Why You’re Closer to Your Goals Than You Think (Even Though it's Christmas)

Hey team, welcome.

I was randomly thinking the other day, and I had a lightbulb moment.

What if the moments you thought were holding you back were really propelling you forward?

At the time, I was lifting weights in the gym with my headphones on.

Using some Apple playlist I stumbled on, Freestyler by Bomfunk MCs came on, and this song got me thinking, as it brought back a flood of memories.

You see, as miserable as it might sound, I’ve always thought your most challenging moments could shape your greatest breakthroughs.

Although I didn't fully understand why I’ve always thought that, this song made the origins of that thought process a lot clearer the other day.

With that in mind...

Let me take you back to when this song was in the Charts, and I listened to it most weekends.

Enjoying staying at my friend's house on the weekend, I’d previously changed schools due to being bullied. Not great at making friends, I turned to sports like boxing, weightlifting, water polo and swimming to connect with good people.

However, I found that even then, I didn’t fit in.?

Remaining a loner, I unexpectedly became friends with one of the most formidable characters in my year. A towering, fearless, and surprisingly insightful guy.?

We seemed to get along.

He liked talking, I liked listening, and somehow, it just worked.

Discovering his other hobbies, he introduced me to the brutal world of Pride Championships, and we’d spend hours watching illegal DVDs of Ukrainian fighter Igor Vovchanchyn.?

Watching these unground fighters take each other on was pretty brutal, but it was also exciting.

Later, he thought it a good idea to spar in his front room, clearing out the tables and chairs to kick, punch, and wrestle for hours.

He liked fighting, I liked defending, and somehow, it worked.

Every week, exhausted, I’d tap out, and we’d discuss tactics until late into the night, lifting weights before sleeping it off. In hindsight, it was pretty brutal, truth be told.?

Still, we weren’t drinking or up to no good, so looking back, I think these experiences, although dangerous, were very healthy and wholesome, even if unconventional.

Continuing this for a few months, I never expected to win, and then the strangest thing happened.?

I did.

It's crazy looking back.

Oh, and I should have probably told you that every time we fought, we’d put that song on that I mentioned, hence the memory.

Without a shadow of a doubt (now that I think about it), those beatings taught me a lot about resilience and unexpected progress, as well as self-defence.

Some 30 years later, whenever I hear Freestyler now, I’m reminded of how those rough, unpolished moments and challenging experiences slowly but surely built the foundations of who I am today.

Just like then…?

“What challenges me, changes me, and makes me who I am”.

Here’s to those friends who push, beat, teach, and help us become who we are.

Super grateful. Here’s the track:

Freestyler

Now…

After that stroll down memory lane, onto the main section of this week’s newsletter.

The Pain of Progress (That Feels Invisible)

You’re the kind of person who thrives professionally.

You’ve nailed the work ethic, built the systems, and achieved the career success you've always wanted.

And yet, when it comes to your health, fitness, and lifestyle, it feels like you’re spinning your wheels:

? The scale hasn’t moved, even though you’ve been trying.

? You don’t feel confident in your body, no matter how much success you achieve

? You struggle with energy and motivation when it comes to taking care of yourself.

You’ve done the work and sacrificed time and energy, but the finish line feels as far away as ever.

Know this: You’re not alone.

For so many high-achievers, it’s not a lack of effort. It’s the wrong strategy holding you back.?

Maybe in the past, you’ve been cutting out your favourite foods, avoiding carbs and spending hours in the gym, giving up social time, and thinking that’s what it takes.

Now, if you’re in your 20s or have never had to lose weight before, maybe that works, but for the rest of us, this isn’t good enough.

In fact, from my experience, these approaches work against you, make progress feel even more challenging, and leads to a slow decline in health and weight gain over time.

Then, when you look around, it feels like everyone else is moving forward.

• Dropping weight
• Showing up with confidence
• Thriving personally and professionally

All the while, you’re stuck, despite working just as hard, if not harder.

The truth is this:

Progress is often happening behind the scenes, where you’re not looking.?

Even when it feels like nothing is changing.

Your efforts are laying the groundwork for breakthroughs that, given enough time, you'll see, just like in the story I told you.

You get beat, you get beat, you get beat, you win, and then you’re grateful for the challenge.

It is what it is.

Then, you use daily gratitude to maintain focus and clarity while looking ahead at a new beginning.

But until that happens, the doubts still creep in.

Asking yourself...

? Do I have what it takes?

? Am I wasting my time with this?

? Why can I succeed at work but fail here?

This endless mental chatter is exhausting, frustrating, and sometimes defeating.

Remember, every small effort compounds over time, bringing you closer to the desired results, even when you can’t see them yet, like melting an ice cube.

Nothing changes, then everything changes.

This doesn’t mean there’s no work being done to get the cube from -10 to -2; it’s just not observable until it reaches its “phase transition.”

It's funny, really.

Anyway, moving swiftly on.

The Truth

Again, the small, consistent steps you’re taking quietly build momentum.?

Every decision, habit, routine, and effort brings you closer to the life you’re working for, even if you can’t see it yet. That's why these moments, the ones that feel like you’ve chalked up a failure, are really the stepping stones to success, as you learn what not to do in future.

