3 Powerful Reasons Overweight Struggles Make Us More Alike Than You Think
It can feel nearly impossible to relate to a personal trainer when you’re simply trying to figure out how to start exercising again after years away. Many people believe trainers can’t understand overweight struggles, frustration, or the fear of starting over. But the truth is far different.
One of the biggest mistakes in the fitness industry is assuming everyone should think, act, and operate like a coach. But most of our clients have chosen to be great at something other than fitness—parenting, careers, running a business, serving others, or simply surviving day-to-day life. And that makes complete sense.
The problem is that many fitness professionals unintentionally make people feel like something is wrong with them for not living like a trainer. But that’s not how we see it—not at all.
1. Trainers Know Overweight Struggles More Than You Think
Most personal trainers didn’t grow up fit, shredded, or disciplined. Many battled the exact same overweight struggles you might feel right now.
For me, I was 12 years old, 240 pounds, and deeply uncomfortable in my own skin. I didn’t feel confident. I didn’t feel in control. And anytime someone wanted to hurt me emotionally, they’d call me fat—because they knew it worked.
That sticks with you.
It shapes you.
It stays with you even when your body changes.
So when someone walks through our doors unsure, nervous, ashamed, or lost… I don’t see someone “unmotivated.” I see a version of myself. The age might be different, but the emotions are exactly the same:
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Frustration
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Embarrassment
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Not knowing where to start
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Trying programs that don’t match your life
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All-or-nothing thinking
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Starting strong, falling off, repeating
Those overweight struggles are universal. And trainers understand them far more than you might assume.
2. You Don’t Need to Live Like a Trainer — You Just Need to Start Small
I was lucky. Sports eventually gave me direction. I wanted to be strong for football and basketball, and that pushed me into the weight room. That was my entry point.
But your entry point doesn’t need to be intense. You don’t need to become the strongest or fittest person in the gym. You don’t need to train every day. You don’t need to eat perfectly or follow a rigid plan.
Your only job is to be a little more consistent than yesterday. A little stronger. A little more confident.
That’s it.
Fitness professionals often forget how overwhelming Day 1 feels. But if trainers paused for a moment and remembered their own overweight struggles, they’d understand why jumping straight into a full lifestyle transformation doesn’t work for most people.
You don’t need to do what trainers do now.
You just need to do what they did at the beginning.
3. Your Story and Your Struggles Make You Just Like Us
Some trainers were overweight.
Some were too skinny.
Some lacked confidence.
Some didn’t know where to start.
But almost all of us began with the same fear, doubt, and uncertainty you’re feeling today.
And here’s the truth people rarely say out loud: we’re all still working on it.
No personal trainer has everything perfectly figured out. We all still struggle with discipline, lifestyle balance, stress eating, or body image at times.
That’s why these overweight struggles don’t separate us—they connect us.
When a new member walks into our gym feeling intimidated or feeling like they don’t belong, I can genuinely look them in the eyes and say, “I get it.” Because I do.
And so do many of the coaches on our team.
The Bottom Line
If you’ve ever felt like the fitness world isn’t for you…
If you’ve ever felt like trainers can’t relate to you…
If you’ve ever felt like your overweight struggles make you different…
Just remember: we are the same.
Your starting point doesn’t disqualify you.
Your past doesn’t hold you back.
Your struggles don’t make you broken—they make you human.
And you’re not doing this alone.
Not here.
Not with us.
— James Pratt