Lead by Example: Why Your Kids Need to SEE, Not Hear, That You Work Out.

As parents, we all want the best for our kids. We want them to grow up healthy, confident, resilient, and disciplined…along with a laundry list of other goals. But often, we forget that these traits aren’t just taught; they are caught. Kids don’t just listen to what we say; they watch what we do. When it comes to living a “healthy” lifestyle or making your well-being a priority, the opportunity to observe your example is more powerful than any advice you’ll ever give.

Kids copy what they see

Children are natural mimics. From the way you speak to how you handle stress — they’re always watching. If your kids see you consistently prioritizing exercise, treating it as a non-negotiable part of your day, they’re far more likely to do the same as they grow up. Whether it’s a morning run, lifting in the garage, or a weekend hike, your actions speak volumes:

• “Everyone’s health matters.”
• “Discipline is important.”
• “Taking care of your body should not be optional.”

You don’t have to say a word. Just SHOW UP…and keep SHOWING UP…not only for yourself, but for them. We can't rely on just telling them we work out, they NEED and DESIRE to see with their own eyes that we work out…CONSISTENTLY. They need to see that it is a priority in our daily lives. They want to be involved wherever possible, and this is an opportunity to include them — whether that means giving them the chance to participate or simply to be there and experience it.

Fitness teaches life lessons

When your kids see you sweating through a workout even when you're tired, or sticking to a routine after a long day, they’re learning about grit, about consistency, about doing the hard things even when you don’t feel like it…about getting comfortable being uncomfortable. These aren’t just fitness lessons. They are life lessons. What are your kids having the opportunity to observe?

• Commitment over convenience
• Effort over excuses
• Progress over perfection

In a world where instant gratification is everywhere, watching someone work for something over time is a rare and powerful experience/lesson.

It normalizes a healthy lifestyle

Let’s be honest…if your kids grow up in a home where exercise is just part of daily life, it’s not “extra.” It’s not a “diet.” It’s not a “New Year’s Resolution”. It is just the norm to them. They know nothing different. In fact, they begin to grow up and see other parents NOT doing this and probably wonder why and/or ask questions in regards to it. That should be the goal. You want fitness to feel like brushing your teeth: essential, habitual, and worth doing even when you don’t want to. Plus, when physical activity is the norm, conversations about food, body image, and health become more about strength, energy, and the many capabilities they carry…not the aesthetics or potential shame.

It builds family bonds

Exercise doesn’t have to be something you do alone. In fact, it can be a powerful way to bond with your kids. Invite them into your world.

• Let them “train” with you (even if it’s just copying movements)
• Go for bike rides, hikes, or play active games together
• Teach them a few simple movements — squats, push-ups, jumping jacks — and celebrate their progress
• At the very least, make the effort to take them to your place of training, so they have the OPPORTUNITY to observe and ask questions.

Make it fun. Make it about effort, not perfection. Those moments might turn into some of your and their favorite memories of their childhood.

You show them it’s never too late

Maybe you didn’t grow up athletic. Maybe you’re just now getting into fitness. That’s okay and can be even more powerful. Because when your kids see you start something hard, push through the awkward beginner phase, and stick with it, you’re teaching them that it’s never too late to change. Never too late to start taking care of yourself. Never too late to be strong. More importantly, you get to share your experiences with them and lean into the fact that you wish you had started sooner, if you could go back in time. 

Hopefully, they will learn from your mistakes. That’s a lesson they’ll carry forever.

Your consistency is the life lesson

You don’t have to be a marathon runner or powerlifter to be a role model. You just have to SHOW UP. Consistently. At the end of the day, when your kids see you train, they see their hero, who values health, effort, and self-respect.

Be the role model they deserve.