Muscles, Mic, and Mind Games

Ever felt like you’re not good enough to lead, lift, or speak up? Same. In this episode, I’m breaking down how I’ve fought through imposter syndrome, built real confidence with Tonal, and found my voice, one rep and one messy step at a time. This one’s for anyone who’s ever doubted themselves but showed up anyway.

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/p/C5536OnOTy_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Transcript

0:00

Welcome back to Strength in Numbers. Y'all know my name is Katie, and today we're gonna talk about something that's, honestly, it has been a big part of my, my, my journey. Um, it's not just in fitness, but in starting this podcast and showing up for others and even learning how to show up for myself. Today we're gonna dive into what's called imposter syndrome. That quiet voice that whispers, who do you think you are? When you finally decide to do something bold, stepping out of your comfort zones, if you have ever felt like a fraud in your own life, I have been there multiple times in this journey. Like, you're not qualified enough, you're not strong enough, or you're not ready. You are not alone. This episode is all about how I've been trying to navigate those feelings and how strength training on tonal. And the amazing community around it have really played a huge role in helping me start to believe that I, that I do deserve to be here, that I do, that I do deserve it, that I do some that, that I can say something that's worth saying. So let's start with some honesty. When I hit record on this podcast for the first time, I sat here for a long time thinking, who's going to listen to this? What do I even have to offer? Shouldn't someone, you know, with a degree more experience?'cause I've only been strength training for what, three years, four years. And you know, from there on out I was just, you know, running as you know, not really training, running, just having fun running. I'm definitely not the perfect body. I am not that young social media influencer. You know, I, I don't have a huge following, but you know, why not? I've spent over a decade being a stay at home mom. I'm just now working, you know, I'm working towards some of my goals, you know, with doing my personal training, getting certifications and stuff, reading about all the styles of training that I truly enjoy. And for a long time that word just was doing a lot of damage because even though I've put in real life work, like learning, you know, lifting, building the muscle, you know, showing up, there's always been this little tug in the back of my mind saying, I have not earned this, that, that I'm not enough. Or that I'm not doing enough, or I'm just a mom, or I am just that person on the other side of an internet of millions and trillions of other people. What difference can I make that feeling? That's imposter syndrome, and I've learned that it does. It definitely does not go away. Just because you're doing the work. In fact, sometimes it shows up because you're stepping into something new. Imposter syndrome doesn't show up when you're staying small or doing the same thing year on out or going along with the crowd. It shows up when you're growing. That's the crazy part to me. It's not a sign that you're doing the wrong thing. It's a sign that you're doing something that matters to you. I had to start referring, I had to start reframing my thoughts instead of, I don't belong here. I ask, why is this space better when I'm in it? When we grow up thinking confidence is something you either have or you don't, but that's not true. Confidence is something you build. Just like muscle. You build it by showing up again and again and again. Even when your brain is trying to convince you that you cannot, you went, you want to know what finally started shifting things. For me, strength training and my coach, lifting weights doesn't just change your body. It reprograms your mind. Every time I stepped up to tonal and hit a pr, even if it was just the smallest one, because y'all know I started, my bench was 32 pounds when I started on tonal something in, something in me just said, you did that, that was you. And that message started to sink in. Not just in the, not just in my gym at home, but everywhere else. It was like, okay, maybe if I'm capable of doing this. Then maybe be, maybe I'm capable of doing more tonal became that mirror that reflected back effort instead of perfection. It showed me that showing up even messy and totally unsure and not knowing what I was doing. That was enough, and then something even more powerful happening happened. I started helping others. I started answering questions in the tonal community, sharing my struggles on Instagram, connecting with other women, going through the same thing. It turns out what people needed from me was not perfection. It was just an ear to listen, to be like, I've been there. I know I'm here to help you. Permission to be real, to be strong and vulnerable all at the same time. So what do we actually do when that voice creeps in? Here are a few. Here are a few things that I have done that have helped me, and I hope that they can help you too. Name that voice. Say it out loud. This is imposter syndrome. When you name it, it's a separate, it's separate from yourself. It's, sorry, let me say that again. It is separate. It is not you. It's a thought, not a truth. Keep proof of file. I'm a huge person of documentation. Y'all know I have my gym journal. I am adamant about adding my thoughts every day about my training, how I felt, how I slept, how I fueled. I'm huge about documenting your journey. I have a folder on my phone with screenshots of kind messages. Prs, uh, wins. Even the smallest ones. I have pep talks saved from all the coaches from classes that I've taken, you know, also their podcast. You know, Tim has a podcast, Joe's podcast, uh, listening to Casey when she goes on her podcast and other friends that have podcasts like Luis just started his podcast. On those days that I doubt myself, I go back and I look at those people, I look, I go to, to hear their voice. Your brain needs those receipts. Give it some confidence does not come before action. It actually follows it. You don't want to feel str. You don't wait to feel strong before lifting the weight, do you? You don't wait before you can, you know, pick up and hit start on tonal. You just do it. You lift the weight to get strong. Same goes for life. We think we're not alone in, we think we're alone in feeling this way, but we are not. The more I've talked about it, the more I've found connections. Start small. DM someone, post something vulnerable. Share with a friend, serve instead of perform. This is a huge one, and this is something that has kind of struck me with like social media and people I follow and. What is their purpose between, are they doing it for the recognition, the attention, or are they really wanting to help people? When I shifted from trying to prove myself to helping someone, everything changed. Even this podcast, when I remember, it's about helping you guys. It is not about impressing anyone. That's when the magic happens. Being open is so scary. I know it leads to a lot of talking. And just remember when people talk about you behind your back, just remember that is a them problem, not a you problem, but being open can also be your superpower. When I started sharing my journey openly, talking about HRT struggles, perimenopause, feeling lost after all these years of motherhood, having a child that has, you know, a health issue, I realized that's where connections happen. People don't connect with your highlight reel. They connect with your human moments. So if you're waiting to be more qualified, more polished, more ready. Let this be your sign. You do not have to wait. You do not have to wait to be ready. You'll all, you are already ready enough. So thank you so much for hanging out with me today. I really appreciate you guys listening to these quick little chit chats. If you were walking, if you were walking through imposter syndrome, I want you to know you are not alone. Your journey matters. Your voice matters, and your strength inside and out is so real. You don't have to have it all figured out. I certainly don't. You don't need to have it all figured out to help someone. All you have to do is see them. I'm a product of a person seeing them sometimes just being one step ahead and saying, Hey, I've been there too. It's enough to make someone feel seen. This podcast is not perfect. I am still growing. I'm still learning, but I am so glad you guys are here. Let's keep building confidence and lifting heavy and showing up together. So if this episode spoke to you or it meant something to you, please share it. Send it with a ffr, send it to a friend. And if you're on the tonal fam, keep showing up for each other. This space has changed my life. So I will see you guys next time next week on Friday for another chitchat. This is strength in numbers.