selfcare

You’ve seen them too, right?
Those ads while playing games on your phone claiming you can drop visible weight in just three weeks with ten minutes of light exercise a day. A chair, a few leg lifts, and bingo—you’re transformed.

Spoiler alert: that’s complete crap. And deep down, we all know it.

But when we’re tired, burnt out, or just desperate for a win, the idea of a shortcut is tempting. In this week’s episode of Freelance Fitness, I’m calling out the fantasy and diving into the kind of work (fitness and business alike) that leads to real, lasting results.

Is there really no shortcut to success?

Nope. Whether it’s your body or your business, the same truth holds: results come from consistent effort.
In fitness, that means showing up, building strength, and forming habits that last. In freelance work, it means honing your craft, building relationships, and delivering real value—over and over again.

And no, there’s no miracle gummy to skip that part.

What does that look like in a freelance career?

Let me be real with you.

It took 18 months of training after my first voiceover class before I was ready to record a professional demo. That demo was produced by Kim Handysides (and it’s still booking me work!). After that? Another six months before I landed my first agent. (Hi, Roger and Sarah at PN Agency!)

And that’s a timeline I’m proud of.

Was I dreaming of instant success? Absolutely. But what kept me going—and keeps me going—is that I enjoy the process. I like learning. I like getting better. And I want that for you too.

But what about the people who “make it” overnight?

Everyone I know in this industry who’s truly successful?
They didn’t take a shortcut. They trained. They auditioned. They networked. They built a client base through skill and professionalism. And the ones who are respected… they’re not selling shortcuts either.

Because they know it doesn’t work that way.

How do you stay motivated when the results feel slow?

Here’s what helps me:

• Perspective. Like my teeth in these Spark aligners I’m wearing (yes, I’m over them too). I don’t see a difference from one week to the next, but month by month, the shift is real. Same goes for your career.
• Investment mindset. The work you’re doing today? It’s a deposit in the bank of you. And it accrues interest. Every audition, every client email, every awkward networking coffee or LinkedIn post—it’s building something.
• Falling in love with the process. You don’t need applause to make it worthwhile. Most of the work happens out of the spotlight. That doesn’t make it meaningless—it makes it yours.

What if I’m just starting out and everything feels slow?

It’s supposed to feel slow at first. That rush of enthusiasm when you launch your freelance business or start a new workout routine? It fades. But the discipline you build, the foundation you lay, is what lasts.

We can’t build sustainable income from one-offs. It’s the repeat clients and the referrals that create stability. And those come from trust, time, and showing up even when it’s hard.

Final thoughts?

Look, I’d love to hand you a neat, fast solution for freelance success. But there’s nothing in my cart except hard-earned confidence and a chair workout that actually makes you stronger.

So build slowly. Build honestly. Build something that lasts.
And if you want a break from the hustle that actually helps you get better at it? Tune in to this week’s episode of Freelance Fitness. We’re working on functional strength of the muscles and mindset variety.

[Listen to the full episode here.]

---

Let’s stay connected!
If you found this helpful, feel free to share it with your fellow freelancers or comment with your thoughts. And if you’re curious about my voice work, demos, or studio setup, visit alisonpentecost.com.

Yeah. I said breakup.

That’s what we’re talking about this week on the Freelance Fitness podcast—breaking up with a client. Because as uncomfortable as it may be, sometimes it’s necessary.

All relationships—yes, even business ones—are built on trust, respect, and a sense of mutual benefit. You have to feel like you’re getting what you need from the exchange. And so does your client. But what happens when that balance starts to slip?

Communication breaks down.
Contracts aren’t respected.
Payments are late…or missing altogether.
You feel stuck, held back from better opportunities.

It’s hard to let go, especially when you’re worried about reducing your income. But here’s the truth: trimming your client list isn’t always a loss. In fact, it might be the very thing that opens the door to more fulfilling, better-paying, or simply more respectful work.

How do you know it’s time to move on?

Here are some red flags:

• Low rates, high expectations. Especially if the scope creeps (leaps!?!) beyond the initial agreement.

• Late or missing payments. If you’ve had to send the same firm-but-polite reminder email three times, months apart, you’re not being respected.

• Boundary issues. Clients who text at night, call at odd hours, or ignore your preferred channels of communication.

• Poor communication. They’re impossible to reach when you need approvals, but want you to make the deadline regardless.

