Lauren’s inspiration to become a fitness instructor
Before becoming a sought-after fitness instructor, Lauren Findlay was a top-notch track and field athlete and fitness enthusiast. In our conversation, Lauren shares how her career evolved and how she overcame self-imposed limitations to achieve her goals.
How did your early experiences lead you to the path of a fitness professional?
My foray into a career as a fitness instructor seemed to come naturally. I was immersed in sports from a young age, always striving to be the best at every practice, every game, and every competition. My urge to excel in sports led me to top-notch track and field, where I had some of the most memorable and demanding challenges of my life. I remember some track workouts where my muscles would become as limp as jelly halfway through the workout, and sometimes I had to lean over a trash can in case my body couldn’t handle it. These moments of extreme training made me start to wonder if I was even qualified to compete. The greater the challenge, the more negative my thoughts became.
Facing the mental hurdles of training and competing quickly became the biggest challenge; I would worry that I wasn’t good enough. I became so afraid of failure that I admitted defeat before I even started. Eventually, I realized that my mind was ready to give up before my body gave in during these tough track workouts. If I wanted to be the best athlete I could be, I had to stop those doubts.
What if I’m not good enough? What if I fail?
I eliminated the word “can’t” from my thought process. I turned my inner critic into a staunch supporter. Those intense workouts definitely made me physically stronger, but I gained more in mental strength, which means self-support. Such a mental shift was crucial to who I am today as a person and as a fitness coach.
Too often we give up on our abilities too soon and let our inner voice convince us that we can’t do something simply because it’s tough. These important lessons about mental toughness and self-confidence have inspired me to help others break through mental barriers and realize their potential. As a coach, my goal is to help you realize how strong you are. My workouts embody this mindset: they may be tough, but you’re tougher. You have to believe that and give it your all.
