Embracing the Middle Ground: My Journey as an Online Personal Trainer

Years ago, while working in magazines, I attended a corporate team-building weekend. It lasted 48 hours, filled with awkward ice-breakers, “trust” exercises, and bonding over warm wine with management. For me, it was an uncomfortable experience, complete with name tags.

Discovering My Placement

As part of the weekend, we completed a 100-question assessment. This quiz aimed to decode our personalities into neat labels. The results were displayed physically, as we were lined up in a horseshoe shape based on our assigned strengths.

On one side stood the creatives. These were the idea people, the intuitives colored outside the lines. They thrived in ambiguity, disliked structure, and often misplaced their pens. Their creative brilliance was undeniable. On the other side were the systems-oriented individuals. Logical thinkers, organized and methodical, they preferred spreadsheets over storyboards. If you worked in HR or finance, you likely found your place among them.

Then there was me.

I stood smack in the middle, along with two others who, like me, didn’t fit neatly into either category. To be honest, I wasn’t surprised, but I certainly didn’t love it. There I was, perched on a fence, a foot in each camp, while everyone else comfortably settled into their defined roles. I wasn’t committed enough to be the free-spirited creative, nor was I methodical enough to be the steady systems type.

Living in the Middle Space

For as long as I can remember, I’ve occupied that middle ground. I appreciate structure, yet too much can feel suffocating. I crave safety but have a tendency to burn bridges when things become overly restrictive. While I work well alone, I truly light up when part of a team.

I desire connection and love, yet I’m incredibly skilled at being alone. I can dream big and think practically in the same breath, which helps me get the job done. Some days, this feels like a superpower. Other days, it feels like I’m floating, unmoored, while others stride ahead with confidence and clarity.

However, years later, I now recognize that being situated in the middle was never a weakness. Instead, it turned out to be my superpower.

The Intersection of Structure and Creativity

As an online personal trainer, I work at the intersection of structure and creativity. Crafting effective strength programs requires not only planning and consistency but also a creative approach. It’s essential to keep workouts varied, motivating, and progressive. Nonetheless, the true transformation extends beyond mere physical effort.

Structure helps build the habit, but lasting change emerges when I assist women in recognizing the emotional barriers and limiting beliefs that prevent them from striving for more. Strength isn’t solely about lifting heavier weights. It’s about expanding their sense of what is possible.

The Paradox of Choice

A psychologist might refer to this as the paradox of choice. When you can see so many possibilities, confidently moving in one direction becomes more challenging. Therefore, my task was to embrace the idea of not feeling "lost" by not identifying strictly as one thing or another. Accepting that my middle ground offers flexibility and range has been key.

By aligning with who I truly am and resisting the urge to reject either structure or creativity, I’ve built a business that reflects my authenticity. For me, the middle space is where the magic happens.

Finding Strength in Your Unique Path

What about you? What’s something you know about yourself that you once thought might hold you back? Have you discovered that it has become your superpower? Embracing our unique traits can lead to exciting transformations.

By accepting our unconventional paths and blending different strengths, we can turn what may seem like weaknesses into powerful assets. Remember, it’s not about fitting into one category or another; it’s about thriving in the middle.

In life and work, understanding where you stand can pave the way for greater success and fulfillment. Don’t shy away from your complexity. Instead, celebrate it, and unleash your unique potential.