In all my years as a health professional, one pattern has remained painfully consistent: people are stuck in “the gap.”
The gap between where they are and where they want to be. The gap filled with frustration, unmet expectations, and the endless cycle of starting over. It’s the space where quick fixes live—those too-good-to-be-true promises of rapid results, 6-week challenges, and miracle transformations.
But here’s the truth most fitness programs won’t tell you: real change doesn’t live in the gap. It lives in the gain.
The Gap vs. The Gain
The Gap is where traditional fitness marketing thrives. It’s designed to make you feel like you’re missing something—that if you just find the right 21-day plan or the perfect cleanse, everything will click. The problem? These quick fixes treat symptoms, not root causes. They offer temporary results without sustainable habits. And when the short-term “motivation” fades, you’re back where you started, often feeling worse.
The Gain, on the other hand, is where transformation happens. It’s not about quick wins; it’s about consistent progress. It’s the shift from focusing on what you lack to building what you deserve: strength, resilience, energy, and confidence. The gain isn’t flashy. It’s not sexy. But it works—because it’s rooted in evidence, not empty promises.
The Ugly Truth
Unfortunately, programs created from the lens of “the gain” are far and few between. We, as an industry, need to have the courage to say “6 months vs. 6 weeks” or “lifelong vs. temporary”. While it may be difficult to hear and contrary to mass media, getting healthier takes longer than we think. It’s our responsibility to acknowledge and build support systems to make the journey more impactful.
That’s why you’ll never see my team and I at Applied Fitness Solutions push “21-day plans” or “14 day challenges”. We’re here to talk about the truth, why it matters, how to move forward with acceptance, and for damn sure, we’ll be right there with you every step of the way.
If you’re tired of starting over, it’s because you’re stuck in the gap. It’s time to shift your focus from what you’re missing to what you can gain.
Need More Support?
At AFS, we created My180 because we were tired of watching people get manipulated by quick-fix culture. My180 is not a challenge. It’s not a bootcamp. It’s not another program designed to spike your motivation for a few weeks, only to leave you burned out and disappointed.
If you’re tired of starting over, it’s because you’re stuck in the gap. It’s time to shift your focus from what you’re missing to what you can gain.
