The Start of My Fitness Journey (And Why I Wish I Had a Coach Back Then)

I was 13 years old when I first got the spark.

No fancy gym memberships. No YouTube tutorials. No Wi-Fi.

Just a few blurry calisthenics videos shared between friends via Bluetooth—the old-school way. These guys were ripped, strong, and moving their bodies in ways that looked superhuman to me and my friends.

Out of all of us who watched those videos, I was probably one of the few who decided to actually do something about it.

Fast forward 20 years—and here I am, still on the journey, still learning. Still reading books, listening to podcasts, asking questions, studying the experts. And yes, still making mistakes (but a lot fewer than before).

If I could go back in time and hire a personal trainer? I would’ve done it in a heartbeat.

It would’ve saved me years of trial and error. Saved me from injuries. Saved me time.

But back then, there weren’t many options. No social media, no easy access to information. Today? It’s all out there. Which makes this question even more important:

Should YOU hire a personal trainer?

Why Some People Never Consider a PT (And Why That’s a Problem)

These days, I often see two types of people at the gym:

• The person putting in the effort but clearly lost—doing exercises wrong, wasting time on ineffective routines.
• The stubborn “I-know-it-all” type who’s been training for years with little to no progress but swears they “know how to train.”

I’ve had countless conversations like this:

“Hey, have you ever thought about hiring a coach or following a structured program?”
“Nah, man, I’ve been doing this for years. I know what I’m doing.”

Meanwhile, these same guys are paying $16K–20K a year for a luxury gym membership… but can’t figure out why they’re stuck.

Effort doesn’t always equal progress. If your approach is wrong, results will never come.

Who Should Hire a Personal Trainer?

Here’s my honest take:

✅ New to the gym and don’t know where to start
✅ Never trained consistently for more than 6 months
✅ Overwhelmed by conflicting advice online
✅ Plateaued with your strength or physique
✅ Need accountability to show up and stick with it

And here’s the kicker—even if you know what you’re doing, if you can afford it, you should still consider hiring a coach.

Why? Because even the best need coaches.

I’m a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I’ve been training strength for two decades. I write about fitness. I coach people myself.

But I still have my own coach.

Why Even Experienced Athletes Hire Coaches

It’s not about lack of knowledge.

It’s about:

• Objective feedback
• External accountability
• Smarter programming without ego

Sometimes, all it takes is someone from the outside giving you structure, corrections, and that extra push.

I’ve talked to elite athletes across multiple sports—they all say the same thing: a coach gives you perspective and performance you can’t get solo.

✅ Certified benefits: Studies show personal trainers significantly improve fat loss, muscle gain, exercise adherence, and injury prevention versus training solo (source).

The Real Benefits: What a PT Actually Brings

Here’s what a good trainer actually delivers:

1. Form & Injury Prevention
   Prevent common gym injuries by fixing your movement patterns on the spot.
2. Tailored Programming
   Based on your goals, not a generic influencer “split.”
3. Accountability & Structure
   You show up. You train harder. You stick with it.
4. Time Efficiency
   Avoid wasting months doing things wrong. Train smart, not just hard.
5. Long-Term Results
   Not just aesthetics. Strength, health, mobility, and sustainability.

When You Probably Don’t Need a PT

The only good reason not to hire a coach?

💰 Financial limitations

Or…

✅ You’re consistent, disciplined, and can stick to a structured plan
✅ You already know how to perform movements safely
✅ You’re actively progressing and not plateaued

If that’s you? Keep pushing. Otherwise, a PT might be exactly what you need.

Final Takeaway: Is Hiring a PT Worth It?

Yes. In most cases, 100%.

A good coach isn’t an expense—it’s an asset. You’ll move faster, avoid injuries, and get smarter about training.

If I had a coach 20 years ago, I would’ve avoided so many injuries, wasted months, and setbacks. I don’t regret the grind—but I know how much smoother it could’ve been.

If you’re serious about results, consider the time and energy you’ll save. It’s not just about reaching goals—it’s about doing it sustainably.

🚀 Next Steps

1. Decide why you want to improve—accountability, technique, or faster progress?
2. Interview trainers—ask about results, credentials, and style.
3. Commit for 4–6 weeks—assess progress, tweak if needed, and stay consistent.

Even one session per week with the right coach can completely shift your results.

