Today, I want to take a step back and go deeper into something that goes beyond what we eat, how we train, or how we look in the mirror. I’m talking about the stories we tell ourselves—the ones we’ve been telling ourselves for years, even decades. The way we feel, act, and consciously (or subconsciously) behave is all because of the beliefs we’ve sown into our brain tapestry throughout our lives. And guess what? This includes how we think, feel, and show up in our bodies every day.
We live in a world where quick fixes and surface-level changes are celebrated. “Meal prep your way to success!” “Say these affirmations and watch your confidence soar!” “Do this workout, and you’ll look like this!” Now, don’t get me wrong, these things have their place. But the truth is, they often just scratch the surface. They’re like a fresh coat of paint on a house that’s got deep cracks in its foundation. Real, lasting change doesn’t start with the food on your plate or the new workout plan. It starts way back—sometimes way back to when you were a child.
The Stories We Pick Up Along the Way
Let me ask you: Did you ever play a sport as a child? Do you remember how it felt to wear that uniform or step onto the field? Did someone ever make a comment that made you feel self-conscious about your body or how you looked in those clothes? Maybe you overheard your mum talking about her weight or saw your grandmother scrutinising herself in the mirror. Maybe a teacher or coach made an offhand remark. Or perhaps you caught a line on TV that you never even realised had planted itself deep in your mind. These moments—often so fleeting—have a way of weaving themselves into our lives, creating patterns and beliefs that show up again and again, often without us even knowing.
When we think about our bodies, our worth, or our goals, we’re not just working with what’s in front of us. We’re dealing with a whole lifetime of thoughts, beliefs, and stories we’ve picked up along the way. And until we go back and unpick those narratives, the changes we make—no matter how disciplined, committed, or well-meaning—might only ever skim the surface.
The Deeper Work at Studio6
At Studio6, so much of the work we do is about creating a safe space for these thoughts and stories to come up. Most of the breakthroughs I see with my clients aren’t about achieving those surface-level goals that the fitness industry expects—losing weight, gaining muscle, running a faster mile. They run deeper than that. I’m talking about the stories that clients might not even know are holding them back.
We start with the usual—nutrition, fitness routines, habits. But as we create space for our clients to dig deeper, they often begin to uncover the thoughts they’ve been carrying for years. It’s in those moments when we start to ask the real questions: “Where did this belief come from?” “When did you first feel this way?” “Who planted that seed?” And when those thoughts surface, it’s not always comfortable—but it’s essential. It’s like opening an old, dusty book and seeing the writing on the page for the first time.
Rewriting the Narrative
It’s only once we have these thoughts out in the open that we can begin the real work of dissecting them. We look at what these beliefs meant to us then and what they’ve meant to us for so long. And most importantly, we start to rewrite the story.
What if, instead of believing that our bodies are only valuable if they look a certain way, we started to see them as strong, capable, and worthy, no matter the shape or size? What if we stopped holding onto the comments made about us when we were children or the messages we saw in magazines, and instead embraced a narrative that celebrates the beauty of living in our bodies—exactly as they are?
This is the point where true change happens. Not when we add another layer of surface-level goals, but when we dig deep, get uncomfortable, and rewrite the narrative that’s been playing in the background for far too long.
Freedom in Rewriting Our Story
I wish everyone could learn to rewrite their story about their body and what it means to live in it. When we go back and unpick the stories we’ve been told (and retelling ourselves), we free ourselves from the judgment of others. We start to show up differently, not just in the gym but in every aspect of our lives. We feel worthy of love, admiration, and success, no matter what shape we’re in. We start to see our bodies for what they truly are—vessels for strength, for joy, for living our lives to the fullest.
At Studio6, we believe in working on the mind, body, and soul. It’s not just about what happens in the gym; it’s about the stories you carry with you, the beliefs you hold, and the way you show up for yourself. It’s about finding freedom from the narratives that have been weighing you down for too long and creating a new, empowering story for yourself—one that celebrates everything you are, just as you are.
So, if you’ve ever felt stuck, if you’ve ever felt like you’re constantly chasing something that feels just out of reach, maybe it’s time to go back to the past. Maybe it’s time to dig deep and uncover the stories that have shaped the way you see yourself. Because once you do, that’s where the magic happens. That’s where real, lasting transformation begins.
Lots of love,
Abbi, founder of Studio6
