The Internet And Real World Can Be A Mean Place

I think it goes without saying, but both the internet and real world can be a mean place. Those of you who know me, are aware that I do my best to stay away from drama. But in life, when a person is visible, it tends to find you. In fact, even when you are not very visible, it often tends to find you as is evident by the many Facebook posts, and stories we hear in passing. However, when one is in the public eye, especially on the internet, it tends to find you even more. No matter where I go, or what I do, I tend to be very visible, and with that comes the criticism.

Let us examine one of the more recent assaults on my person. Mind you, this person makes zero references to the topic of the video at hand, and came over solely for the purpose of attacking my person. If there was ever an agenda in coming to my page, this person had one. According to this person from my gym, I am a fat kid with no muscle tone, who “everyone” laughs at. I have to admit, this person is kind of mean, those words are pretty damn harsh! Ouch!

Though the person appears to be trolling, there is a “real” person behind the account because they know quite a good deal about me. Even though they twist some of the details, and try to make it look like I’m wasting my time. However, reality and the facts dictate otherwise. Whether they like it or not, I am a CERTIFIED FITNESS TRAINER, I have a fitness column on The Huffington Post, and I have been on Network Television, Radio and print fitness magazines. Sure, it’s been awhile, and my physique has seen better days, but hey, I’m working on it. Like it or not, I’ve come a long way. But, why I am I justifying this?

Man, I know I’m failing epically here, I really shouldn’t be devoting this much time and energy to this topic. Thing is, I’m not a person who shares only the positive feedback that I get from people. I’ll share the negative feedback too. It’s not all roses and flowers.

There might be a young kid out there somewhere who is being harrassed by some hurtful person who may see this post. Maybe seeing this could help a kid in that situation overcome some of their own issues. There have been many times that I’ve been told by people, “Everyone likes you, Angel. You are so outgoing and friendly, life must be so easy for you.” Well, no, not everyone likes me, and some people really don’t like me. Even at nearly 40 years old, I’m still getting “cyber bullied.” Wait until you get a load of this!

According to this person, everyone laughs at me, including women, men, trainers, staff, and even the flies on the wall! Apparently, I’m some sort of running joke. Ain’t that something? Can you imagine how impactful I must be? So much so that “everyone” hates and laughs at me! That’s power! What’s the saying? Bad publicity is better than no publicity? Still, that’s rather interesting though? Why do people from there hang out with me outside of the gym? Why do they text me to come and hang out with them? Why do we often treat each other to lunch or dinner? Why do they seek out my company? This doesn’t make any sense, does it? If everyone hates me so much, why are they doing this? Buying me dinner is going rather far just to be able to laugh at me. No?

Well, we do know that I have AT LEAST one person who doesn’t like me there. I’m sure that there are more, but we know of one for sure. One who knows a lot about what I do. It’s kind of creepy actually, and believe that I’ll take legal action should I sense any danger to myself or my family. Call me a pussy if you like, but some of us can’t afford to get into any of that type nonsense. I’m way too old for that, and have way too much to lose.

I’m a human being, so I won’t lie to you folks and say that this doesn’t bother me at all, it bugs me a bit. Not so much what they are saying, because I know what I have accomplished, and what I continue to accomplish. But it bugs me because I don’t bother anyone. In my life, especially at the gym I try to be super friendly and helpful to people, yet here is this person trying to tear me down. It does bother me a bit that someone goes out of their way to try and hurt me when I don’t bother anyone. But don’t worry, I’m not going to jump into the fetal position and cry.

Let us examine some facts!

FACT, when I started training, I weighed in at about 270 pounds. I was overweight and in terrible shape. Today I weigh in at about 195 pounds, and though I will admit I am far from “ripped,” like some of the amazing fellas at the gym, I’m well on my way to where I WANT TO BE. Get that? WHERE I WANT TO BE.

I’ve said it before, the gene pool at my gym is top notch, some of these guys look absolutely amazing, and I’m not trying to compete with, or be on their level. Even if I wanted to be better than them, even at my highest peak two decades ago, there are guys there today that would have blown me out of the water even then. I’m telling y’all, the gene pool there is definitely top notch. I’m not trying to be better than they are, I couldn’t even if I wanted to. Especially with my injured, older body. Nope, not gonna happen, I’m simply doing the best that I can for this version of me. But me doing me, apparently offends people. Well, that’s not about me, that’s about them.

My progress cannot, and will not be denied! No matter how mean this individual is, if they are honest with themselves, which I doubt they would be based on the messages they have sent me, they would acknowledge how much progress I have made. Thing is, I don’t need their approval, and look again, I’m not in the fetal position.

As always, I have removed the names before posting their comments on my website, simply to cover myself from a legal standpoint. You never know how a person like this could behave. I have to be careful with that kind of stuff. Given what I do, what I have access to, and other stuff, I have to be very careful with what I say, and how I say it. I don’t want to expose myself by sharing someone else’s information here. I also deleted the comments and blocked the person, in case you were thinking of searching for them. Like I said, I don’t want any problems.

Read through this commentary on one of my posts on youtube. By the way, as I said before, notice how this person never even once talks about the awesome life advice I handed out. They simply came on my page with the agenda of attacking me. Any fair person who actually listens to the advice I gave out on this topic would know that it’s really solid advice.

Am I always right? Hell no. Do I make mistakes? Hell yeah. Am I perfect? Of course not. Can I be loud and annoying? Absolutely! Am I shredded YET? Nope. Have I made progress? You bet I have!

On the topic of this video, you can’t deny I’m correct! I’m sorry that my existence has offended you, but all I can say is keep on watching or change the channel! Just leave me alone, because I’m not beyond taking legal action to protect my investments in life.

Though this person seems to be just brutal, I think that deep down inside they do have my best interest at heart. Look at how they do offer me some constructive criticism in the second post, “Cut the crap,” and also “Better yourself.” See, in between all the mean words, there is nothing but love. That’s what’s up!