Becoming Your Own Cheerleader: 5 Steps to Build Self-Belief (Even When You’re Doubting Yourself)

1 Apr

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The other day, I was chatting with a friend who had just done something big—something scary and totally out of her comfort zone. And instead of celebrating herself for taking the leap, she was picking apart all the ways it wasn’t perfect.

I get it. We’ve all been there, right? You do something hard, something new, something that stretches you… and instead of recognising your courage, you focus on what didn’t go perfectly.

But here’s the thing

Growth doesn’t happen in perfection.

Growth happens in the messy, uncomfortable, “holy crap, I can’t believe I just did that” moments.

And that’s where my superpower as a coach comes in.

Yes, I can give you a bespoke training program.

Yes, we can work on building strength and fitness habits that fit your life.

BUT more than that—I believe in you before you fully believe in yourself.

And together, we work on building that belief until you don’t need to borrow mine anymore.

Because the truth is, you can become your own biggest cheerleader. You can trust yourself, back yourself, and feel genuinely proud of the things you do—even when they’re messy, even when they’re not perfect, even when they scare the hell out of you.

So, let’s talk about how to actually do that.

Step 1: Celebrate the Effort, Not Just the Outcome

We’re wired to think success means getting everything just right. But if you only celebrate when things go perfectly, you’re missing all the growth happening along the way.

Instead of asking, Did I do this perfectly? try asking:

✔ Did I show up?

✔ Did I challenge myself?

✔ Did I do something that felt hard?

Maybe you finally went to that gym class you’ve been avoiding. Maybe you spoke up in a meeting. Maybe you did one push-up when your brain told you to do none. That matters. That deserves recognition.

And guess what? Every time you acknowledge your own effort, you’re rewiring your brain to believe in yourself a little more.

Step 2: Borrow My Belief Until You Find Yours

You might not feel like a strong, confident, capable woman just yet. That’s okay. You don’t have to feel it yet. That’s what I’m here for.

One of the most powerful things about coaching isn’t just having someone guide you through workouts—it’s having someone remind you, again and again, that you’re doing better than you think. That you are strong. That you are capable. That you are making progress, even when you can’t see it yourself.

So, if you need to borrow my belief for a little while? Go for it. Take it, use it, and hold onto it. Because one day, you’ll wake up and realise you don’t need to borrow it anymore—you actually believe in yourself.

Step 3: Start Talking to Yourself Like You Would a Friend

If your best friend told you she’d just tried something new and it didn’t go perfectly, what would you say?

Would you say, Wow, that was terrible. You should probably never try that again?

Or would you say, That was amazing! Look at you pushing yourself. You should be so proud of yourself!

Now… what if you spoke to yourself that way?

Start small. When you catch yourself being critical, pause. Take a deep breath. And reframe it like you’re talking to a friend.

Because you deserve to be spoken to with kindness. Especially by yourself.

Step 4: Find Proof That You’re Stronger Than You Think

Sometimes, your brain will try to convince you that you’re not capable, that you’re not making progress, that you’ll never be “good enough.”

So, let’s shut that down with some cold, hard proof.

Think back to a time when you did something that once felt impossible. Maybe it was running your first mile. Maybe it was speaking in front of a crowd. Maybe it was lifting a heavier weight than you thought you could.

You have proof that you’re stronger than you think. You have done hard things before. And that means you can do hard things again.

Step 5: Keep Pushing Yourself—Even When It’s Scary

Here’s the truth: Growth never feels comfortable.

You don’t suddenly wake up one day brimming with confidence, ready to take on the world. Confidence comes from doing the hard, uncomfortable things.

It comes from trying, messing up, trying again.

It comes from realising that you don’t have to be perfect—you just have to keep going.

So, if you’re out there, feeling like you’re not quite where you want to be yet… I see you. I believe in you. And I promise—one day, you’re going to look back at this moment and realise it was the start of something so much bigger.

Until then? Borrow my belief. And keep going.

Because you’ve got this.

Your Action Step: A Mini Self-Celebration Challenge

Let’s put this into action right now.

1. Write down ONE thing you’ve done this week that stretched you, even a little.

2. Instead of focusing on how it could have been better, write down why you’re proud of yourself for doing it.

3. Say it out loud. Own it. This is proof that you’re growing.

To Wrap It Up...

Building belief in yourself isn’t about being perfect—it’s about showing up, trying the hard things, and giving yourself credit along the way. Growth lives in the messy middle, and you’re allowed to be proud of yourself for showing up, even when it’s not perfect.

And if you’re ready for support as you step outside your comfort zone—whether that’s building consistent habits, reconnecting with your body, or finding your confidence again—I’m here for you.

If you’re curious about working together, I’d love to chat and see what kind of support would feel best for you. You don’t have to do this alone. Let’s build that belief together.

Learn more about 1:1 coaching