When it comes to personal trainers, I'm not the smallest woman you'll meet. Even at my leanest, I've never been a petite woman. I've often joked about being a 'broad'. I have broad shoulders, stand about 5'8" and even at my leanest, I'm not petite.
I was recently invited to a photo shoot with some of the other trainers I work with at the YMCA. And I won't lie, I was a bit nervous. So nervous, I bought every woman's best friend - Spanx.
I wore them in the morning as I prepared around the house. I knew I wouldn't have much time to change when I got there.
I got to the gym and stopped at the bathroom quickly before heading into the shoot.
And in that moment's pause, I stopped and decided something.
Truth in marketing.
It was a piece of advice a friend of mine once gave me when I was struggling to get into the world of coaching. When I doubted myself and my abilities to bring quality to the table for my athletes. After all, weight lifting is a man's world, right? She encouraged me to trust my truth would win the day.
And you know what? It did. Eventually I worked hard and that dream came true. Being able to share in the empowerment of others is the most fulfilling thing I've ever done professionally.
So, if that advice served me well then, why would sell a lie now?
Am I at my leanest? No. But how can I honestly encourage my clients to embrace their journey, if I'm ashamed of mine?!
I took off the Spanx. I went into the photo shoot as I appear every day at the gym.
Because, here's the thing -
Life is a journey.
Wellness is a remarkably
significant part of that journey.
Everyone wants to stand
on their own legs as long as possible.
Everyone wants to feel good
no matter their age, size, or circumstance.
And if I'm going to market myself - it's not going to be some perfect facade.
My clients and athletes get me.
The real me.
And this is what the photographer captured. The woman I am, as I am, where I am on my journey -
being the kind of coach I want to be - on the level in the trenches with my people. No matter what size they are. We're all working towards building the healthiest, maintainable life we can.
As an athlete, I look forward to continuing to drop a weight class eventually, and keep my lifting strong.
Like they say - it's not the destination, but the journey.
I was recently invited to a photo shoot with some of the other trainers I work with at the YMCA. And I won't lie, I was a bit nervous. So nervous, I bought every woman's best friend - Spanx.
 |
| Deadlift 245lbs |
I got to the gym and stopped at the bathroom quickly before heading into the shoot.
And in that moment's pause, I stopped and decided something.
Truth in marketing.
It was a piece of advice a friend of mine once gave me when I was struggling to get into the world of coaching. When I doubted myself and my abilities to bring quality to the table for my athletes. After all, weight lifting is a man's world, right? She encouraged me to trust my truth would win the day.
And you know what? It did. Eventually I worked hard and that dream came true. Being able to share in the empowerment of others is the most fulfilling thing I've ever done professionally.
So, if that advice served me well then, why would sell a lie now?
Am I at my leanest? No. But how can I honestly encourage my clients to embrace their journey, if I'm ashamed of mine?!
 |
| Deadlift 230lbs |
I took off the Spanx. I went into the photo shoot as I appear every day at the gym. Because, here's the thing -
Life is a journey.
Wellness is a remarkably
significant part of that journey.
Everyone wants to stand
on their own legs as long as possible.
Everyone wants to feel good
no matter their age, size, or circumstance.
And if I'm going to market myself - it's not going to be some perfect facade.
My clients and athletes get me.
The real me.
And this is what the photographer captured. The woman I am, as I am, where I am on my journey -
As an athlete, I look forward to continuing to drop a weight class eventually, and keep my lifting strong.
Like they say - it's not the destination, but the journey.
Ever eloquent and always frank when the rubber meets the road! I value you deeply, Jaime! I'm a fan for the long haul. Our journeys are conjoined in so many ways and I will always be in awe of you!
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