From Perfectionist to Fitness Instructor: Megan R's SHINE Story
- Jess Takimoto
- Apr 27
- 4 min read
"Just because you can't do it now doesn’t mean you’ll never be able to. I learned that trying—even when you’re not the best—is where real growth and confidence come from." – Meg
Watch the full story: https://youtu.be/9vfbBXvmu7A
Summary
Introduction
Megan's SHINE journey started back in 2021 with a single livestream class she hated—and now, four years later, she’s not only working out consistently but leading classes as a coach.
In this episode, we dive into how Megan overcame perfectionism, shifted her mindset around fitness, and found confidence in doing things she once thought she “wasn’t good at.” We also talk about how SHINE helped her rediscover joy in movement—and why trying (even when you’re not perfect) is the key to growth.
This was filmed just before Megan's 6-month mark as an instructor, so you’ll hear her reflect on that journey too!
What Was Megan R's Relationship With Fitness Before SHINE?
Before SHINE FIT, Megan's relationship with fitness was shaped by two things:
❌ She believed if she wasn’t good at something, it wasn’t worth doing.
❌ Any workout she tried, she hated.
Growing up, organized sports and traditional fitness never felt right. If she wasn’t the best, she’d quit. Like many perfectionists, Megan avoided anything that made her feel "less than"—including fitness.
By the time she reached university, gyms felt intimidating, workouts felt like a chore, and movement was something she thought just wasn’t for her.
Can you relate to that feeling of intimidation in traditional fitness environments? To the perfectionist tendency to give up when you feel you are not good at something?
The Turning Point: Discovering SHINE and Finding Workouts Could Be Fun
In January 2021, Megan R decided to try SHINE FIT because a friend (and SHINE instructor) encouraged her.
Her initial reaction reaction?
“Nope. Not for me. I can't do this.”
It wasn’t until two months later that she gave it another shot. Slowly, something shifted:
💙 She committed to “one month” of classes.
💙 She realized workouts could actually be fun.
💙 She felt herself getting stronger—and wanted more.
What started as a way to “be less lazy” and maybe improve her stamina became something she genuinely looked forward to.
The Identity Shift: "I am a Fit Person"
It didn’t happen overnight, but over time Meg stopped seeing herself as someone who "wasn’t athletic" and started owning her new identity.
"People would tell me I was fit before I could believe it myself. Eventually, I started saying—yeah, I am a fit person."
This shift in self-perception was key. Once Meg stopped focusing on what she couldn’t do and started celebrating what she could, everything changed.
From Perfectionist to Confident Coach
Over four years, Megan R's mindset around fitness completely changed:
✔️ She stopped focusing on being “the best” and embraced progress.
✔️ She found joy in movement—not punishment.
✔️ She built confidence by showing up, even when it wasn’t perfect.
✔️ She shifted from “I can’t do this” to “I actually enjoy this.”
Now, Megan leads classes at SHINE FIT, showing others that you don’t need to be perfect to belong—you just need to start.
“No one comes in perfect. You grow by trying. It’s better to show up and have fun than to sit on the sidelines because you’re scared of not being the best.”
Why Megan Loves Being on Team SHINE!!
Becoming an instructor wasn’t something Meg ever pictured for herself. But with a little push (and a lot of mindset shifts), she discovered how much she loves helping others find their confidence too.
"I made a million excuses why I couldn’t do it. But once I tried, I realized I didn’t need to be perfect—I just needed to show up and inspire others to do the same."
As part of Team SHINE, Meg is passionate about:
✨ Encouraging members to embrace imperfection.
✨ Creating a welcoming space where everyone feels they belong.
✨ Showing that fitness is about joy, progress, and community—not comparison.
Advice for Anyone Starting Their Fitness Journey
Megan's advice is simple but powerful:
“Give yourself a chance. Not everything will feel great the first time—but if you stick with it, you’ll surprise yourself with what you can do.”
She recommends committing to at least three classes of the same format before deciding if something isn’t for you. And most importantly—stop waiting to be perfect before you start.
Conclusion: Megan R's SHINE Story Continues
Megan R’s journey is proof that true transformation isn’t about being perfect—it’s about giving yourself permission to try, even when you don’t feel ready. She didn’t fall in love with fitness overnight. In fact, she almost didn’t come back after her first class. But by saying yes—again and again—she built confidence, consistency, and a completely new identity.
What started as a hesitant commitment to "just try it for a month" turned into four years of growth, both physically and mentally. Now, as a SHINE FIT instructor and law student, Megan embodies the mindset that progress comes from showing up, embracing imperfection, and celebrating every win along the way.
Her story is a reminder that you don’t have to be the best to belong. You don’t have to wait until you feel confident to get started. Confidence is built through action—and when you find a community like SHINE FIT, that journey becomes fun, empowering, and sustainable.
If perfectionism or fear of not being "good enough" has ever held you back, let Megan's story inspire you. You are capable of more than you think—the first step is simply believing you deserve to take up space.
TAKE ACTION
Feeling inspired by Megan R's story? Listen to the full episode of SHINE Stories on Spotify or Apple now! If you’re ready to start your own journey and experience the power of community, book a free intro session today and let’s chat about how SHINE can help you transform your relationship with fitness.
Ready to start your transformation? Click here to book your free intro session today!
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