We’ve all seen it. The 4 a.m. wake-up calls, the ice baths, the bottomless protein shakes, and the relentless grind posted on social media as the gold standard for success. In Episode 38 of The Voice of Fitness Reason Podcast, we dive into the myth of hustle culture in 2025 and why blindly following what you see online might be doing more harm than good.
"We’ve reached a point where waking up exhausted is seen as a badge of honour, not a red flag. That’s not fitness—it’s burnout in disguise."
The Hustle Culture Illusion
Social media feeds are flooded with highlight reels of so-called "optimal" routines: early mornings, double workouts, zero rest days, and constant productivity. But here's the truth—it’s not the full picture. What you're seeing is often a curated version of reality designed to sell a product, boost a following, or validate someone's identity.
A Personal Wake-Up Call (That Didn’t Happen at 4 a.m.)
I’ll be honest—I've had moments scrolling through Instagram where I’ve questioned everything. There's a 22-year-old fitness model doing burpees on a beach in Bali before sunrise while I’m just trying to survive bedtime routines with my two kids and remember where I left my car keys. I’m (almost) 40 now, married, dad of two, and my most committed long-term relationship is with my pillow.
There was a time I thought, “Am I falling behind?” But then it hit me: I don’t need to keep up. I just need to keep going. My version of fitness doesn’t have to be flashy or filtered—it just has to be mine.
The Pitfalls of Perfectionism
Trying to replicate these extreme habits can lead to:
Burnout: Physical and emotional exhaustion from doing too much, too fast.
Guilt: Feeling like a failure when you miss a workout or eat something ‘off plan’.
Injury: Overtraining without adequate rest or proper guidance.
Disconnection: Losing touch with why you started your health journey in the first place.
What You Can Do Instead
It’s time to redefine what success in health and fitness really looks like. Here are some tips to protect your mental and physical well-being:
Create Your Own Routine: Build a fitness plan that suits your lifestyle, energy levels, and goals. If that includes workouts squeezed between school runs and snack negotiations, you’re winning.
Prioritise Recovery: Rest is productive. Sleep, mobility, and downtime are just as important as workouts. (Bonus points if you can sneak in a nap without the kids finding you.)
Set Realistic Goals: Focus on progress, not perfection. Small, consistent wins add up—even if they come in the form of a 15-minute stretch session before bed.
Limit Comparison: Use social media for inspiration, not validation. Unfollow accounts that make you feel inadequate or like you need a six-pack to be worthy.
Stay Connected to Your ‘Why’: Remember what motivated you to get started—whether it’s to feel better, move more, or simply enjoy life (and keep up with your kids on the playground without pulling a hammy).
"Real fitness is about feeling good, not looking good on Instagram."
Let’s stop glorifying burnout and start celebrating balance. Fitness should enhance your life—not become another pressure point.
Want to hear more? Listen to Episode 38 of The Voice of Fitness Reason Podcast here and join the conversation on redefining what healthy really means in 2025.
(And if you’re reading this in your dressing gown with a cup of tea—you're our kind of person.)
FRANK
your Personal Trainer / Hustle-less Dad Of 2
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