I think one of the odd things I've seen in the sports is when sponsors and/or teams "discourage" athletes from turning elite. But I get it, why do you want to give up being able to promote a bunch of podiums for "pack fodder" results, because those pack fodder results come across as "damn you suck" to the lay person. But the more bizarre part is that the "damn you suck" pack fodder athlete, *likely* still beat the podium athlete, you are "celebrating" *many times*. (and at times, the top AG'ers beat half the BOP athletes). That's just how much social media influence can have and how you can "dictate" the narrative these days. (also why it's very easy to not turn elite and stay with the good results vs "grinding" tougher results).

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Brooks Doughtie, M.S.
Exercise Physiology
-USAT Level II