From Self-Criticism to Self-Compassion: Emily's GGS Coaching Story

For years, Emily believed being hard on herself was the key to staying motivated. Through GGS Coaching, she discovered that kindness and consistency, not criticism, were what truly helped her grow stronger, inside and out.

When Knowledge Isn’t Enough

Before joining GGS Coaching, Emily knew a lot about health and fitness. She had spent years reading, learning, and applying what she could. But no matter how much she knew, she couldn’t seem to make it stick.

“I was working a lot and didn’t feel like I was taking good care of myself,” she says. “I felt stressed out, overwhelmed, and really frustrated because, while I know a lot about health and fitness, it wasn’t implemented. I felt really disappointed and stuck with my energy, my body, and my overall progress.”

It was a familiar cycle: pushing hard, falling off track, and feeling defeated. Emily knew something had to change, but she didn’t want another short-term fix or rigid plan. She wanted support that would help her stay consistent and feel good long term.

That is what drew her to Girls Gone Strong Coaching, a year-long, habit-based program designed specifically for women. Its inclusive, body-positive approach felt like a breath of fresh air. “I wanted something that wasn’t a quick fix diet or challenge,” she says, “and I wanted it to be female-centered.”

A Coach Who “Gets It”

From the very beginning, Emily felt an immediate connection with her coach, Jen. “I’ve worked with Jen the entire time that I’ve been in the Girls Gone Strong Coaching program, and I feel like she really gets me,” Emily says. “She’s always offering on-point and practical guidance, and she’s really funny. I feel like we would be friends in real life.”

That mix of expertise and humor created a space where Emily could let her guard down. Jen helped her focus on building habits that fit her real life rather than chasing perfection. The coaching relationship felt supportive and steady, something Emily could rely on through the ups and downs of work, stress, and everyday life.

Over time, Jen’s consistency helped Emily find her own. Each check-in, reflection, and conversation helped her stay grounded in what mattered most: showing up for herself with compassion.

A Shift Toward Kindness and Consistency

Emily’s biggest transformation wasn’t about weight loss or physical strength. It was about how she spoke to herself.

“The biggest change I’ve noticed in myself since being in the Girls Gone Strong Coaching program is that I’m a lot kinder to myself, and I do a much better job of taking care of myself,” she says.

“Before, I was so critical and mean to myself. I thought that’s what really motivated me to take action. But actually, being kind and making incremental changes has made a huge difference for me. I just feel like I like myself overall so much more.”

That mindset shift changed everything. Instead of aiming for quick results, Emily began to focus on small, sustainable actions that made her feel strong and steady. Through Jen’s guidance and the GGS curriculum, she learned to connect her goals to her values, not just her appearance.

“Identifying my values and making health decisions that align with my values instead of what I think I should be doing has been a game-changer,” she says. “One of my values is nature, so now I spend a lot of my time focusing on outdoor activities, which creates so much enjoyment for me and energizes me.”

That connection between joy and movement made consistency easier than it had ever been before. The more time Emily spent outside, the more energized she felt, and the more naturally she wanted to keep showing up for herself. What once felt like a chore now felt like a lifestyle she genuinely enjoyed.

“My weekends now look a lot like my weekdays in terms of movement and nutrition choices,” she says. “That consistency has taken time to build, but it’s changed how I feel about myself and what’s possible.”

Letting Go of the “Last 10 Pounds”

One of Emily’s most powerful realizations came when she saw how much energy she had spent trying to lose the same “last 10 to 15 pounds.”

“I realized that I was always focused on losing the ‘last’ 10 to 15 pounds for almost my entire adult life, no matter how much I weighed or what I was doing in my life,” she says. Working with Coach Jen helped her realize losing weight wasn’t truly her top priority. Instead, she was more interested in what she could gain. “I wanted to focus on building strength and having consistent health habits so that I felt good most of the time.”

That shift allowed Emily to release the pressure of constant comparison and tune in to what truly mattered: feeling energized, confident, and at peace in her body.

Now, as Emily moves into perimenopause, her new priorities feel even more empowering.

“Letting go of the need to constantly be trying to lose the last 10 to 15 pounds and instead focusing on building muscle mass and strength feels authentic to me. It’s how I want to move into this next phase of life.”

Becoming Emily Again

After more than two years with GGS Coaching, Emily feels calm, capable, and centered. “I feel centered and at peace,” she says. “I feel more myself.”
Her journey hasn’t been about overhauling her life overnight. It has been about showing up consistently, learning from each season, and practicing self-compassion along the way.

“I’ve noticed that incremental change over time truly does move the needle,” she says. “Over the course of my time in GGS Coaching, I’ve become stronger, more confident, and more aligned with my values. It’s been life-changing for me.”

Now she is focused on continuing to build strength, manage stress, and live with balance and joy. “I want to be the healthiest version of myself and not take things so seriously,” she says. “I want to enjoy my life.”

When asked what she would tell another woman considering GGS Coaching, her answer is simple: “Say yes. Dive in. You will not regret your experience.”

Emily’s story reminds us that strength does not come from pushing harder or striving for perfection. It comes from compassion, consistency, and learning to treat yourself like someone worth caring for, because you are.