You’re Doing Great!
Winter Series 2026 at Rise Training Academy
I love teaching Mat Pilates classes because great Pilates coaching helps the mover find more function and mind-body connection without any classical Pilates apparatus or a few props.
The hardest part of the pro-fitness training job is navigating hundreds of individuals with different perspectives on their bodies. It’s beautiful, but also stressful.
With more than 20 years in the coaching space, I’ve developed an unfortunate apathy toward outward health markers because I see so many body types and levels of confidence. Everyone processes numbers and figures differently. In my opinion, some people only care about how they feel, and others over-care about how they look!
At the end of the day, your vitals depend on the amount of sleep/rest, water, socializing, food, sun exposure, and exercise you get.
If I can give you any coaching, it’s this:
Don’t let the data determine your worth.
There is a unique window in every lifestyle where your diagnostics are good, and you feel hydrated, rested, nourished, and fit. If the doctor isn’t talking about a surgery, then it’s safe to say that you are winning at life.
What else matters to you? (Probably a dog, a loved one, your community impact.) Those traits and things are as appealing as a six-pack.
Lowering your standards has a place in your health life.
I would never tell my homegirl to date a man who doesn't meet her standards. If, however, she was completely avoiding basic healthy things because she thinks that her gym needs to have a $250 monthly membership and her workout clothes need to be skintight and expensive, I’d FLAME her a**. Why? Because YouTube, a bath towel, and 25 minutes a day will do more for her than either of the latter two things.
What if you are being too harsh and therefore rotating through a cycle of ending up empty-handed because you’ve done nothing?
You will not win at the 2028 Olympics Track & Field events at this rate.
Every dream is achievable, and you typically know your next steps. If winning a pro-am is on your to-do list, you know that by now. Your scale numbers do not need to be like Kyrie Irving’s. That’s actually ridiculous, and you’re tweaking. Get a grip. Trying to live a fulfilled life should not drive you up the wall. Folks who maintain a professional fitness level are not only paying staff to support them, but it’s not even really their money. They get paid by sponsors or receive those services as part of their 6-8-figure salaries in exchange for their sport. l-o-l.
How else can you spend the time you think you don’t have now that you have relaxed your expectations a bit and realize that everything is workable?
Ultimately, as we navigate the unexpected, it’s important to develop a sound mind about who you are. Holding your entire self up solely against diagnostics that your own doctor is not worried about is not required. Disordered thinking, exercising, eating, and sleeping are issues that can creep into your mindset and lifestyle without any notice. It’s important to discover a grounding practice that supports a balanced, comfortable approach to life holistically.
Try these things to give yourself a break this week:
Talk to your therapist about it
Give yourself props for even WANTING to have an optimal lifestyle that supports your short & long-term vision
journal
tell your loved ones how you talk to yourself (and appreciate how quickly they step in to help save you from your defeating thoughts)
do your thing
YOU’RE DOING GREAT!!
✌🏾,
M
