Tom

Hello, everyone! I’m thrilled to welcome you to the second episode of the Gym Owners Forum podcast. My name is Tom, and I’m joined today by the inspiring Sarah Jane Fitness. In this episode, we’re diving into a topic that hits close to home for many of us—self-doubt. We’ll discuss how it impacts our lives, how to overcome it, and, interestingly, how it can sometimes help us grow.

Sarah Jayne

Thanks for having me, Tom! Self-doubt is such a universal feeling. Everyone, no matter their level of success, deals with it at some point.

Tom

Absolutely. For me, self-doubt has often come up when I’m starting something new. It’s like this nagging little voice that says, “What if it doesn’t work out?”

Sarah Jayne

I completely get that. When I was starting my fitness business, I had this constant fear of, “Who am I to do this?” I doubted whether anyone would take me seriously. But I realized that self-doubt isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It’s a sign that you care about what you’re doing.

Tom

That’s such a powerful perspective—reframing doubt as a sign of passion. Do you think it ever becomes helpful?

Sarah Jayne

Definitely! If you’re doubting yourself, it usually means you’re pushing outside your comfort zone. It’s where all the growth happens. But the key is to not let it paralyze you. Take action, even if it’s a small step.

Tom

I love that. Sometimes we overthink things to the point of inaction. Taking a single step can build momentum.

Sarah Jayne

Exactly! And it’s also important to remind yourself of your past successes. I like to journal my achievements, even small ones, to look back on when I’m feeling stuck.

Tom

That’s a great tip. I’ve also found it helpful to surround myself with supportive people—people who remind me of my potential when I can’t see it myself.

Sarah Jayne

Absolutely. Your environment shapes your mindset. Negative voices, whether external or internal, can drag you down. But a strong, positive support system can lift you up.

Tom

Speaking of support, how do you handle feedback or criticism? That’s something I know many people struggle with when they’re already feeling doubtful.

Sarah Jayne

Oh, it’s tough! Early on, I took every bit of criticism personally. But over time, I’ve learned to separate myself from the feedback. If it’s constructive, I use it to grow. If it’s not, I let it go.

Tom

That’s such an important skill—learning to discern between helpful feedback and noise.

Sarah Jayne

Exactly. And failure is a big part of that. Failure isn’t the opposite of success; it’s a stepping stone.

Tom

I couldn’t agree more. I’ve had projects fail, ideas flop, but each one taught me something valuable.

Sarah Jayne

Same here. The biggest takeaway is that failure doesn’t define you. It’s just part of the process.

Tom

This has been such an insightful conversation. Before we wrap up, Sarah Jane, do you have any final words of advice for our listeners?

Sarah Jayne

Just remember, self-doubt is normal. It’s part of being human. But don’t let it stop you. Use it as fuel to keep moving forward.

Tom

Brilliant advice. Thank you so much for joining us today, Sarah Jane, and sharing your experiences. And thank you to all our listeners for tuning in to the Gym Owners Forum podcast. Keep striving, and we’ll see you next time!