Posted on Jul 30, 2015
"A drill sergeant posted a video calling overweight people 'repulsive and disgusting'. He says he’s saving lives."
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Fitness Motivator's Controversial Rant About Fat People
Fitness Motivator's Controversial Rant About 'Disgusting' Overweight People John Burk—an Internet fitness instructor, motivational speake and former Army vet...
From: ABC News
Fitness Enthusiast John Burk said despite the media's negative portrayal of his online video rant on obesity and healthy living, the public has been singing his praises for his brutal honesty and motivation.
"It's been 95 percent positive and these other news agencies are saying I'm under fire," Burk of Hinesville, Georgia told ABC News. "I have so much overwhelming support for what I said. I see a comment here, a comment there, but mostly I hear 'Thank you for saying that.'
"I've changed thousands of lives daily from people saying that 'This is the blunt-force trauma I needed for me to quit making excuses and lying to myself, and get up and do something.'"
Burk, 31, a former drill sergeant in the United States Army Infantry, said some viewers are portraying his speech as negative, however, he said he posted it on Facebook to encourage people to choose a healthier lifestyle.
"First and foremost, I will not apologize," he said. "I will not retract what I said regardless of what society thinks. There is a difference between anger and passion. That was passion. People are so quick to say 'Oh, he's so angry.'"
Burk uploaded the profanity-laced video on July 5, where it has since received over 3 million views and upwards of 31,000 shares.
In addition, the comments came rolling in — some calling Burk a "mouthy bully" and others saying he's "inspirational."
"What really aggravates me is how society views it that it's perfectly OK to be overweight, as long as you're happy," Burk said. "People keep saying it's not my business and you're right, it's not. I think the blunt truth of it is either making an excuse, or you're going after it. Essentially, that’s what this video was about."
Burk, a father of two, said he feels it's important for adults to adopt positive eating habits for the sake of their children.
"My overall goal, quite honestly, is to start a revolution to stop living so unhealthily," he said. "We can do so much for our lives. For me, it starts with good health and fitness and a good, healthy, mind. The people that work had and go to the gym, they're called obsessed with their body, gym rats, meat heads — but if someone is eating too much or degrading their health and you say one negative thing, you are 'fat shaming.' It’s the hypocrisy that I can't understand.
"Their personality might be beautiful, but your body, in my opinion, is not," Burk added. "Since when did it become beautiful for someone to be obese? It's not. It's unhealthy. People automatically assume that’s fat shaming."
Burk said that he will continue making more videos for Facebook and his site gruntstyle.com, in hopes to coach viewers on nutrition and basic workout tips.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXDEe_bg9lM
http://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/georgia-fitness-enthusiasts-profanity-laced-video-draws-support/story?id=32620720
Fitness Enthusiast John Burk said despite the media's negative portrayal of his online video rant on obesity and healthy living, the public has been singing his praises for his brutal honesty and motivation.
"It's been 95 percent positive and these other news agencies are saying I'm under fire," Burk of Hinesville, Georgia told ABC News. "I have so much overwhelming support for what I said. I see a comment here, a comment there, but mostly I hear 'Thank you for saying that.'
"I've changed thousands of lives daily from people saying that 'This is the blunt-force trauma I needed for me to quit making excuses and lying to myself, and get up and do something.'"
Burk, 31, a former drill sergeant in the United States Army Infantry, said some viewers are portraying his speech as negative, however, he said he posted it on Facebook to encourage people to choose a healthier lifestyle.
"First and foremost, I will not apologize," he said. "I will not retract what I said regardless of what society thinks. There is a difference between anger and passion. That was passion. People are so quick to say 'Oh, he's so angry.'"
Burk uploaded the profanity-laced video on July 5, where it has since received over 3 million views and upwards of 31,000 shares.
In addition, the comments came rolling in — some calling Burk a "mouthy bully" and others saying he's "inspirational."
"What really aggravates me is how society views it that it's perfectly OK to be overweight, as long as you're happy," Burk said. "People keep saying it's not my business and you're right, it's not. I think the blunt truth of it is either making an excuse, or you're going after it. Essentially, that’s what this video was about."
Burk, a father of two, said he feels it's important for adults to adopt positive eating habits for the sake of their children.
