“The more you shine, the more shadows you cast.” – Shi Heng Yi
I’ve waited a while to talk about this, wanting to see how it plays out before I say anything.
But now the dust has settled, and there are lessons to be learned (a few smaller lessons and one big, mission-critical lesson)…
…So it appears the time has come.
First, some backstory:
A journalist for NY Magazine wrote a hit piece on Andrew Huberman a few months ago, accusing him of (allegedly) managing relationships with multiple women at the same time.
As far as I can tell, the article didn’t mention anything about his professional life, his expertise, his credibility, or anything that actually concerns his audience…
…But, I’m getting ahead of myself.
Before we get into any of those details, let’s state the obvious:
We don’t actually know if the article is true.
Angry exes rarely make for reliable sources, and unless I’m missing something, they’re the only source this journalist relied upon.
But, for the sake of argument, let’s say it is true, and Ol’ Andy done got his dopamine so optimized he can rotate six chicks while running a top-10 podcast in the world, a lab at Stanford, and a round-the-clock speaking circuit.
Relationship drama aside, that sounds like a high performer to me.
(I can barely put up with one girlfriend, most days…)
And, since high performance is precisely what we tune into Huberman Lab for…
…His personal life is — you guessed it:
None of our damn business.
So, you might ask, why did NY Magazine write about his so-obviously-personal personal life?
Clicks, Romeo.
Views, eyeballs, attention — moolah.
That is (in most cases) why hit pieces are written, why hate videos are posted, why cheap controversies are created:
To siphon traffic from big-name players, and feed off of it.
What, you thought NY Mag was a champion for justice?
A digital batman serving and protecting the innocent private lives of six women you’d never even heard of until they plastered their stories all over the internet?
It’s a grift.
They’re tapping Huberman’s clout to grow their magazine, and using your attention to do it.
Yes, it’s gross — but it’s not uncommon or surprising or even all that interesting, so let’s move on to the larger lesson at hand:
If you’re going to learn from anyone, online or in person, you must — double underline, all caps, three exclamation points — must:
Separate the teacher from the teaching.
The teacher; the individual personality (charismatic as it may be) will always be inherently flawed, dysfunctional, and even — *gasp* — wrong, at times.
Welcome to being human.
And, while newbie students often get starry-eyed and spellbound over the teacher…
(which, note to students: only grosses good teachers out)
…Experienced students focus on the teaching:
The value that is actually relevant to their lives.
Huberman’s personal life is not relevant to ours.
It just isn’t.
And, if the alleged details of his personal life affect your ability to learn science from him, you’re focused on the wrong thing.
Okay, I think I’ve said everything I want to say about this.
Curious to hear your thoughts…
– T
P.S. Quick note for Path members:
Our complete lifting & cardio programs are now available inside the members are, along with the recording from Saturday’s call where I outlined our strategy for building strength, muscle, and performance — and, making your body feel damn incredible.
When combined with our movement and meditation practices (also available in the members area now), you’ll have a complete program for total human development.
Banger.
Log in and check it out now, or join us here.