• Personality clashes. If every email from them makes your stomach drop, that’s your body telling you something.

So how do you break up, respectfully?

• Start by reframing the situation: you’re not “giving up.” You’re choosing to focus your time and energy on clients and projects that align with your goals.

• Be polite but firm. Thank them for their collaboration. Let them know you’re shifting your business priorities and their work no longer falls within your scope.

• Always give notice. Wrap up your final deliverables properly. Even if the working relationship was difficult, leave on a professional note.

• Resist the urge to rant publicly. No naming and shaming. Save the story (with names changed!) for trusted friends or a private dinner party. It’s a small world out there.

A gentle reminder

You are allowed to let go of clients who drain your time, your creativity, or your peace of mind. You’re not being petty. You’re protecting your energy and your business. That’s not failure. That’s growth.

You deserve to work with people who treat you with the same level of respect and professionalism you offer them.

You deserve to enjoy your work again.

You deserve wonderful things.

---

🎧 Tune into this week’s episode of Freelance Fitness for the full conversation, paired with a mobility workout to help you literally open up space in your body as you clear space in your business.

Special thanks to the brilliant Dervla Trainor for the inspiration behind this topic. Subscribe to her newsletter—you won’t regret it.

Let’s talk about jealousy. Yep, that sticky, uncomfortable emotion we all pretend not to feel…but do. You know the one: that pang in your gut when someone else lands the gig you wanted, signs the client you pitched to, or posts a glossy social media update about some fancy project, glowing transformation, or luxury vacation.

I’ve felt it too.
And even though I try to ignore it, I’m not immune. I mean, I’m human.

Sometimes, it’s about work—like when someone books a voice-over spot I auditioned for. Other times, it’s fitness-related. You scroll past someone’s post about their fifth marathon of the year, all toned abs and unstoppable energy, and suddenly your morning run feels… inadequate.

But what’s really going on under all that envy?

We often assume jealousy is just about wanting what someone else has. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll find it’s rarely about them. It’s about us. About how we’re feeling in our own lives and careers. About our fears. Our insecurities. Our definitions of success.

Jealousy Fixates on Results, Not the Journey

Have you ever noticed that our jealousy tends to focus on outcomes? We envy the project, the house, the physique, but rarely consider the years of work, rejection, and hustle that went into it. The early mornings. The self-doubt. The failures no one posts about.

And when we define someone solely by what they have (client lists, abs, branded clothes, followers) we objectify them. We reduce their whole being to symbols of success we think we’re missing. We forget they’re people too, with their own struggles and setbacks.

When Jealousy Blocks Connection

Here’s the other thing: jealousy doesn’t just make us feel lousy, it can hold us back. It eats away at our focus. It makes it harder to connect authentically with peers. And it might be quietly sabotaging opportunities. Ever avoided reaching out to someone you envy, just because the resentment crept in? What if that person could have become a collaborator… or even a friend?

Business—and life—is a long game. The people we compare ourselves to today might one day be allies. And maybe, just maybe, we can learn something from them. Add a new skill, a new tool, a new perspective.

Stay Rooted in Your Path

When that little green monster whispers in your ear, try this: come back to your roots. Revisit your goals, your business plan, your own why.

Stop comparing your timeline to someone else’s highlight reel.
Instead, compare where you are now to where you began…and to where you want to go.

Be specific. Set measurable goals. Whether in fitness or freelancing, clarity helps cut through the noise and self-doubt.

You’re Not a Résumé. You’re a Human.

Let’s not forget, success isn’t about collecting shiny things. It’s about meaning. About the process. About how you feel at the end of the day, not how impressive your client list looks to outsiders.

I’ll take real, messy, in-progress people over airbrushed perfection any day.
People with stories. With quirks. With heart.
I bet we’d have way more to talk about, too.

Humanize. Reach Out.

Feeling jealous? Here’s a wild idea: reach out to the person you’re jealous of.

Comment on their post. Send them a message. Say hello at the next industry event.
You might learn something. You might make a new connection.
You might even make a new friend.

We’re all just trying to do our best. Let’s be kinder to ourselves.
And while we’re at it, let’s cheer each other on, too.

---

Want more on this? I dive deeper into the messy beauty of envy in this week’s Freelance Fitness podcast episode.
🎧 Listen here

Let’s get out of our heads, out of our chairs, and channel that energy into something good.