We are all insecure

Last week as I walked out of a Flywheel class drenched in sweat (no joke, I look like I have taken a shower when I'm done there), an enormous, buff, healthy looking dude walked up to me and asked how I liked classes there. I asked him if he had ever taken a spinning class & he said "no." I explained, well that's ok, I was just going to say how it is different from many other cycling classes, but since it wasn't a good frame of reference, I just said, "it's a great cardio workout. You'll like it. It's hard, but give it a few times, you'll like it." He said to me, "I lift & do crossfit, but I need to get a good sweat between strength workouts..." I nodded. He was big. Tough. Confident. A bad ass. I assured him he could do it & still get his strength workouts in. I explained its a great cardio workout, low impact. He was nodding along as I talked to him, but then he said, "What if I can't do it?." He was dead serious.

I laughed. I mean, I just assumed this guy was like, whatever, I'll check out this flywheel thing...but really he was intimidated. Don't get me wrong. It's hard. I delayed going for months because I was intimidated, but I was not exercising at the time, had only done a bit of spinning & recreational cycling, etc...in my mind it made perfect sense why I would be afraid to go. But his guy? He shouldn't be afraid of anything, right!?

He said, "No really, what if I can't do it?" In the freezing cold outside of the studio I looked at this guy & realized, he is insecure just like all of us. Just because we see one side of someone, their outside appearance, doesn't mean we know their true capabilities, feelings, experiences, fears, dreams, etc....I touched his arm & said, "Dude, it's a cycling class. You can do it. The instructors will lead you. You do what you can. You make adjustments. I've never seen anyone pass out or get hurt. You can do it." He smiled & said thanks. I wonder if I'll see him in classes in the future?

Every time I walk into that studio, every time I walk into the gym at my school (NPTI), I wonder if I'm not going to be able to do something. I fear failing in front of other people. I fear not being good enough.

What if I walked in instead, KNOWING that I can do ANYTHING?

In reality I DO know this to be true. I constantly make adjustments to various exercises & activities based on my energy level, injuries or soreness I may have. I tell it to other people, my peers, clients, friends. Let's make it a mantra...I CAN DO ANYTHING. I AM STRONG. I WILL ADJUST. I CAN DO ANYTHING.

Yes we can!