I have always liked venturing into new, or relatively unexplored, territory in training
That has been a habit of mine for decades. For example when I was heavily involved in martial arts, our dojo was doing full-contact fighting years before it became popular, and televised, of course.
Did we have all the answers?
Certainly not! We found the answers often times in painful, but memorable ways.
I still remember getting knocked out in a match, and learned a lot from that experience.
You can’t get that type of knowledge from books, videos, or downloads.
You have to live it!
Later I got involved with CrossFit when it was almost completely unknown. There were only four CF gyms in the entire world when I first found them in late 2004.
We added in Powerlifting, Strongman, and Underground training along the way.
Last year we started learning about maces & clubs. Almost no one I new was training with them outside of California.
I refuse to follow the herd! Doing what everyone else is raving about is not for me.
The Cave 
Frank, you have struck a cord with me, I have followed the herd occasionally but it never felt right. My instincts always resisted it and always felt myself going back to doing things that were not conventional but kept me moving and in the game. Nothing against CrossFit but even thought I have my Level 1 cert and have done it I always looked around during class and thought I am just following blindly and was never satisfied. CF is broad based but to me were stuck on too much Oly lifting, I love Strongman, Powerlifting, sled and sandbag training along with Kettlebells and Underground Strength (I have my Underground Strength Cert as well). Guess I am saying I totally get where you are at…..thanks for letting me know I am not the Lone Ranger on this type of thinking.
Thanks, Gary, I always appreciate your honest feedback.
You are definitely not alone!
Keep up the good work, brother!