What Elephants Taught Me About Health And Fitness
Before I became a coach, I was a zookeeper.
One of my most memorable, and brilliant, experiences was working with elephants.
They were huge, powerful, playful, stubborn, intelligent, emotional… and they changed the way I think about movement, discipline, and how we take care of ourselves.
Turns out, they were some of my greatest teachers.
Here’s what they taught me about health and fitness, and how it might help you too:
1. Patience
Elephants move slow, really slow.
But they don’t stop. They just keep going.
Health is the same. We all want fast results, quick fixes, immediate “transformation.”
But true health doesn’t work like that. Progress comes from steady, consistent steps.
It’s not about speed.
It’s about not stopping.
2. Relationship
Working with elephants wasn’t about dominance, it was about trust. Respect. Time.
The same goes for your relationship with your health, your body, your habits.
If that relationship is built on shame, punishment, or resentment, it won’t last.
But if it’s built on kindness, consistency, and care?
You’ve got something worth holding onto.
3. Fun
One of the best parts of the job? Watching them play.
Elephants splash in mud, wrestle each other, steal food, and goof around.
It was a good reminder: movement can be fun.
Too often we treat fitness like a punishment, a chore to suffer through.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Move how you enjoy. Play a little. Make it yours.
4. Hard Work
Look, caring for elephants was hard.
The days were long. The work was physical. The smell? Unforgettable.
But it mattered.
And so does the work you put into your health, lifting weights, prepping food, setting boundaries, resting well.
It’s not always sexy. But it’s real. And it counts.
5. Showing Up
I showed up every day for those elephants.
Rain, hail, gastro outbreaks, heartbreak, I was there.
And that’s what your health needs too.
Not perfection. Not hustle. Just presence.
Even on tough days, show up.
That’s where real strength is built.
6. Purpose
Caring for elephants gave me purpose.
It reminded me that showing up and doing the work, even the unglamorous bits, is worth it when it’s connected to something meaningful.
That’s what I want for your health journey too.
Not just scales or selfies.
But purpose: feeling stronger. Being more present. Living longer, fuller, freer.
Remember the elephants.
Be patient.
Build the relationship.
Make it fun.
Do the work.
Keep showing up.
Find your purpose.
That’s how you grow strong, physically and mentally.
Need support building habits that stick, even when life is messy?
I coach real people through real challenges, with movement, nutrition, structure, and support.
If you’re ready to start, I’m here.
Let’s chat.
