What It Really Means to Be Vulnerable — and How Embracing It Can Transform Your Health

Thought For The Week

Most of us are pretty comfortable showing the polished parts of ourselves — the things we’re good at, the wins we can point to, the moments where we feel confident and capable.

What we tend to hide are the messier pieces: uncertainty, self-doubt, fear. The real and “in-progress” versions of ourselves.

We hesitate to admit when something feels hard, when we don’t know what we’re doing, or when we’re struggling more than we’d like to let on.

In her book Daring Greatly, Brené Brown describes this space — the place where we show up without any guarantees — as vulnerability.

It’s the moment where we don’t know how things are going to turn out, but we choose to show up anyway.

It can feel exposed, awkward, and uncomfortable — like stepping forward without armour or certainty to protect us. And while it’s often the part we’d rather avoid or rush through, it’s also the foundation of growth, connection, and courage.

Exercise Tip

Exercise is one of the most tangible places vulnerability can show up.

Every time we try a movement we haven’t mastered, lift a weight that feels heavy, or show up to a class or session unsure of what to expect, we’re stepping into uncertainty.

It can feel exposing to sweat, breathe heavily, move imperfectly, or feel like our body isn’t “keeping up.”

It can be especially uncomfortable when it seems like everyone else knows exactly what they’re doing.

And yet, it’s in those moments — when we allow ourselves to start somewhere, to stumble, and to try again — that real progress happens.

Showing up, even when we feel unprepared or self-conscious, is an act of courage and a catalyst for change.

Try this:

This week, notice one moment in your training where you feel unsure, awkward, or “not good enough.” Instead of avoiding it, stay with it for one set or one minute longer than you normally would. No fixing, no judging — just noticing.

Nutrition Tip

Vulnerability in nutrition shows up when we take an honest look at our habits — when we notice that we haven’t been consistent, when we rely on convenience foods more often than we’d like, or when we eat in response to stress, boredom, or loneliness.

It can feel exposing to admit to ourselves that our choices aren’t always serving us, or that we’ve been telling ourselves stories about what we “deserve,” instead of facing the reality of what’s actually happening.

Vulnerability also shows up when we ask for help, guidance or support, and when we experiment with new routines or new foods — especially when we don’t know if they’ll “work.”

Admitting that we don’t have it all figured out, or that our current approach isn’t supporting us, can feel uncomfortable. But those moments of honesty are often the first step toward change.

Just like in exercise, allowing ourselves to face these uncomfortable truths is where real growth begins.

Try this:

If nutrition has felt overwhelming or inconsistent lately, choose one small area where you could use some support — and reach out. That might mean asking a question (feel free to message me — I’d love to hear from you), planning ahead, or trying one new food or routine.

Links & Resources

Book: In Daring Greatly, Brené Brown explores the power of vulnerability, showing how leaning into uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure can lead to greater courage, connection, and personal growth. Her work challenges the idea that vulnerability is weakness, reframing it as the foundation for meaningful change in all areas of life.

Ted Talk: Brené Brown shows that vulnerability is not a flaw to hide, but the key to building real connection, creativity, and courage, because it lets us be truly seen and valued.

Blog post: Mark Manson explains how opening up to vulnerability and becoming more comfortable with your emotions, your faults, and with expressing yourself without inhibitions, can result in the best interactions and relationships of your life.

Inspirational Quote

“Do one thing every day that scares you.”

Eleanor Roosevelt