Let’s be real, no diet, workout, or motivation hack will stick if you don’t address the deeper roadblocks. And most women don’t realize that it’s not their discipline holding them back… it’s their mental health patterns.
In this episode, Coach Jen and I break down the hidden mental health roadblocks that sabotage fitness goals from toxic positivity and perfectionism to old habits rooted in upbringing and avoidance.
Here’s what we dig into:
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Why fat gain is often a symptom, not the cause
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The hidden ways perfectionism and all-or-nothing thinking sabotage results
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Toxic positivity: what it really is and why it keeps you stuck
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Why quick fixes and constant program-hopping don’t work
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How relationships and environment influence fitness outcomes
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Why vulnerability and asking for help are key to lasting success
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How we integrate mental health awareness inside Powerhouse Academy to drive transformation
You’re not failing because you’re lazy or undisciplined. You’re failing because you keep putting a Band-Aid on a stab wound. – Nathalia Melo
If you’ve ever felt like you’re failing because you couldn’t just “push harder,” this episode will help you see the real reason why and what to do about it.
Because true transformation doesn’t come from ignoring your patterns. It comes from understanding and addressing them.
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More about the Unfiltered Fit Life podcast
Ever wish you had a fit and straightforward BFF with over 15 years of experience to help you filter through all the information regarding fitness, nutrition, and life?
That’s exactly what you’ll get when you listen to the Unfiltered Fit Life Podcast.
Join Former Bikini Olympia Champion, mom of 2, and fitness coach Nathalia Melo each week as she shares fitness, nutrition, and life tips to help busy working moms simplify their fitness journey so they can learn easy and simple strategies on how to lose weight and feel sexy AF.
After helping over 5000 busy working moms, Nathalia has found the blueprint to fitness, nutrition, and life success, which she will be sharing in this podcast: actionable tips that will help busy working moms be more present at work and at home.
This show is for you if you realize that nothing good comes from your comfort zone and are ready to challenge yourself to achieve great things. Follow Unfiltered Fit Life wherever you are listening to join us each week for a splash of sass, humor, and a whole lotta truth.
The podcast transcript for this episode of the Unfiltered Fit Life podcast follows
Mindset vs. Mental Health
Nathalia Melo [00:00:03]
Mindset gets thrown around in fitness all the time but it’s not the same as mental health. In this opening, I explain why weekend seminars and motivational hype don’t equip you to tackle the deeper issues that actually shape your habits, beliefs, and results.
What Mindset Can’t Fix
Jennifer Lawson [00:01:45]
Jen breaks down how mindset is temporary and circumstantial, while true mental health work digs into the root causes of behavior patterns. A weekend of fist pumps won’t undo years of conditioning real change takes layers of awareness and time.
How Upbringing Shapes Your Fitness Struggles
Nathalia Melo [00:04:30]
From chaotic homes to strict perfectionist environments, the way we’re raised leaves patterns that follow us into adulthood. I share how women often miss the link between their upbringing and the behaviors sabotaging their health and fitness today.
Why Habits Run Deeper Than Willpower
Jennifer Lawson [00:05:48]
Jen explains why breaking ingrained habits is more like breaking an addiction than simply “changing your mindset.” The rituals, environments, and social triggers tied to behaviors like overeating or avoidance are multi-layered and require deeper work.
When Fat Loss Is Just a Symptom
Nathalia Melo [00:06:50]
Weight gain or fat loss struggles are often just symptoms of what’s happening in your headspace. I share how chasing the next quick fix keto, carnivore, challenges, fasting only treats the surface while the real issues go unaddressed.
Perfectionism, Control, and Self-Sabotage
Jennifer Lawson [00:12:07]
The perfectionist or all-or-nothing mindset usually isn’t discipline it’s a control mechanism rooted in past chaos. Jen explains how these patterns show up in fitness and why they ultimately sabotage progress instead of supporting it.
The Cost of Not Asking for Help
Nathalia Melo [00:14:07]
So many women resist vulnerability and think they “should” know how to figure it out alone. I challenge this belief and share why pride and perfectionism keep women from getting the support that could change everything.
Toxic Positivity in Fitness
Jennifer Lawson [00:27:30]
Jen and I unpack the danger of “positivity at all costs.” Convincing yourself you’re fine when you’re avoiding photos, hating your clothes, or settling for less isn’t empowerment it’s gaslighting yourself. True positivity comes from honesty, not denial.
Living vs. Existing
Nathalia Melo [00:33:21]
So many women are “grateful but unhappy.” Friends may tell them they look great, but inside they feel stuck. I explain why accepting “good enough” robs you of fully living and why honesty about your goals is the first step to reclaiming joy.
Why Addressing Mental Health Matters in Fitness
Jennifer Lawson [00:34:52]
From bone density to mobility, ignoring your health has long-term consequences. Jen highlights how avoiding these truths not only impacts your physical body but also filters into depression, relationships, and quality of life.
How We Approach It Inside Powerhouse Academy
Nathalia Melo [00:38:46]
Inside Powerhouse Academy, we don’t just hand out cookie-cutter plans. We dig into behavior patterns, ask deeper questions, and use both mental health and fitness tools to help women succeed long term. With Coach Jen’s expertise, we can spot obsessive behaviors, perfectionist tendencies, and patterns that other coaches miss — and help women finally break free.
