Choices and chances…

If you attended our New Year Challenge prize giving event in March, you might remember these words:

“Every day, every person in the world receives two things – a chance, and a choice…”

I mentioned the quote that evening, because it really captures the essence of what every participant chose to do during the six weeks of that short Challenge. And at our event, we celebrated every person who showed up, and who made the choice each day to keep going, and to push through.

To me that powerful sentence also reflects personal ownership, because no one is ever forced into change. Every healthy meal, every class, every time you get up early or stay consistent – it is always a choice. And that is empowering!

The quote also encourages the next step, because the end of a fitness challenge is never the end of each one’s journey. It gently nudges them to keep choosing themselves – even after the spotlight fades. Tomorrow, and the next day, and the next…the chances and the choices are still there.

Why then is it often so difficult to convince ourselves that we do have a chance and a choice? Because knowing something and feeling it are two very different things! We might know that every day promises to bring new chances and choices – but when we’re tired, overwhelmed, and discouraged, or stuck in old patterns, it doesn’t feel true.

When days blur into each other with routines and responsibilities, it’s hard to see the opportunity inside the ordinary. Choice also means responsibility; and sometimes staying stuck simply feels safer. Often there’s that old familiar voice that says, “It won’t work,” or “You’ve tried before,” of “What’s the point?” If we’ve been hurt or let down before, it’s easy to believe our days will be more of the same.

And then, of course, we always tend to look for big leaps, not small steps – we expect the “chance” to look like something dramatic. But real change often comes through tiny shifts, small brave moments, and quiet choices.

Think about this for a second – every morning, before the world gets loud, before emails, errands, and expectations – we all get a moment of quiet where we get to decide: Who am I going to be today? Not yesterday. Not next week. Not when I’ve lost five kilos or found motivation. Nope. Who will I be TODAY?

And this doesn’t mean we have to be perfect. Hell no! This is not about being the superhuman version of yourself who meal preps kale and smiles through traffic jams. It’s about choosing progress over perfection. Choosing to move your body because you can, not because you have an obligation to do so. Choosing kindness when it’s easier to snap. Choosing to show up – messy bun, chipped nails, busy mind, no makeup, and mismatched socks.  It’s about choosing effort, not excuses.

Because even on the hard days, we still get to choose our attitude. And then, the best thing we can do is choose to keep going, even if it’s in second gear.

And this is where the “chance” part steps in. Life isn’t a repeat button. Every day is a fresh page. Maybe yesterday didn’t go the way you planned. Maybe your goals took a backseat to chaos. Didn’t eat your protein? Skipped your workout? Lost your cool? It’s okay. Today is a chance to do things differently.

And that’s what I love the most about our studio – we are real humans with real lives and real challenges. We’re not chasing perfection. We’re chasing consistency, community, and courage. And you’re allowed to fall off the wagon – we all do. But you’re also allowed to get back on – sweaty and smiling. Every time someone walks through those doors, they are taking a chance on themselves, and that’s epic!

This journey we call “fitness” isn’t about grand charades. It’s about tiny gestures. Moving your body instead of staying stuck. Laughing during step class when you go the wrong way. Modifying your burpee until you can do 12 in a row, non-stop. Taking one tiny, courageous step forward, and trying again and again.

It’s hard. I know. Life throws curveballs. But the beauty of recognising that every day is a chance means that your story isn’t over. You’re not stuck. You’re not finished. And you’ve got more power than you think. You don’t have to overhaul your life. You just need to keep showing up. Choose again. Take the chance again.

…And now it’s that time of the year when I spend hours pondering ideas to help shape the upcoming Winter Challenge. It’s the 30^th time we are hosting a Fitness Challenge, and more than ever I want this 13-week journey to be one of personal growth, and I would like our studio to be a transformative, supportive environment for every participant…

I guess that’s why the whole idea of “Every choice is a chance” keeps on jumping out at me. I would love to create an atmosphere and conditions this winter, where the concept of choice becomes a compass for our Challenge members in self-discovery and reaching their potential. 

Maybe I’m just idealistic – but I do believe that every decision, big or small, is an opportunity for us to learn about ourselves. Thirteen weeks is a long time, and a lot can happen, especially when you view every choice as a chance, and every obstacle as an opportunity!

This reminds me of Ryan Holiday’s book, “The obstacle is the way…” He writes: “The obstacle in the path becomes the path. Never forget, within every obstacle is an opportunity to improve…”

On 12 May our winter journey kicks off. We’ll all face obstacles – lack of time, tiredness, cold weather blues, lack of vitamin D, comfort food cravings, fear of failure, and self-doubt. But these obstacles won’t be IN the way. They will be the way – the chance to become stronger, braver, and better. The very obstacles that make the journey hard, are the same ones that make it matter. No obstacle? No transformation.  A hard workout session? A chance to get stronger. A slip-up? A chance to get back up. A moment of “I can’t”? A chance to prove all over again that “I can.”

In her book, “I will be a billionaire”, Marion Bekoe writes: “I am shaped by my choices, not my environment. I chose the life I live.  Destiny is not fixed, it is variable, you create your destiny which becomes the sum of all your choices.”

Every single morning, whether we feel strong or not, life puts a blank page in front of us. Every class you show up for, every rep you push through, every deep breath you take when life feels a little too loud, is a choice. The pen is in your hands. Even a pause is a choice. And even a scribble counts.

Yours in fitness

Mirna
082 779 0507