For years, I told myself stories that weren’t true.
I thought I had to be naturally gifted to be great at business.
I believed relationships were just about finding the right person, not becoming the right person.
And when it came to my health, I assumed I had to suffer—low calories, endless cardio, extreme discipline—to see results.
These beliefs held me back for years.
I’d burn myself out working harder, not smarter.
I’d struggle to maintain connections, thinking success had to be a solo mission.
And I’d cycle through overtraining and exhaustion, wondering why my body wasn’t responding the way I wanted.
Then, I realized it wasn’t my circumstances keeping me stuck. It was my mindset.
I see the same thing with high performers every day.
They think their body peaks in their 20s.
They believe that business success comes at the cost of their health.
They assume burnout is just part of the deal.
It’s all a lie.
Here are 21 limiting beliefs you need to reframe if you want to build a body that gives you the energy, power, and confidence to dominate every area of your life.
1. “I don’t have the genetics for this.”
Your habits > Your genetics. I’ve seen “average” guys outwork and outperform those with better genetics just by dialing in their systems.
2. “I need to work out every day to see results.”
More isn’t always better. Four focused training sessions will beat seven half-assed ones.
3. “I have to do tons of cardio to get lean.”
No. Strength training, muscle retention, and nutrition control fat loss—not endless running.
4. “I can’t build muscle and lose fat at the same time.”
You can, if you train hard, eat enough protein, and manage recovery properly.
5. “If I eat carbs, I’ll gain fat.”
Carbs fuel performance, muscle growth, and mental sharpness. The problem isn’t carbs—it’s eating too many calories.
6. “I need to meal prep every meal to stay on track.”
You don’t. You need a simple system that works in real life, even when traveling.
7. “I have to be in the gym for hours to see results.”
Some of the busiest entrepreneurs I coach train 45 minutes, 4x a week and look better than 99% of men.
8. “Lifting heavy will make me bulky.”
Muscle is what makes you look strong, athletic, and powerful. You won’t wake up accidentally looking like a bodybuilder.
9. “I need a perfect plan before I start.”
No. Start now, refine as you go. The only way to fail is to keep waiting.
10. “I’m too old to get in shape.”
Tell that to my clients in their 40s and 50s who look better now than in their 20s.
11. “If I miss a workout, I’ve ruined my progress.”
One workout means nothing. Consistency over weeks and months is what matters.
12. “I need to do extreme dieting to get lean.”
No. Sustainable fat loss is built on small, consistent changes, not starving yourself.
13. “If I drink alcohol, I’ll ruin my progress.”
Not true. It’s about managing intake, not eliminating everything you enjoy.
14. “I don’t have time to cook.”
You don’t need to be a chef. Simple, high-protein meals take 5-10 minutes when you know what to do.
15. “If I don’t sweat a lot, it wasn’t a good workout.”
Sweating means nothing. Strength, muscle gain, and performance improvements do.
16. “My metabolism is slow.”
Your metabolism adapts to your habits. Train hard, eat right, and you’ll see how fast things change.
17. “I’ve tried everything, nothing works for me.”
No. You just haven’t stuck to the right plan long enough to see real results.
18. “It’s too late to start now.”
The biggest lie of all. There’s never a perfect time. Start today.
19. “I can’t build an elite physique because I travel too much.”
False. I build travel-proof systems for clients that let them train anywhere, eat on the go, and still make progress.
20. “I can’t get strong and stay lean at the same time.”
Strength and leanness go hand in hand. Muscle increases metabolism, keeps you looking sharp, and makes staying lean effortless.
21. “Success in business means sacrificing my body.”
No. Success in business requires a powerful, high-energy body. When you’re fit, you think sharper, move faster, and dominate harder.
If you’re still holding onto any of these, it’s time to let them go and start operating at your highest level. Click here to apply for one-one-one coaching.
– Oliver
