why are "reformed" people the only ones passionate enough to want to teach their pet subjects?

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asflatasapancake wrote: »

It's the cool thing today. Like the drug addict who went into rehab and turned his life around. What about the person who never did it in the first place?

If you've never done drugs how can you coach someone through an experience you've never had and only know about third person?

While the person who never had to struggle their way back will have good advice on how to live without "falling in" so to speak, they don't have any experience climbing out.

I believe there are many people who can help motivate someone to continue to tow the line, but unless you have fallen in the hole and gotten dirty climbing out I just can't come to you for inspiration on how to climb out myself.

_John_ wrote: »

And does this bias good information from the people have who didn't need reforming to begin with?

Like for example, why is someone who lost weight and got in shape more valuable than the lessons one can learn from someone who has always been healthy and fit? And why isn't the later nearly as vocal as the former?

Applies to other examples as well...

I think it depends on the audience. I think this does bias good information from the people who never needed reforming for a certain group...for example, for probably the majority of people who've never been fit and have been overweight/obese for basically their whole life.

I would think the perception in this case would be that the person who never needed reforming would not be able to relate to the struggle vs someone who needed reforming and thus devaluing the information of the former even though it might actually be and in most cases will be the same basic information.

As for myself, I've been on both sides of the fence. Growing up I was involved in all matter of athletics, but in particular I was a track and field sprinter and jumper...after high school I went straight into the Marine Corps and all of my training kept me in really great shape...even after that when I returned home to go to college, I was pretty active...didn't own a car so walked and rode my bike everywhere..spent a lot of time hiking...spent a lot of time playing ultimate frisbee with my friends, etc.

I never gave it much thought back then...I just did the things I enjoyed doing and many of those things happened to involve a lot of physical activity. After school I took a desk job...I also got married and started a family...bought a car...spent evenings and most weekends held up in my office, etc. I could have made time to be active, but my other pursuits trumped all at the time...I got fat...I got extremely out of shape...I started smoking 2-3 packs of cigarettes per day and spent my free time drinking whisky and beer and smoking cigarettes.

At 38 I had already developed some health conditions and had some really bad blood work which did not bode well for the future and living a very long life. Having two young boys at home, this was unacceptable to me so I determined to reform my behavior. I think I'm far more vocal and passionate now because I've been on both sides...and the side of wellness is far and away better...I didn't really know what I was missing until I got back at it. To boot, if you would have told me 2.5 - 3 years ago that I'd be where I am now vs where I was then, I would have spit my whisky and coke all over your face laughing so hard...now I know that this kind of turnaround is possible, and I enjoy sharing that with others.

usmcmp wrote: »

Maybe it's because the reformed people understand what it is like to start out (usually lost) and they want to help others learn from their mistakes. It's hard to take someone seriously if they haven't been through it because of the mental aspect (for weight loss at least). Empathy?

THIS