"My overall goal, quite honestly, is to start a revolution to stop living so unhealthily," he said. "We can do so much for our lives. For me, it starts with good health and fitness and a good, healthy, mind. The people that work had and go to the gym, they're called obsessed with their body, gym rats, meat heads — but if someone is eating too much or degrading their health and you say one negative thing, you are 'fat shaming.' It’s the hypocrisy that I can't understand.
"Their personality might be beautiful, but your body, in my opinion, is not," Burk added. "Since when did it become beautiful for someone to be obese? It's not. It's unhealthy. People automatically assume that’s fat shaming."
Burk said that he will continue making more videos for Facebook and his site gruntstyle.com, in hopes to coach viewers on nutrition and basic workout tips.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXDEe_bg9lM
http://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/georgia-fitness-enthusiasts-profanity-laced-video-draws-support/story?id=32620720
Soldier
Fitness
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 67
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I agree with Burk, if you don't have a medical issue it pretty much is on you being lazy. I also don't think this is bullying, he's just giving info in a no bullsh!t way.
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Sgt Kelli Mays
SSgt (Join to see) - there are some people who get arthritis and cannot exercise...there are some females who go through menopause and it screws them up so baldly especially their metabolism ....there are some people who have had accidents or some kind and mess up their knees or other things...there are many reasons why people cannot exercise...and it is NOT BECAUSE THEY ARE LAZY...and even if people didn't have a legitimate MEDICAL reason...there is no reason to be so condescending and furthermore if you and this guy and others like you prefer to exercise and be all muscular then great, but if there are people who are perfectly CONTENT in there lives and HAPPY and don't care to exercise for whatever reason...DOESN'T give you and others the right to be so CONDESCENDING and down right assholes....
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Sgt Kelli Mays
there are some people who get arthritis and cannot exercise...there are some females who go through menopause and it screws them up so baldly especially their metabolism ....there are some people who have had accidents or some kind and mess up their knees or other things...there are many reasons why people cannot exercise...and it is NOT BECAUSE THEY ARE LAZY...and even if people didn't have a legitimate MEDICAL reason...there is no reason to be so condescending and furthermore if you and this guy and others like you prefer to exercise and be all muscular then great, but if there are people who are perfectly CONTENT in there lives and HAPPY and don't care to exercise for whatever reason...DOESN'T give you and others the right to be so CONDESCENDING and down right assholes....
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PV2 (Join to see)
Sgt Kelli Mays - I'm going to call bullshit on that one. I am going to be 47 next week and considered perimenopausal, I have arthritis in my knees and lower back from years of being so heavy. Some days my joints flare so bad, when I get out of bed I walk like an old lady, but I still get up and get moving and do Kickboxing, Muay Thai 4 times a week because I'm not going back to where I was before at 400lbs.
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SSgt (Join to see)
Sgt Kelli Mays - I certainly did not mean to sound condescending but I will touch on a couple of your points. I did mention some folks have medical issues and I also mentioned that it is not about looking the part but playing the part. I don't think everyone should be all "muscular". I am aware that some folks are content with not exercising but if you are in the armed forces where it is part of your job requirement then maybe those folks should reconsider their profession. It doesn't have to be for everyone but everyone in must be willing to do their part. If you are able, since you chose to join, you must be willing. Again it IS part of the job, not an option.
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As an ex-obese person, I'm 100% with what he is saying. I'm -50% with the way he is saying it. You don't have to talk this way to send a message.
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PV2 (Join to see)
Sgt Kelli Mays - I've had people be like that towards me. I didn't like it but it woke me up.
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CMSgt (Join to see)
PO3 Steven Sherrill - SGT(P) (Join to see) PV2 (Join to see)
I have a ton of funny workout tanks!! They make me laugh and motivate me. Plus as I do the main part of my workout in a busy fitness area (Bayshore Blvd, Tampa), it makes folks smile when they are passing me. I feel like I am giving back to the tortured fitness community. Haha
I have a ton of funny workout tanks!! They make me laugh and motivate me. Plus as I do the main part of my workout in a busy fitness area (Bayshore Blvd, Tampa), it makes folks smile when they are passing me. I feel like I am giving back to the tortured fitness community. Haha
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CW3 (Join to see)
PV2 (Join to see) There's a big difference between being blunt/direct and being an unnecessarily abrasive asshole. This drill sergeant is being an unnecessarily abrasive asshole and basing someone's worth as a person on their weight.