Here’s How to Press Reset and Unlock Your Progress

1. Set Goals That Reflect Your Core Values and Unique Life Experiences

Most people set health and fitness goals that focus solely on weight loss, physical appearance, or wanting to look like somebody else, but these goals often feel shallow and lack the deeper purpose needed to sustain long-term commitment.

Instead, take a value-centred approach. Ask yourself:

? What truly matters to me?

? How do I want to show up for myself, my family, and my career?

? When have I felt at my absolute best, and how can I align my health goals to bring me closer to that?

For example, instead of aiming to lose 10 pounds, focus on having the energy to:

? Play with your kids after work without feeling drained.

? Confidently present to your team or lead challenging meetings with presence and focus.

? Stay calm and empathetic during family conflicts or stressful work situations.

? Show up for loved ones when they struggle, modelling strength, vulnerability, and care.

? Be a leader who inspires others by achieving your health and fitness goals, showing them what’s possible when you look after yourself and others, too.

Why do I support this methodology?

Because when your goals are tied to what truly matters to you, they become more attractive, familiar, and enjoyable.?

As a result, they feel achievable because the activation threshold lowers, your motivation increases, and you embrace a meaningful process that drives continuous, ongoing, positive, and long-lasting mindset and behaviour change.

(Meaning you lose weight and look the part with no going backwards)

2. Get Bespoke, Holistic, Step-by-Step Support from the Right Coach

The hard truth is that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to health and transformation.?

Quick fixes and generic programs fail because they don’t account for your lifestyle, challenges, and unique mindset.

A coach doesn’t just give you a plan.

They walk with you every step of the way, helping you overcome challenges and stay on track no matter what life throws at you.

With years of experience as an international weightlifter, fully booked personal trainer, online coach, and mindset and behaviour-change specialist, I’ve developed proven strategies tailored specifically for business leaders, C-suite execs, and high-achieving men.

They know what success looks like in their career and are ready to achieve the same success in their health and fitness.

With a coach, you’ll have:

? Bespoke, evidence-based strategies tailored to your goals.

? A holistic approach addressing health, habits, and mindset.

? Clear, science-backed tools, tactics and accountability to succeed.

3. Strengthen Your Mindset to Overcome Sticking Points

Your mindset is the foundation of your transformation:

? Focus on the process and fall in love with daily habits, NOT just results.

? Adopt a high-intention, low-expectation mindset by showing up with purpose whilst releasing yourself from pressure.

? Make minor, no-stress adjustments that boost your energy, improve mindfulness, and sharpen your focus for the day ahead. These are easy to commit to and will leave you feeling recharged without adding unnecessary pressure to your busy schedule.

? Enjoy the journey. Shift from “I have to do this” to “I get to do this.” This makes the process more rewarding, helping you stick with it for the long haul while seeing real progress on an ongoing basis.

You’re Not Alone

Many of my clients started where you are now, frustrated, stuck, and unsure of the next step.

For example,?Mike?transformed his life from a frustrated founder to an energised leader in just 12 weeks.

When Mike first came to me, he felt trapped. He had tried countless diets and workout routines but couldn’t break through the plateau.

More than that, his confidence was at an all-time low. He dreaded speaking in front of his team and felt disconnected from his partner.

But after 12 weeks of working together, Mike experienced a complete turnaround:

• Dropping 8kg without giving up his social life.
• Regaining the energy and confidence to excel at work and home.
• Reigniting the spark in his relationship that he thought was gone forever.

If Mike could go from feeling stuck to becoming a vibrant, confident leader, so can you.

Then there’s James: From spinning his wheels in the gym to achieving his best body ever, James cut his workout time in half and doubled his results.

When James joined my program, he was frustrated.

He worked hard at the gym but didn’t see the changes he wanted, so felt like his efforts were wasted, which affected his motivation and confidence in himself.

With a personalised strategy tailored to his goals, James:

• Built lean muscle while shedding fat.
• Made his workouts twice as effective in half the time.
• Finally, he looked in the mirror and loved what he saw. (after years of disappointment)

James proved that achieving more with less effort is possible when you have the RIGHT guidance and plan.

Imagine This

What if, instead of spinning your wheels, you could finally break through?

• Picture yourself walking into any room with confidence, commanding attention effortlessly.
• Imagine enjoying your favourite foods and social events without guilt or regret.
• Envision having the energy to tackle your biggest challenges at work while being fully present with your family and loved ones.
• Wake up daily feeling energized, in control, and ready to live your life to the fullest.

This isn’t just a dream. It’s a reality waiting for you, just like it was for Mike and James.

Are You Ready?

If you’re ready to stop feeling stuck and start seeing real, lasting change, I can help.

Email me directly at [email protected] to book a free consultation call.

During our call, we’ll:

• Uncover what’s holding you back.
• Build a clear, actionable plan tailored to your unique goals.
• Set you on the path to a healthier, even more confident and happy version of yourself.

You’ve already proven that you can succeed in your career and personal life. In 2025, it’s time to see that same success in your health, body, lifestyle, and mindset.

I look forward to speaking soon.