For years, I numbed myself to my own health. The scale kept climbing, my energy waned, and I always found reasons to put off making changes. It was an endless pattern of abandoned resolutions and lost momentum—a cycle fueled by fear, self-doubt, and the belief that “this is just life now.” The turn of the calendar to a new year didn’t spark hope; it only highlighted my struggle. Ultimately, everything shifted when I admitted how lost I had become—and that I deserved more.
This isn’t another post about New Year’s resolutions. Instead, it’s a personal dive into reclaiming your health by awakening a “challenger mindset.” That same challenger spirit drives our work at LOOMIS, especially in fields such as healthcare marketing, but even more importantly, it helps us grow in the areas that truly matter. Challenging ourselves—stepping into discomfort and daring to expect better—can spark life-changing ripple effects. For me, that began when I confronted my emotional numbness with honesty and courage.
The Shield of Numbness
Admitting the truth stung: I’d let “good enough” take the place of what I truly deserved. Numbness became a shield protecting me from facing the reality of how far I’d drifted. Just like hitting creative walls at work, I started choosing safety over exploration, routine over innovation. Every time I abandoned another goal, it cemented my belief that change wasn’t possible for me. That defeat—not the effort—drained me the most.
Then came the wake-up call: nearly 300 pounds on the scale. More than a number, it was an alarm. Fear surged, but so did resolve. This time, I ditched extreme plans and quick-fix thinking. I focused on “baby steps,” building sustainable changes—progress over perfection. This time, I aimed for proof, not promises.
Leaning Into Struggle
Everyone struggles—that’s part of the human condition. But surrendering—deciding, “this is just who I am now”—is what truly holds us back, both physically and mentally. We carry the weight of quitting long after the moment has passed. Every time I gave up, it chipped away at my self-belief. I hid my struggles, burying them deep, but silence only made things worse. This was the turning point in my challenger’s health journey—learning that real strength begins when we stop hiding and start confronting what’s holding us back.
Energy crept back in. Confidence grew. Inner peace became addictive.
My biggest obstacle wasn’t laziness or a lack of knowledge—it was expecting overnight transformations. I compared myself to fitness models and, when results didn’t match, lost my drive. The disappointment was crushing, and the cycle repeated. The pattern mirrored work life: setting colossal goals, burning out fast, and losing sight of progress. But these setbacks, I learned, are universal—at home and at work.
What Works—At Work and in Life
Here’s what really sustains progress on a challenging journey, professional or personal:
- Remember your why. Constantly reconnect with purpose, whether it’s the impact of your work or your health journey’s deep motivation.
- Stay realistic. Set smaller, actionable goals; celebrate incremental wins.
- Watch for burnout. Balance push and rest. Long-term success comes from caring for mind and body, not relentless hustle.
- Fail forward. A challenger culture—like LOOMIS’s—embraces mistakes as learning opportunities, not verdicts.
- Lean on a team. Open communication and support make everything easier. Sharing the journey multiplies motivation and keeps growth fun.
Setbacks happen. Everyone deals with them. Resilience isn’t about never stumbling, but about getting back up—learning, adjusting, and showing self-compassion along the way.
Building Lasting Change
Real change isn’t about magic formulas or transformations. It’s built by layering sustainable habits over time. My brother, a gym fanatic, wanted me to do six-month intense challenges. I knew I needed a pace I could keep up for years if necessary. That was my key: find what works personally, even if it’s not someone else’s method.
Some strategies that helped:
- Take baby steps. Track habits, not just outcomes. MyFitnessPal was a game-changer—seeing data, not guessing.
- Break goals down. Big goals overwhelm. Smaller targets keep things doable and let momentum build.
- Find joy in the process. I discovered I loved long walks with my German Shepherd. Walking wasn’t gym torture; it became meditation and daily accomplishment.
- Build a support system. Praise and friendship—family, colleagues, even pets—create accountability and joy in progress.
- Guard your mental health. Mindfulness helped me manage stress, anxiety, and quite negative self-talk.
- Celebrate progress. Victories big and small deserve acknowledgment. The journey itself—not just the outcome—is worth honoring.
The Challenger Mindset Everywhere
Challenging myself to change revealed how much mindset matters. Catching negative self-talk and replacing it with “How can I?” opened doors to creative solutions. It’s core to the challenger attitude—at work and beyond. Instead of hiding from discomfort, face it like a friend, and keep moving forward.
Write Your Own Narrative
Take ownership of your story. Quitter’s Day doesn’t write your script—daily choices do. Remember your why. Celebrate your wins, persist through setbacks, and, above all, offer compassion to yourself. This journey isn’t just physical—it nourishes mind, body, and soul. The best time to start? Whenever inspiration strikes, not just on January 1st.
About The LOOMIS Agency
The LOOMIS Agency is the original challenger brand agency, dedicated to helping underdogs find their voice, blaze new trails, and win in competitive markets. With a proven track record of delivering expertly executed communications programs, LOOMIS helps healthcare and other challenger brands stand out and succeed.