Your Emotions Are Your Biggest Asset
Are you Mentally Fit?
True fitness isn’t just physical—it's training your mind to be as resilient, focused, and unstoppable as your body. At Mentally Fit With Ellin, we build strength from the inside out.
Mastering Your Emotions: The Key to High Performance
We’ve been conditioned to think emotions get in the way. We hear things like “Don’t be so emotional,” “Keep it together,” or “Push through it.” So we suppress our feelings, assuming they’ll disappear.
But they don’t.
They just sit beneath the surface, building pressure—until they explode in ways we don’t expect.
The truth? Your emotions aren’t the problem. The way you handle them is.
The best performers—athletes, leaders, entrepreneurs—don’t ignore emotions. They use them. They recognize that emotions are signals and data points that carry valuable information. Instead of shutting them down, they channel them into action.
Think about it:
Frustration? That’s energy. A push to take action.
Nerves? Proof that you care. Use that adrenaline to focus.
Doubt? A sign that you need to prepare, learn, and level up.
Emotions Are Messengers—Not Obstacles
Ever had an emotional reaction you regretted? Maybe you fired off an angry text, avoided an important conversation, or let anxiety keep you from stepping up.
Emotions have power. If you don’t deal with them, they will deal with you.
Here’s what you need to know: emotions bring two things—activation and information.
Activation: Every emotion creates a physical shift in your body. Your heart races, your muscles tense, your thoughts speed up. This internal response generates energy that fuels your next move. Instead of resisting it, learn to channel it in a way that works for you.
Information: Emotions are signals. They carry insight from past experiences and present challenges. Frustration tells you something isn’t working or needs to be changed. Anxiety signals that you’re stepping into the unknown. When you listen to these cues without letting them control you, you gain clarity and control.
The mistake most people make? Suppressing emotions instead of decoding them.
Did you know that if you ignore them, they don’t go away—they resurface later even stronger in stress, burnout, or outbursts? But when you acknowledge them, identify them, and don’t shun them, you gain control over your response.
Learning to understand and respond to these emotions is key to building high-performance habits and developing mental fitness. By embracing your emotions and using them as tools for growth, you enhance your ability to stay focused, resilient, and perform at your best.
Mindset Shifts: The Way You See Emotions Changes Everything
Ask yourself:
What if my emotions aren’t working against me, but for me?
What message is this feeling trying to send me?
How can I channel this emotion into something productive?
Example 1: You’re about to give a big presentation. Your heart is pounding. Your hands are sweaty. You feel that rush of nerves.
Old mindset: “I’m so nervous. What if I mess up?”
New mindset: “This means I care. My body is preparing to perform.”
Example 2: You’re about to have a difficult conversation. You feel the tension, the uncertainty.
Old mindset: “I don’t want to do this. I’m too scared to face the conflict.”
New mindset: “This conversation will help me grow. I’m stepping up to make things better.”
Example 3: You’re facing something new—a fear you’ve never dealt with before.
Old mindset: “This is terrifying. What if I fail?”
New mindset: “This is a challenge and an opportunity to prove to myself that I can show up and do hard things. I’ll grow by facing it head-on.”
Solution: Tame It, Name It, Reframe It
So, how do you turn emotions into an asset instead of a liability? Use this three-step framework I use with my most successful clients:
Tame It: When an emotion hits, pause. Instead of reacting immediately, take a deep breath. Create space between the feeling and the action.
Name It: Labeling emotions reduces their intensity. Are you feeling frustrated or overwhelmed? Excited or anxious? The more specific you are, the more clarity you gain. You can also draw your emotions—sometimes, colors, shapes, or images express what words cannot. Let your creativity help you understand what you're feeling.
Reframe It: Change the narrative. Instead of seeing nerves as fear, recognize them as energy. Instead of letting frustration spiral, use it as motivation to improve. Validate where it is coming from and why it is showing up.
Have a Conversation With Your Emotions
When emotions like anxiety or frustration creep in, I talk to them. It might sound strange, but hear me out.
I’ll literally say, “Hi, anxiety, I see you. You’re here, but you don’t get to control me.” By acknowledging the emotion, I take away its power and shift from reacting to responding. Then, I ask myself: Why are you showing up? What are you trying to tell me?
Sometimes, anxiety signals that I care deeply about something or that I’m stepping into the unknown. Other times, it’s tied to old experiences—like when I was a young girl struggling with dyslexia, stuttering, and losing my words when I tried to speak up in class. In those moments, I remind myself: It makes sense why this feeling is showing up, but it doesn’t define me anymore. I am capable.
Every emotion has a root. It’s not random; it carries a message about what matters to you. Sometimes, it’s a sign of growth, pushing you beyond your comfort zone. Other times, it’s a protective response shaped by past challenges. When you pause to understand it, you create space for self-compassion instead of resistance.
This deeper work—getting to the root of emotions—can be incredibly insightful, and it's often best done with the support of a therapist or coach.
This practice doesn’t make emotions disappear, but it changes how I experience them. Instead of letting them hijack my actions, I reclaim control. Rather than freezing in fear, I acknowledge, accept, and move forward with intention. And in doing so, I build self-trust, self-love, and a deeper understanding of who I am.
It’s a powerful way to stay grounded and focused, no matter the situation.
Final Thought
Mastering emotions isn’t about suppressing them—it’s about learning to direct them. The people who perform at the highest levels aren’t emotionless. They just know how to channel their emotions into momentum.
So, the next time anxiety, frustration, nerves, or doubt creep in, don’t push them away. Ask yourself:
What is this emotion telling me?
How can I use it to my advantage?
Because emotions don’t have to control you. You can control how you respond to them.
Let’s Keep Building: What’s Next for You
I help my clients build emotional resilience and turn their mindset into their greatest advantage. If you’re tired of emotions getting in your way and want to learn how to use them to perform better in your life, let’s work together.
In every issue, I share strategies, insights, and tools designed for ambitious high achievers like you—athletes, professionals, parents, and students—who are looking to elevate their mental game. You can expect coaching techniques, real-life examples, and mindset hacks to help you stay Mentally Fit, no matter what challenges come your way.
Let’s Stay Connected! Follow me on Instagram @mentallyfitwithellin for daily insights, mental fitness strategies, and behind-the-scenes moments.Have thoughts on this newsletter or questions about my services? Email me at ellin@mentallyfitwithellin.com—I’d love to hear from you!
Exciting News! My 6-week self-paced program is in the works! It’s the perfect first step before working with me 1:1, giving you the tools to start strengthening your mindset on your own terms. Stay tuned for more details!
