In celebration of International Women’s Day, Headland had the privilege of a visit from Nancy Best to hear about her journey building online female fitness community, Ladies Who Crunch. Her insightful talk delved into topics ranging from growing something from nothing, to the importance of nurturing self-confidence and resilience through exercise. Here, I’ve shared the key lessons and insights gleaned from Nancy’s inspiring talk.
Growing something from nothing
Nancy’s journey began with her realisation that there was a gap in the fitness market. Focusing on helping women get stronger rather than adhering to societal norms of achieving a certain body type, she turned her passion into a thriving business. Her journey underscores the importance of perseverance, resilience, and seizing opportunities, even in the face of rejection. Not to mention finding and celebrating a niche for women, by women.
Building brand you
Nurturing self-confidence is essential for personal and professional growth. Nancy emphasised the significance of confidence-building strategies, such as removing linguistic hedges (a phrase used in a sentence to express ambiguity, probability, caution, or indecisiveness about the remainder of the sentence, rather than having full confidence in the accuracy or decisiveness of your statement), accepting compliments graciously, and setting boundaries with social media. In a paper called ‘Sex-Based Differences in Compliment Behaviour”, research found that 61% of women felt embarrassed by a compliment and 55% of women did not want to draw attention to themselves. By consciously cultivating confidence, individuals can unlock their full potential and achieve their goals.
Resilience and the role of exercise
Exercise not only enhances physical well-being but also plays a crucial role in building resilience. Nancy highlighted the positive impact of exercise on stress regulation and emotional well-being. By reframing the narrative surrounding exercise from punishment to empowerment, individuals can harness its transformative power to navigate life’s challenges with resilience and strength.
Nancy’s presentation served as a source of inspiration and empowerment for embarking on an entrepreneurial journey or enhancing personal development, with lots to take away for Headlanders in the room. By embracing the lessons shared, we can cultivate resilience, foster self-confidence, and empower ourselves to pursue our passions with unwavering determination. As we navigate the complexities of life, these insights were a reminder that it always comes back to basics and just taking small steps will have a great impact on the end goal.
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