This is something that’s been on my mind for a while, but have struggled to put into words.
Finally, I decided to take my own advice and be a do-er.
Stop trying to find the perfect words, and just say it.
I’m sensing that a lot of people are really struggling emotionally … more so than at any point since the pandemic began.
I don’t really know why this is happening, but I have an educated guess.
You see, when our world shut down in March 2020 — and, in places all across the country, remained shut down for months — we had to shift into survival mode.
I often speak about the two states of being: Powerful (where we’re open to infinite intelligence and creativity) vs. Primal (fight-or-flight mode, where we’re just trying not to die).
There’s a reason we have the ability to activate fight-or-flight mode. It’s the human being’s defense mechanism. Let’s say your dog runs into the street and there’s a car coming. You need fight-or-flight mode to kick in so you can take action without spending hours contemplating what you should do.
I feel like fight-or-flight mode kicked in for a lot of us during the pandemic … and a lot of us are having trouble turning it off.
And that’s tiring … borderline debilitating, really.
Our bodies and minds are not built to spend a lot of time in a primal state.
And the accumulation of all that stress can have devastating effects … not just on our bodies in the form of weight gain and other critical health markers, but on our minds as well.
We may have been able to put our heads down and power through the pandemic for a period of time.
But we can’t outrun this kind of stress indefinitely.
And I’m sensing that, for many of us, those bills are coming due.
So I want to say this: Whether you’re a current client, a former client, or simply a reader of this blog … If you’re reading this email, I consider myself your coach.
And while I’m educated and experienced when it comes to physical exercise and supportive nutrition, I’m not an expert when it comes to mental health.
Look, I’m struggling with this, too. I may take myself up on my own offer.
Which is: If this is you … if you’re struggling … if you feel like you’re drowning in stress and no longer have the energy to power your way through it … please reach out to me. I’m not qualified to solve this for you, per se. But I’m always happy to talk things through, and would be more than happy to connect you with someone right here in our community who can help.
There, I said it.
I feel better already.
Remember: If you’re struggling with this, reply back and I’ll do everything possible to help out.
Your innie friend and coach,
Paul F. Sweatt CPT PN1
Train Smart. Train Hard. Train Safe. Train to Sweatt
P.S. – Whenever you’re ready, here are few ways I can help you get started with a fresh start to your health and fitness routine:
1. Don’t wait until January to start the next chapter of your health and fitness journey.
Join my 28-Day Resolution Jump Start and get ahead of the stress and extra calories that come with them. My Resolution Jump Start includes: a personalized nutrition and exercise plan designed specifically for your needs and goals so you always know what you need to do to get the healthy and fit body of your dreams, all the coaching you need to keep you accountable and make sure you stay consistent when times get tough, and weekly check in sessions to go over your progress and make changes to anything we need to keep you moving forward. Reply ‘Jump Start’ to get started today.