Hey there. As the year winds down, I want you to pause for a moment and collect yourself. Instead of rushing blindly into the next year, let’s take a step back and reflect, not just on this past year but on the years and even decades that brought you to this point.

If fitness has been an up-and-down journey for you, I get it. Maybe you’ve started and stopped countless times. Maybe you’ve seen progress and then setbacks. I’ve been there, too. But here’s the thing: all of those experiences matter. Every attempt, every new habit, every trial, those weren’t failures…they were learning opportunities.

So before you start planning your next move, take stock of everything you’ve tried. Don’t judge yourself—just observe. Write down what you’ve learned, what’s worked, and what hasn’t. This is a chance to give yourself credit for all the effort you’ve put in and to use those lessons as a foundation for what comes next.

The fitness industry often sells us on the idea that there’s one perfect solution. But the truth is, there’s no “end-all, be-all” answer. Fitness isn’t about discipline or perfection—it’s about connecting with yourself. It’s about understanding what works for you and why. When you shift your focus to building a relationship with yourself, everything else starts to fall into place.

For me, this realization changed everything. After years of chasing external validation—trying to lose weight or bulk up to fit a certain image—I realized the problem wasn’t how I looked. It was how I viewed myself. Once I started working on that relationship, fitness became less about pressure and more about sustainability.

As we head into a new year, I encourage you to focus on being present. Appreciate where you are, reflect on where you’ve been, and use that awareness to shape your future. Fitness is just one part of your life—it doesn’t have to define you. When it becomes a habit built on self-respect and connection, it stops being a chore and starts being something you simply do.

If you’re ready to take this approach, I invite you to join The YLF Experience. It’s designed to help you connect with yourself and create a sustainable, enjoyable fitness routine that fits your life.

Sign up for The YLF Experience here!