December 2025 | Mindset & Motivation
As another year winds down in Brunswick County, North Carolina, it’s easy to get caught up in all the “New Year, New Me” talk. Gym ads start popping up everywhere, your inbox fills with motivation quotes, and suddenly everyone is talking about goals. Real transformation doesn’t come from making a list. It starts with reflection, awareness, and the willingness to build better habits.
If lasting progress is your goal in 2026, it’s time to pause before you plan. Take a look at what worked, what didn’t, and what needs to shift. That’s the foundation of what I call The Mindset Reset, a simple but powerful process that helps you walk into the new year clear, confident, and ready to take ownership of your fitness, your mindset, and your results.
1. What Gave You Energy This Year?
Before setting new goals, identify what fuels you. True performance starts with energy management, not just time management. Think about the habits, workouts, or routines that made you feel strong, grounded, and focused this year.
Maybe you built consistency by training early mornings in Bolivia, NC before work. Maybe weekend walks through downtown Southport or evening runs in Shallotte helped you clear your head. Some clients here in Leland and Oak Island find that simply unplugging for a few hours helps them reset and return sharper.
These moments are clues. The habits that give you energy are the ones worth protecting in your 2026 routine.
At Fernandes Fit, I remind every client that fitness isn’t about grinding harder. It’s about performing better in every area of your life at home, in business, and in your community. A sustainable routine keeps your body strong and your mind clear so you can show up for what matters most.
2. What Drained You More Than It Served You?
Every professional in Brunswick County faces busy days and heavy workloads. The question is: what habits made you feel stuck, tired, or distracted? Reflection means taking inventory of the energy drains.
Maybe you worked through too many lunches, skipped workouts, or relied on caffeine to get through long days in Shallotte or Southport. Maybe you gave so much to your job or family that there wasn’t much left for yourself.
This process isn’t about guilt; it’s about awareness. You can’t change what you don’t see clearly. The ability to pause, reset, and redirect your focus is where true progress happens.
If you’re ready to rebuild structure and accountability, that’s what my coaching programs are built for. My online fitness coaching clients across Brunswick County, including Oak Island, Bolivia, and Leland, NC, learn how to balance their health with their careers. It’s about creating consistency that fits real life and not forcing life to fit the workout.
3. Who Do You Want to Be in 2026?
Goal setting isn’t just about what you want to accomplish. It’s about who you want to become. Think about the person who already lives out the habits you’re trying to build.
Maybe you want to be the kind of person who follows through no matter how busy the schedule gets. Maybe you want to be someone who handles stress better or brings more balance into your daily routine. Maybe it’s about being a parent, leader, or business owner who leads by example through health and discipline.
The next version of you begins with mindset. Before you set your 2026 fitness goals, grab a notebook and spend time answering these three questions honestly. You can also download my free Mindset Reset Worksheet on the Fernandes Fit website to walk through this reflection step by step. It’s designed to help you realign, refocus, and start the new year stronger than ever.
Your Year of Intention Starts Now
Every December, I take time to reflect on my own year here in Brunswick County. Not just the wins, but the lessons. The setbacks, the moments of burnout, the times when I had to adjust my priorities, all of it shaped the version of me stepping into the next year.
Progress begins before January 1st. It starts in the quiet moments when you pause, take stock, and decide to move forward with intention.
If you’re ready to reset your mindset, recharge your energy, and reclaim your fitness in 2026, this is your time to take action. Let’s make this next year your strongest yet, physically, mentally, and emotionally.
FITNESS IS OUR BUSINESS.