The story of how avoiding reflexes, in the gym and in business, is keeping me from growing (but I'm learning to do it with a smile)

Here I am, jumping to the rhythm of the music during aerobics. Thanks to my dear friend Ketty, I've started moving again. But there's one detail: I avoid any reflective surface as if I were an incognito vampire.

Not for fear of the sun, but of judgment.

I tell myself I’m kicking ass, that I’m a modern-day Jane Fonda—just with less glitter. But the truth? In the mirror, I probably look more like an octopus desperately trying to do the Macarena.

And you know what the problem is? I see this reflex sometimes in my startup too.

“Everything is going great!” I proclaim, while ignoring last month’s numbers as if they were embarrassing memes. I tell myself that everything is under control, but in reality I’m just copying strategies I’ve seen elsewhere, without knowing if they’re actually working for me.

The mirror doesn't lie

There’s a little voice that always tells me, “Look in the mirror! Check your posture!” It’s the same voice that in my professional life sounds like my mentor asking, “Have you analyzed your metrics? Have you listened to your clients?”

And that’s the difference. In the gym, you can choose not to look in the mirror. But when you have someone to help you—a coach who corrects you or a mentor who challenges you with the right questions—that mirror becomes a tool. Not a harsh judge, but a guide. It shows you not only where you’re wrong, but where you can improve. And it helps you do it faster than you could on your own.

A new perspective

The lesson I'm learning, with sweat on my brow and a forced face, is that looking in the mirror is uncomfortable , yes, but necessary .

It is only by facing what you see (or what you avoid seeing) that you can truly grow.

In the gym, you learn to dance to your own beat. In business, you start to really innovate, instead of lip-syncing other people’s ideas.

Maybe finding out you're not as bad as you think.

In the meantime, I continue to position myself strategically behind the lady in the neon leggings. It's called market positioning , right?

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Ready to look in the mirror and really grow?

The journey to finding your groove, whether in the gym or in business, is easier with someone to help you see what you can’t see on your own. With the right support, you can stop copying other people’s strategies and start truly innovating.

If you want a mentor who can act as a mirror for you – with targeted questions, strategic analysis and a tailored plan – find out how I can help you. Book a consultation and let's accelerate your path to success together.

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Claudia Caroleo Startup Mentor | MVP Strategy | Impactful Pitch Decks | Achieved Product-Market Fit for 10+ Startups | Go-to-Market & Growth | Connect for Startup Success