“I don’t know if I can do it…”

“I don’t know if i can do it`”

Is this you? Do you feel like you’ll never be able to achieve an elite physique? Do a photoshoot? Step on stage?

Here’s the thing: neither did I. But yet, irrespective of that, I tried. I didn’t let that stop me. And trust me, there were many times where I felt like I wish it had.

“I’m going to make such a fool of myself”; “I’ve documented this journey and people are going to see me fall flat on my face”.

I get it. I understand the pressure you may feel. The wariness when it comes to committing yourself fully to a dream such as getting into the best shape of your life. It’s fucking scary! And it isn’t easy. If it was, everyone would do it, right? But having the right support and advice made it much more enjoyable!

So, here are my tips for anyone who wants to get into the best shape of their lives, get photoshoot ready and/or step on stage!

You can’t get rid of self-doubt, but you can learn to manage it

Self-doubt will always be there. You cannot get around it. It’s like a shadow. It comes and goes, depending on the time of the day, or day of the week. Therefore, rather than focusing on eliminating it (which is impossible), focus on managing it.

How? By making sure you control the “controllables” i.e. the variables that you are in charge of. Focus on nailing your training. Focus on nailing your nutrition. Don’t let excuses and tiredness get in the way. Focus on ticking your cardio and step “boxes”.

All these factors are key contributors to your success – if you know that you are executing these tasks to the best of your ability, then you know that even with self-doubt, you’re doing everything in your power to become the best version of yourself.

Know your why and remind yourself of it every day

Getting into elite shape is cool – you get some awesome pictures, you get to document the process, you get loads of praise…. But why are you actually embarking on this process?

Knowing your why is KEY. Because let me tell you this right now: when you are so hungry you could chew your arm off, and then remember you need to go do 40min of cardio, there has to be something more than just looking good that is driving you. It’s as simple as that.

Your why doesn’t have to be one specific thing either. It can be a combination of self-esteem, discipline development, courage, … it can go as deep as it needs to go, and nobody but yourself (and your coach) really needs to know that.

My motto is always this: be INSPIRED by COMMITMENT; CHALLENGED by DISCIPLINE; and DRIVEN by INTEGRITY. That’s my why.

And once you know your WHY, nothing will stop you.

Surround yourself…

I cannot exaggerate how important your inner circle will be during this process. The people you let in will be the difference that makes the difference. From your coach, to your team, to your outside world support system, whoever is allowed in that circle will be pivotal to your success.

Therefore, my final tip and probably most valuable advice is to: (1) hire and invest in a coach who is there to support you unconditionally, and (2) work with a coach who has a team of fellow athletes who will understand and be there for you!

Why? Because these are the people who “get it”. These are the people who will turn around and smack you silly when you say you don’t feel good enough, or that you won’t be ready in time. They’ll remind you of how far you’ve come and will show you your potential. On some days, they’ll also remind you to pull your head out of your arse, and that’s okay too.

They are a crucial part of the puzzle when it comes to helping you manage your self-doubt! There is so much value in being part of a team, and I certainly know that quitting would have been far easier had I not been surrounded by some incredible women I am proud to call teammates and friends.

However, …

Remember that not even the greatest coach in the world can take a single step for you – all they can do is point you in the right direction, but you must be willing to continue to put one foot in front of the other.

Equally, it’s important to highlight that prep is so much more than a diet and a training plan; you’ll need to train your mind, and that’s what separates those who achieve their goal from those who don’t.

Clara Swedlund MSc MBPsS