how obsessed r u ? random opportunity

melistic · Jan 11, 2011

Do you have what it takes to be the next Snooki? 
From an email:
 
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My name’s Ryan and I’m a producer for MTV’s documentary series True Life. Each episode we focus on telling the stories of three young people between the ages of 16 and 28, revolving around a central issue. Right now we’re casting True Life: I’m addicted to exercise.
I’ve been contacting Gym owners, managers and personal trainers to try and get a feel for how to identify and approach those with an addiction to exercise—specifically those who feel their relationships, jobs or school is being threatened by an obsessive need to put in hours at the gym, and look a certain way.
I know that as a Personal Trainer, you are some of the most knowledgeable people in the gym about exercise and could easily identify those you would consider “overtraining” or “obsessed.”
We would love to reach out to these individuals and I’m wondering if you would help us get in touch with those who fit the age range and description, but most importantly really want to tell their story for the benefit of others.
If you happen to run across someone who would really love to talk to us, below is my contact information and you are more than welcome to give it to anyone you feel comfortable speaking to about the show. We would start with a conversation about the process of filming True Life and address any privacy concerns they might have before we talk. We understand the sensitive nature of this issue, and don’t intend on exploiting our subjects, or telling their stories in anything but their own words.
If you’re interested, I’ve attached a flyer that, if you felt comfortable you could pin up on bulletin boards at gyms so people could contact us anonymously if they choose. Below is also a link to the True Life website as well if you wanted to learn more about the show.
Thanks in advance for helping us out! Any suggestions or information is greatly appreciated!
<a href="http://www.mtv.com/shows/truelife/series.jhtml" style="line-height:17px;font-weight:inherit;text-decoration:underline;color:rgb(0,104,207);" target="_blank">http://www.mtv.com/shows/truelife/series.jhtml</a>
 
Best,
Ryan Kleier
MTV True Life
Associate Producer
212-846-5023
<a style="line-height:17px;font-weight:inherit;color:rgb(0,104,207);" target="_blank">[email protected]</a>
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KitKat · Jan 11, 2011

Mel are you trying to imply that some of us around here are obsessed? That is so not true, we are all completely normal. <img alt="tongue3.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/tongue3.gif" style="width:16px;height:16px;">

hobey · Jan 11, 2011

So does he want overtrained or obsessed? <img alt="huh.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/huh.gif">

melistic · Jan 11, 2011

I gather they are looking for those with an unhealthy obsession with the working out. Nutjobs! Like people who run marathons or worse ultras. Maybe those wackjobs that think one sport isn't enough! I bet they want to talk to people who work out for like 2 hours in the morning only to hit the gym after work to get in another 2 hours. I've even heard of some people who don't even take a break they just hop off their bike and start running... freaks! I know this one girl who teaches like 5 group classes a day and runs & bikes & lifts a few hours too, but none of those she considers her workouts so she still has to put in a good sweat on top of that, because that was really designed for someone else's schedule. Jeez, I actually heard the other day of people who put their bikes in the garage then will get on the darn thing and pedal it nowhere all winter, just watching Space Balls. 
obsessed?

hobey · Jan 11, 2011

Oh you mean the type of people who would run the Boston Marathon course on New Year's Day for fun and those who decide that if they are going to travel 70.3 miles sans car, it may as well be the hilliest and prettiest 70.3 miles within a weekend trip?
 
Sorry. I don't know any of those nuts...

melistic · Jan 11, 2011

yes, yes, or people who travel more than halfway around the world 'on holiday' then lament air quality conditions as it effects the O2 uptake <img alt="icon_thumleft.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/icon_thumleft.gif">

hobey · Jan 11, 2011

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by melistic <a href="/forum/thread/72114/how-obsessed-r-u-random-opportunity#post_1976075"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> yes, yes, or people who travel more than halfway around the world 'on holiday' then lament air quality conditions as it effects the O2 uptake <img alt="icon_thumleft.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/icon_thumleft.gif">
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Really? Someone actually did that? Crazy! <img alt="uhoh2.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/uhoh2.gif">

4boysmom · Jan 12, 2011

Certainly wouldn't be someone who has hourly forecast for a home page so they know how to plan their day. They probably would think nothing of getting up stupid early to get a long run in before work because conditions after work suck. They'd probably think nothing of showing up to church with goggle marks either. Nope. Wouldn't know anyone like that.

1Topodope · Jan 12, 2011

Goggle marks and a sweatband are part of my work uniform. But then again I run a gym. Training is my continuing education!

mrscoby78 · Jan 12, 2011

em73 · Jan 12, 2011

you're all crazy.
 
I'm not. just sayin'.

mrscoby78 · Jan 12, 2011

Whatever you say crazy lady. 

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by em73 <a href="/forum/thread/72114/how-obsessed-r-u-random-opportunity#post_1976203"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-right:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-bottom:0px solid;"></a> you're all crazy.
 
I'm not. just sayin'.
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Thor · Jan 12, 2011

It sounds to me, if you really read word for word, that Ryan is not exactly looking for people like us. He is, in his own words, looking for people whom exercise has become an addiction to the point where relationships, jobs, and other life things are greatly impacted. I don't know about you all, but I fail the first part of this idea. I don't exercise. I run. I bike. I compete. To me it is not exercise. The difference is that I don't do it to be healthy. I do it because I enjoy it and reap much benefit from it, such as being more healthy, feeling strong, gaining confidence in self and ability, etc. To me it is a hobby. To me it is passion. To me it is lifestyle. As it is for many of us here. 

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by hobey <a href="/forum/thread/72114/how-obsessed-r-u-random-opportunity#post_1976074"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a> Oh you mean the type of people who would run the Boston Marathon course on New Year's Day for fun and those who decide that if they are going to travel 70.3 miles sans car, it may as well be the hilliest and prettiest 70.3 miles within a weekend trip?
 
Sorry. I don't know any of those nuts...
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I resemble that remark. Funny, you do too!

So we are free to carry on with our passions. Because honestly, what the hell else is there to do with this thing called life?!
 
Live life well. It's kind of fun.

AdCo · Jan 12, 2011

Says the women swimming across the bay when there is a perfectly good bridge to drive across.. sheesh. 

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by em73 <a href="/forum/thread/72114/how-obsessed-r-u-random-opportunity#post_1976203"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> you're all crazy.
 
I'm not. just sayin'.
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niemsco · Jan 12, 2011

This is people that work out 4+ times a day. I know folks who run ultras every month of the 50 and 100 miler variety, but they are at peace with themselves and have a good life. I'd have to imagine there are people that need to be in the gym morning, noon, and night, and have to exercise while not in the gym. Besides most of us are old farts not in the 16-28. But then of course, I can't tell you how many times I've been at races, even during the run of races, guys talking about getting or had recently gotten a divorce, it does happen quite a bit. Some IM folks are obsessive and lose grips with reality.

melistic · Jan 14, 2011

just checking...
we're all good here? No fruits in the loop. <img alt="icon_bounce.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/icon_bounce.gif">

TriAndStopMe · Jan 15, 2011

Okay, reality shows like this getting produced may actually be a reason I'm now in Seattle doing marketing communications. Sigh.
 
(And awesome thread!)

how obsessed r u ? random opportunity

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