Ego in Jiu‑Jitsu, gym, and life shows up everywhere…

Ego—it’s a powerful force.
It’s not strictly bad or good; it can push you to greatness—or drag you into drama.

Since day one in Jiu-Jitsu, I heard: “Leave your ego at the door.”
Fair enough. BJJ humbles any human. But it’s also a human behavior worth exploring.

As I like to say: “The observant person finds many teachers.”
I’m driven by reflection—learning from every roll, every failure, every conversation.

Ego shows up everywhere: on the mats, in the gym, in our lives. Let’s dive in.

1. Ego in Jiu-Jitsu: Poker Face? Not Possible.

In BJJ, ego never leaves the room—but how you use it matters.

🔴 The Bad Ego

After 13 years of rolling, I’ve seen it all:

• The friendly athlete outside class who turns into a ruthless grinder when the gi goes on.
• A partner who bites or scratches intentionally.
• A Black Belt slapping a blue belt with a fast wristlock—and blaming them instead of checking if they’re okay.
• A blue belt pleading, “Brother, take it easy—I’m just coming back,” only to be met with pride, not kindness.

That ego blocks learning. It prevents taps. It fuels injury.

My approach? If I’m caught in a move, I own it, tap early, and hit the books to fix it.
Training isn’t about toughness. It’s about skill.

🟢 The Good Ego

Your ego can push you to make gains, study more, fix holes in your game, and chase consistent progress.
This competitive ego—*“I want to improve, I want to get better”—*is fuel. Not arrogance.

Some Black Belts use their rank as a shield to look down on others—don’t be that person.
Instead, let your ego motivate constructive accountability and resilience.

The Gentle Art of Humility: Ego and Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu

2. Success Shows Your Real Colors

Want to know who someone truly is? Give them success, money, or recognition—and watch how they respond.

Sure, some say “money corrupts.”
But I’ve seen wealthy men who are kind, humble, and generous.
Meanwhile, some broke or average people act like jerks.

Achievement is a spotlight—it doesn’t cause flaws; it reveals them.

If you were giving before success, chances are you’ll give more after it.
If you valued humility before, you’ll stay humble later.
That’s reputation.

3. Ego in Everyday Life

Real growth means staying open—listening, learning, asking questions.

When your ego says, “I know this,” beware.
I’ve learned from kids younger than me, from older sages, from people across cultures—because I’m open to truths.

When I doubt, I say: “Tell me why I could be wrong.”
I’ll research, test, and return with what I found.
Not to prove I was right or wrong—but to keep the conversation moving forward.

The ego that says only you are right is the ego of insecurity and stagnation.

Ego Is the Enemy of Good Leadership
Character Is Revealed in Success, Not Just Failure

4. Ego in the Gym: Train Smart, Stay Humble

Gyms are breeding grounds for ego—especially when some folks treat personal training clients like they own the mirror.

Every gym instinct I’ve had—every time someone asked for technique feedback—I’ve seen two choices:

1. Right or learn.
   ➤ If you’re wrong, thank them. Tell them you’ll check on it.
   ➤ If you’re right, share why—and help them learn too.

There is no third option.
Remember: “…It’s not shame not to know; it’s shame not to learn.” —My dad

What Are Character Strengths & Virtues?

✅ Final Takeaways: Your Ego, Your Choice

• Don’t suppress ego. Use it. For accountability, growth, and staying honest with yourself.
• Be open—stay wrong occasionally. That’s where growth lives.
• Let success amplify who you already are. It won’t fix character—you must build that yourself.
• Tap early, learn hard. On the mats and in life. That’s how your ego becomes an asset.

Ego isn’t the enemy.
It’s a tool. Use it wisely.

📣 Ready to Take Action?

If you’re tired of waiting for motivation and ready to build the discipline that leads to real results, check out my other posts:

• How to Actually Learn Anything (The One Trick No One Talks About)
• Get Jacked: Finding the Right Training Method for Your Goals
• Why Motivation Isn’t Enough: 4 Brutal Truths That Actually Drive Action
• The 18-Minute Rule: Why Mastery is Easier Than You Think
• Diet & Nutrition

Remember, the journey to success starts with a single disciplined step. Take that step today.

Ready to Level Up Your Discipline?
Check out my free PDF guide on building real strength through discipline, not motivation. If you’re serious about taking ownership of your goals, this is where it starts.
👉 https://theanvarmethod.com/courses/
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