Fitmark Ambassador Alexa Barbee encourages you to defeat your fears by stepping out and doing what scares you with a positive mindset and attitude
“Do one thing every day that scares you.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
People often get stuck in their ways. They fear change or new experiences. We all do! When I first started my fitness journey, my number one fear was the thing that would actually help me the most… stepping into the weight room!
I wanted so badly to go into that college weight room with no fear and just get an amazing workout in. But all I could think about was the big sweaty guys in there who, at the time, were so intimidating to me! I felt so insecure as a 5’0’’, 105lb girl. I felt “not good enough.” I would get so anxious and worked up before going in, I can’t even count how many times I backed out even after I was already in the gym!
One day, I was just fed up. I was tired of being scared, nervous, and anxious. Lifting weights was something I WANTED to do, so why was I holding myself back? So, I decided to just do it. No more thinking, just doing. That day I was so nervous and self-conscious. I felt like everyone was staring at me! (which they weren’t of course). I pushed through the workout. I kept my head down and my music up loud- and I got through it. With big huge guys lifting all around me, yes. When I was done… I can’t explain how amazing I felt. Not just from finishing a workout, but from facing my fears and actually OVERCOMING my fear! This was the day that changed everything from there on out. I knew that if I could make it through that, I could make it through another workout, and another, and another! I was no longer afraid and it felt liberating.
This moment in my life taught me so many things. I learned that year to try new things I’ve always wanted to do… things that scared me, things that made me nervous. The more I pushed through these first time experiences, the more confident I felt for future experiences. My advice to anyone trying to get over a certain fear or obstacle: 1. Know that the first time probably will be scary, and that you may just have to push through but… 2. It will be all downhill from there! After getting over that initial first time, your confidence will just grow and grow, and it will get easier and easier!
“If your dreams don’t scare you, they’re not big enough!”
Stay fit,
Alexa Barbee
Fitmark Ambassador 2013