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PV2 (Join to see)
CW3 (Join to see) - I can see what you are saying. A person's worth is not based on their weight at all. That to me is the same as saying a person's worth is based on their race which is total bs. I do know however, had I not had my wakeup call about my weight, I would be either dead or on my way to the grave by now as I was dangerously overweight. I recognize my own sensitivities and triggers to this as well. I also own up to the fact that I put myself in that position. While maybe not being as abrasive as this guy, I don't think we should be sugar coating weight stuff either.
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Being an asshole with good intentions doesn't mean you're less of an asshole. Weight is a combination of a number of factors, only some of which are diet and exercise. Genetics, medical conditions and food available/affordable all play into it as well. I know way too many people that have worked really hard to control their weight but can't get down to "fit and trim" (or even normal) without going far, far beyond what is reasonable...maintaining it would be impossible.
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SGT Jeremiah B.
SGT(P) (Join to see) - I don't know about the shortest, but he definitely made a good go at the title.
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A1C (Join to see)
He did say that in his video. He may have only did a quick mention but he did mention it. Yeah people have many reasons they can't stay healthy but for those that just don't feel like checking their food sources and activity, this is addressed to them. I don't think he was being an ass about it like many of you do. Profanity and a rough way of talking don't make him a bully. I think we enable unhealthy lives a bit too much either way.
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A1C (Join to see)
I wouldn't say he was being an asshole. Use of profanity and a rough way of speaking don't equal bullying or asshole. He did quickly mention those with health issues are an exception. But his video wasnt about people with health issues, it was about those that don't address their poor eating habits and lack of activity. If you want to be lazy, but don't want to be fat, that is too bad. Pick one because you can't have both. You can have a little of both but results will be slow.
We enable unhealthy lifestyles A LOT. it's sad and needs to stop. theres a difference in shaming unhealthy habits and body shaming. His words are taken out of context by people that insist he's saying fat people are disgusting. no their habits and laziness are. I think a lot of people just focused on his passionate tone and foul language, and disregarded his message.
We enable unhealthy lifestyles A LOT. it's sad and needs to stop. theres a difference in shaming unhealthy habits and body shaming. His words are taken out of context by people that insist he's saying fat people are disgusting. no their habits and laziness are. I think a lot of people just focused on his passionate tone and foul language, and disregarded his message.
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Sgt Kelli Mays
Exactly...and condescending is not a motivator....it's just something that causes ill feelings and disgust and disdain.
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Amn Paul Butler
Exactly right.
https://run3freegame.com
https://run3freegame.com
Run 3 with our little alien is back for more platform fun. Run through an endless tunnel, diverting from the holes and pieces of ground that break when you step on it. It will be a long run, but it will come out stronger!
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Yet another fine, worthwhile, incisive, professional re-posted 'news' story selection from RallyPoint Shared Content... the plaintext descriptors from the copy-paste haven't even been edited out (e.g. "burkscreenshot") This is truly how RallyPoint will become THE destination for military professionals and veterans.
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Capt Richard I P.
Not that I mind the good purpose of the hijack, but I'm going to re-focus this thread back to where it was. To those who've weighed in in concurrence with me ( GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad TSgt Joshua Copeland Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" PV2 (Join to see) MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca COL Charles Williams) I was reminded by the CEO LTC Yinon Weiss that RallyPoint has given us powerful tools to ensure we don't see junk like this. We can opt in to only topics we want or we can opt-out of content by un-following or blocking users (including RallyPoint Shared Content). I intend to make use of these tools by un-following people who generate junk.
To Nick Petros and the rest of the RallyPoint Team I'll take advantage of those tools in place to better tailor my experience, but I will caution that you don't want to post so many 'Veterans raging against the President', 'marital infidelities caught on tape', 'DIs saying mean things about people' and other tabloid controversies that you become associated with the site that one of your stories already cited as a source (JTOTS) . Because then articles like this get written: http://taskandpurpose.com/sexist-facebook-movement-marine-corps-cant-stop/
I recognize there are more robust community standards in place here, and member admins are ever-vigilant, but it is a slippery slope, and being associated by apparently similar stories or reference in citation can degrade a reputation, of an individual, or of a website.
