One of the most overlooked aspects of long-term training success is identity.
At Foundry, we’ve spent the last decade refining not just how we train people, but how we help them change.
Because it turns out that helping someone build physical strength is only half the job. The other half is supporting them as they shift who they believe themselves to be.
Most people who start training with us aren’t doing it for the first time. They’ve been members of gyms before, they’ve done personal training, maybe even worked through a few app-based programmes or home routines. The problem isn’t information. It’s integration.
They know what they should be doing — but they don’t yet see themselves as the kind of person who does it consistently. And that’s where identity becomes the sticking point.
Why Letting Go is Part of Moving Forward
Real change — the kind that sticks — doesn’t happen just by adding a new habit or setting better goals. It happens when someone starts to let go of an older version of themselves.
That might be a version who always said “I’m too busy,” or “I’ve never really been into training,” or “I know I should, but I can’t seem to stick with it.” These aren’t just throwaway phrases. They’re anchors. They represent a worldview, a set of behaviours, and a sense of self that’s often reinforced by years of experience. So letting go of that — even when it’s no longer serving you — can feel unsettling. Sometimes there’s a quiet kind of grief involved. Because even if we’re aiming for something better, we’re still leaving something familiar behind.
Behaviour Change Starts With Identity
What we’ve learned through coaching thousands of hours of sessions is that trying to change your behaviour without addressing your identity is a losing game.
You might succeed for a few weeks, maybe a few months. But when the pressure mounts — when work gets intense, or the kids are sick, or motivation dips — you revert to what’s familiar.
Not because you’re weak, but because you haven’t yet grooved the new behavioural patterns as default.
Structure and Ownership Go Hand in Hand
This is why at Foundry we don’t build dependency. We provide structure, guidance, and accountability — but we also ask for ownership.
Our model is designed to support people through the full curve of behaviour change. From contemplation (when something starts to feel off) through to action (when they start training consistently), and then on to maintenance (when training simply becomes part of who they are).
We don’t expect people to arrive fully formed. But we do expect them to engage in the process.
Because the goal isn’t just to get people results while they’re with us. The goal is to help them build a version of themselves that can sustain those results — wherever they go.
The Uncomfortable Middle Ground
There are points along the journey where it’s uncomfortable. Where someone’s previous identity starts to fray but the new one hasn’t fully taken hold. These are critical moments, and how someone moves through them often determines whether they stick with it long-term.
This is where coaching matters. Not just technical coaching, but psychological support, consistent reinforcement, and a system that doesn’t rely on short-term motivation.
That’s what we’ve built. Not a workout. A way of moving people through the transition from “I’m trying” to “this is just what I do.”
Who You’re Becoming Matters More Than Where You Started
If you’ve ever felt stuck in that middle ground — between the person you were and the one you’re trying to become — you’re not alone. That space is hard. But it’s also where the change really happens. And with the right structure, it doesn’t have to be guesswork.
At Foundry, we’re not trying to change who you are. We’re here to help you become more of the person you’re already capable of being — with the strength, consistency, and confidence to back it up.
Start your journey today
At Foundry, we don’t do fads. We don’t sell hype. We don’t push six-week transformations that don’t last.
We care about long-term strength, real results, and making fitness something you actually enjoy.
If this sounds like something you can get on board with, book a call with us here.
Related Articles
- Stop Wasting Time on the 2% – Get the Basics Right First
- Willpower Is Overrated. Here’s What Actually Works
- The Hidden Cost of Budget Gyms
- The “Summer Body” Myth That’s Keeping You Stuck
- The Fitness Industry Is Failing You (And What to Do Instead)