when you, and the people you align yourself could achieve something greater than you thought possible. Isn't that right stacy?

This level of vitriol and mob mentality without rational thought needs to be controlled and we all need to take responsibility for thinking freely and for ourselves rather than giving into the ease of being a lemming and thinking what we've been told to think.

I have first hand experience with this level of mob mentality as most of you have seen in my personal life over the past month. Ive received anonymous threats, not so anonymous threats, and just a level of hatred I never thought possible. But, it's all noise. I understand, just as you all must, that I make choices and become someone and some thing that may not mesh with others. The biggest takeaway here though is if you truly stand by what you believe: whether it be your coaching, your career, your relationships, whatever, the world could be ending around you and there could be accusations of horror and none of it would matter. Because the knowledge of self and integrity comes from within you. You must be able to stand with yourself, because sometimes no one else will.

Trevor, Casey, and I all have that knowledge. I cannot speak for them but I see them and I see evidence for it. In their athletes, their gyms, and their success. I must call all of you reading this to action though, as after seeing mob mentality rule OVER and OVER again in this sport: please. Take time to think about who you are and what you stand for. You can align yourself with someone, but blind loyalty is slavery. I would not expect it from the people that follow me, and after listening to the conversation between Trevor and Casey both, I doubt either of them would either.

BE BETTER.