By Alexandra Rowland
I never used to take my shirt off at the gym.
Not because I wasn’t strong I’ve always been strong.
Physically strong. CrossFit-coach strong.
But because my body didn’t match the “stereotype” people expect from someone in my role.
If my worth depended on whether I looked like the coach people picture in their heads, then, I guess, I would’ve quit a long time ago.
But I didn’t.
I kept going.
I remember walking into gyms feeling like every step I took on the treadmill was announcing me
BOOM… BOOM… BOOM…
Like my body was too heavy, too loud, too visible.
I was convinced everyone could hear my insecurity with every stomp.
I shrank myself, hid under layers, prayed no one was judging me.
But here’s what I finally learned:
My body was never the problem.
The culture was.
And I’m done feeding that culture.
Now, in the CrossFit gym where I train and coach, I’m taking my shirt off for the first time without fear.
I’ll breathe hard. I’ll move loud. I’ll take up space.
Because I want to build a place where people don’t walk in trying to disappear.
A place where worth isn’t measured by a silhouette but by heart, grit, effort, and courage.
A place where people understand that a body doesn’t have to fit a mold to be respected.
Some people might still look at my body before they look at my work, my strength, or my leadership.
But that’s their limitation not mine.
This body is mine.
It’s powerful. It’s capable. It’s proof.
It carries me, lifts for me, runs for me, and refuses to quit on me.
So I won’t quit on it.
If you see this video, hear me clearly:
Your body is not a barrier to fitness culture.
Your body is fitness culture.
And you are worthy here exactly as you are, and exactly as you’re becoming.
If you’d like to get started on your path of learning your self worth, book a consultation. We can get you started with one of our coaches! Book Here