To Nick Petros and the rest of the RallyPoint Team I'll take advantage of those tools in place to better tailor my experience, but I will caution that you don't want to post so many 'Veterans raging against the President', 'marital infidelities caught on tape', 'DIs saying mean things about people' and other tabloid controversies that you become associated with the site that one of your stories already cited as a source (JTOTS) . Because then articles like this get written: http://taskandpurpose.com/sexist-facebook-movement-marine-corps-cant-stop/
I recognize there are more robust community standards in place here, and member admins are ever-vigilant, but it is a slippery slope, and being associated by apparently similar stories or reference in citation can degrade a reputation, of an individual, or of a website.
The Sexist Facebook Movement The Marine Corps Can’t Stop
The story of women in the military you haven’t heard, the story of systematic harassment on Facebook, the story the Marine Corps doesn’t want you to know.
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Capt Richard I P.
CPT L S - at the risk of allowing a re-hijack- It probably was the war, my promotion speeds were right on par with my peers, the Corps promotes to 1stLt at exactly 2 years, then boards people competitively for Capt, most made it around 2 years +/- during the wars. I amended my deployments, thanks for pointing that out, my flawed memory and fat fingers made it look like there was no dwell and an extra month, but there was dwell.
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TSgt Joshua Copeland
hmmmm AF promotion to Capt meets a "Board" but it is pretty much automatic since the selection rate is usually 99.x% and sew on is right at 4 years.
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Here is my $0.02, I agree with what he is saying as far as the related health issues yet his delivery and his berating was unnecessary. (Not everyone responds to tough-love.)
I have always stayed fit (but love me some eating :)). Yet, now I am 45, I have several herniated discs and a few other small but significant health items. I maxed out my weight~height group a mere 8 months ago due to these issues. I felt fatigued and defeated at its worst. I pulled it together, got myself motivated, and dropped a wonderful amount of weight/gained muscle tone by eating right and just simply moving. Everyday. I feel great! :)
Losing and maintaining weight is hard. Oh so very hard, especially as one gets older. But it does become a lifestyle once you get into a rhythm.
I have always stayed fit (but love me some eating :)). Yet, now I am 45, I have several herniated discs and a few other small but significant health items. I maxed out my weight~height group a mere 8 months ago due to these issues. I felt fatigued and defeated at its worst. I pulled it together, got myself motivated, and dropped a wonderful amount of weight/gained muscle tone by eating right and just simply moving. Everyday. I feel great! :)
Losing and maintaining weight is hard. Oh so very hard, especially as one gets older. But it does become a lifestyle once you get into a rhythm.
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CPT (Join to see)
CMSgt (Join to see) - Only cow you are 45!?!?! I would have never thought that. I always thought you were young to be a CMSgt. I though you were much younger. Now, I know.
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CMSgt (Join to see)
CPT (Join to see) -
Well, thank you, Sir! I thank my Mom, lots of water, and sunscreen. Lol
Well, thank you, Sir! I thank my Mom, lots of water, and sunscreen. Lol
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im a heavy drop, i fought AR 600-9 all my career. This guy is a know it all and a glib talker, not a motivator.
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Cpl Toby Dodd
this guy (John) is nowhere near a glib talker, he is a motivator to people that need that type of motivation. it's simply a style, a method, and it's needed and required for a certain type of person. more importantly it's not bad or wrong to be a "know it all" in the physical fitness and/or bodybuilding community. good for him for knowing what he does know about it and sharing it. good for him for not only talking about it, but for living it every day and night.
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I'm not perfect and I have a long way to go in achieving my ideal self with regards to physical fitness, however I recently sat in a restaurant eating brunch as I looked around I began to notice that there was a large number of obese individuals in the restaurant. I started counting the number of people in the restaurant adults plus children, more than half would have been considered obese, a quarter over weight leaving only a quarter with height weight ratio standards. It is about choice, even if you're predisposed to being heavy as is claimed by some, it's about choice. What are you choosing to eat, how much time are you spending being active? We cannot expect to loose weight or to even maintain the status quo if our choices are not healthy and lean. This doesn't mean that you have to deny yourself all the time but when you indulge it does mean you'll have to do some extra physical activity to burn those calories....Choice again.
