How Deleting 3000 IG Posts Released a Major Stress I Didn't Know I Had

Today's blog is one of those ones straight from the heart.

It's not a nutrition protocol, no how-to, but a major realization and relief I experienced the second I decided to stop fitness coaching.

Not sure if you've noticed, but my IG profile is so wholesome now. Wholesome as in I deleted 3000 (yes, three THOUSAND) posts, most of which featured my butt, had too much boobage, or was posted with even the slightest bit of over-sexualization.

Let's rewind for a second. Growing up I was very conservative as a person. I was always covered up, I didn't like attention on me, hell, I even showered with my bathing suit on as I was going through puberty (RED FLAG ALERT LOL) because my sister would always barge into the bathroom. I was shy.

I even once swapped my bedroom doorknob with another one in the house that had a lock on it. My dad was impressed... and made me change it back immediately.

Point is, at the core, I didn't like to show my body.

Now let's fast forward to the peak of my fitness days in LA. My body was ALL OVER the internet. It's what gave me a career. I literally sculpted my body and showcased it on stage, and as a result, had hundreds of men and women asking how to get abs, what they should eat to lose weight, and how to grow muscles.

Tried and tested, me being "in shape" (I like to call it "in shape shape" - like beyond the normal level of fit), would mean my client roster would boom.

Flash the abs on the internet, client. Show the booty, which I might add, was rather round I realized as I deleted every peach pic from my profile, get a client.

This was great at the time because fitness was my passion. I loved helping other people feel confident in their bodies and achieve physique goals beyond their wildest dreams. To me, bodybuilding was an art and a science. It was easy to transform my body and if the clients had the discipline, easy to transform theirs too. It just made sense and I was good at it.

But somewhere deep down, I hated it. The shower-with-your-bathing-suit-on girl inside of me was cringing every time I posted a selfie. Not to mention, THE PRESSURE.

I remember going to pool parties in Vegas hoping I would never run into someone from the internet, terrified that I didn't look the way I looked online. I put so much pressure on myself to have "the perfect body."

Fitness has become more about who has the best body, the most content and the most IG followers, not who has the education and experience.

Did I have to maintain a high level of fitness forever while showing my body on the internet to get clients? It felt like yes. Actually, it's a proven yes. And it's been weighing on me for years, always feeling like I should get "in shape shape" just once more for business. But bodybuilding is far from my passion anymore. Hell, you couldn't even pay me a million bucks to look like a hardcore fitness person again.

And that's when I decided to bow out.

Then the relief hit. Instantly.

Without my business revolving around the gym, I can focus on what TRULY inspires me now: health.

At this point in my life (and all along), health, happiness and achievement is what mattered to me.

By transforming your physical body, it usually meant that your health improved, you were physically more capable, confidence soared, discipline improved, you had more energy, and so much more. A fit life is generally a happier life because you've taken the time to prioritize YOU.

And while health includes the gym, and gym training will always be a part of my life, shifting the focus has given me so much relief. And it conveys a more important message to my clients:

Focus on your health—your gut, your hormones, your mental health, doing things that you love to do to stay active, rest, restore—to give you a happy, long life.

Instead of: focus on changing your physical body to be healthy and happy.

So in conclusion, I'm reminded that living a life that's in alignment with who you are, your values and how you want to convey yourself in this world is so important.

Staying on a path that feels true to you is key to living a fulfilled and authentic life. It’s about listening to yourself, honoring your values, and identifying things that may be causing you stress or misalignment.

And allowing yourself to evolve, never judging where your path has taken you or where you may end up.

I love every bit of my fitness journey. It was important to me at that stage of life, serving a major purpose, and it can be what's important for you in this stage of your life. Fitness IS important. You're allowed to care about the way that you look. And letting go of something that doesn't ignite your passion (or is causing you stress) is important too.

It's not just about what the world expects you to be, but what you truly aspire to be. This realization has brought me a deep sense of peace and clarity, and I hope it inspires you to reflect on your own journey.

Remember, it’s perfectly okay to change paths, to evolve, and to embrace new passions. For me, that meant shifting from a focus on physical fitness to a broader understanding of health—encompassing everything from nutrition to mental well-being, hormone balance, and holistic living.

Take a moment to listen to your inner voice.

What is it telling you?

What changes can you make today to align your life more closely with your true self?

Here’s to living authentically, honoring our true selves, and pursuing the path that brings us the most joy and fulfillment. Thank you for being a part of this journey with me. Let’s keep growing, evolving, and living our best lives.

Stay healthy.

Stay happy.

Stay true to yourself.

- Steph