Strong Is a Feeling: What Strength Means to Me (And My Clients)

When I first started lifting, I thought strength was about numbers - how much you could squat, bench, and deadlift. I used to measure my progress in kilos and reps, always chasing the next personal best. And while I still love seeing what I’m capable of physically, my idea of strength has changed a lot over the years.

Strength isn’t just about what your body can lift.

It’s about how you feel in yourself. It’s in your mindset, your self-talk, your ability to face challenges and keep going. It’s in the quiet confidence that builds when you start showing up for yourself consistently, and without apology.

Strength Is Turning Up, Even When It’s Hard

One thing I always tell my clients is that strength doesn’t just show up when everything’s perfect. In fact, it often shows up because things are hard.

It’s getting yourself to that early morning session when you’d rather stay in bed. It’s picking up the weights after a stressful day at work. It’s coming back after time away, whether that’s a week, a month, or a few years and deciding that you’re worth the effort.

Sometimes, strength looks like pushing through a tough session.

Other times, it’s recognising that your body needs rest and giving yourself permission to take it. That’s just as valid and just as powerful.

It’s In the Way You Carry Yourself

I’ve seen women come into the gym feeling unsure, nervous, even a bit intimidated. They worry they’re not fit enough or strong enough. They think people will be watching them or judging them.

But within a few weeks, everything changes. Not just physically, although that’s part of it, but in the way they carry themselves.

They walk taller.

They stop apologising for taking up space.

They start to speak more confidently.

They begin to trust themselves, and their bodies.

That’s the kind of transformation I live for as a coach. Not just the muscles and the movement, but the mindset shift that comes from proving to yourself, over and over again, that you can.

Strength Isn’t One Size Fits All

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned (and that I try to teach) is that strength is deeply personal. For one person, it might mean hitting a bodyweight deadlift. For someone else, it might be managing a single push-up or walking into the gym for the first time in years.

There’s no benchmark you have to meet before you’re “allowed” to call yourself strong.

And honestly, it’s not about chasing perfection. It’s about doing what you can with what you’ve got, and recognising that small, consistent efforts add up over time.

It’s Not Always About the Workout

Sometimes, our sessions involve more chatting than lifting, and that’s okay. Because strength also shows up in the conversations we have.

It’s saying, “I’ve had a tough week, but I made it in today.”

It’s saying, “I didn’t feel like it, but I’m glad I came.”

It’s saying, “I’ve never done this before, but I’ll give it a go.”

There’s something powerful about being surrounded by people who get it. Who understand that life is messy, motivation comes and goes, and that progress doesn’t always move in a straight line.

In those moments, strength is about showing up as you are, and knowing that that’s enough.

Strong Feels Different For Everyone

For me, strength feels like balance.

It’s having the energy to do the things I love.

It’s knowing that my body can handle what life throws at it, from tough workouts to full-on days running a business.

For my clients, strength might feel like being able to lift their kids more easily. Or carry the shopping in one trip. Or climb the stairs without feeling breathless. Or simply feeling good in their clothes again.

It’s not just about fitness, it’s about freedom. Freedom to move well, live confidently, and feel like yourself again.

If You’re Waiting to “Feel Ready”, This Is Your Sign

So many women tell me they want to “get fit first” before coming to train. Or that they’ll start once they’ve lost a bit of weight, or feel more confident.

But here’s the truth: you don’t have to be strong to start, you just have to start.

The rest comes with time. And with the right support, you’ll be amazed at how quickly things shift, not just in your body, but in how you think, how you move, and how you show up in your life.

So if you’re on the fence, this is your reminder: you are strong. Maybe not in the way you imagined, yet. But you’re capable. You’re determined. And you’re already taking the first step just by thinking about it.

Let’s build that strength together.