Hey there. In the health and fitness space, there’s a message I keep coming back to because it’s the foundation of everything I do: Changing how you look on the outside will never give you the deep, lasting appreciation for yourself that you’re seeking. Sure, when you lose weight or build muscle, you’ll feel good for a while, but if you don’t work on your relationship with yourself, those changes won’t bring the self-love and confidence you truly want.
That’s why my core message, and the foundation of Your Level Fitness, is built around an inside-out approach. The work starts internally, and the six minimum daily actions that we emphasize are designed to help you build that internal relationship with yourself.
Keeping It Simple & Sustainable
Another key point I always stress: Keep things simple. When it comes to fitness and nutrition, all you really need is an eating and exercise plan that you can do consistently. That’s it.
And since this is something you’ll be doing for the rest of your life, why not build it around your preferences? Start there. The more you tailor your approach to what you enjoy, the more sustainable it becomes. Over time, you’ll naturally incorporate more nutrient-dense foods while still making space for the foods you love.
No food needs to be completely off the table. Instead, through experience, you’ll learn what works best for you, how often you enjoy certain foods, and how to structure your approach in a way that supports your long-term goals.
The Fitness Industry’s Dirty Little Secret
The fitness industry thrives on selling transformations. Six weeks to this, ten weeks to that. It’s all about the before-and-after. And sure, transformations sell because they promise a clear and tangible outcome. But here’s the dirty little secret: You can achieve that "after" photo and still feel just as insecure as you did before.
That’s because the industry has historically focused on external change without addressing what truly drives our actions, our core beliefs about ourselves. This is where habit-based coaching comes in. Rather than fixating on rigid outcomes, it helps you develop the habits that will carry you forward for life.
That’s why I love habit-based coaching. It aligns with my inside-out approach. Long before I even called it that, I was talking about this idea, how you feel about yourself is what really matters. This belief is woven into everything I do, from my podcast to my daily emails, blog posts, and social media content.
Using Fitness as a Tool, Not an Identity
Fitness should be a tool to help you build confidence, resilience, and consistency, not a measure of your self-worth. Too many people tie their value to the scale, to how lean they look, or how their workouts stack up against someone else’s. But real success comes from understanding that fitness is just one piece of your life, not your entire identity.
And because the fitness industry and modern life constantly push us to compare ourselves to others, it’s more important than ever to intentionally focus on self-acceptance. The more you connect with yourself and appreciate your own journey, the less power external pressures will have over you.
This Approach Doesn’t Replace Therapy, But It Helps
I also want to be clear: Developing a healthier relationship with yourself and building positive habits isn’t a replacement for therapy. I believe most of us would benefit from working with a therapist at some point. However, just like working with a personal trainer can help structure your workouts, a habit-based approach to self-care can provide clarity when it comes to understanding your behaviors and patterns.
Imagine walking into your first therapy session with a journal full of reflections on your daily habits, mindset shifts, and self-perceptions. That alone can give you a huge head start in uncovering what’s holding you back and where you need to grow.
A Sustainable Approach, A Lifetime of Growth
Everything I do at Your Level Fitness is designed to help you create an approach to fitness and self-care that works for you, not just for a few weeks, but for a lifetime. I want you to feel confident in your ability to make decisions that support your health and well-being without relying on trends, gimmicks, or external validation.
If you’re ready to start taking control of your own journey and want guidance along the way, I encourage you to join The YLF Experience. This is a structured program designed to help you implement these principles in a way that fits your life. You don’t have to figure it all out alone—I’m here to help.
👉 Join The YLF Experience today: Sign up here