From Overwhelmed to Empowered: How to Start Your Fitness Journey When You Struggle with Anxiety or Chronic Pain

Starting a fitness journey can feel completely overwhelming, especially if you're dealing with anxiety, chronic pain, or health conditions like fibromyalgia. I know that feeling too well. Years ago, I was 60kg heavier, living with daily pain, and the thought of walking into a gym made me anxious. Then, step by step, I found a way forward and now I help others do the same.

If you're feeling stuck, scared, or unsure where to begin, I want you to know: you don’t need to “fix” yourself before you start. You just need to start slowly at your own pace.

Here are a few tips I share with my clients who are starting from that same place:

🌿 Start small — and I mean really small. Five minutes of stretching. A walk to the end of your street. A few deep breaths and shoulder rolls. Let that be enough to start with.

🩵 Pick movement that feels good, not punishing. Dancing in your kitchen, gentle strength work at home, wild swimming - movement should support your nervous system, not stress it.

🏋️‍♀️ Avoid the all-or-nothing mindset. You don’t have to train hard 5 days a week. You’re allowed to rest. You’re allowed to go slow. Progress is still progress, even when it’s quiet.

🌸 Remember, you’re not broken. Living with anxiety or pain doesn’t mean you’re weak - it means you’ve been strong in ways most people can’t see.

Your journey will look different, and that’s okay.

If this resonates with you, know that you’re not alone. I’ve walked this path, and I’d be honoured to walk alongside you too and guide you on your journey.

Drop me a message today to see how I can help you get started, no matter what point of the journey you are on.