[Tannhauser]

What he is saying sounds perilously close to:

'Someone who says you can achieve something is smart and knows what they're talking about'

and

'Someone who says you can't do something is a self-appointed know-it-all.'

Lets say a 30 year old 150lb guy with little training experience gives up his job, moves to LA, convinced that he will be Mr. Olympia within two years. Are the people who tell him that this is unrealistic being 'negative'? Are they just trying to prove how smart they are? Do they need to be bodybuilders themselves to tell him this - or could the advice equally come from anyone with a cool head and a fair appraisal of the situation?

I like Dave Tate, but I can't agree with the whole tone of this. It's nice to have encouragement, and some positivity, but sometimes a critic is your best friend. If one only surround one's self with yes-men, I don't think that speaks highly of one's inner resources.