I’m sure this incredible woman needs no introduction to those that watch Extreme Weight Loss religiously. But for anyone that may have missed one of our most jaw-dropping transformations every, meet Jacqui McCoy. Not only is Jacqui an inspiration to the millions that got to know her on ABC last summer, but she is also one of my biggest role models in life. Jacqui McCoy is beautiful inside and out, and has words of wisdom beyond her years.
“I Can’t”
by Jacqui McCoy
The two most hated words of trainers and coaches every where are the word?s: I can?t. I know every time I was presented with something very challenging, especially in the beginning as much as I tried my hardest not to utter those two negative words they often did slipped out of my mouth before I could catch myself. Chris Powell and his wife, Heidi, as well as my local trainer, Matt Franco, would be pretty frustrated when I would tell them I can?t do it. These are some things I learned about saying ?I can?t!?
1) Don?t say you can?t do something unless you try it first. Sometimes I would defeat myself mentally before I even gave it a shot. Give it your best try and see what happens. You may surprise yourself! Most trainers will not ask you to do something you can?t physically do but they want to challenge you. The challenges change your body and empowers your mind.
2) What I can?t usually truly means is: I?m scared. It is SO ok to be scared. I know my trainers would have been way more receptive to me telling them that the truth was that I had fear and anxiety and was way out of my comfort zone. In fact once I started owning up to being afraid they found ways to coach me through it and help me face my fears. One of my biggest fears was box jumps. In fact I refused to do them for a really long time. I did box step up?s instead. One day another trainer of mine in Arizona, Aj Richards, just would not let me get out of it. He knew I could do it. I told him I was terrified of the tripping on the box. So, he made a stack of weights for me the same height as the box and said ?ok, now try it, you can?t trip on these.? I was still afraid but I did it, and was amazed I could actually do it! It was a huge victory and I was so glad he helped me face my fears.
3) Sometimes you really can?t do it. There were things that no matter how hard I tried I just wasn?t able to do what was asked of me. I wasn?t at the fitness or strength level to complete the task. However, I never say I can?t do it anymore. I say I am not able to do it YET, but I will keep training until I can. Changing your mindset really will change your health and your body.
Want to talk to Jacqui? Find and follower her here:
54 Responses
Just commenting to win a signed copy of Choose More, Lose More for Life! Jacqui is such an inspiration and defferently in my top five favorite transformations of all time!
I actually remember her from last season and loved her episode because it struck close to home. And I remember thinking if she can do I can at least try. So I have been trying and with little success on my own until I read Chris Powell’s book seriously changed SO much for me mentally.
used to say “I can’t” all the time. I have started walking and even added some very slow jogging in. I CAN go a litte farther everyday!!
Great perspective… I will try to get this mindset. Thanks for the info.
I know the feeling. Can’t is a bad habit basically. I just don’t have anyone there telling me that I can.. Ugh I need that extra boost..
This is such a great article. As I have begun my own transformation this year I have become aware of so many things that I do to derail myself. One of them being “I can’t”. I am shocked at the amount of time I catch myself saying I Can’t, even if it is only mentally. Part of it is as Jacqui points out, fear…fear of failing, fear of the unknown, fear of stepping out of that comfort zone. Part of it is having slid unconsciously into being so used to my weight and physical challenges being a barrier that I have to shift my frame of mind as I lose and reach new levels of fitness.
I have the bad habit of always saying I Can’t and I know that it is because I am afraid to fail. I need to work on this. Thank you for sharing!
I guess my trainers are pretty frustrated with me – I say “I can’t” all the time and I shake my head too. Truth be told, it is the fear and I can really relate to the jump box. I have ruled that out – period. Maybe it is time to try. Trying and failing is better than not trying at all.
Thank you Jacqui for the inspiration. I have only a few things I feel I can’t do…lol I will put your advise to work on me. Thanks again
Great motivation. All the stories are very inspiring.