“He who fears he will suffer, already suffers because he fears.” - George Bernhard Shaw
Read that one more time!
This first week of Bootcamp I witnessed a lot of fear. I saw it in people’s eyes and facial expressions, and I heard it when they spoke to me over meal plans and while reviewing scans. I especially saw it when I was demonstrating certain exercises during the workout sessions. As I walked around the room, I noticed some clients never tried the exercises, because the fear overwhelmed them. Others tried once, failed, and quit trying, again due to fear. But then there were a few clients that tried, were successful and truly surprised themselves, because they pushed fear aside.
With almost thirteen years of business in my rear-view mirror, I’ve learned a lot about the mindset of the fitness entrepreneur. One of my favorite sayings that rings true is that we jump off the cliff and figure it out on the way down. I am constantly coming up with a plan, starting with A, and running through to Z. Just in case my other plans fail.
Running a business is hard, yet I embrace the life. See, I do not FEAR failing because I always try again. And when I try again, I return with a different mindset. I grow and learn from every failure. If I need to train more, I do that. If I need to study more, I do that. If I need the advice of an expert, I do that. Finally, If I need to pray on it, I do that!
But what I don’t do is not try because it seems difficult. I don’t make excuses, I don’t blame others for my failure, I don’t quit, and I never beat myself up for not being successfully on my first, second or third attempt.
I don’t know who said this quote, but I live by it. “Nothing beats a failure but a try”.
So, as we complete this first week, pat yourself on the back for showing up, drinking more water, and attempting to eat better. Don’t be afraid, for the rest of the camp, to try new exercises, new healthier foods, or mostly importantly to fail. Just try and try again. What have you got to lose? Don’t let your fear hold you back from all that you can accomplish. As Nike says Just Do It! And if you fail, do it again.
Always remember that no one is perfect and never will be! Showing up, trying, and giving your best is all anyone can ask for. That’s what being No Mess is all about. No Mess
