Overcoming Obstacles with Linda Mitchell of Sisterhood of S.W.E.A.T

Linda’s personal story is one of overcoming obstacles. Time after time, she has been knocked down, only to rise stronger. From being abused by a close family member as a child, to leaving an abusive marriage as a stay-at-home mom, to the ups and downs of finding a way to support her family, the highs and lows of a career in the fitness industry, her experiences as a fitness competitor (and the torn hamstring she competed through)… plus her books, her podcast and the new women's fitness boutique she is about to open.

One of the things I love most about Linda is that she never gives up.  Every time she is hit with an obstacle, she evaluates, regroups and finds a way to continue achieving. You will leave this interview with Linda Mitchell feeling inspired and ready to take on the world.

Linda  is a 55 year old -- award-winning fitness competitor, women’s health expert and an elite obstacle racer. I met Linda a few years ago at a fitness convention, and was interviewed on her podcast, the Sisterhood of S.W.E.A.T., last summer. Linda’s podcast is one of my favorite women’s empowerment and fitness podcasts to listen to.

Linda is an author, podcaster, and fitness studio owner all under The Sisterhood of S.W.E.A.T. brand. Her book and the studio are all about helping women build confidence and self-esteem and learning to feel 100% great about themselves. Linda also collaborated on the fitness portion of the book Fat Flush for Life with mentor and New York Times Best Selling author Ann Louise Gittleman.

 We talked about perseverance, abuse, empowerment, being an overcomer... and more. Listen in the player above, or find Power Up Your Performance on iTunes, Google Play or Spotify. My chat with Linda is episode 45.

A few highlights:

10:25 - "I don't believe that God intended for any woman to live under somebody's foot as a doormat."

17:10 - How she got started in writing at 40 years of age.

18:20 - "I'm on this journey, and things happen to you. And you just make the most out of each thing."

27:15 - The power of sharing your own personal story. "Obstacles are opportunities in disguise, a lot of times. Your struggle, when you look at it, look at the story that is going to come out of it when you buckle down and see it through." 

28:20 "I just knew that my story, somehow, was going to reach out and touch someone today that needed it."

"Your dreams matter, and just because you're married to someone who has a bigger paycheck... a lot of times as women, I think we shrink back, and I don't think that is our role. I think we are supposed to shine."

"When you do tell it [your story], you help other people who need to hear it, and maybe they can only hear it from you, and when you do tell it, maybe you have the solution to their problem."

20:30 What do you tell a person who is so afraid to take that first step? "Fear fades when you face it."

"I think realizing your worth is a huge part of it. When I realized my worth and my value, it was easier to stand up."

35:00 - Fitness and figure competition

37:21 "Give yourself permission to suck until you don't." 

40:00 "Understand that you don't have to be perfect at things the first time, that you can fail, that it's part of the learning process." (Kim Peek)

40:45 On keeping the doubters and naysayers out of your head...

"The first thing to realize is that they can't see themselves doing that.' 

"You've just got to realize that they are coming from this space over here, and you have to define yourself. Don't ever let somebody else have the keys to your happiness or define you. This is your life. God gave it to you for a reason, and He put in your heart what is in your heart because He expects you to be in charge of that and live that out."

43:56 "Flip that switch. Don't let that negativity in your mindset. Focus on the positive always. Negativity never serves you. Put it on the shelf and focus on what it is you want to do. Don't let anyone stop you from what you want to do."

44:36 Traits of those with a champion's mindset: overcome obstacles, turn obstacles into opportunity.

Resources: 

Download the free chapter of Linda's book, Sisterhood of S.W.E.A.T.

Connect with Linda on Instagram, or Facebook

The episode of Linda's podcast where she interviewed me.

Women in Film documentary I mentioned.

About your Podcast Host:

Coach Kim Peek is a movement and mindset strategist with a passion for running, triathlon, nutrition and all things fitness. She is also a theater-mom, dog-mom and breast cancer survivor. 

You can hang out with Coach Kim online at:

www.CrushingMyGoals.com

Facebook 

Instagram @PowerOfRun

And join the free STRENGTH CHALLENGE group at Power of Run. Click here.

Business owners, leaders, supervisors: Learn how a fit workplace can help increase productivity, camaraderie and retention, as well as improve the health of your team. Free webinar and resources here: https://www.crushingmygoals.com/Fit-at-Work