Why Most Fitness Programs Fail (And What We’ll Do Differently)

Welcome to the start of the Nerd Fitness Challenge 2026!

If you start the year with enthusiasm And a little wary because you’ve been here before, you’re exactly who this challenge is for.

In this first short video, I’m going to ask you to start from a place you might not expect.

We don’t start with goals or motivation.

Instead, we look ahead to what is usually embarrassed

​Key ideas from the video:

• Challenges that derail you are often predictable

• We name these pitfalls early on, we can plan to get around them

• This is how we stop repeating the same cycle every January

• It’s rarely a question of “motivation” or “lack of focus”: fitness programs fail when they don’t take into account life’s real challenges.

Common examples of pitfalls include:

• An unpredictable work schedule

• Children (or you) get sick

• Feeling guilty about taking time for yourself

• Try to change All at once and turning off

• Frustrated by lack of progress

Your action step today:

​Download the worksheet and fill Section 1: Traps.

Write down 2 or 3 things that have derailed you in the past – or that make you nervous about starting again.

Don’t think about it too much. Simple is better.

You’re not trying to “fix” anything – just notice the patterns.

-Mast

PS Do you want a coach to guide you through this exact process? See who would suit you.