If you stripped away all the titles you’ve collected over the years, who are you
If you stripped away all the titles you’ve collected over the years, who would you be?
Not your job. Not your degree. Not your relationship status. Not the role everyone knows you for.
You.
Most people only know themselves in relation to external things, but when your identity becomes attached to what you’ve always done, growth can start to feel like betrayal.
Six months ago, I walked away from something I had spent years building. I had a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology. I’d been training clients for years. I had results, experience, credibility, and a life built around being an in-person trainer.
From the outside, it made no sense to leave. People thought I was crazy. But deep down, I knew I was forcing something that wasn’t meant to be my forever. Every day felt like trying to fit a circle into a square. The more I ignored that feeling, the louder it became and eventually started to affect my health.
So I stopped choosing what was familiar and started choosing what was true. Yes, was and has been uncomfortable, uncertain, and even intimidating at times. But at the same time it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
Because I learned what I’m actually made of when I stopped living inside the version of me everyone expected.
My circle got smaller. Some people fell off. Some couldn’t understand it, and honestly thank God because now I’m happier than ever.
The life you want often belongs to a version of you that doesn’t exist yet. So let me ask you:
If other people’s opinions didn’t matter, what would you do differently? Who would you become?
Don’t sacrifice your future because you’re uncomfortable shedding your past.
And if part of that future is becoming stronger, healthier, and more confident in your own skin, my Outdoor Training Program is open. 🌿🏃♀️
Comment “OUTDOOR” and I’ll send you the details💕
I remember the moment I realized I was living more for others’ expectations than for myself. Like the author, many of us tie our identity closely to our achievements, jobs, or social roles. But what happens when those labels no longer fit? When I left a well-established career path — despite the stability and recognition it brought — I felt lost at first but also incredibly free. This process of stripping away titles and external validation is daunting. It challenges us to face who we truly are without the usual markers people associate us with. The feeling can be like trying to fit a circle into a square — uncomfortable and confining, as described in the article. Yet, by allowing myself to move beyond these constraints, I discovered new strengths and passions that were hidden beneath the surface. For anyone considering a similar shift, remember: your worth isn’t defined by a degree, a job title, or your relationship status. It’s about authenticity and growth. The author’s experience with a kinesiology degree and personal training career echoes this — despite having credible qualifications and years of experience, the true fulfillment lay in listening to the inner voice and embracing uncertainty. Choosing what’s true over what’s familiar is a brave act of self-love. It may lead to a smaller social circle and losing people who no longer resonate with your new path, but it also leads to deeper, more meaningful connections and a sense of peace. If you find yourself feeling stuck or defined solely by your external achievements, try reflecting on who you are without any titles. This can be a powerful step toward finding the life and identity that truly belong to you — perhaps even inspiring you to pursue new challenges like outdoor training or other personal growth journeys. Embrace your evolving self; sometimes growth means becoming a version of you that doesn’t yet exist but holds the promise of a happier, healthier future.
