Rewriting The Script : Narrative Identity & Fitness
“NARRATIVE IDENTITY” - the internalized and evolving story of the self that a person constructs to make sense and meaning out of his or her life.
(APA PsychNet)
How do you perceive yourself when it comes to fitness?
Are you a Lifter, who goes to the gym for strength, aesthetics and/or function?
Are you a Runner, who’s weekly routine is centred around 1’s and 2’s out on the Road?
Are you a self-proclaimed Non-Gym-Goer, who’s perception of their self renders them inappropriate for any fitness-related environment?
To tell the truth, I have fallen into all 3 of the above over the years - and I have since learned how significant an impact one’s Narrative Identity has on mental and physical wellbeing.
In this post, I am going to delve into my own journey with how I perceive myself, how it impacted my life, and tips on how to Rewrite YOUR Script to achieve what you’ve always wanted to without the limitation of self-narrative…
Finding Your Place
Health & Fitness Collectives (Gyms, Running Groups, CrossFit Boxes, Sports Teams etc) are intimidating prospects.
The prospect of going into one of these already-established collectives was overwhelming at the best of times.
Combine that with being at a point of my life where social anxiety was peaking on the back of being in hospital, and speech akin to that of a scouse gent 12 pints deep (barely legible), and the result was all the more tricky.
Trying to convince myself to rewrite the inner narrative I had about being worthy of sharing this space with pre-existing members was a battle that continued even after signing up and joining the gym. The voices became quieter and quieter over time as I became accustomed to the environment - largely due to the fact other people who I started to see regularly began striking up conversation.
Frequency of Exposure to the environment helped shift the narrative - you learn that people who look like they know what they are doing were in exactly the same position once. You learn that they had exactly the same challenges, trials, mental warfare when it came to the gym.
Over time, I found a ‘place’ in fitness - not necessarily the actual gym itself (although in this case, maybe), but more of a psychological place. I accepted my identity as a regular gym-goer, who took part in spin classes and strength work in equal measures.
Tip #01 - Confront Environments that seem daunting to make the step away from perceived ‘Non-Gym-Goer’; over time, you’ll find your place and become comfortable and confident within a newfound identity…
Run Your Own Race
Metaphorically, but also literally.
As a Coach, one of the things I talk about with my Runners is staying in your lane when it comes to an event: keeping to YOUR strategy and eliminating noise around you (ie not giving a f*ck when someone executes an overtake…)
But I feel the essence of this phrase applies for anyone trying to get into the stomps, and find their identity as a ‘Runner’.
What do I mean?
The person who jeffs (walk/run) a 5k in 40 mins is as much a Runner as the bloke knocking out half marathons at a 4:00/km pace like its nothing.
Yes, abilities massively differ; but that doesn’t detract from a shared sense of identity.
Take parkrun as a prime example. Thousands across the UK who turn up every Saturday morning at 9am to run as one. You have people pushing boundaries at sub-15 minutes running side by side with those for whom it may be their first ever 5k.
You have the most vast range of demographics - age, height, weight, training age, experience.
Turning up week in week out. All because they share a narrative identity as ‘parkrunners’.
When you start getting into running, it’s easy to feel intimidated by other people out there - the pace they run it, the distances they are going. BUT, one of the things I have always cherished about running is the individual battle - to use a horrific cliche, ‘you vs you’.
As soon as you start focusing purely on bettering YOURSELF, and again eliminating the noise around you, you start perceiving yourself as a runner.
And when that happens, you’ll find yourself achieving so much more & motivationally gassed to keep progressing.
Tip #02 - Stay in your Lane ; eliminate the noise, run your own runs, and call yourself the runner that you are. Invest in the trainers, buy the gear, sign up to a race - if you’re doing it on the regular, you deserve it.
Against the Grain - Women vs Strength
When it comes to lifting, the stereotypical demographic has always dissuaded women from getting on the strength training wagon - a perfect example of a socially defined identity that limits participation.
However, a shift is occurring that has rocked the historical norms; whereby women are becoming more and more prevalent on gym floors across the country.
The Narrative Identity that female lifters attach to themselves is no longer one of a bulky minority who compete in powerlifting; but one of strength, both mentally and physically.
One where body shape, age, and appearance becomes null and void.
Where daily achievement in the gym becomes a key driver in the lives of successful women.
In the 4 years that I have been in the industry, I have seen huge changes occur in the shared identity of women who train - and, having been lucky enough to work with so many amazing ladies, I have experienced first-hand the sheer impact that strength training has on their minds and bodies.
Although more work needs to be done to encourage and promote female participation in strength training, the Narrative Identity of the Female Lifter is one associated with more self-confidence that extends far beyond the realms of fitness, a more positive & growth-orientated outlook on life, and the unparalleled feeling of physical strength that exude a sense of fulfilment.
Tip #03 - For the Women out there : there’s never been a better time to get into Strength Training. Push back against the archaic identity holding you back & break down the barrier. Realise the insane benefits of being a Female Lifter can have on your entire life…
Changing Who You Are (?)
I chat a lot about all these different NI’s - but does the transition require a complete overhaul of who you are?
Nope. That’s the beauty of it.
People think that when they become a Runner, they have to dress like one; when they become a Lifter, they have to wear skimpy stringer vests, neck disturbingly-fluorescent shakes, and listen to hardcore DnB.
Couldn’t be further from the truth.
I’ll take myself as an example. I have slightly mental ginger hair; a questionable sense of fashion; an even more questionable sense of footwear; and probably the most eclectic taste in music you could imagine.
Trust me. Goes from the soundtrack from ‘Up’ to Five Finger Death Punch in the flick of a button….
My point is, I am a bit of strange - and I do absolutely fuck all to change who I am when I am in the gym.
Nor when I run. If you live in TW, you’ve seen the shorts. And the shoes…
What I have learnt is this: there is a place for everyone in the World of Fitness.
Everyone has their own identity, and we should celebrate each and every personality that walks through the doors of the gym, or laces up the shoes ready to run, as their own entity in Fitness.
You may have a mix of tastes when it comes to activities - that’s awesome! That is YOUR Narrative, that is how YOU become a better version of yourself through exercise.
I for one spend most of my time running ultramarathons (told you I was nuts), but I also train regularly in powerlifting, bodybuilding & functional-styles of training. Opposite ends of the strength-cardio continuum, but it works for me!
Tip #05 - Bring Your Entire Self into whatever fitness activities you have a crack at. What I am promoting here is merely ADDING a different, powerful facet to your existing identity - an extra, potent string to your psychological bow….
The Final Word
How you perceive yourself makes a f*cking big difference.
As soon as you take the mindset of an ‘Everday Athlete’ - be that runner, lifter, crossfitter - you will take steps to engrain exercise into your weekly routine, and find yourself acheiving more than ever before.
Revel in the Identity you give yourself. At first, it may seem like adopting some sort of artificial role. Before you know it, it’ll be entrenched in who you are: physically stronger, more resilient and ready to take Life by the balls…
Big love,
Hx