The Power of Not Feeling Ready (and doing it anyway)

So…I did a thing almost two weeks ago.

I competed in the Regional Athlete Games—an athletic competition for Burn Boot Camp trainers. Think of it like our members’ Level Up Games but with one big difference: no modifications allowed. You lift the weight that’s written, you do the reps, you do the movement exactly as programmed. No shortcuts, no “but can I scale?” Nope.

The workout that scared off the most people? Strict chin-ups. Twenty for women (forty for men). If you can’t do one, how do you even attempt twenty? And the kicker: when you break, you get a penalty of twenty ground-to-overhead presses. Good times.

Back in May, I wrote about signing up, and I meant it—I was in. I trained, I worked on my weaknesses, I spent extra days in the gym. Chin-ups, funny enough, became a strength. Cleans and snatches with 35 lbs…not so much. But slowly I got there. A few weeks before the comp, I could consistently lift 35 lbs without feeling like I was about to snap in half. Progress!

And then…I went to England for two weeks. Ate. Drank. Laughed. Did all the vacation things. Sure, I hopped on playground bars for a few chin-ups (dragged my husband into it, too), but essentially? I took the time off. Which meant that when I got back, I had less than two weeks until game day.

Conditioning was rough. The weight still felt heavy. I knew I wouldn’t finish the workouts within the time cap. But here’s the thing: I showed up anyway.

And that’s what I tell my members every single day: no one else can do the work for you. It takes courage to walk into something knowing you’re not “fully ready” and do it anyway.

The coolest part? I wasn’t alone. So many trainers were in the same boat—nervous, not feeling perfect, but showing up and surprising themselves with what they could do.

My personal highlight? A PR: 14 chin-ups with only one break. Four months ago, I could barely get five. And while 35 lbs still isn’t easy, the fact that I could clean and snatch it many times was a huge win for me.

Did I finish all the workouts? Nope. Was my time fast? Also nope. But was I proud? Absolutely.

The energy was electric—not competitive in the cutthroat way, but in the we’re all in this together way. Trainers cheering, music blasting, family and friends lining the floor. It really did feel like a village effort. Because when one of us shows up, it ripples outward. It inspires the people training alongside us, our members, even those watching quietly from the sidelines.

That ripple effect is powerful. It’s why I do this. It’s why I keep showing up even when I don’t feel ready.

“Sometimes the bravest and most important thing you can do is just show up.” ~Brené Brown 

So, my challenge to you: What’s your hard thing? What can you do today that pushes you—even if it feels uncomfortable—because you know on the other side, you’ll be stronger?

Do what makes you happy.