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Training for Mental, Emotional, and Physical Strength

By Jack Smith, Head Coach at Foundry Gym Vauxhall

You know that picture you have in your head of a coach? The one who’s always got it together, perfectly polished, never misses a beat? Yeah, that’s not me. I’m Jack, and I’m here to tell you: perfection isn’t the goal.

For me, fitness has never been about ticking boxes or flawless routines. It’s about resilience. It’s about showing up, falling down, and getting back up again. Especially when it’s messy.

Because my brain? It’s always on the move. I live with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), which means my thoughts sprint, spiral, forget, and sometimes just overwhelm. I’ve blanked out mid-session, forgotten workouts I wrote minutes ago, and felt that heavy guilt on days my energy and intention were worlds apart.

For a long time, I thought that disqualified me. I believed I had to hustle harder, mask the noise, and prove I was “on it” every second. But what I’ve learned is this: coaching isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being present and noticing the small shifts others might miss – in a movement, in someone’s eyes, in the energy of the room. And sometimes, because my brain works the way it does, I notice more. I feel more. I understand what it’s like to walk in with a mind already full. To need movement not as punishment, but as regulation. To need a coach who gets it.

You don’t have to be perfect to start

At The Foundry, we don’t train for perfection. We train for strength: mental, emotional, and physical. We train for the return.

Whether you’ve had a good week or you’re just barely holding it together, you are welcome here. We meet people where they are, not where they should be. We understand that mental pressure doesn’t always show, and that sometimes, just turning up is the win.

I might not coach by the book. I’m not always polished. I’ve missed workouts. I’ve eaten drive-thru meals when I’d planned something better. But I come back. And that rhythm – that imperfect, messy rhythm – is mine.

I coach from experience. From empathy. From the understanding that no two brains move the same, and that’s not a flaw – it’s just a different tempo. To me, ADD isn’t a limitation; it’s a different perspective. It lets me tune into people’s struggles, to support not just their form, but their focus, their confidence, their mindset.

Takeaway: keep coming back

  • If your mind moves fast.
  • If structure feels like pressure.
  • If you’ve ever felt like you don’t fit the traditional fitness mold. 

You’re not alone. And you’re not broken.

At Foundry, we don’t need you to be perfect. We just want you to keep coming back. We train to get strong in the ways that matter most.

 

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