First, I don't think newbies are the only people doing massive waterchanges. The majority, if not all of the experts, do massive water changes.
Everybody has their opinion on what is required or what they can do just to get by.
It will always boil down to size of tank, stocking levels, age of fish, foods you feed, how often you feed, water chemistry. Because this is a variable for everyone, no one person has the same exact set-up. When I say water chemistry, that is the water make-up in regards to KH, GH and what it is that is in the water that gives those numbers.
So you see....nobody can say one way is the only way. Which you will find, is not too common. You'll mainly find the alot of people leaning towards performing alot of water changes.
As far as those who have grown fish out from fry to adult in a tank that received minimal waterchanges, I have yet to see one. And those who actually say they have, do not ever have proof (comments like, I don't need to show my fish to prove it). I'm sorry but proof is only proved by positive results. They will always show you an adult fish, without any kind of a timeline on the effects of waterchanges or lack there of.
This is why Chad's way will be very interesting and although there is less waterchanged, the average discus keeper is not going to get an ozonizer for the purposes of water conservation. Now if this method works, there will probably be alot more hobbyists looking into these type of systems. As so far, Chad's fish are growing right along those individual's who are doing daily WCs. I'll have to say, it's quite amazing and those are the results I am talking about.