“Fall Down seven times, get up eight” 

Yesterday I had a conversation with a patient at our office who is trying to find her way back to a healthier lifestyle.

We spent a lot of time talking about what she’s tried in the past. Most of it revolved around changing habits, improving nutrition, and adding some exercise.

When I sit down with someone who wants to make a complete 360-degree life change, I always like to understand what got them to the point they’re at today.

Often it takes a moment of reflection.

Maybe it’s “literally” looking at yourself in the mirror.

Maybe it’s getting bad news back from your doctor.

Or maybe you just wake up one day and think, “I want to feel better”. 

What intrigued me about this individual is that she has done a lot in her journey. She’s incredibly hard-working. As much as she says she doesn’t know what to do, I know she does. 

She listens to motivational speakers.

She understands that small habits create change over time.

She knows where she is—and where she wants to go. 

The list goes on to create a good recipe for change. 

She mentioned that she tried a six-week challenge at a local gym. The challenge included six weeks of group classes and some nutrition guidance.

I asked how she liked it.

She said it wasn’t for her.

Of course, I asked why.

She told me she didn’t like not knowing what to do. Everything felt rushed moving from one movement to the next. She felt like everyone else already knew what they were doing while she was just trying to keep up.

I think we all know this feeling. Exposing ourselves to new things and experiences to be left feeling like you don’t know what you are doing. I often feel this myself starting a new business.

Something powerful came out of our conversation.

It reminded me of something I struggle with myself in understanding its purpose: 

The power of trying and failing until you get it right.

She may feel like she’s stuck on a hamster wheel that keeps spinning, but every once in a while, she throws herself off it.

She tries something new to see if it sticks.

And that matters.

I told her: what if you just haven’t found what works for you yet?

What if the goal isn’t perfection, but simply being willing to get uncomfortable… just to try?

To try for the sake of change.

To try for the sake of health.

To try for the sake of longevity.

You know the old quote: *If nothing changes, nothing changes.*

It’s simple. 

But it’s also one of the most honest truths there is. I go back to that a lot in my own development.

We spend so much time trying to stay on the hamster wheel because it’s comfortable. 

Eventually the momentum carries us along and life starts to blur.

Then something happens that knocks you off.

Maybe a family member gets sick.

Maybe your doctor tells you that you have diabetes.

Maybe that chronic pain makes you feel unbearable.

The list is endless.

At that moment you have a choice.

You can tell yourself that nothing works for you…

or you can tell yourself that you haven’t given up yet.

That you can still try today.

And try again tomorrow.

And maybe—just maybe—you’ll eventually find what works for you.

Maybe you’ll rewrite your story.

Maybe one day your story will inspire someone else to do the same.

I’m writing this because so many people give up and decide that this is just how their life is going to be. They hold on to it like it’s an identity. They believe that because they tried and didn’t succeed, their story is already written. And as I write this it brings tears to my eyes.

But here’s the truth.

The answer is in the becoming.

It’s in the continued effort of trying & failing before you ever succeed.

It’s in the day you look in the mirror and say, *“Fuck it… let’s just see what happens.”*

If it doesn’t work

You try again.

And again.

And again.

Despite failure.

Despite doubt.

Despite everything stacked against you.

Because you owe it to yourself to find out how far you can truly go in this life you were given.

I hope this serves as a reminder to Keep Going & to not give up on your Pursuit to better Health & Fitness. 

,Coach Paul