The truth is, a lot of people are used to being stressed. It’s almost become a badge of honor—proof that you’re grinding, busy, and pushing hard. While everyone has a different tolerance for stress, I’d argue that most people’s tolerance is far too high. We adapt to chaos, convince ourselves it’s normal, and end up running on empty without even realizing it. Most people are already capped—overwhelmed by life, responsibilities, and the constant pressure to do more. When you’re maxed out, even the smallest new task can feel impossible. This is why stress management is so powerful. This isn’t just true for the average person—it’s true for high-level athletes too. That’s why mindset coaches are becoming more popular in the sports world. Top athletes are realizing that the connection between mindset and performance is everything. It’s not just about physical ability; it’s about how you handle pressure, adapt to setbacks, and stay mentally sharp when it matters most.
Stress doesn’t just live in your mind—it affects your body and your results in the gym. You can add all the training and nutrition strategies you want, but until you start working on what’s in between your ears, real progress is out of reach. Your mind and body are connected—don’t forget it. High stress impacts recovery, focus, and your ability to push yourself during workouts. To make real progress, you have to make room. This means setting boundaries, prioritizing what truly matters, and managing your time effectively. Without this space, even the best training plan will feel like just another task on your never-ending to-do list. Stress management is about reclaiming your capacity to change and making sure that your energy is spent on what actually moves the needle forward.
The Real Barriers: It’s Not About Food or Training
Here’s the reality: you spend maybe 2-4 hours a week training. What about the other 90% of your time? That’s where the needle moves. The biggest challenges I’ve seen are:
- Lack of boundaries: Overcommitting leads to burnout, which kills motivation.
- Inability to enjoy life or be present: Constantly chasing results without celebrating wins leads to a victim mentality.
- Victim mentality: Blaming circumstances instead of owning your decisions prevents progress.
- Lack of Creativity and Problem-Solving: Stress limits your ability to think outside the box, making it harder to adapt.
- Past trauma and food relationships: Preconceived notions about food can sabotage progress before you even start.
These aren’t just abstract concepts—they’re the reasons why so many people struggle to see long-term results.
The Hard Questions You Need to Ask
Improving stress management starts with asking yourself some uncomfortable questions:
- What boundaries am I not setting that are draining my energy?
- Am I avoiding hard decisions because they’re uncomfortable?
- What’s my relationship with food really about—control, comfort, or something else?
Being honest about these things isn’t easy, but it’s essential if you want to create real change. The real reason people come to me isn’t because they don’t know what to do—it’s because something’s not working. Everyone gets stuck now and then, but the truth is, most people stay stuck because they keep doing what’s familiar, even when it’s not serving them. The routines, mindsets, and habits they rely on might feel safe, but they’re often the very things holding them back.
Building Capacity for Change
The key to managing stress isn’t about adding more to your plate but making room for what actually matters. This comes down to:
- Educating Yourself: Understanding what triggers your stress and why.
- Setting Boundaries: Learning to say no without guilt.
- Willingness to Change: Being open to adjusting parts of your life, even if it’s uncomfortable.
Stress management is the foundation that allows everything else—nutrition, training, and recovery—to fall into place. Without it, you’re building a house on sand. So if you’re feeling stuck, it might be time to shift your focus from what you’re eating or how you’re training to how you’re managing everything else.
