Don’t let people keep you away from the gym (and your dreams!)

I know a lot of people who don’t want to go to the gym or used to be scared of it because of people’s opinion. If you haven’t worked out in a while, you might feel self conscious because of how you look or your current fitness level. Or maybe you have no idea about how anything works at the gym and you’re scared to look ridiculous. The first good news: nobody cares. People at the gym are in their workout, it’s their safe place, their me time, they are not here to watch others fail. Most of the time people don’t notice what others are doing. And if they do they might offer to help. The second good news: most people at the gym are really nice. I’ve been in countless gyms and I also try to visit gyms while traveling and people are usually so, so nice. Yes, even those huge guys who can easily bench press your weight (in case you have no idea what I’m talking about: it’s hard). I’ve always asked questions. People are so happy to help. Even as a PT sometimes I see someone doing some workout differently and I’m always happy to learn from a different perspective so I go and ask why they do it that way. Nobody knows everything and you have to start from somewhere. Ask people around, ask the staff, get a PT if you can (I know a good one!). 

It makes me sad when people don’t live up to their full potential because of others. Other people’s opinion holds us back and deprives us from so many opportunities. When I decided to be a PT, I was scared of people’s opinion and I would probably have done it before if I wasn’t wondering what people would think. I thought I might fail and people would laugh. I thought people would think “she’s not that fit, why does she want to become a PT”. I was scared that my family would be disappointed because that’s not the career they had in mind for me. I thought about what everyone would think and it made me lose time. When I started, I was also scared to put out content. I really enjoy making and posting videos on Instagram and Tiktok even though I have a tiny audience. This is something I really, really enjoy, and I have a lot of fun with my best friend recording videos. They don’t get many views and many likes but they make me laugh so much. If it was a chore for me I might not do it but I really do love it and I might have felt a bit self conscious initially but now I couldn’t care less if they are cringe and nobody cares. Maybe a couple people I know think “ew, cringe” and move on with their day. And so what?

It took a lot of growth for me to have the self confidence to just put myself out there and try things. I make videos, I share a lot of things in my stories, and hopefully I’ll share more things here consistently. I realized that most people appreciate my authenticity and vulnerability and people are often ready to help, at the gym and outside. Don’t hesitate to ask for information or for help. It’s not a weakness, it’s a strength to realize where you might be lacking knowledge and try to get it from people who have it. And it’s also a strength to go out there and do whatever you want to do even if you’re not doing it perfectly. There will never be a good time for anything. You will never feel ready until you do something. Write that poem, go to the gym, start pole dancing or piano even if you feel like it’s “too late” because you should have started earlier. The best moment to start was always earlier. The second best moment to start is now. More people than you know will support you along the way and you’ll meet new people. And if some people decide to say “ew, cringe”, you never needed them in the first place.