I've been reading letsrun and before that, TNFMedia, since the 90s and I think I have a good handle on what a real post looks like and when a small group of people are posting under different handles as a smear campaign. Also, I've kept up w/ this entire thread and read every single post. Heck, I even agreed w/ Rojo a few times!
That said, I feel that all or at least the majority of the former client comments are true. He appeared to not put as much work into the "individualized" training as people expected.
My takeaways are:
1) Tom no longer or possibly never did put as much attention into most of his clients as they deserve or were led to believe they'd get. Maybe he gives his HS studs what they require (Drew back then and the current kids) but not his $200/mo people and certainly not the Tinman Track Club. Their letter said it all. My guess is TME felt this too, and thats why they encouraged a move to Boulder.
Things didn't change when he was local and, additionally, his grating personality probably made things worse esp during a global pandemic/election involving a very polarizing candidate when tensions were super high. Dozens of people on here talked about said grating personality.
2.) There is a massive disconnect between today's 20 somethings w/ the social media/look-at-me culture and grown ups of a certain age/background. I believe Tom fell into this camp as do some of the people posting here (Ghost of Ig. for example). They're never going to understand someone posting everything "for the views", and how could they? Others seem baffled at the sale of merch (despite it apparently funding a lot of the club). I happen to see tremendous value in it for a few reasons.
Regardless, when you put this all together:
-Coach they felt wasn't active enough
-Coach's grating personality
-Injuries
-Drew's times were matched by several of his teammates (who were originally designed to be his SUPPORT training partners) and he's possibly not the top dog anymore
-Tom didn't like the social media stuff, which for better or worse is the heart and soul of the group, and openly opposed it
-Tom felt underpaid/under appreciated
There HAD to be a nasty breakup. It was inevitable.
Finally- there must have been a decent amount of fighting going on pre-breakup that we haven't heard about yet. Although Tammy didn't bring it up and TME has been largely quiet, the burner IG accounts thing and then the break up via phone (via Connor Winter??) are what's leading me to this conclusion.
My take:
I agree w/ TME on most of this and as both a non 20 something and a non old man, can see what they're doing on SM and why. I also think a running career is too short to sit around and not make moves. I guess you could say I'm on their side.
However, I do think they should rebrand to either
a) a new T.M.E. that doesnt use the words "Tin Man"
b) Big Horn Track Club.
Either way, keep the Hammer and Axe logo.
Give Tom his name back (ya I understand the power of the brand they built, but changing their name on IG doesn't lose their followers....) and let him go back to coaching middle school and a select group of HS elites.