When Fitness, Friendship, and Facing Our Fears Collide
I’ve always thought of myself as a pretty confident guy — I mean, I have a world’s-longest-drive trophy or two under my belt, so I’m not exactly camera-shy. Yet, it turns out even people like me suffer from impostor syndrome. Some time ago, I had the pleasure (and relief) of discovering I’m not alone when I sat down with a particular fitness phenom who openly wrestles with similar feelings. Cue entrepreneur, fitness model, and overall human spark plug, Stef Corgel.
When I first met Stef, I was instantly taken by the aura of “perfectly put-together guru” hovering around her brand — her rock-solid abs, her endless enthusiasm, the constant whir of positivity. And as she hopped on my podcast, I half-expected her to appear in a golden glow like a superhero. Instead, she came bearing humility, a story of real struggle, and a whole lot of warmth that spread through the room faster than an L.A. sunrise. Spoiler alert: she’s as human as the rest of us…and just as prone to the old “Am I really good enough?” question.
Image of Stef Corgel taken from Instagram.
From Manhattan Beach to Center Stage
Stef grew up in Southern California, living the quintessential beach kid life. We’re talking sunny days spent surfing, playing sports, and basically outrunning every runner on the coast. Eventually, she found herself playing professional basketball overseas — a small feat she tossed out as “no big deal”. Super casual.
It turned out that her path to becoming a group and virtual fitness trainer and model wasn’t all breezy waves and bikinis. She shared how, in her teenage years, she navigated a gnarly environment of heightened competition and body-centric pressures, complications that led her to an eating disorder. As an athlete, that sense of “I’m not enough” can become deafening. For her, triathlons and marathons are practically morning routines, but underneath all that physical prowess? A stage was set for harsh self-critique.
One thing I absolutely admire in Stef is her honesty about those bumps in her journey. We hear so many stories of models or fitness trainers who’ve never let us peek behind the curtain. Stef flung those purple velvet drapes wide open. And guess what? Her vulnerability makes her message — and her ab routines — twice as appealing.
All Hail the Impostor Syndrome
Impostor syndrome likes to hang out with overachievers. You’re cruising along, feeling unstoppable, then suddenly a little voice in your head pipes up, “Are you really qualified to do this?” It’s the same voice telling me, “Dude, you can’t possibly coach other people’s lives. Who do you think you are — Batman for personal development?” Meanwhile, Stef has her own version of that voice, basically asking, “Why should people listen to me when I’m not 100% ‘perfect’ either?”
I think the best medication for impostor syndrome is mutual understanding — like comparing comedic dad jokes in a circle of fellow dads. During our conversation, Stef and I realized that the reason we question our qualifications is that we want to deliver the absolute best. We both want to be sure no one walks away thinking, “Wow, that was overhyped.” Let’s face it: if you’ve ever been to a subpar fitness class or had a “less-than-enlightening” life coach, you know the struggle is real.
The Power of Shared Struggle
One of the most crucial takeaways from Stef’s journey is her belief that going through difficulties shapes how effectively you can help others. She talked about her all-girls’ high school, where competition and drama were dialed up to an 11, leaving her guarded and uneasy. When she got to college, that culture softened — a bit. But it took honest personal work on her part to get healthy, respect her body, and let go of self-sabotaging behaviors.
Now, when Stef meets women who are intimidated by fitness or who feel “less than,” she knows exactly how they feel. She’s been in that lonely space of measuring her self-worth with a mirror and a scale. Instead of handing out one-size-fits-all advice, she shows radical empathy — a fancy phrase for “she just gets it.” A person in class might be too self-conscious to do a single push-up, and Stef will meet them where they are. And that right there is the difference between a teacher you respect and a teacher you absolutely love.
Image of Stef Corgel taken from Instagram.
A Spark in the Room
What I’ve always been impressed by is Stef’s ability to elevate the atmosphere. You walk into her class expecting the usual. Then she hits you with unrelenting positivity — though, in her words, she might still have jitters about forgetting a line or fumbling a cue. If you’ve ever taken a class with her, you know what I’m talking about: even if you’re winded, sweating, and basically ready to pay someone to do your burpees, you still feel unstoppable because of her.
She calls it her relentless passion for movement, but I’d call it her relentless acceptance of people. It doesn’t matter if you have the agility of a Zen ninja or if your last workout was sliding across the couch. You’re welcome to her party. It’s not about perfection; it’s about progress (and maybe a little bit about not passing out before the cooldown).
Surround Yourself with Growth-Seekers
Stef also let me peek into her personal life beyond the iconic fitness persona. She’s pretty adamant about sharing energy with people who reciprocate the good vibes — cutting out the takers who want all her positivity but offer little in return. I can attest that once you become a new parent, as I did, or once you juggle multiple leadership roles, every minute of your day becomes prime real estate. You don’t have time to venture out with folks who drain your energy. You want that circle of go-getters who champion your ideas and keep the synergy going.
The biggest wake-up call: the difference between people who love the idea of you (“Wow, you’re so cool!“) versus those who genuinely love all of you, flaws and all. Stef hammered that point home. It’s refreshing to see someone publicly representing an inclusive, supportive community, not just with a marketing slogan, but with actual sincerity.
Looking Ahead: Marathons, Growth & Genuine Connections
Stef is on a steady path to do big, bold things, including training for the New York City Marathon. You’d think someone who’s run half marathons or triathlons would be all chill about it, but she was practically bouncing off the walls with excitement while describing the electric energy she felt watching others compete in the Big Apple.
Career-wise, she’s shifting her identity from “just trainer” to “entrepreneur,” coupling her classes, brand endorsements, and authentic positivity to motivate people in every chapter of life. Personally, she’s also welcoming a new relationship that lights her up, describing it as another lovely synergy that fuels her to step forward into bigger challenges. (update: Stef & Pat are engaged!) If that’s not the definition of #RelationshipGoals, I’m not sure what is.
Takeaways & Next Steps
1. Impostor syndrome doesn’t discriminate: You can be a world champ or a star fitness model. Nobody is off-limits to that nagging feeling of inadequacy. Embrace it, learn from it, and, well, keep going.
2. Vulnerability is insanely powerful: Stef’s willingness to reveal her backstory — her high school drama, her eating disorder — makes her more accessible. People can see themselves in her journey, which is critical for real transformation.
3. Growth is non-negotiable: Stef and I both love to surround ourselves with folks who are actively working on something — expanding a business, training for a race, pushing personal boundaries. Pick your circle carefully.
4. Moving your body can transform your life: Stef’s biggest passion is “movement,” a basic, free concept that can yield massive psychological and physical benefits. If you want to see for yourself, go track her down in a class…just bring water and a towel because you’re in for a sweaty, rewarding ride.
Image of Stef Corgel taken from Instagram.
Ready to Level Up?
And, in true Stef style, I’ll leave you with this: you don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be willing to show up, face your fears, and trust that you have something valuable to share. Because spoiler alert: you absolutely do.
Catch Stef on Instagram (@stefcorgel) to keep up with her travels, training tips, and upcoming live workout events. And if you want more from me — Anthony Thomas, the guy who can talk your ear off while also geeking out about drive distances or jiu jitsu — reach out anytime. I promise I’ll keep the dad jokes under control…mostly.
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