Just Keep Showing Up

I have adopted this mantra for my personal training clients, “just keeping showing up.”  A quote from Woody Allen says, “Eighty percent of success is just showing up.”  I love that quote and believe it to be true.  So many of my clients have stopped and started an exercise and nutrition program so many times over the years, they come to me lacking self-confidence and full of fear that they are going to “fail” again. 

My first job as their coach is to redefine failure.  Failure to me is when you quit showing up.  When you stop trying.  When you throw in the towel and succumb to that evil voice inside your head that says, “I knew I couldn’t do it, I failed at my attempts to get healthy again.”

Men and women alike are fearful of this change process.  It’s so easy to feel overwhelmed and afraid when we get out of our comfort zone.  From my twenty-five years experience as a fitness professional I think coming to a gym and starting an exercise program can be one of the most courageous things you can do, especially when you are very de-conditioned. 

I remember the first time I walked into a gym in Bismarck, North Dakota where I grew up.  I was a scrawny little ninth grader who had this dream of getting bigger, faster and stronger for football.  Me and my buddy decided we wanted to join a gym and there weren’t too many options in Bismarck at that time.  We decided that a gym called Third Street Gym was going to be our gym of choice.

I will never forget that experience.    I was a little nervous in the first place, and as I walked into the gym, the first thing I saw was a guy lifting biceps.  His arms were significantly bigger than my legs.  I took one look at my friend and I knew he was thinking the same thing.  We were so intimidated by this guy, we turned around and walked out with our tail between our legs. 

Thankfully, we got the nerve to go back to that gym a couple of days later and decided to join.  That guy who intimidated us, turned out to be one of the nicest guys.  He actually helped me and my friend learn about strength training and how to lift properly.

I have been showing up in the gym now for the past 36 years.  I just keep showing up, staying fit and strong.  That is what I want to challenge you to do.  Keep showing up.  Get out of your comfort zone.  I believe one of the best things you can do to overcome any fear you may have is to hire a qualified personal trainer/coach. 

Why go it alone?  Why struggle to try to figure out exercise, nutrition, stress management, supplements, movement and improving sleep by yourself?  One of the best things I have ever done was to hire a business/life coach.  It has changed my world.  She challenges and encourages me at the same time. 

I would like to think that is what I do with my clients.  I challenge, encourage and inspire everyone that I work with to be their best. 

I train people for performance and for life.  I help people get healthier, fitter and better in all areas of their life.  I help people get stronger physically, mentally and spiritually so they can live life to the full. 

2nd Chronicles 15:7 says, “But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.”  Just keep showing up.  Your efforts will be rewarded.  You will see results. 

If you are ready to take a chance on yourself and re-write your story on a total health transformation, please reach out to me at troy@troyismir.com.  I would love to partner with you and create new possibilities in your life.

Troy Ismir, MS

Spiritual Warrior

Personal Trainer and Health Coach