I recently had a free 20 minute phone call with a potential client, and received this question from her: “I stuck to a strict diet and worked out consistently for 30 days, but I barely lost any weight. I feel so defeated - like my body is broken or fighting against me! Why didn’t it work, and what am I missing when I’m trying so hard to be healthy?”
Breathless. As I stare down at the start of the trailhead below me, I see women in brightly colored dresses selling walking sticks to ambitious travelers ready to hike and witness the alive eruption of an active volcano! Suddenly, I thought to myself, “What the hell have I just gotten myself into?!” If you had told me before I started the Acatenango hike in Guatemala that I’d leave a changed person, I probably would have laughed and said, “ehhh… probably not.” I knew the hike was hard but how bad could it really be? I was active! But damn… little did I know. I’ll spoil the lesson before we even get into the story… Your body is only as strong as your mind. And that truth applies to every single aspect of your life. For those who are new here - hi, I’m Bailee :) I’m a Health Coach, Nutritionist, and Trainer of over four years, and I’ve coached over a hundred people on their journey toward sustainable health. Across all those experiences, there’s always one major difference between those who succeed in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and those who don’t: strong mental health . I can give you all the nutrition facts, macros, and personalized programs in the world, but if you don’t believe you’re worthy of taking care of yourself and fight for yourself when it gets hard, then you're never going to be successful. Life is full of challenges and obstacles. That is just a fact. For example, you might start a new gym routine with the best intentions on a Monday, but fall off by Wednesday due to factors completely outside of your control. A sick kid, a late meeting, plans shifting, etc. That doesn’t mean you’ve failed; it means you’re human. At that moment, that is when mental fortitude kicks in. Are you going to feel bad for yourself because a challenge has been created? Or are you going to accept it, find a quick way to move your body at home within your current limitations, and keep showing up for yourself until you’re back in the gym? It's all about mindset, you see. When I started my hike, I didn’t realize that. Two and a half years ago, I decided to travel to Guatemala on a whim. I found a round-trip flight for $120 and thought, "Well hell, twist my arm!" I didn't know anything about the area or the culture, and I didn't even know about the hike. I literally showed up because I felt in my soul I needed to push myself and lean into the discomfort of the unknown. Well, you could say I dove in headfirst! Within 24 hours of arriving in this incredible country, I learned about the Acatenango hike from all the world travelers passing through. Their descriptions of watching the volcano erupt live put me in awe! Very quickly, I knew that this was something I also needed to see with my own two eyes and immediately booked myself a tour. Every single person I spoke to, including the experienced hikers, emphasized how difficult this trek really was. I heard them, but I didn't really listen and believe their warnings. I've always been athletic, and I’ve always made time for myself and my body. I typically went to the gym three to four days a week and ate fairly well for a 23-year-old. The previous year, though, I had been in a severe ATV accident, which forced me to take six months off from activity to rest and heal, causing me to lose A LOT of my strength. My body felt unfamiliar for months. I knew I wasn’t even close to my pre-accident health before embarking on the hike, but I thought I had it in me. “No problem” I told myself! Well, after twenty minutes, I realized I was VERY wrong… Right after buying my walking stick from the beautiful woman in the bright dresses, I stared up at the beast in front of me, a kilometer straight uphill with a path full of loose dirt and mud. The trail carved through thick trees, which slowly changed as the altitude increased. I honestly looked at this mountain with conviction. I was ready to be challenged. I've always looked at myself as strong. I could do it! The first kilometer brought me to a rest spot where you could buy smoothies and snacks. I rewarded myself with a watermelon smoothie, confident that I had it in the bag… until the second leg hit me. After two hours of nothing but intense incline, carrying all my supplies - food, water, clothes - for the first time, I doubted I had it in me. I was absolutely exhausted. My legs felt like concrete, my lungs burned, and my pack weighed a ton. Every step felt heavier than the last. I wanted to turn around, but I didn’t want to quit. I needed to keep my eye on the prize , the volcano at the top. Roughly halfway through this grueling climb, a small pack of dogs appeared on the trail. They ran alongside us like little cheerleaders, wagging their tails and offering unexpected encouragement. Their energy lifted my spirits and gave me a small burst to keep going, even when my body and mind were begging me to stop. Despite that boost, I started crying. I couldn’t feel my legs. Breathing was a struggle. I carried my whole life on my back, and the journey felt endless. Mentally , I could not handle my physical pain any longer. I questioned why I was even there, why I was pushing myself so hard, and whether it was even worth it. Through it all, one person stayed with me, a kind doctor from the U.S. He encouraged me, reminded me of my strength, and, in many ways, believed in me more than I believed in myself. Looking back, I can see exactly why his encouragement was so necessary. It wasn't my body that was failing me; it was truly my mind. His support reminded me of who I am and allowed me to better connect to my deep inner strength I had forgotten about. Finally, after roughly five hours of nonstop climbing, struggling, questioning, and pushing past mental barriers, we reached basecamp! Almost immediately, the volcano erupted, real lava with smoke that consumed the sky! Everyone froze, taking in the once-in-a-lifetime view, snapping pictures, and celebrating. The awe, the eruption, the joy, and the journey itself made every moment of struggle worth it. That moment reinforced the lesson I’d been learning the entire climb… The mind is the true limit. The body can handle far more than you think if the mind is strong and focused. Prioritizing consistency, discipline, and dedication to myself and my health is what gives me the strength and resilience to show up fully. The best way I’ve been able to keep my mental health as the number one priority is by creating a physical routine that challenges me and reinforces my mental fortitude. This is how I personally goal-orient my days: Meditate for twenty minutes Salsa for ten minutes Weight train three times a week Eat four smaller balanced meals a day Avoid soda These small, consistent actions may seem physical, but they are truly mental . They provide clarity, reset my focus, and remind me that showing up for my mind first creates positive effects across my life. That’s the real lesson; true health starts with mental fortitude, and with this, the body can thrive. They feed each other. You can’t push your body to its potential if your mind isn’t ready. Nourish your mind, and your body will follow. I know the start of any health journey can feel overwhelming. You might not know where to begin or how to build mental strength. I felt that way too. Hell, without that doctor by my side, who knows if I would have made it to the volcano! Luckily, the solution is simple… Start small. This is how I approach my practice at Coconut Health. I truly believe that making small, consistent changes to your health routine is the only way to reach your long-term goals. Sometimes, when it gets hard, it becomes easier to just fall off track- the mental-implosion cycle. That is why it is SO beneficial to have a Health Coach . In the moments when life feels impossible, they step in to become your cheerleader- to keep you accountable through your challenges. I’ve always believed that everyone can benefit from having a coach. But I’ll dive deeper into that in a future blog :) Anyway, you don’t need to hike a volcano to prove your mental strength. It’s about choosing a goal that truly fulfills you and allows you to want to stay committed, even when challenges arise. It could be deciding to meditate for twenty minutes every morning, even when your mind wants to scroll endlessly on your phone. Or waking up early to go for a short run, even when your bed feels impossibly cozy. Maybe it’s finishing a tough workout you’ve been avoiding, or cooking a nutritious meal from scratch instead of ordering takeout. Even small wins, like journaling before bed or taking ten minutes to stretch and breathe deeply, count towards your mental health. These small, intentional acts train your mind to persevere. They teach you to keep showing up, even when it’s uncomfortable, even when it feels hard. Each time you follow through , you reinforce the truth that mental strength is your foundation , and with it, the body will follow and only thrive. Remember; the climb to your goals might break you down, but it will also build you into someone who NEVER. GIVES. UP.