88 - Why Fitness Resolutions Fail Every Year. Clue: Finally Figure out Motivation vs Discipline

What if the reason fitness resolutions fail every year isn’t a lack of motivation—but the fact that we keep trying harder instead of choosing better systems?

New year, same pressure to “get it right” with fitness and health—and yet most resolutions don’t survive February. In this episode of Lead Like a Girl, Coralyn and Jamie sit down with professional trainer Stacey Jackson to talk honestly about why fitness goals fall apart and how to build habits that actually last.

We ditch the all-or-nothing mindset and break down what really matters: discipline over motivation, simple routines over extreme plans, and support systems that keep you going when life gets busy. Stacey shares practical advice on nutrition, meal prep, breaking plateaus, and how she trained for an Ironman while balancing real life. No shame. No perfection. Just sustainable, doable health.

If you’re tired of starting over every January, this conversation will change how you approach fitness—for good.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

• Why most New Year fitness resolutions fail (and it’s not a willpower problem)

• The difference between motivation and discipline—and why discipline wins

• Why choosing one achievable goal beats doing everything at once

• How nutrition impacts results more than most workouts

• Simple meal-prep strategies that save time and decision fatigue

• How to break through fitness plateaus without burning out

• Why support systems matter more than self-control

• Giving yourself grace and getting back on track after missed workouts

• Lessons from Ironman training that apply to everyday health

Key Takeaways

• People try to change too much at once—and that’s why they quit

• One realistic goal builds momentum faster than extreme plans

• Discipline carries you when motivation fades

• Nutrition matters just as much as your workouts

• Missing a workout doesn’t mean failure—quitting does

• Health has to become a priority before burnout hits

• Consistency over time creates real habits

• Asking for help is a strength, not a weakness