31/05/2024
I know what it’s like to feel self conscious and insecure.
Because I spent my teenage years battling acne.
Face soaps, bathing my face in steam, and smothering my skin in sudocrem.
Literally, nothing worked.
My zit shrapnel was all over my back, and face.
My pimples robbed me of my confidence…
Shattered my self-esteem…
And made me feel ugly and worthless.
No one found me attractive.
Meanwhile, my friends were getting into relationships…
Catching a tan down the beach while being topless…
And going swimming carefree.
But I was always coming up with excuses not to be topless.
Whether it was -
Begging my dad to write a letter to be excused from swimming PE lessons…
Showering with my back against a wall in rugby training…
And never wearing white tops in case my zit shrapnel exploded and blood would seep through my t-shirt.
Then, I started lifting weights.
I got bigger and stronger than boys my age.
My confidence grew.
My posture changed.
I had a presence about me.
I wasn’t scared or timid anymore.
I benched 100kg at the age of 18.
My friends started admiring my physique.
To many, I became known as “the fitness guy”.
And with some help from medication, my acne started to clear.
I found inner peace with my physique.
This journey taught me a valuable life lesson.
Confidence starts with the body, then transitions to the mind.
When you look good, you feel good.
And if you look like s**t, you’ll feel like s**t.
You’ll berate yourself…
Feel victimised…
Feel powerless…
And others will treat you how you treat yourself.
So if you want others to respect you…
Take you more seriously…
And admire you…
You’ve got to respect, love, and admire yourself first.