BeachBody Success: Becoming Who You Never Thought You'd Become

Melisa's answer to Barbie's question, "Why are you a coach?":

I want to coach because I've become a person I swore I never would become... a fit person.

I grew up sneering at the "jocks" - because they weren't fat and uncoordinated like me. I was so jealous! Even when I lost weight in high school I still hated them, because in my mind I remained the "fat girl" who didn't fit in. I was 5'7" tall and weighed 123 pounds. Fat chick indeed! To this day I struggle with that aspect of my self-image.

I KNOW I'm not the only one to ever have these feelings... alone, unsure and critical of myself, extremely self-conscious. The thing is, when I'm talking to someone who is struggling with their weight or unhappy with their body, I can always see the pain in their eyes... because I was there. I know what it's like to spend every waking moment obsessing over my weight, wondering what other people think of me, not wanting to go out in public, feeling SHAME because I wasn't taking care of myself but caught in a downward spiral of food, depression, and self-hatred... and wanting so badly for someone to see my pain and HELP ME.

When the opportunity to become a coach came my way, I had mixed feelings. The little "fat girl" in me said... "You can't do that! People will reject you. You're not a fitness anything... you're a failure." But there was a small voice inside that reminded me that it was the kindness of other people in my life that helped me quiet those inner demons and become who I am today. Slowly I realized that I could be one of those people for someone else.

It's not always easy to put my fears of rejection aside, but every time I do or say something that touches someone, every time my support helps someone light their fire and commit to making a change in their life, and every time I can honestly say "I know how you feel" to someone who is struggling... I realize that this is the best job in the whole world.

Melisa

To visit Melisa's blog, click here or go to www.changeyourlifewithmel.com

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Note from Barbie: I coach Heather, who coaches Melisa, who is now coaching others to success. We truly are passing it on! Bring it!