My son Mateo did something a few weeks ago that really stuck with me.
He’s been doing gymnastics for a few years now. When kids are younger, a parent goes out onto the floor with them. You’re right beside them the whole time, helping them along, making sure they feel safe.
A few weeks ago, that changed.
For the first time, I wasn’t going onto the floor with him. I was standing behind the glass watching. He could still see me, but this time he had to go in on his own.
And for Mateo, that was a really big step.
The first day, it was just him and me. He was absolutely terrified. He kept asking if I could come in with him. A lot of the other kids were feeling the same way. Some went right in. Others stayed back. Mateo definitely wanted to stay back.
The coach explained that this was the next step. They had to learn how to go in on their own.
The class is an hour long, and for most of it, Mateo just couldn’t bring himself to do it. But with about ten minutes left, they brought out the trampolines. And Mateo loves the trampoline.
Before he went in, I could tell how scared he was. He wasn’t crying, but you could see him trying to hype himself up. Then he did it. He walked onto the floor by himself.
The moment he started moving, talking with the coaches, and actually doing the thing, everything changed. He lit up. When he came back out, he was so proud of himself.
He looked at me and said, “Dad, look. I can do hard things.”
That’s something I tell him all the time. And honestly, that was a really proud dad moment.
It also immediately made me think about adults and fitness.
Because that moment Mateo had standing outside the gymnastics floor is the same moment I see a lot of adults face when it comes to starting their fitness journey.
That hesitation.
The nerves.
The feeling of not being quite ready yet.
And this time of year tends to bring those feelings to the surface even more.
January is when intentions are high. Motivation feels strong. People start thinking seriously about their health, fitness, and nutrition. New routines. A fresh start. But it’s also when a lot of people are standing right on the edge, wanting to begin, and trying to figure out where they actually feel comfortable taking that first step.
And while most people assume this is our busiest time of year, January actually isn’t overly busy at MVMT Strength.
What we usually see is a lot of people starting somewhere that feels a little safer or more familiar. Access style gyms. Think Fit4Less, Planet Fitness, places like that.
And those gyms can be great.
If you have the motivation, discipline, and knowledge to train on your own, they’re an awesome option. They’re affordable, flexible, and often feel less intimidating. You can put your headphones in, head straight to the treadmill, maybe the elliptical, which is definitely not my favourite, and just do your thing.
Our gym looks different.
Even though there are usually fewer people in the building at any given time, from the outside it can feel more intimidating. People worry that all eyes are on them. That they’re being judged. That they don’t belong yet.
Anyone who’s a member here would tell you that couldn’t be further from the truth. But I also understand why it feels that way.
Starting is often the hardest part.
That moment before you walk in.
The nerves.
The self doubt.
The fear of doing it wrong.
Very similar to what Mateo felt standing outside that gymnastics floor.
If you’re a current member and you remember your first day, amazing job. You did a hard thing.
And if you’re reading this and you’re not a member yet, and you feel a bit like Mateo did that day, I want you to know this.
We will take care of you.
We will meet you where you’re at.
We will teach you.
We will support you.
And you will not be judged.
Sometimes the hardest part isn’t the workout.
It’s just walking through the door.
And once you do, you might surprise yourself with what you’re capable of.
-Isaac Morgado
Owner
MVMT Strength