I am what I am.

 Thanks Shirley Bassey for this title!

People, by nature, can be very judgemental, jealous, envious and down right nasty.

That is the nature of some people for you, it's human nature.

It doesn't matter what are of life you are talking about, there will always be those that are negative about you. Do you know what I think of those people? That's their problem, not mine!

People in the fitness industry are sometimes found strutting, parading, flaunting their muscled bodies, their figures about the place. Showing off their capabilities in this way can lead to envy from others, and in turn, that negative response.

I've never been a strutter, not as a PT, not at all really. Yes, I am fit and healthy and I'm proud of that, but I don't flash my guns about at every opportunity saying, 'Ooh look at me!' I do, of course tell people that I've achieved some epic fitness goals, ultra-marathons and challenges over the years. It's an achievement to be proud of, but I like to think that's pride, not arrogance? I am sure you will correct me if I am wrong, after all, that's just what this blog post is about.

When I was a PT in Totnes, someone said to me at the local gym I worked at, 'Oh, there's a lot of new personal trainers around here now, bet you're worried?!' I said that I wasn't worried, that meant more people had the ability to get fit and healthy in the area. If it was about not getting 'all the work' that they were getting at, I explained to them, that Totnes had four butchers shops, all still in business, all with their own specialities. One was on the other side of town, getting those clients, one was a specialist in steaks, one in baked goods, and the other, well, anyway, they were all still in business because they were unique in what they did, albeit seemingly the same business.

What I do, how I train people is unique to me, no matter how many other trainers there are out there, and I do have some pretty unique ideas at times, just ask my clients. They train with me, because I am me.

I am lucky, there have been very few 'naysayers' when it comes to my business, the occasional keyboard warrior that seems to think they know everything about my business, and how I run it, but no one has ever been negative to my face. That may or may not be to do with my 3rd dan kickboxing black belt status? Only joking! Anyway, those keyboard warriors are easily blocked and rarely cause any real trouble to anyone but themselves.

What does bother me, however, and what I am made aware of a lot, is how others deal with the success of my clients. I have experienced this kind of negativity myself before, and it runs something like this.

- Client achieves a fitness or fatloss goal.

- This is shared either personally, or on social media.

- NOW, there is ALWAYS, always one person, sometimes more, but always one who says this, or similar to it. 'Don't lose any more weight, you're wasting away!'

- You are smiling now, because you know this to be true, you may be 'that person' who says it, and from now on, will be my personal online naysayer only because you know what I am saying is true.

- That person, may, or reasonably may not have, tried to lose weight or get fit, or both, and failed. You are showing them up as a failure, they are jealous of your success, so much that they will be willing you to fail. That is entirely their problem, not yours!

Share your wins! They need to be shared so that people can get jealous, and maybe then motivated enough to get on a journey for health and fitness for themselves. It may encourage others to do the same.

One of my clients recently shared two epic wins with me that she hasn't shared on social media due to work colleagues on her friends list.

Naming no names, I am going to share her wins now, because I know for certain, if she shared them herself, little Nelly Naysayer would have a negative comment or three to say about them. 

The first - she now wears smaller knickers! A whole size! And M&S too, their sizes are more dramatic and noticeable. This is amazing!

The second also falls into the wellness category of what I do, as well as fitness and nutrition.

My client, on receiving some amazing news, did not crack open the bubbly and eat a fatty dinner! She had a cuppa, went to the garden centre and rewarded herself with a herb garden! I love that news, and those two wins in a space of only a few weeks, they make what I do worthwhile, and no doubt, someone out there would have said something like, 'Oh, you're so boring now, I'd have got p****d instead!' We all know how to respond to that kind of comment eh?

Ignore the negative.

Focus on the positive.

BE TRUE TO YOURSELF.

Onwards and upwards!

How do you deal with the Nelly Naysayers?