I’ve said it myself more times than I can count: “I know what to do, so why can’t I just do it?”
This week, I’m breaking down the truth behind that feeling and why so many women end up stuck in the start–stop cycle. After winning the Olympia and later becoming a mom, I learned firsthand that discipline doesn’t disappear. What changes is your reality and when your life evolves, your plan has to as well.
Here’s what I cover:
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Why “knowing what to do” isn’t the same as knowing how to do it
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Why nothing’s wrong with you if your old plan doesn’t fit anymore
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How to stop overcomplicating everything and rebuild consistency
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The real reason you’ve lost trust in yourself (and how to get it back)
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How to create a plan that matches your current season of life
I also share a quick exercise that can change everything:
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Write down what’s at stake if nothing changes.
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Be brutally honest about what you can actually stay consistent with right now.
“It’s not that you’ve lost motivation — it’s that life evolved, but your plan didn’t. - Nathalia
This episode is your reminder that you don’t need more discipline, you need a plan that works for this version of you.
Learn HOW to stay consistent, sculpt lean muscle, and drop fat - without giving up your holiday fun.
WHEN: Nov 17th-23rd, 2025
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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
The “I Know What to Do” Trap
Nathalia Melo [00:00:01]
Welcome back to Unfiltered Fit Life! Let’s be real — how many times have you thought, “I know what to do, why can’t I just do it?” You’re not alone. This episode was made for every woman who feels like she’s falling short on consistency, even though she knows exactly what needs to be done.
I used to think the same thing — until life changed. And that’s what we’re getting into today: why knowing isn’t the same as doing, and how to rebuild trust in yourself when the old way just doesn’t work anymore.
When “Knowing What to Do” Stops Working
Nathalia Melo [00:02:15]
Back when I was competing at the Olympia, I knew what to do. I had a routine, structure, and time. But when I became a mom and life got messy, that plan stopped working. I wasn’t lazy — I was overloaded.
And that’s the first shift: just because a plan worked once doesn’t mean it fits this version of your life. Life evolves. Your plan has to evolve with it.
You’re Not Lazy — You’re Overloaded
Nathalia Melo [00:06:43]
Most women don’t lack motivation or discipline — they lack time, space, and realistic expectations. You’re not the same person who could train for two hours a day or nap between shifts. You’re running a business, raising kids, caring for family, and doing it all on limited energy.
Stop labeling yourself as lazy. You’re not. You’re exhausted and overcommitted. And that’s a completely different problem.
Unrealistic Expectations = Broken Self-Trust
Nathalia Melo [00:14:26]
When you set a plan that doesn’t fit your life and then keep failing at it, it’s not just about missing a workout. It chips away at your self-trust. Every time you say, “I’ll start Monday,” and don’t — it reinforces the belief that you can’t follow through.
It’s not a willpower issue. It’s a system issue.
Knowing What to Do vs. Knowing How to Do It
Nathalia Melo [00:16:26]
There’s a difference between knowing what to do and knowing how to do it.
Everyone knows they should eat better, move more, and sleep — but not everyone knows how to fit that into a real schedule filled with work, kids, and chaos.
It’s not about information anymore. It’s about implementation.
The False Sense of Expertise
Nathalia Melo [00:19:55]
Social media gives everyone a false sense of expertise. You scroll, you learn, you think you “should know.” Then you try, fail, and feel like something’s wrong with you.
But watching a reel and actually applying it to your life are two different things. You don’t need more information — you need structure that fits your season of life.
The “Figure It Out” Myth
Nathalia Melo [00:24:12]
How many times have you told yourself, “I’ll figure it out”? If it’s been years and nothing’s changed, it’s not about figuring it out — it’s about doing it differently.
If you’ve been trying to “figure it out” for 10, 15, 20 years, be honest — you would’ve figured it out by now. What’s missing isn’t capability; it’s guidance and accountability.
Capable vs. Able
Nathalia Melo [00:25:02]
There’s a difference between being capable and being able. You can be capable, smart, and driven — but without the right strategy or support, you’re still stuck.
Just like owning a Ferrari doesn’t mean you know how to drive it, knowing what to do doesn’t mean you know how to implement it.
What Happens If Nothing Changes
Nathalia Melo [00:32:09]
If nothing changes, what’s the cost?
Maybe it’s your health, your confidence, or your energy. Maybe it’s avoiding photos, skipping trips, or hiding from your own life.
We fear failing at something new, but forget that we’re already failing at what’s not working.
Simplifying Everything
Nathalia Melo [00:37:49]
You don’t need a perfect plan — you need a simple one. Consistency comes from alignment, not intensity. When your plan fits your life, you’ll follow it naturally.
Lack of motivation isn’t the problem. The plan is. No one stays motivated doing something that’s impossible to maintain.
The Exercise
Nathalia Melo [00:40:37]
Grab a notebook and do this:
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Write down what’s at stake if nothing changes.
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Be brutally honest about what you can actually stay consistent with right now.
Even if it’s just 20 minutes, three times a week — do that. Because consistency at 50% beats perfection at 0%.
Final Thoughts
Nathalia Melo [00:41:42]
Simplify your plan. Manage your expectations. And stop trying to be the version of yourself that had no responsibilities and all the time in the world.
You’re not lazy — you’re living in a different season. Once your plan matches your reality, consistency finally becomes possible.
