5 Questions-Jamie Hale
Jamie Hale should need no introduction. There are few, hell really any that can match Jamie and what he has. He can do the training, he can teach it, and he has taught it. He can do the research and he can apply it. He understand logical thinking, theory, and man. He is a true soldier of the search for truth.
Question 1: What is something you learned recently that left you in a bit of amazement? It could be because of discovery, or lack of public interest.
Jamie Hale: I can’t say I have learned anything new about the fitness industry lately. I have learned new things about the outdoors. Cattails make an excellent bed, debris huts are not real comfortable, but they are relatively warm, some survivalists are very dogmatic (but not compared to the popular Fitness Gurus), the sticky side of duct tape does a good job keeping the shaving from your magnesium fire starter in place (my son discovered this technique), 15 minutes of being attacked by protection dogs feels like 12 rounds of kickboxing from a fatigue standpoint, and when caving be sure you have two extra light sources
Question 2: You are stuck at a conference full of “guru-superstars.” You have to give a presentation for 2 hours in the hopes that you may enlighten them to information and material that is relevant and sound. What would you speak about?
Jamie Hale: I would like to say ladies and gentleman please take your head out of your asses and think for yourself. Stop the Dogmatism.
What I would actually say would be different. My first recommendation would be to educate yourself on logic and rational thought. An understanding of basic logic will help you identify many of the weak arguments used by the fitness industry to pimp their products or ideas. Probably the most common logical fallacy pimped by the industry is the “Appeal to Authority.”
Appeal to Authority occurs when we take the word of someone based on his or her authority status. We judge their assertion as being correct based on their credentials not evidence. This is a huge problem in society as a whole not just the fitness industry. Our culture relies heavily on the advice of authorities especially if these authorities are rich and famous. Someone that is considered an authority should not be given a free pass when it comes to providing evidence for his or her statements.
Consulting with authorities can be useful, but it can also be very dangerous if we become too accepting of their statements as absolute fact. The person’s credentials (credentials can carry various meanings and whether a credential is relevant or not is completely subjective) per se have no affect on the validity of the statement. Accepting a statement as absolute fact (there are no absolute certainties even in science) without investigation can lead to accepting a wrong idea just because someone supported it we respect (e.g. Pro bodybuilders say using a supplement A is why they are huge so their fans buy a boatload of supplement A). On the other end rejecting a valid idea by someone who we disrespect could lead to never finding the truth. If you are looking for the real truth you must forget your personal bias towards the claimant.
Another fallacy often seen in the industry is the Ad Hominen. Ad Hominem means “argument against the man.” This type of argument consists of replying to an argument or factual claim by attacking or appealing to a characteristic or belief of the person making the argument or claim, rather than by addressing the substance of the argument or producing evidence against the claim. This is common on fitness internet forums.
Common example: “That guy is a total prick I would not listen to anything he said.” or “He is not very strong, he shouldn’t be giving strength training advice.” These types of attacks are usually carried out by someone who lacks
intelligent debating skills, or has absolutely no knowledge of the subject at hand. Those are just a couple of examples of logical fallacies pimped by the fitness industry. A nice list of fallacies can be found at Skeptics Guide to Universe -Top 20 Logical Fallacies http://www.theskepticsguide.org/resources/logicalfallacies.aspx.
Next, I would ask the gurus to learn about science and apply its methods to everyday life. I don’t think many fitness gurus can define science. Basically, science is a specific way of analyzing information with the goal of testing claims. What sets science apart from other modes of knowledge acquisition is the use of what is commonly known as the scientific method. Giving a precise definition of the scientific method is difficult as there is little consensus in the scientific community as to what that definition is.
Although the scientific community has been slow to agree upon a clear definition, the scientific method is rooted in observation, experimentation, and knowledge acquisition through a process of objective reasoning and logic. Michael Shermer says :
“Through the scientific method, we may form the following generalizations:
Hypothesis: A testable statement accounting for a set of observations.
Theory: A well-supported and well-tested hypothesis or set of hypotheses.
Fact: A conclusion confirmed to such an extent that it would be reasonable to offer provisional agreement.”
It is important to realize that scientific degree does not actually mean scientist.
Scientist: One whose activities make use of the scientific method to answer questions regarding the measurable universe. A scientist may be involved in original research (Primary Research), or make use of the results of the research of others (termed Secondary Research).
