How to find the right "expert"

 

Getting and giving advice over the internet is risky. It's also incredibly easy. 

The problem with receiving advice from a stranger is that this person is not responsible for what happens next. For example, what if the nutrition advice you receive negatively affects your health? What if the training advice you receive causes an injury? 

There are a lot of self-proclaimed, unqualified "experts" out there. And even if a person sounds reputable, advice targeted to the masses doesn't mean that advice is right for you. 

You can't receive safe, realistic, practical advice from an expert without giving that expert a detailed assessment of your health, fitness and your past history. More so, just because one expert experienced success in weight loss, diet, health, athletics or career, this doesn't mean that what worked for him/her will work for you. Also, tips dished out by "experts" can be heavily skewed to fit an agenda, such as selling a service or product or boosting popularity (or followers on social media). I assure you that there will always be a research study and success story to support any kind of agenda. You don't have to believe everything you hear. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

With so many experts out there, here are some ways to help you select the right expert for your needs:

• Your expert has formal education, credentials, competence, experience and a good reputation. An easy-to-obtain certification doesn't qualify someone as an expert. 
• You believe in his/her philosophy. When you have insight on how an expert approaches situations and how he/she helps others, you will gain trust in this individual because you have similar views. It's important to understand his/her methodologies. If you don't have a similar belief system as your expert, it's not the right expert for you. 
• You feel you are listened to, respected and not judged by your expert. You feel like you are treated like an individual.
• Your expert has a specialty area and is a qualified expert in a specific field (based on formal education and years of experience).
• Your expert is actively involved in learning with continuing education. She/he admits to not knowing everything and has references for other "experts" that may be more qualified for a specific diagnosis/problem.
• Your expert has patience for you and does not rush your journey. She/he doesn't have a quick fix or a one-size-fits-all method. Despite having knowledge, education and being extremely popular, experts are not magicians. Most issues or problems require ongoing support, accountability and assistance.
• Your expert gives you his/her full attention, provides a supportive, caring and positive environment and does not ignore or dismiss your questions or concerns. Your expert values a team approach when working together.
• Your expert challenges you and provides a safe approach to help you to step outside your comfort zone. She/he doesn't tell you exactly what you want to hear or give you false promises. She/he also welcomes feedback, questions and concerns.
• Your expert maintains your confidentiality.
• Your expert doesn't change his/her approach based on what is "in" or trendy. While it's important for your expert to keep an open-mind to new research, trends and strategies, an expert should not change his/her beliefs every time a new fad becomes heavily popular.

As you search for the best expert(s) to help you with your personal needs, keep in mind that the same expert that works for your friend, training partner or family member may not be the right expert for you. By using the above criteria, you can figure out exactly what you need and are looking for in an expert - keeping in mind that not every problem has a clear, simple, straight-forward or easy solution.

Finding the right professional

With so many experts out there who are doing what I do for a profession and so many experts who have decades more experience than I do, I carefully select the mentors from which I learn from and the same is true for the professionals that Karel and I welcome into our life to help us with our own needs.

Seeing that a mentor has experience, I find this valuable as I want to understand different approaches and methods to help me determine the most appropriate advice that aligns with my philosophy and that will help me better serve my coaching and nutrition athletes. 


With so many experts out there, here are some ways that I select the professionals that help out with our coaching athletes (ex. physical therapists, sport psychologists, PhD researchers, other coaches, etc.) as well as the experts who I look up to and consult with as mentors. 

1. You believe in his/her philosophy. When you have insight on how an expert approaches situations and how he/she helps others, you will gain trust in this individual as you have similar views and understand his/her methodologies. 

2. Your expert has credentials, competence, experience and a good reputation. 

3. You feel safe and not judged by your expert and you feel like you are treated like an individual. 

4. Your expert has a specialty area or is an expert in a specific field, based on personal experience and formal education.

5. Your expert is actively involved in learning with continuing education, writing and speaking.

6. Your expert has patience for you and does not rush your journey. She/he doesn't have a quick fix or an one-approach-only method.

7. Your expert gives you his/her full attention, provides a supportive environment and does not ignore or dismiss your questions during your consultation. Your expert values a team approach when working together.

8. Your expert challenges you and wants you to step outside your comfort zone. She/he doesn't tell you exactly what you want to hear or give you false or too-good-to-be true promises.

9. Your expert maintains your confidentiality.

10. Your expert doesn't change his/her approach based on what is "in" or trendy, especially when  she/he can sell something to you in order to buy you into his/her method.

As you search for the best expert(s) to help you with your personal needs, keep in mind that the same expert may not work for two different athletes.

Always understand what you need from an expert, keeping in mind that not every problem has a clear or easy answer. 

Despite having knowledge, education and being the full package, experts are not magicians and there is no wand to cure a problem in one day or in one session. 

Are you seeking help?

Do you find yourself using forums to gather advice on yourself when you are vulnerable and in need of help?

Did you ever consider that the people giving you advice are strangers, knowing nothing about you, your life, your struggles, your needs, your journey and your goals?

While forums can be a great place to learn, don't just seek help from anyone. There's an expert out there who is a professional, trained to help you with your individual needs.

Often times, when a question is asked on a forum, there are dozens, if not hundreds of responses, from all types of people. The same goes for articles and information on the internet.
While some information may be valuable and credible, it becomes very difficult to decipher between all the "this works for me" advice vs. what will work best for you.
Rather than getting a concise or clear "right" answer, you end up more confused and overwhelmed than before you asked your one question.

Be careful and very wary when seeking advice on forums (or the internet) as the information or feedback that you are given may be incorrect, incomplete or biased.

As a guideline for athletes, you should not use forums as the main outlet for the following:

-Treating or diagnosing a health condition, illness (health or mental) or injury

-Correcting or fixing your biomechanics (or form/posture/position) when training/exercising

-Dialing in your personalized daily diet and/or fueling approach

-Changing equipment or gear mid-season (or during peak training)

If you have a concern, struggle, issue or limiter in a specific area, consult with a professional (who specializes in the field of your question) that will help you understand what will work best for you and can give ongoing feedback throughout your journey.

So there lies another question.

How do you find the right professional or "expert" to help you out? 

In my next blog, I will talk about how to find the right professional to help you in your individual journey.