As a runner, I have high expectations of myself. Yet, even now, I’ll stand on a starting line and find myself looking left and right. I’ll see runners who look leaner, more muscular or better prepared, and that familiar shadow of doubt creeps in. I start to question if I’ve done enough before the race even begins. The same thing happens in life. Whether I’m navigating a property deal, coaching a client or just managing “mum life,” I catch myself comparing my behind-the-scenes reality to everyone else’s highlight reel. It’s easy to feel inadequate when you’re wearing so many hats.
Joanna Keppler is a running coach, real estate professional and mother who has learned that the hardest kilometres in life are often the ones inside our own heads. Passionate about helping women improve their lives through movement and mindset, Jo is known for her refreshingly vulnerable approach to the “juggling act” of career, fitness, family and service. She doesn’t believe in perfection; instead, she focuses on showing up scared of failure and all.
Right now, I’m preparing for a fundraiser run: The Power of 26: Empowering the Next Generation – Sport For Lives. [As of now, Joanna is currently running this run] I’ve partnered with Sport For Lives to run 26 km for 26 days for 26 futures, raising funds and awareness for education. Why 26? For a long time, my running was an internal dialogue, a way to process pain or chase personal bests. ‘The Power of 26’ flips the narrative. It’s about using my physical ability to bridge a gap for the next generation. When the kilometres get hard, I’m not digging deep for a medal; I’m digging deep for the young boys and girls whose futures we are trying to secure. This shift is powerful. When you move for something bigger than your own reflection, the comparison trap vanishes. You aren’t worrying if you’re fast enough or getting enough likes; you’re just grateful you can run to help.
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Nobody’s Looking For Perfection
Before the race even started, seeing people show up for this cause has been a reality check. It’s a reminder that people aren’t looking for “perfect”, they are inspired by the collective willingness to show up. I see this quiet bravery constantly in the women I coach. It isn’t the elite athletes who inspire me most but the ones who are terrified to start.
I remember a client, let’s call her Sarah, who was convinced she didn’t look like a runner. Battling deep insecurity and the chaos of being a new mum, she showed up anyway. She ran in the rain, in old t-shirts and on days when she felt heavy and slow. She didn’t wait until she was perfect to begin; she began so she could become herself. Watching her cross her first finish line was inspiring because she was real. She taught me that true courage isn’t the absence of insecurity; it’s the willingness to move forward despite it.
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“Not Good Enough” Is Enough
That’s where I am right now. I’m far from perfect, juggling the demands of real estate with the discipline of training and the messy energy of motherhood. My goal for this year is to stop looking at the runners in the other lanes. I want to focus on my own abilities and trust the work I’ve put in.
If you’ve been feeling like you aren’t enough, know that you aren’t alone but the starting line is there for everyone, and the only person you really need to outrun is the version of yourself that told you that you couldn’t do it.
Three Ways To Break The “Not Enough” Cycle:
1. Change the Lens
When the comparison spiral starts, step outside. Look at the horizon. Realising how vast the world is makes our insecurities feel small. Remind yourself: you are a participant in life, not just an observer.
2. Anchor in Service
The quickest cure for self-consciousness is service. When you make a movement about contribution rather than aesthetics, your self-worth is no longer up for debate.
3. The Power of “Yet”
Combat the inner critic by adding one word. You aren’t that fast… yet. You aren’t that strong… yet. This shifts the focus from failure to growth.
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