A Real Scientist displays the following characteristics:
a.. Excepts nothing in science absolutely.
a.. Is willing to change his opinions based on new data.
a.. Does not rely on Authority.
a.. Thinks critically.
a.. Knows that extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof.
a.. Has an open mind.
a.. Relies on logic and reason.
a.. Respects the scientific method.
a.. Examines all the data, not just the data that support his or her view.
a.. Builds on the work of others, giving them appropriate credit.
a.. Knows that if a claim is made, the claimant must provide the proof. (It
is not up to others to disprove it.)
a.. Is intellectually honest.
Many people have scientific degrees, but do not actually practice the scientific method. To reiterate, just because someone has a scientific degree doesn’t mean they are a scientist. The nutrition and exercise industry is full of this type of non-scientist. I would also advise the gurus to educate themselves on research methodology. When referring to scientific research studies it is important understand the methods used.
With that being said a large percentage of the fitness gurus do not care to gain knowledge and further educate themselves. As a whole they are interested in the money-making aspect and the money-making aspect only. I will never forget a conversation I had a few years ago with a guy who was a regional manager of a large fitness chain and he told me he, “didn’t know much about fitness, but he knew how to sell memberships.”
The current state of the fitness industry is horrible, and I doubt if it will change anytime soon. How do we change the industry? To change the industry would require that we change people’s way of thinking (consumers and professionals). This goes deeper than the fitness industry, this requires changing the way our society is structured.
Question 3: I know recently you have dove into the survival lifestyle. Is this something you have always been into and just explored more or is it all brand new to you?
Jamie Hale: I have always had some interest in the scientific aspect of wilderness survival. Over the last 3-4 years I have become increasingly interested in the science and practical aspect. My son’s interest sparked my passion for
the outdoors. In the last 9 months I have spent a great deal of my time outdoors hiking, camping, kayaking, and practicing survival skills. My favorite outdoor topics include methods of fire building, water purification
and shelter construction.
I attended Nature Reliance School’s Survival Weekend in December. I have consulted with Christopher Nyerges and Johnny Molloy. These guys are successful outdoorsman and writers. My passion for the outdoors has led to me writing about the subject. I have written two articles for Mo Jo Newsletter and an article for Wilderness Way. I have a couple of articles scheduled to be released at ModernSurvival.net.
I have put myself in some relatively harsh outdoor situations. I camped out when the temperature was below zero in the snow with no sleeping bag or tent. I did have a roaring fire. I camped out when the wind was blowing so hard I had to hold my tent together by spreading my legs and arms. I was stuck in this position for about 6-7 hours. I was afraid to move because I thought the tent would collapse. I plan on doing a bunch of outdoor adventures beginning this spring. I will probably hike the Sheltowee (least portion of) using minimal equipment. I also plan on kayaking across the state.
Question 4: What are some things that we can expect to come from your direction soon? Any new books, ideas, etc?
Jamie Hale: I have a few new things I am working on. I have a new website that should be launched soon (not sure how soon). The website will be drastically different than my current website. The site will feature articles and videos covering all things science, outdoors, logic and some general interest topics. I plan on doing a fair amount of videos.
I actually did a video recently on Dog Protection Training.
The site will also feature recommended readings and book excerpts from some of my favorite books. I have new articles that will be published in future editions of Men’s Health, and Kentucky Explorer.
I am conducting an Olympic Weightlifting for Performance seminar in Louisville Kentucky May. 9th
The following week I will be presenting at the JP Fitness Summit.
I am working on an article titled “Inside the Mind of A Sniper.” I have spent a few days in the woods with this gentleman working on outdoors survival skills. I have also scheduled a night hike with him so we can use his night vision goggles. It should be fun. We are considering putting together an outdoor survival workshop. He will demonstrate practical skills and I will discuss the scientific side of things.
I am also plugging away with research for my new book (4th year of research). I have a series of videos planned called MaxCondition Videos (feature sample exercises, routines, and rants).
Question 5: What is the last…
Book you read:
Album/Single you got:
Film/Show you watched:
Jamie Hale: I can’t remember which one I finished first it was either Dictionary of Science (2005 Grange Books to many contributors to list- 2nd time reading) or Chronology of Science (Rezende L (2006) Checkmark Books- 3rd time
reading). It has been so long I can’t remember the last album I bought. The last film I watched was Hotel for Dogs. My son has the movie four times. He is thinking about starting his own Hotel for Dogs. The last show I watched was Cosmos with Carl Sagan.
You can find more out about Jamie Hale at http://www.maxcondition.com and you can check out his books in the store section right here at FLzine. Grab em, all of them!
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