The Gift of Being “In It”
The Gift of Being “In It”
The Psyche Behind the Physique by Maddy Michielssen
S1 · E62
Aug 30, 2026
22:27
Episode notes

What happens when you finally get the thing you wanted... and then realize it comes with challenges you never anticipated?

In this episode of The Psyche Behind the Physique, Maddy explores the idea of being “in it” — a phrase her mom used throughout her childhood as a ballet dancer whenever the dream she had worked toward started feeling harder than expected.

As a little girl, Maddy spent years waiting to get on pointe, audition for bigger roles, take partnering classes, and perform more frequently. But once those opportunities arrived, so did painful feet, endless pointe-shoe sewing, more classes, longer rehearsals, missed time with friends, and responsibilities she hadn't imagined while watching from the outside.

Her mom's reminder was simple: “Madison, you're in it.”

And that same idea applies  ... 

Keywords
contest prep
reverse dieting
female athlete
fitness mindset
#PsycheBehindThePhysique
personal growth
bodybuilding mindset
fat loss
growth vs discomfort
opportunity cost
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Where this episode is made