For 15 years (yes 15) I coached my clients in what I can only describe as a seriously “toxic” environment. It got to the point where every day when I was walking towards the entrance of my old gym I had to take a huge breath and tell myself “you can do this Jade“.
I eventually hit my breaking point and left to Coach my clients in a much more positive and professional work environment. While I’m still quite frustrated with myself for staying in such a toxic place for so long, I’m beyond excited about where I’m now Coaching my amazing clients.
You might ask, Why did you stay so long in an environment that I was so unhappy in? That’s a good question…
All that time I told myself things were ok. I told myself – “what if I never find something as good as this, every other gym is farther away from home and more expensive, I just need to keep putting my head down and do my own thing, maybe I’ll eventually be appreciated, maybe the managers will change”, etc…
Often you don’t even realize how toxic an environment is until you are not in that space anymore. It’s only when you are finally out of that situation you realize how much that environment was affecting your life outside of that space. Your overall energy, your relationships, your outlook on life…all of it is affected.
Through all of this, I realized how paralyzed by change I had become. Even though I hated going to work the thought of changing my surroundings scared the shit out of me. It’s funny as I love “new” and I love change but I guess after 15 years that kind of change just felt way too heavy for me.
It’s interesting the traps our minds create.
I was recently asked by one of my coaches (Charles Poliquin) what my intentions or goals were for the New Year.
While I’m not one to make resolutions after going through what I just went through I’d have to say my goals for the New Year are to analyze my life and see if there are any other areas I might be too scared to make a change. The thought that my mind might be holding me back in other areas now scares me more than making changes.
I guess I write all this in hopes you might consider some areas of your life you really want to change but might be too scared to take action. For example – with your health and fitness.
What if your mind has trapped you into thinking you have to eat a specific way because of finances, the distance of the grocery store, your schedule, or perhaps you think it might upset your spouse if you make changes? Has your mind trapped you into thinking – The gym is too far away, I’m too tired after work, I have no time to exercise, I don’t know what I’m doing at the gym, I don’t have enough workout clothes, etc?
What if this year you let go of all your fears about eating healthy and exercise and just went for it?
What’s the worst that could happen?
Jade McClure – Vancouver Personal Trainer & Nutrition Coach
