Hey friend,

Tonight, I posted something vulnerable on X about my health journey. Here's the post:

My hopes are that people feel encouraged to share their own struggles. Their own guilt. Their own “energy for everything except myself” moments.

But more importantly, I want to people ask themselves the following question within their own lives:

That’s this week’s Strategic Drop.

& this is what I learned this week.

I’m on weight loss medication. That’s not secret anymore (I posted it publicly and I talk about it often).

And suddenly, everyone had opinions.

“Are you sure that’s safe?” “Have you tried cutting carbs?” “You should really work out more.” “You're taking the easy way out” “You’re being lazy.”

All from people who love me. All from people who care. And also from complete strangers.

But here’s what I learned: their opinions about my health are not my responsibility.

I had to make a decision:

Do I listen to every voice? (No — I’ll go insane. I know this from past experience.) Do I ignore all external input? (No — some advice is actually helpful)

Or do I do something harder: I listen to everything, then filter it through MY OWN FEELINGS and MY OWN JUDGMENT.

That’s the hard part. The part nobody teaches you.

Here’s what that looks like for me:

Someone says “you should be working out more.” I don’t argue. I listen. Then I ask myself: “What am I actually feeling? What do I actually need right now?”

Right now? I need rest. I need to focus on eating choices first. The gym can wait. I've had a significant weight loss in the past. It happened naturally. I worked out more and ate less. I remember that being my answer to the constant question of how did you lose all that weight?!

Rest is not laziness. That’s honesty. But know when you need to move on from that season of rest.

I'm not angry at the person. Not defensive. Just… clear on what I actually need.

That’s self-trust.

And it’s the thing people struggle with most, especially in building and in health.

This is my current thought process:

• Listen (be open to input)
• Feel (check in with yourself)
• Decide (trust your judgment)
• Move (take action based on what YOU need, not what others think you need)

That’s it.

Here’s the real story (What the heck was I reading already, not the story?!):

I’m struggling to move my body. I know I need to. I feel guilty that I’m not. But I’m not working out.

And I’m not okay with that.

My energy is finite. And right now, the priority has been: eat well, make intentional choices, trust myself.

The gym will come when it comes. And honestly, it's here it just doesn't look like 2 hour days in the gym and running a mile on the treadmill. In fact, I don't run. I walk. It's important for me to consider my capabilities while also still remembering that I am capable. So workouts recently look like 15-30 minutes of strength training and HIIT 2-3 times a week. This works for now but like I said I feel guilty for being what others might consider not my fullest potential.

I’m monitoring my food choices (not obsessing, just aware). I’m taking the medication as prescribed. I’m trying to sleep more (keyword: trying). However, the guilt. The shame. Listening to other people’s timelines. Is not helping.

The lesson:

Discipline means making intentional choices that align with your actual values. Right now, my value is: take care of my health in a way that doesn’t discourage me long term.

That looks like: eating better, resting more, moving when I have energy.

Not: restricting, working out 5x a week, or following someone else’s plan.

I'm trusting my body, my instincts, my judgment.

I can’t build something real if I’m running on empty. I can’t lead if I’m destroying myself. I can’t show up for people if I’m not showing up for myself.

So I’m doing this slowly. Honestly. In a way that feels sustainable. (I 100% recommend it!)

What you might want to consider doing for yourself:

If you’re juggling work + building + life, check in with yourself:

Where are you grinding when you should be resting?

Where are you listening to others when you should be trusting yourself?

What would change if you prioritized yourself as much as your project?

Take one small action based on your answer. Not because someone told you to. Because you know you need it.

Trust yourself, even when everyone has opinions.

Building in public, always 🤍

Megs

P.S. Proverbs 4:23 is becoming my life verse right now. If you have one that’s guiding you, I’d love to know.