Confidence Isn’t a Gift—It’s Built
Confidence isn’t something you’re born with—it’s something you develop. Yet, so many people hesitate to step into a physical practice because they don’t feel confident. Maybe past injuries, failed attempts at fitness programs, or the intimidation of starting (or restarting) make you question whether your body is capable.
Here’s what I know to be true: You can shift from doubt and fear to empowerment. You don’t need to be an athlete, a gym rat, or “naturally fit” to feel strong and capable in your body.
Confidence comes from action – let’s go!
Why We Doubt Ourselves
Self-doubt about physical abilities doesn’t come out of nowhere. It often stems from:
Past experiences: Maybe you tried a fitness program that was too intense, left you injured, or made you feel inadequate. Many clients have come to me this way. So committed to their story. That’s where we start – we rewrite the story.
Fear of looking foolish: Whether it’s lifting weights for the first time or attempting a new movement, the fear of doing it “wrong” can be paralyzing.
Comparison traps: Seeing others who seem light-years ahead in their fitness journey can make you feel behind before you even start.
Aging-related concerns: As we get older, we assume losing strength, flexibility, and endurance will become the norm. Spoiler: they’re not.
The problem? Doubt leads to hesitation, hesitation leads to inaction, and inaction reinforces the belief that you “can’t” do something.
But there’s a way out of this cycle.
The Confidence-Competence Loop
Ever notice that the more you do something, the more confident you become? That’s because confidence follows competence—not the other way around.
This is called the Confidence-Competence Loop:
You try something new (even if it’s a little scary).
You realize you can do some part of it.
You build skill and strength over time.
You start to trust yourself more.
That trust turns into confidence.
Confidence makes you more willing to try new things.
Five Strategies to Build Confidence in Your Body
1. Reframe Your Mindset
Instead of saying, “I can’t do this,” shift to:
✔ “I haven’t done this yet.”
✔ “I’m learning.”
✔ “I can start small.”
Ditch the all-or-nothing approach. Just because you can’t do a full push-up doesn’t mean you can’t start with an incline or a wall push-up. Progress is still progress.
2. Start Where You Are
Confidence grows when you set yourself up for small wins. Instead of jumping into an advanced workout program that overwhelms you, find a starting point you know you can succeed at.
For example:
If you’re working on squats but feel unstable, use a chair for support.
If running feels intimidating, start with brisk walking intervals.
If lifting weights seems overwhelming, begin with bodyweight movements.
Having a strong foundation makes the next level feel achievable.
3. Track Your Wins
Progress isn’t always obvious, but it’s happening. Keeping a log of your improvements— strength, endurance, mobility, or simply how you feel—reminds you that you’re moving forward.
Ways to track progress:
Keep a journal of what you accomplish each session.
Celebrate all your victories: better posture, less joint pain, more energy, showing up.
Take note of when movements start feeling easier.
When you see progress, confidence follows.
4. Develop A Physical Practice
A physical practice is a sustainable, intentional approach to movement that prioritizes long-term health, strength, and vitality over short-term goals or rigid routines.
Unlike traditional programs, a physical practice integrates with your lifestyle, evolving as your needs, goals, and abilities change over time. It focuses on creating a lifelong habit of movement that supports overall well-being and helps you live stronger, longer.
A Physical Practice is:
Purpose-driven: Centers on enhancing quality of life and longevity, not just achieving aesthetic or performance goals. They become byproducts of the practice.
Individualized: Tailored to you and your unique body, preferences, and life stage—no one-size-fits-all programs.
Sustainable: Built on consistency and habits that are manageable for the long term. It’s not an all-or-nothing proposition.
The Dose: Emphasizes the right amount of volume, intensity, and frequency for progress without burnout.
It’s a holistic approach incorporating strength, endurance, mobility, regeneration, and mindfulness to support overall health.
5. Surround Yourself with Support
Confidence doesn’t happen in isolation. Having a community, coach, or even a workout buddy can reinforce your belief in yourself.
A good coach helps you see the progress you might overlook.
A supportive environment removes the fear of judgment.
Encouragement from others makes challenges feel more doable.
If you’re struggling with self-doubt, find a space where growth is encouraged, not perfection demanded.
Keep an eye out for the Stronger Second Half Community. A place to reclaim your potential and prove to yourself that strength, vitality, and confidence aren’t things of the past. They are yours to cultivate, no matter your starting point, especially in the second half of life.
When Confidence Becomes Second Nature
At some point, you’ll notice the shift:
“Can I do this?” → “I know I can do this.”
Confidence isn’t about never feeling doubt. It’s about trusting yourself to take action anyway. And here’s the best part—when you build confidence in your body, it spills over into other areas of life.
You stand taller, literally and figuratively.
You become more willing to try new things.
You recognize yourself as someone who can improve, grow, and get stronger—at any age.
Confidence Starts Today
You don’t need to wait to feel confident before you take action. You take action, and confidence follows.
So what’s one small step you can take today?
✔ Try a movement that challenges you (but doesn’t overwhelm you).
✔ Reframe a self-doubt thought into an empowering one.
✔ Track a small win from your last workout.
Confidence is built—one rep, one step, one decision at a time. And before you know it, you’ll look back and realize – you are stronger than you thought.
PS. The story you think it takes may be the thing that's held you back from succeeding or even starting in the past. Let's connect and discuss how you can develop a physical practice. On our call, we’ll explore what’s possible for your life—more energy, confidence, and strength to live life on your terms. No pitch, no pressure, just a chance to discover how this approach can work for you. Message me – I’m excited to hear from you.