Who believed in you before you believed in yourself?

Sometimes people don’t need more proof they’re capable. They just need someone to believe in them before they believe in themselves.

When I was a high school Spanish teacher, students needed my signature to enroll in Spanish 3, 5, or 6.

Every year, I’d have capable students skip my desk and not turn in their registration forms.

Were they done with Spanish? Did they not enjoy class? Was their schedule full?

No.

More often than not, they didn’t continue because they didn’t think they were good enough.

An 88 instead of a 98 felt like proof they would fail.

I’d walk up and ask, “Hey, how come you didn’t bring me your sheet to sign?”

They’d look confused and say, “You think I can do it?”

And I’d look at them like they were crazy.

“HECK YEAH, you can. And I’m going to be so sad if I don’t see you in class next semester.”

Then I’d sign their paper in black ink and watch a single vote of confidence transform the way they saw their grade, their ability, and their place in an advanced classroom.

Sometimes people don’t need more proof they’re capable.

They just need someone to believe in them before they believe in themselves.

And I wish I could tell you that as adults, we outgrow our need for someone else’s belief to push us forward.

But I only have to look at my own bodybuilding journey to know that isn’t true.

Without my coach’s “black ink signature,” I never would have dreamed of being Olympia material, much less chased it.

Twenty-four hours after earning my pro card, he said, without hesitation:

“Let’s go get that Olympia qualification.”

I laughed it off because that’s what we often do when someone else’s belief in us feels bigger than our own.

But he wasn’t giving me a compliment. He was showing me the path he already saw.

So I got to work.

A year later, I was standing on stage receiving my crown, sash, trophy, and my qualification to compete at the Masters Olympia.

I remember thinking:

“Holy crap. This is me. I’m here. This happened.”

I was proud because I earned it but I also know I may have never allowed myself to chase something that big if someone hadn’t believed in me first.

That’s the power of a vote of confidence.

And that’s exactly the spirit behind Book Your Bestie at SweatLocal.

For the month of August, you can gift your unused class credit to someone you know, like, love, and BELIEVE in and invite them to come train with you… because someone in your life might be waiting for the same thing you, my students, and myself were waiting for…

A reminder that they are capable.

A reason to take the next step.

Someone to believe in them before they believe in themselves.