Why most fitness plans fall apart (and what we’ll do differently)

Welcome to the kick off of the 2026 Nerd Fitness Challenge!

If you’re starting the year excited and a little wary because you’ve been here before, you’re exactly who this Challenge is for.

In this first short video, I’m going to ask you to start from a place you might not expect.

We’re not starting with goals or motivation.

Instead, we’re looking ahead at what usually gets in the way

​Key ideas from the video:

• The challenges that knock you off track are often predictable

• We name those pitfalls early, we can plan around them

• This is how we stop repeating the same cycle every January

• It’s rarely an issue of “motivation” or “not caring enough” – fitness plans fail when they don’t account for real life challenges

Common examples of pitfalls include:

• An unpredictable work schedule

• Kids (or you) getting sick

• Feeling guilty taking time for yourself

• Trying to change everything at once and burning out

• Frustrated by lack of progress

Your action step today:

​Download the worksheet and fill out Section 1: Pitfalls.

Write down 2-3 things that have knocked you off track in the past – or that make you nervous about starting again.

Don’t overthink it. Simple is better.

You’re not trying to “fix” anything – just notice the patterns.

-Matt

P.S. Want a coach to walk you through this exact process? See who would be a good fit for you.