Let’s be honest—there are days when just thinking about working out feels exhausting. You know the ones. Your sneakers glare at you from across the room while you binge-watch another episode of a show you’ve already seen twice. You hear that nagging voice: “Why bother? You can start again on Monday.” Don’t give in, and learn how to overcome self-doubt.
Self-doubt is sneaky. It creeps in when we’re tired, overwhelmed, or doom scrolling on Instagram watching someone bench press a small car. But here’s the thing: you’re not alone. That voice in your head isn’t just yours—it’s one we’ve all faced in some form or another. It’s one I face fairly often after putting my 14-month-old to bed.
As trainers, we see it all the time: clients who come in excited, then hit a roadblock—mentally, physically, or emotionally—and completely ghost us. We don’t take it personally and know that those individuals let the doubt win. So let me tell you something you need to hear: that doubt? It’s lying to you. You can learn how to overcome self-doubt.
The Truth About Self-Doubt
Self-doubt is part of being human. It doesn’t mean you’re weak, lazy, or unworthy of progress. In fact, it often shows up when we’re pushing ourselves to grow. Success in fitness—or life—isn’t about eliminating doubt. It’s about showing up despite it. You don’t need to have unshakable confidence to start something or to keep going. You just need to take the next step, even if it’s not your best day.
When the Summit Feels Too Far
Think about climbing a literal mountain or the stairmaster, if people still do that. You don’t start by staring at the summit and thinking, Well, that’s too far—I’m turning around. You continue to take one step at a time. Or, like Alex, taking 2650 more steps on his PCT Trek. Or even the 2190 on his AT Journey.
It’s the same with your fitness journey. Maybe today’s step is doing five push-ups instead of ten. Maybe it’s just showing up to the gym even if all you do is stretch and chat with the person next to you. Progress isn’t measured by how dramatic your leaps are—it’s in the consistency of showing up, day after day and finding that motivation.
Practical tips to overcome self-doubt
- Celebrate Small Wins Like They’re Big Deals
- Stop Comparing Yourself to Other People’s Journey
- Ask for Help
- Remember Your ‘Why’ … Don’t Have One? Make One.
Keep Climbing, Even When It Feels Hard. You Got This.