Love this Facebook page and this post so thought I’d share- thank you ingrid!
“I was just having a chat with a good friend (whom I respect in the fitness industry) about all we dislike about it. And I was explaining to her that I have really spent the last year distancing myself from so much of it. Don’t get me wrong, I am still here….. doing what I do! I AM part of the fitness industry. I still spend my days helping women build a lifestyle that will lead them to a happy, healthy, place of security and confidence because they tap into their strengths and accomplish what they thought they couldn’t. I spend my days being a wife, a mom, working on myself and my health and fitness, and reaching women to help them do the same.
But I have felt the need to distance myself from so much of what the “industry” has become because what I see, that I used to be completely immersed in, is a bunch of self absorbed, shallow, narcissistic twats. And I just can’t with those people. I mean really, we have all seen your cleavage selfies every single day for the last 2 years. Who are you inspiring? You are only feeding your vain need for affirmation. That tells me you are SO insecure and while you may have a pretty body, it’s not at all inspiring. It makes me feel kinda sad because your lives lack substance beyond your own reflection in the mirror. You fail to see LIFE, you know, the big picture, beyond how high you can hike your tits, or how pouty you can make your lips like….. while pretending that’s your “natural” look. If I see one more “deep & profound quote” next to a set of silicone melons, I am going to puke. Real life is so much more expansive than this tiny little microcosm of insta models. So….. instead of wanting to divorce humanity every day for it’s shallow and transparent existence, I have just unfollowed all of the people who have nothing more to offer than pictures of themselves.
But after having this chat my good friend, I decided to explain why i have distanced myself. Because I want other people to know that you CAN make a difference and empower other women, you can help them tap into their inner strength and take them on that journey of self discovery to a place of security and happiness with themselves, but not until you have found that place first. And when you are deeply secure with who you are, you don’t crave the attention and approval of nameless, faceless strangers on social media. You just get on with getting on and doing what you set out to do. But sadly, MANY use the guise of “helping people” and “inspiring women” to feed their deep seated insecurity and need for constant approval. I promise, you can love yourself and be happy and secure with your body even if it’s not plastered on social media everyday…… But…. everyone has his/her own choice to make about how they want to put themselves out into the world. Of course, it’s their prerogative to do so. And the only thing I can control is me and my actions. And after spending a long time trying to fight it and hoping it would “clean up” and more people would “get it”, I just decided to largely withdraw from it. Because honestly, I do not want to be aligned with it. I used to believe that the health and fitness industry was about health and fitness. I used to believe that people were truly in it to help others discover their passion to better themselves. But then I learned better and I realized that 90% of it is little more than self serving, egotistical, self absorbed, attention grubbing, shallow, and lacking genuine substance. It was a sad day when the realization hit me. But once the veil lifted, i can’t unsee people for who they really are.
And unlike most people who make these types of posts – I didn’t have a change of heart because I quit competing and fell out of shape, so by dismissing others in the industry, it makes me feel better about my failure. No, I am still in the same shape I have been for years. Lean, mean, strong, fit and getting on with life. Why? Because it’s my lifestyle. Has been for years and will continue to be. Even if I don’t post pics of my 6 pack abs, or quad separation…..
I know there are more people out there like me, who want to be difference makers but think there isn’t a place for you unless you fall into the main stream bull shit. Don’t give up. Keep following your passion and making a difference. Because a tree that falls in the forest still makes a sound, even if there isn’t a full audience there to hear it.”
This was written by one of my favourite bloggers/writers Carlene Skeencamp and I so loved this and thought most FIO girtls would too. (I have put her photo up as the FIO mast too)
