Join me, Martinique Delport, as we welcome the remarkable Laraleigh Ruzicka, a CrossFit powerhouse and affiliate owner, who opens up about her transformation from a young girl burdened by body image pressures to a liberated athlete finding strength in performance-based fitness. Larara's candid narrative highlights the empowerment she discovered through CrossFit and hypertrophy training, which reshaped her approach to eating and self-image. She also sheds light on the often unspoken societal beauty standards that women navigate, sharing her evolution into a competitive athlete and successful gym owner. Her story is an inspiring testament to the impact of shifting focus from aesthetics to capability. Listen in as we traverse the CrossFit landscape, discussing the thrill of initial progress and the grit required to push past plateaus. We delve into the personal dedication it takes to excel in CrossFit, especially in regions like South Africa where athletes frequently juggle training with work and side hustles. Lara and I unpack the mental and emotional resilience that fuels continual improvement, even when the journey gets tough. We also touch on the nuanced relationship between body image and athletics, the struggle with disordered eating, and the importance of developing a healthy self-narrative. Lara offers insight into the coaching philosophy at 360Vida, emphasizing the transformative power of personalized coaching and the role of community in supporting members' fitness journeys. Wrapping up our discussion, Lara and I explore strategies for building a strong athlete mindset, including journaling, affirmations, and embracing psychological tools to bolster self-belief. We confront the challenges of fear and negative self-talk, highlighting the influence coaches have in turning around an athlete's confidence. Lastly, we stress the significance of curating a positive inner circle and the choices we make in our social media consumption to foster mental well-being and support our athletic ambitions. Subscribe to join our community, where dedication and resilience in the athletic journey are celebrated, and get ready to be motivated by the powerful mental aspects of fitness shared by our guests. (00:00) Inside the Athlete's Mind (11:04) Finding Wins in CrossFit Journey (22:52) Navigating Body Image and Control (29:28) Navigating Disordered Eating in Athletics (39:18) Personalized Coaching for CrossFit Members (46:20) Supporting Members in CrossFit Affiliates (01:00:06) Building Resilience Through Hard Work (01:07:17) Overcoming Pain and Technique in Crossfit (01:18:11) Building a Strong Athlete Mindset (01:25:13) Overcoming Fear and Negative Self-Talk (01:33:11) Choosing a Positive Inner Circle (01:39:01) Optimizing Your Social Media Experience Instagram Crossfit360Vida