I used to suffer from social anxiety until my early thirties. Now I’m more confident than ever. Here’s how I destroyed anxiety with Self-Help and Fitness (so you can do the same): For years I suffered from social anxiety and felt uncomfortable in my skin. Have you ever felt this way? New people, unknown situations - left me feeling nervous, uncomfortable. “I`d rather be somewhere else” became a prominent thought. It took years until I got into action. I got tired of suffering and knew something had to change. So went to find solutions… Where? The Self-help industryI became customer number 1 of the self-help industry. A small number of books I read • The Power of Now • Psycho-Cybernetics • Think and Grow Rich • Creative Visualization…they delivered on their promises Which promises? • Fight my inner voice • Boost my confidence • Expand my comfort zone Daily visualizations and affirmations became my best friend and they helped. Ever tried any of the relaxation techniques? Here`s how I did it: Every morning and evening, I would sit on the edge of my bed , closed my eyes, took a few deep breaths and started to visualize the day ahead…..seeing myself doing all the things without resistance, feeling self confident and also at peace with myself. It was shocking to me how much of a change it made….it felt like I had done these things before (which I had in my mind). Me, feeling confident, that was new. On some days I felt a level of confidence I never had before. On other days I was my old self. Off. You know the feeling of being a ball of tension, it is exhausting. I kept looking for other ways of self confidence boosters. My dad was heavily into running back then. I remember sitting in the back of the car, reading trough a book on jogging. How much it increases your life quality, your life expectancy. The usual stuff. But then….I was glued to the book. The author presented study after study on how exercise calms the mind, decreases stress... I was 18 or 19, that was new to me. I was hooked…..the next day I started running in my big ass Basketball boots. What can I say, the beginning felt uncomfortable. Why? Because I started walking and felt like a grandpa escaping from the nursing home. You see, my self consciousness was in full effect. Think of one thing most adults are scared of? Correct, giving presentations…in front of an audience. I was scared of these…. days before. Maybe you can relate. You know that tension building up to the event. But wait, how about doing exercise before? Going for a run before any anxiety-provoking event became my natural remedy. Presentations, dates….you name it. Of course my body changed along the way, which helped me become more self-confident. I realized that exercise is a magic pill. I could not see myself not exercise. As I got older, social anxiety was not too much of a thing anymore…I did not need exercise to be calm, but did I stop exercising? Of course not…and I never will. It was only the beginning. Studying sports and Public health while working as a personal trainer followed. Health became my passion See, if you are struggling in your life, exercise will not always be the answer. At least not the only answer. But I can guarantee one thing: Making exercise part of your identity will change you on the inside and outside. It doesn`t matter what your initial motivation is. Is it a strong body that you want, do you want to be respected by other people or become more self-confident. Maybe you enjoy the motions, the team aspect….whatever it is. Exercise can do all of that for you. Do not make the mistake to believe that it is only about a nice physique, there is so much more to it. • Low energy, exercise • Feel stressed, exercise • Want to live longer, exercise • Want to sleep better, exercise Want……you get the idea. Exercise is one of the greatest boosts you will find.

RT @PhilMaerz: The best way to fight off burnout: Exercise Instead of relying on caffeine or quick fixes, moving your body consistently w…

@Tyler_Van_Acker I didn’t mean it in a stereotypical way. I’m not a macho ☝️😉

RT @PhilMaerz: Think you’re eating healthy? 95% of ‘low-calorie’ dressings are just: water, sugar, and chemicals. Swap them out for…

@Tyler_Van_Acker Like it’s supposed to be, haha

@Zak_Louisa One trend or gimmick follows another

@Tyler_Van_Acker I like cooking a lot. Somehow success is something I haven’t touched too much

@theadamsams But many have unlearned to be active

@consciousgains Agreed Josh

@RitchieNkana Exactly

@kylekoleber Me too. It’s a great thing

@AdrianTenet Trade them in for lime and have a mojito. Isn’t that what they say?

@balanceforge The manager’s curse: competitive on and off the job. If you must exercise a competition, you may get the opposite of what it should do for you

If you enjoyed this tweet, you`d enjoy my newsletter. I help busy professionals like you develop a high-performing body and stress-proven mind. Join 600+ subscribers

@AdrianTenet I love lemon

@storymodedave Sounds delicious

@HybridAthleteSG Great taste, I agree

@HybridAthleteSG Of course I am and I lift 3-4 times a week, but as a stress buster, I prefer cardio a bit more

@thesamblack Indeed Sam

@breathe__better That’s the problem, finding a middle ground I prefer classic oatmeal with fruits, maybe dates and honey