I have a lot to be grateful for.

I’ve been training and coaching for a decent amount of time now. I’ve learnt a lot. Tried a lot. Made my fair share of mistakes. Got lost on the way. Found my way out the other side. 🗺️ As much as it pains me at times and the fitness industry on a whole has a lot to answer for, I have a lot of gratitude for what I’ve learnt through training.

And there are ways training has helped me grow, that go beyond physical. They’ve impacted me deeper. Over time I have realised that it was never just about the workout. Training has taught me so much more.

Things like….

1️⃣ Training taught me COMPASSION.

Which wasn’t easy and is an ongoing learning process. Compassion doesn’t mean pushover or the easy path. It meant learning how to meet myself where I am in the session, that day, that week, that “season”.

2️⃣ It helped me with SELF-AWARENESS.

Training showed me that real progress doesn’t come from being harsh and drill sergeant like with yourself. Sure there will be days you need to give your head a wobble and pull your adult pants on to just crack on. But it also showed progress comes by listening. From adjusting. From understanding that some days you give 100%, and some days you give 40% and those days still count.

3️⃣ What true SELF-CARE looks like, contrary to popular belief.

Training taught me what real self-care actually is. True self-care isn’t exclusively fluffy, bubble baths, Cadbury’s and Netflix (though it can look like that too for some people). Sometimes it’s showing up regardless of your emotion reaction, because future you will thank you.

4️⃣ The importance of SELF RESPECT an RELATIONSHIP with myself.

It’s taught me what self respect can look like. For a while I lost my way with this. I thought self respect meant harder, competition, more discipline, more restriction. When in fact it meant reminding myself of my values and keeping promises to myself. Building self accountability to myself and trusting myself to keep coming back. Even after real sh*t show of a session.

5️⃣ The power of PERSEVERANCE.

Training taught me to show up on the hard days. Because realistically you’ll have more average days than not. Some days are physical wins, others build mental gains. Both are important long term. One can survive without the other. You don’t need more motivation; you need structures and systems to help you build commitment to the process and your goals.

6️⃣ You’re able to find space to GROW.

Training gave me space to grow, be creative, playful and learn about myself. Which over time showed me that I didn’t need to shrink my body to be more worthwhile. I’m allowed to take up space. It shifted my mindset from “make myself smaller now” to “build myself stronger for the future.”

7️⃣ To CONTROL what I can control.

It’s something I’m still learning.

My Effort.

My Consistency.

My Perspective.

I might not be able to control every variable in life, but that’s life. I can’t be perfect. Because that doesn’t exist. Every time I step in the gym, will be different and I can’t control it all. But I can control how I show up, how I adapt, and how I respond. Which is powerful.

I have a lot to be thankful for.

These are now values that are fundamental and at the core of my coaching. They’re things I work hard alongside my VIP clients to help them discover in themselves. Not just reps, sets and barbell math (even though those are very important life skills)…But self-trust, strength and self respect.

Things like ⬇️

✨ You’re allowed to show up unapologetically as yourself, hold space and feel empowered in your body and its ability. That’s a message I will always advocate for in fitness spaces.

✨I remind my clients: you don’t need to feel ready, motivated or love every second of the journey. You just need to start and build momentum as you go. Find goals that you truly value, or a reason behind why.

✨Self care isn’t always pretty or cute. It also shows up as structure, boundaries, consistency and choosing yourself even when it’s uncomfortable.

✨Building neutrality, gratitude, functional appreciation and not “I hate my body,” but “I respect myself enough to take care of it.”

✨ Coach with compassion ➡️ Build self compassion. Again, not easy, not soft option, but doing the things you truly need in the moment knowing it comes from a self respecting place.

✨ That we control what we can control. We set our environments best we can, but prepare ahead to respond not to react. We can have action plans, strategies and default “go to”….but we also need to learn to be adaptable.

If something within this lands or you feel you could do with some help discovering these things for yourself, DM me on Instagram, send a web form enquiry and we can chat. If you found this useful, spread the love and share with someone who needs it.