For a long time, Logan struggled to find a fitness space where he truly felt like he belonged. No matter which gym he tried, the feeling of being out of place lingered, especially around weights. But everything began to shift when he joined Industrial Athletics alongside his husband. At first, the doubt was still there—but it didn’t last. Through the genuine care and encouragement from the coaching staff, Logan realized he wasn’t alone in his feelings. A single heartfelt conversation with a coach was the turning point that helped him feel seen, supported, and accepted. Now, not only has Logan found his community—he’s thriving in it. In this post, Logan shares his journey of overcoming self-doubt and how Industrial Athletics has become a powerful part of his mental health and personal growth.
Gym = Anxiety
For most of my life, walking into a gym meant walking into anxiety.
Palms sweaty, heart racing, brain spiraling — I’d stick to a couple of cable machines, some cardio, then leave feeling like I didn’t belong. I avoided weight floors altogether. The pressure, the comparison, the feeling of failure if I couldn’t get it right — it was just too much.
Even when I first joined IA, those old feelings came rushing back. There were moments I felt like I was coming out of my skin, desperate to disappear. My brain and body just wouldn’t connect.
But this time… someone saw me.
Coaches See You
Instead of giving up on me, a coach took the time to pull me aside and talk me through it — not just the movement, but the mental hurdles. That changed everything. It didn’t magically get easy, but slowly, with support from coaches and encouragement from the community, I kept showing up.
And now?
Gym = Safe Space
The gym isn’t this thing I dread — it’s where I go to reset.
It’s where I go when my thoughts are heavy, when I’m overwhelmed, when I need a win. It’s become a space that helps clear the mental noise — not add to it. Sure sometimes I have my days where I have to head to the gym over those, old voices in the head. But they sure aren’t as loud anymore like they were in the past.
Industrial Athletics gave me more than a workout routine. It gave me a lifeline.
A place where mental health and physical movement finally go hand in hand.
