When it comes to forming my perfect gym uniform, all I need is my noise-canceling headphones, a full bottle of water, and a fire workout set to put me in the right headspace.
However, there was a time not too long ago when showing up to the gym used to spark a sense of nervousness that left me feeling uneasy and anxious before I ever stepped foot in the gym. A sensation I now know as "gymtimidation" or gym intimidation.
What Is “Gym Intimidation”?
The term “gym intimidation” is often defined as an internal feeling of insecurity that brings up thoughts of self-consciousness or overexposure while at the gym. While this sensation may differ from person to person depending on their experience level in the gym, having a difference in abilities and even feeling “not fit enough” to go to the gym can affect one’s confidence when showing up to shared spaces while exercising.
The fear of judgment impacts countless women in their attempts to become more consistent in the gym. The hesitation that comes from feeling judged by others, whether real or perceived, can lead to thoughts of intimidation, as some might worry that others are watching and evaluating their every move while working out.
From navigating the unfamiliar territory of gym sizes to figuring out how to work new machines, and getting acquainted with your routines, it can feel overwhelming for some individuals to push through, especially if there are preexisting challenges with body image, confidence, and self-perception.
Being in a new environment and getting acquainted with “performing” in front of other people can feel foreign and out of our comfort zone. Fortunately, overcoming gym intimidation often takes just a few gradual steps to build confidence and gain familiarity and a routine at the gym.
For some, this might mean seeking guidance from a personal trainer, starting their workout at less crowded times, focusing on personal progress rather than comparisons, or coming in with a guided workout video to be your virtual support buddy.
And, of course, there’s nothing like putting on a fire workout set to send your confidence through the roof and watching all signs of intimidation and insecurity leave your body.
That’s why today, we’re sharing some of the best gym fits to boost your confidence and kick that gym intimidation to the curb.
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"When I graduated high school, I moved back to America, Georgia, and I ended up making, like, the oil, the Rose Galore oil, which is like the staple product of my brand. I don't know what made me make it, but I did, and it literally cleared my face up," she tells xoNecole in an exclusive interview.
"I end up selling it as a body oil first because, obviously, I'm 17, [and] don't have any background as an esthetician or anything like that. I just made a product that worked for me, but people bought it and was using it, and I reformulated it, and then it just stuck like with me."
While MoonXCosmetics is known for its facial products, it wants to expand to body care and home. It just released its new product, Moon-Gel body wash, and it's only up from there. As Mariee continues to grow the brand, it's more than likely that she will see more history-making moments. And so far she has.
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When asked if she feels pressure to obtain more of those milestones, she says yes and no. "I did $1.8 [million] again, and then I did $2 million but I feel like now, currently, I don't look at that as one of my goals anymore because [of] the headache and just everything that came with it, but I was thankful and blessed to have that milestone, but now I'm looking for more," she says.
"I want to say more reach than more like fast-paced sales. I do want that. Obviously, every girl wants that, but I do want to have a better overall reach for my brand because I did take two years off so I was able to learn, [and] study a lot of different things. See how things have changed from 2020 to now."
"I did $1.8 [million] again, and then I did $2 million but I feel like now, currently, I don't look at that as one of my goals anymore because [of] the headache and just everything that came with it, but I was thankful and blessed to have that milestone, but now I'm looking for more."
Another part of expanding for any company is hiring people. Finding the right person to help you can be a hassle, especially for business owners who are used to doing all the work themselves. Mariee can relate to this, and she touched on this topic in her documentaryThe Million Dollar Story. She recommends having someone be your "right-hand man" who you trust to handle the ins and outs of the company.
"I could say, definitely get, like a right-hand man to help you within the process because that really was what helped me. I never had a job. I literally was 18 now, being like, you know, the boss of over 30+ employees at one point in time, and I didn't know anything. I didn't know anything about no W-2s, no taxes, no clock in, clock out because all I [have] ever known was my brand," she explains.
"So I definitely partner with people who are very skewed and versed in those areas, and they helped me get through it. Even to this day, I still have my same person helping me with hiring, firing, [and] doing everything that I can right now because I'm still learning. But obviously people get jobs young, so they have way more experience than me, but still learning."
And though she is still learning, one thing she makes sure to stay on top of is being consistent. Consistency is what trips many people up when it comes to achieving goals, but Mariee says it's all about scheduling. Whether it's when to post on social media or email marketing, scheduling it out can make a world of difference. That same practice also works when planning out her future goals for the company.
"Right now, future goals would be to drop at least five more products before the end of the year. We always do outreach, where we do drives and all that, but definitely do way more this year, she says. "Then really dive into body [care], and then hopefully open up MoonXBody underneath MoonXCosmetics to let that branch out and be open and definitely get back consistent."
For more information, visit moonxco.com.
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