171: Your Journey Doesn't Have To Be Perfect (Member Interview: Alan S.)

Despite what your mind visualizes when you're thinking about your fitness and health journey, reality is never as picture perfect.    You'll have various setbacks that threaten your confidence. You might struggle with mental health issues that ruin your consistency. And you might even go years without progressing towards a healthier, happier, and leaner version of yourself.    And you know what?   This happens to everyone, including former fitness professionals like today's guest, Man Flow Yoga Member Alan.    Alan started his career in the fitness industry as a gym manager and group fitness instructor.    But after spending a few years climbing the ranks of the gym and putting his body into what he thought was the best shape its been in, life threw Alan a wicked curveball:    He suffered a mini-stroke!    You would think that a mini-stroke would force Alan to take his health even more seriously, but it actually caused him to fall off the wagon. Shortly after, he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, ADHD, and chronic depression - something he struggled with his entire life, but was only diagnosed with as an adult.    Alan didn't let this defeat him. Instead, he realized that a perfect fitness journey didn't exist, and started building his health and fitness back brick-by-brick. He started walking, then rowing, and then in October 2024 his journey took a quantum leap:    He joined Man Flow Yoga, which caused a snowball effect to his health and fitness. Today, he's stronger, happier, more resistant, and healthier than at any other point in his life.    His story shows you that your fitness journey will be full of peaks and valleys. And that the only way to fail is to give up completely.    Here's what Alan and I discuss:    How Alan utilized different medications to keep himself grounded when his mental health swayed  Why overthinking is the #1 threat to your health journey How to be okay with the ebbs and flows of your health journey (so one mistake or misstep doesn't cancel out years of progress)    And more, including…    How Alan suffered a TIA (a mini-stroke) when he thought he was at the fittest of his life (3:33)  Why overthinking can sabotage your health journey (even after beating a major health complication) (6:36)  The best type of journaling to try if you have a bipolar disorder diagnosis (22:22)  Think you're "bad" at something? Use the power of "yet" to instantly make progress (22:32) How to borrow motivational energy from your family when you're too depressed to exercise for yourself (25:50)  Why Man Flow Yoga enabled Alan, a former group fitness coach, to prioritize his health when HIIT, strength training, pilates, walking, and rowing didn't (33:33)  Going through a seismic career change? Alan shares why Man Flow Yoga can help save you from drowning in new stress (39:21)  Why relying on "negative motivation," while it can be helpful when you're starting, becomes a trap that keeps you stuck (and how to transmorph it into positive motivation) (43:58)  The #1 overlooked reason behind why it's easier to be consistent with Man Flow Yoga compared to any other type of fitness modality (45:22)   Resources mentioned in this episode:    1. Man Flow Yoga Events: Alan credits the 2025 DC event as a pivotal step on his journey. If you want to come to a 2026 in-person event, find the full list of cities we're coming to here: https://manflowyoga.com