If you’re looking for positives about getting older, you may not see them until you’re actually there. I knew I was suffering badly during my 20′s, but it’s only now that I can look back and see how far I’ve come. I was a late bloomer; I didn’t develop true self-confidence until after I had my daughter and returned to strength training.
My wiser, broader perspective made me realize that comparing myself to others is a losing game. While competing can be a good thing to keep us pushing harder, comparing feeds insecurities that are already too powerful. At this point I simply don’t have time to pay attention to my insecurities; I’m too busy enjoying what I like about myself and my life. But it can be a good thing to air them out on occasion; when exposed to the light of day we might just see that our own insecurities are strengths, not weaknesses.
So on this third anniversary of WorkoutNirvana.com, a time when I feel so much gratitude to you for reading and following this blog, for being my clients, and for connecting with me here and elsewhere on the interwebz, I expose my own sometime-self-doubts for what they are: strengths disguised as weaknesses:
I’m not particularly “young” according to cultural standards and I got into the fitness industry relatively late in the game. But I’ve been lifting weights for over 15 years and I’ve never had as much energy, good health, or a more beautiful body.
I may not deadlift or bench press as much as others and I have tiny, injury-prone joints. But I’ve developed full-body conditioning and strength that most people will, unfortunately, only ponder having during their lives because they’re not willing or they’ve given up.
I’ve never been part of an “in crowd” and have never been one to follow a leader. But I’m authentic with everyone I meet, strive to be a good friend, and give help those who ask for it the best I can.
I’m a YouTube newbie and have aspirations I haven’t even come close to attaining yet. But in the last year I’ve started my own business, launched a whole new look on my site, and mapped out solid goals for helping as many people as I can in coming months and years. (And I just recorded my first YouTube video last week!)
_______
In the end, all that matters is being authentic to yourself. You can choose: Do I follow the beaten path, listening to people who have a completely different body and background than me, or do I forge my own way, navigating sometimes unwieldy undergrowth yet knowing this is the path I’m creating for myself?
I started WorkoutNirvana three years ago not knowing it would lead to my becoming a certified personal trainer and virtual coach, meeting hundreds of new people, and helping many others find their footing and ideal physique through strength training. I started out only wanting to share my passion for the iron and the transformations weightlifting could offer to one’s body. I’ve carved my own path with my body and my life that now allows me to help others do the same, but I couldn’t have done it without hard-earned self-confidence and people like you.
Thank you.
Keep your eye on your goals and never stop believing you can reach them.
See you in Nirvana.