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CPT (Join to see)
Cpl Toby Dodd - We could have some conversations about that. I've had the same problem.
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Sgt Kelli Mays
exactly...CHOICE..and just because someone chooses not to exercise...if someone is perfectly happy and content with their size...who is anyone to knock it? I ran out of thumbs up...darn it. lol
there are some people who get arthritis and cannot exercise...there are some females who go through menopause and it screws them up so baldly especially their metabolism ....there are some people who have had accidents or some kind and mess up their knees or other things...there are many reasons why people cannot exercise...and it is NOT BECAUSE THEY ARE LAZY...and even if people didn't have a legitimate MEDICAL reason...there is no reason to be so condescending and furthermore if you and this guy and others like you prefer to exercise and be all muscular then great, but if there are people who are perfectly CONTENT in there lives and HAPPY and don't care to exercise for whatever reason...DOESN'T give you and others the right to be so CONDESCENDING and down right assholes....
there are some people who get arthritis and cannot exercise...there are some females who go through menopause and it screws them up so baldly especially their metabolism ....there are some people who have had accidents or some kind and mess up their knees or other things...there are many reasons why people cannot exercise...and it is NOT BECAUSE THEY ARE LAZY...and even if people didn't have a legitimate MEDICAL reason...there is no reason to be so condescending and furthermore if you and this guy and others like you prefer to exercise and be all muscular then great, but if there are people who are perfectly CONTENT in there lives and HAPPY and don't care to exercise for whatever reason...DOESN'T give you and others the right to be so CONDESCENDING and down right assholes....
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CPT Karen Nichols McAbee
its not always about choice. I didn't choose to have thyroid cancer, I didn't choose to have arthritis in both knees that resulted in knee replacements at 40 and 43, I didn't choose to have my metabolism permanently screwed up by medication choices my mother made when I was a kid... I've fought my weight since childhood and continue to fight today. I eat very healthy and exercise 4-6 days a week, but by appearances the ass in the video would call me fat and lazy. Condescending and unacceptable!!
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SSG (Join to see)
America may not be number one but it is on its way to becoming number one. Junk food is made extreme accessible (drive thru). Outdoor activity has to be forced.
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SSgt (Join to see)
SSG (Join to see) - with all due respect ma'am I don't think junk food being made accessible should be an excuse. Drugs are also easily accessible yet we don't let that fly if a service member pops hot on an urine sample. (Extreme analogy I know just trying to prove a point) It is part of the job so it is our duty to overcome the temptation and remain fit.
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CMSgt (Join to see)
SSgt (Join to see) -
Very well said, SSgt! Not extreme analogy at all. I think you hit it right on the head.
Very well said, SSgt! Not extreme analogy at all. I think you hit it right on the head.
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PO3 Steven Sherrill
No, the truth does not hurt. He is not telling it like it is. He is being intentionally as harsh as he can to draw attention to himself. He is also a liar. He is not about motivating people. He is about his own ego. You are right we have a huge obesity problem. The problem is not about laziness. Laziness is a symptom IN SOME CASES. It is true that in our modern society, it has been pretty much morphed into a situation where everything from pizza to toilet paper will be delivered right to your door. The only walking a person has to do if they so choose is walk from the couch to the door. Genetics plays a part in it as well. Cost, cost is a huge factor. For a person on a budget, it is difficult to make healthy choices as the healthier foods are higher in cost. So to just make that blanket statement is ridiculous.
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I agree with John Burk he is motivating and he is blunt. Some people need that myself included. It is not for the overly sensitive, but it gets me motivated.
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SSG (Join to see)
Thank you but the truth is the truth plus I was raised with guys and highly Competitive.
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Cpl Toby Dodd
your attitude (which i'd like to compare to my own on this matter) is what many men on this website need to adapt to. it's a pathetic and sad situation when active duty and veterans in our military (which are in great number on this website) are getting their feelings hurt and throwing all self discipline and physical fitness out the window. shows great lack of leadership, self confidence, and noble integrity. maybe we should line up a class for fat bodies and non-disciplined yap mouths for you to motivate and take charge of. show these non-hackers how easy for a female it is to accomplish giving them no excuses.
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