The Monday Newsletter
February 20th, 2023 | Stand out with quality, integrity, and consistency.
“How vain, without merit, is the name.”
-Homer
Personal Update
This week I will be consumed with thoughts of going to this conference at the end of the week. I know this about myself and have planned for it as best as I can. I’m excited to go and reminded in these moments of the need for focus, planning, and calming the fuck down lol.
There was an odd or unexpected theme of the existence of “friendships in business” in almost every conversation I had last week. It somehow came up in conversations, chats, and messages with friends, clients, and colleagues and when I realized it was happening it made me chuckle. I firmly believe there is no way they can both equally exist, and for the sake of both probably shouldn't ever. Maybe I’m biased from my naive personal experiences, but I don’t see it. Business by its nature is transactional between different parties whereas friendship isn’t or in my mind “shouldn’t” be. I’m not saying friends can’t do business together, or that business can’t be conducted friendly, but clearly defined relationships, roles, and responsibilities are important if you are going to cross that thin blurry line in the sand.
Fantastic Podcast(s) I listened to last week
Business Breakdowns: Episode 84. Harvard Business Publishing A Case Study. 51 minutes
Episode notes: 100 years on, this secretive business has been through significant change. But the roots of influencing managers through academic research remain firmly intact. And despite its not-for-profit status, Harvard Business Publishing generates an impressive and growing income stream for its parent institution.
My thoughts: First off, I had no idea of the empire they had built under the branding of Harvard University. I think everyone knows Harvard and the fact that Harvard Business Publishing has been around successfully growing since 1922 is impressive given that the digital information age has destroyed legacy publishing businesses. I know this business is not directly related to fitness in any way, but I think there is a lot to learn from listening to how they made their pivots to the type of company they are today. They have been MASTERS in repurposing their library of case studies written by professors into a magazine, articles, social media content, podcasts, webinars, courses, blogs, and books! They have also done something that very few have ever had success doing, take information at one point available for free and put it behind a paywall. The fitness industry puts out A LOT of information for free. If the quality is high enough there is always an opportunity to make it a revenue-generating piece of your business.
Docs Who Lift: January 23rd Episode. Red Flags of Quackery. 45 minutes
Episode Notes: Drs. Karl and Spencer chat with Abby Langer and Amanda Thebe all about the various red flags you see with quacks online. What are the top nutrition red flags? What about those preying on women going through menopause?
My thoughts: I enjoy these types of shows because it’s a reminder that there are things that we as professionals see and maybe “brush off” our shoulders as being quickly spotted nonsense that is used time and time again to try and manipulate others. This episode is quite informal and a little bit rant-heavy, but the value is there in understanding these red flags.
The Next 30 Days: Annual Education Events
While the new system is building I apologize for the “dust” as I might have missed one.
International Society Of Physical And Rehabilitation Medicine: Annual Meeting- 2/21/2023- United States Of America, Anaheim, California
United Kingdom Strength Coach Association: Regional Event- 2/23/23-Sport Wales National Centre, United Kingdom
Scw Fitness Education: DC Mania- 2/24/2023- United States Of America, Washington DC
Cincinnati Children's Heart Institute: 10th Annual Clinical Exercise Testing and Therapeutics Symposium- 2/24/2023- United States Of America, Cincinnati, Ohio
Coached: Raise The Bar Event- 2/24/2023-United States Of America, Dallas, Texas
I will be attending this one!
Fitness Business Association: SUCCEED! Annual conference- 3/2/2023- virtual
CanFit PRO: ASPIRES Nutrition: 3/3/23- Virtual
Idea Health And Fitness Association: Personal Trainer Institute- 3/9/2023- United States of America, Virginia, Alexandria
Resistance Exercise Conference: Annual Conference- 3/11/23- United States Of America, Minnesota, Bloomington
World Anti-Doping Agency: Annual Symposium- 3/14/23- Switzerland, Lausanne
Euroscicon: World Nutrition Congress- 3/17/23-Singapore
University Of Virginia: APPLE Training Institute- 3/17/23- Charlottesville, Virginia, United States Of America
American College Of Preventive Medicine: Preventive Medicine 2023- 3/20/23- New Orleans, Louisiana, United States Of America
Allied Academics: 4th World Congress on Public Health, Epidemiology, and Nutrition- 3/20/23- Paris, France
Club Managers Association Of America: Communications Summit- 3/21/23- Houston, Texas, United States Of America
Sigma Nutrition: The Science of Nutrition & Health- 3/21/23- Dublin, Ireland
Other Member News
There will be a lot of changes in the coming weeks. Some are scary and some seem so simple you will question why they weren’t done sooner.
Find out what I’m working on next. Follow this Trello Board to see what is going on.