Yeah,,,
I don't mean to make an absolute statement. That's why I did try to point out that sometimes people ARE overthinking simple things and dwelling on details. The whole analysis paralysis. Hell, probably 70% or more trainees overthink supplements all the time
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But when that becomes a mantra then there is something wrong. There is a difference between carefully considering something and then warning someone that they may be over-analysing things. But when it becomes a stock answer designed to squash anyone's questioning your "methods" I have NO respect for that. If you want to call yourself a trainer you should have a reason for everything you do and be ready and willing to educate. A trainers job is NOT to make someone dependant on them. The best trainers EDUCATE their clients and work themselves out of a job in the sort term...but in the long term they will be sought after.
I think we need to consider each situation individually. If you have respect for someone there is a reason for that and it certainly couldn't be becasue they never have an answer to questions! The fact is and I'm sure you have noticed this, the typical forum guru is just regurgitating but it is not "at their fingertips". The "knowledge" has not been synthesized into an overall training philosophy. The fact is there are very few principles and the best trainers will be repeating the same things over and over and simply refining things and adding to them....organizing their philosophy better and better as they learn more and experience more.
So there is another warning sign to look for. If someone is under the illusion that to appear knowledgable they have to continually say something different about fundamental principles.....
But I am really speaking mostly about training. Sure there are new methods and refinements all the time but the underlying principles really are the same now as they have ever been. So if your "methods" are based on sound principles it should be easy to explain them.
But when I use the term "guru" I am using it in a perjorative and facitious sense sense it is such an overused and bastardized term. There are a lot of trainers and coaches that I respect...but I am not their "disciple".