Episode 72 - Lindsey Marie Greeley

In this conversation, David speaks with Lindsey Marie Greeley about her life-journey in bodybuilding and fitness.  Lindsey speaks about  the impact of drug use on competitors as well as the toll the sport takes on competitors: the pressures of competition, and the distortions those pressures can put on ordinary habits of eating, sleeping, and relationships. Lindsey is very candid about the mental health challenges that can arise within bodybuilding culture. 

In addition, Lindsey Marie discusses the profound effects of social media on body image, particularly in the fitness and bodybuilding communities. She shares her personal journey of overcoming insecurities through fitness, emphasizing the importance of discipline and accountability. Lindsey also addresses misconceptions about women in bodybuilding and critiques the body positivity movement, advocating for a balanced approach to health and fitness. 

Ultimately, despite its many pressures and  resulting distortions, Lindsey is grateful to have gone through her bodybuilding experiences that led her to a life of health, wholeness, and wellbeing.

In Lindsey's own words:
"I did my first show and I LOVED it and decided to keep going and growing more with the sport. As years went on, my love for competing declined. I realized it wasn’t for me because of personal reasons, but what I DID realize was for me, was impacting hundreds of people and showing people that it’s okay to be you." 

"I’m fun, I’m loud, I probably talk too much and I LOVE being a goof ball. If you follow me on social media, you know I’m notorious for my big ol’ pineapple bun, picking my favorite song, sipping my coffee, using a snap chat filter and singing like an idiot to start my day. It's important to love who you are and that’s what I’ve learned over the years: loving yourself, no matter what, no matter what happens. Fitness changed my life emotionally, mentally, and physically. It was the best thing that could have ever happened in my life and that’s the message I want to spread. I want to make a difference in this world."  

"I was always afraid to show my true self. It wasn’t until 2017 that I really decided to let those walls down and get more personal. When I was first public about my body dysmorphia, which  a LOT of people in the fitness industry have but are scared to talk about, the messages I got were so touching It showed me not to care what others think and say, but to care about the people I COULD help and change. It’s not an easy process to go through but knowing that I’m helping and impacting other men and women, really gave me my calling. Having people message me on social media saying thank you and that I give them hope, really changed my mindset to be better, to do better and to be better at helping people." 

"Being a trainer, I get personal with my clients. I think it’s important to get to know people and WHY they are how they are and HOW I can help them change their life. Once you can figure out what got you to this place, you can change. It’s all about your mindset, and once I can get inside people’s heads and motivate them, their lives go uphill from there. What also motivates me, is me. I don’t like to settle. I always want to better myself as a person. It took me a whole year to go from a miserable insecure girl, to a bad ass, independent, strong woman. And I couldn’t have done any of that without the people that motivate me."