Skipped workouts … Vanishing clients … Pizza, so much pizza… Any of the above can trigger the “I’m a total fraud” thoughts in a fitness professional's mind, but is there any truth to that statement?
Despite client success stories, thriving businesses and constant thank you’s from satisfied customers, many quality Personal Trainers have an underlying fear of being exposed as a fraud. Not because they are frauds, but because they suffer from what psychologists call Imposter Syndrome.
Impostor Syndrome Defined: According to the American Psychological Association and their post Feel like a fraud?, “Impostor phenomenon occurs among high achievers who are unable to internalize and accept their success. They often attribute their accomplishments to luck rather than to ability, and fear that others will eventually unmask them as a fraud.”
I know that totally sounds made up, but let me start at the beginning with my own story. I decided to become a personal trainer after being a long time client. I struggled with my weight my entire life and arguably, I still do. The decision didn’t come easy. After losing 30lbs and completely overhauling my life, I distinctly remember the conversation with my trainer when he suggested I take this up as a profession. My response, “Who would listen to me!? I don’t know anything!” Clearly untrue, but this was the foundation of my thought process. Fast forward to now.
Since diving into the fitness industry, I’ve had hundreds of clients in one capacity or another. I also spent a couple years as a Fitness Manager training trainers how to do this job and given countless Corporate Wellness seminars. If you asked to me to quantify the lives that I’ve touched, I simply can’t. I’m positively affecting most of those people, yet I tend to focus on the ones that I feel slip through the cracks totally undermining my accompaniments with the people I do help. Even more obviously, a missed workout or nutritional slip up can send me into a self-doubt spiral. “If I can’t stay away from sugar, how can I ask my clients too!” The funny part, many of my clients have told me they gravitated to me because I’m imperfect!
Logically, I know I’m an overqualified professional. Yet, I still have moments of sheer self-doubt even after six years training professionally, five major certifications, thousands of hours on the training floor and managing to keeping my own fitness in check - and I am not alone. Imposter Syndrome is one of the most discussed topics among my network of colleagues in our forum Lift the Bar (LiftTheBar.com). I’ve counseled so many fitness professionals through these feelings. They always get a certain satisfaction knowing there’s a name to associate with this confusing and gut-wrenching set of symptoms. That’s what prompted me to write this. People need to know Imposter Syndrome exists.
Coaches and Fitness Pros aren’t the only ones affected. Because of this quote, Maya Angelou is becoming a widely recognized example of someone who may have experienced Imposter Syndrome. She said, "I have written 11 books, but each time I think, 'Uh oh, they're going to find out now. I've run a game on everybody, and they're going to find me out.'"
Some signs you may be experience Impostor Syndrome:
- Obsessing over details and feeling the need to be perfect
- Working more hours than needed, constantly working
- Fear of failure; Taking setbacks or rejections personally
- Undermining your achievements or Discounting praise; giving away credit when you deserve it
- Having thoughts like “I’m a total fake” when you’re actually a qualified professional
Professionals from all fields can experience Impostor Syndrome. If you feel like you may be struggling with this, talk to someone you trust or a mental health professional. Sometimes simply hearing how ridiculous you sound out loud can snap you back into reality, but other people need more strategic help. Creating a support system is key along with celebrating accomplishments and changing your mindset. All of which is easier said than done, but knowing you may need to is the first step in the right direction.
Give yourself some slack, I’d bet you’re crushing it…
Despite client success stories, thriving businesses and constant thank you’s from satisfied customers, many quality Personal Trainers have an underlying fear of being exposed as a fraud. Not because they are frauds, but because they suffer from what psychologists call Imposter Syndrome.
Impostor Syndrome Defined: According to the American Psychological Association and their post Feel like a fraud?, “Impostor phenomenon occurs among high achievers who are unable to internalize and accept their success. They often attribute their accomplishments to luck rather than to ability, and fear that others will eventually unmask them as a fraud.”
I know that totally sounds made up, but let me start at the beginning with my own story. I decided to become a personal trainer after being a long time client. I struggled with my weight my entire life and arguably, I still do. The decision didn’t come easy. After losing 30lbs and completely overhauling my life, I distinctly remember the conversation with my trainer when he suggested I take this up as a profession. My response, “Who would listen to me!? I don’t know anything!” Clearly untrue, but this was the foundation of my thought process. Fast forward to now.
Since diving into the fitness industry, I’ve had hundreds of clients in one capacity or another. I also spent a couple years as a Fitness Manager training trainers how to do this job and given countless Corporate Wellness seminars. If you asked to me to quantify the lives that I’ve touched, I simply can’t. I’m positively affecting most of those people, yet I tend to focus on the ones that I feel slip through the cracks totally undermining my accompaniments with the people I do help. Even more obviously, a missed workout or nutritional slip up can send me into a self-doubt spiral. “If I can’t stay away from sugar, how can I ask my clients too!” The funny part, many of my clients have told me they gravitated to me because I’m imperfect!
Logically, I know I’m an overqualified professional. Yet, I still have moments of sheer self-doubt even after six years training professionally, five major certifications, thousands of hours on the training floor and managing to keeping my own fitness in check - and I am not alone. Imposter Syndrome is one of the most discussed topics among my network of colleagues in our forum Lift the Bar (LiftTheBar.com). I’ve counseled so many fitness professionals through these feelings. They always get a certain satisfaction knowing there’s a name to associate with this confusing and gut-wrenching set of symptoms. That’s what prompted me to write this. People need to know Imposter Syndrome exists.
Coaches and Fitness Pros aren’t the only ones affected. Because of this quote, Maya Angelou is becoming a widely recognized example of someone who may have experienced Imposter Syndrome. She said, "I have written 11 books, but each time I think, 'Uh oh, they're going to find out now. I've run a game on everybody, and they're going to find me out.'"
Some signs you may be experience Impostor Syndrome:
- Obsessing over details and feeling the need to be perfect
- Working more hours than needed, constantly working
- Fear of failure; Taking setbacks or rejections personally
- Undermining your achievements or Discounting praise; giving away credit when you deserve it
- Having thoughts like “I’m a total fake” when you’re actually a qualified professional
Professionals from all fields can experience Impostor Syndrome. If you feel like you may be struggling with this, talk to someone you trust or a mental health professional. Sometimes simply hearing how ridiculous you sound out loud can snap you back into reality, but other people need more strategic help. Creating a support system is key along with celebrating accomplishments and changing your mindset. All of which is easier said than done, but knowing you may need to is the first step in the right direction.
Give yourself some slack, I’d bet you’re crushing it…
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