Running through all of the above was a need to fit in, and when I think about it...was all done for OTHER people.
I was in everyone else's business, not my own
It is not a coincidence that when made the choice to look inside with regards my own fitness and addictions led me to the fitness industry and the best job I could ever wish for, Personal Training.
I'm sure it is also not by chance that working hard over the last 15
years to be a more positive and authentic person for MYSELF led me to my wonderful wife, my two great little boys, success at work and much more contentment.
Lastly, leaving the commercial gym I worked at where I was constrained by unrealistic targets and rules, moving to running our business where I could be myself took everything to the next level.
I decided to become as authentic as I can be and show up as myself, everywhere
In the gym training, coaching, in the business arena, in the pub and online I am the same person.
No more masks or personas. I'm as authentic as I can be and fast to put the brakes on if I notice myself
deviating..which happens often, of course, so I just use it to improve where I can.
I listen to lots of interviews with the latest and greatest of the fitness world and nearly all of them have had a moment in their lives where they have noted that they are off their true path and not showing us themselves.
- - fitness models that have had eating issues despite
looking their best
- - endurance athletes that overdo exercise to the point they break down
- - women who lose their monthly cycle due to far too low a bodyweight
- - coaches who have a life completely different to their social media persona
We all have little idiosyncrasies that make us what we
are.
We have all had moments where we haven't acted as we shouldn't and let emotion get the better of us.
Life is hard sometimes and it is easy to get off our true path.
All of us are just doing the best we can....when it comes down to
it.
Getting the body you want is fantastic, however it is important to change inside too.
I've witnessed many amazing transformations, and often there is a twinge of disappointment when they find out that being slim and chiselled doesn't miraculously fix their relationship, job, eating issues.
These things need work on too, and a nutrition plan and lifting weights won't always go deep enough.
This is where authenticity comes in:
- Acknowledge that the magazines, TV, films, social media showing those 'perfect' bodies everywhere is FICTION
- Nurture the self esteem and confidence you get from developing a stronger body for you to be more YOU. Do it for you and you alone
- Follow professionals and friends that show all the sides of their journey.
- Reach out to others often and make those skeletons in your closet come out and dance!
- NEVER be ashamed of
your body, it is amazing, beautiful and it is all you. Start a partnership with it and work as a team, waste no energy on negativity.
- Let everyone see the crazy person you really are.
- Say that thing you want to say in an awkward situation.
- Shout and run about with the kids in public
- Never care what
anyone thinks...they are often too busy in their business to care anyway.
- Be honest with yourself first, then with others.
- Be grateful always.
- Apologise first, always
- Don't keep your successes to yourself. Only jealous people will call you a boast, genuine ones will be happy for
you.
- And my favourite: EVERYONE is your superior in some way or another so have the patience give them all a chance to teach you something
Be you, and show up a little more you everyday,
J
