I think that’s likely a key important point as a friend of mine recently also pointed out.
I think it’s easy to conflate athletic ability with knowledge or sound tactics and vice-versa. Being the best fighter is not synonymous with being the best instructor. And it seems many people don’t make the distinction, so it’s fairly easy to manipulate opinions.
If I’m being completely honest, I used to rely heavily on my athletic ability to prove that what I did and taught worked and was better than method X. Usually playing the contrarian a fair bit as well. My friends perspective was just because I could make something work, didn’t equate to it being a good method in general or that there wasn’t a better approach. The fact I left feeling a bit humbled, indicates I think he was probably right.
Thanks for the replies.