Hey there. For most of my life, I took advice from anyone who gave it. If someone looked confident, spoke loudly, or carried themselves like they had the answers, I assumed they knew better than I did. Over time I learned the hard truth. Not all advice is good advice, and not every opinion deserves space in my head.
What I’ve realized is that I only want to take advice from people who are genuinely the type of person I want to be, and who are on a path I respect. If I want to grow in my career, I listen to people who lead with integrity, who build relationships instead of burning bridges, and who have created a balance in their lives that I admire. If I want to strengthen my mindset, I look to people who are practicing self awareness and resilience daily, not the ones pretending they never struggle.
It’s so easy to get caught up in polished appearances, big titles, or impressive résumés. But the truth is, underneath all of that, most people have insecurities and fears just like you and me. The difference is in how they handle those insecurities. I’ve learned to value voices that are honest, grounded, and committed to growth more than the ones that just look successful from a distance.
This goes far beyond fitness. It applies to relationships, careers, finances, and even personal growth. You’ve probably had people tell you what you “should” do in your job, in your family, or with your time. But does that advice actually come from someone who is living in a way you’d want for yourself? Or does it come from someone repeating patterns you know you don’t want to follow? When you pause and ask that question, the answer often becomes clear.
Choosing whose advice you listen to is really about protecting your energy and your future. The people you allow to influence you shape the direction of your life more than you realize. If you want to build lasting change, surround yourself with people who inspire you through their actions, not just their words. Look for consistency, humility, and authenticity. When you take guidance from those people, you’ll feel supported and encouraged instead of drained or pressured.
So the next time someone offers advice, pause before taking it to heart. Ask yourself if this is a person whose path you respect and whose life you’d want to model in some way. If the answer is yes, lean in. If not, let it go. You don’t owe it to anyone to follow along. You get to decide which voices help you move forward and which ones you leave behind.
If you’re ready to surround yourself with genuine support and create a life from the inside/out, I’d love for you to join The YLF Experience.