As a runner, I have high expectations of myself. But even now I stand at the starting line and look left and right. I see runners who look leaner, more muscular, or more prepared, and that familiar shadow of doubt creeps in. I start to wonder if I’ve done enough before the race even starts. The same thing happens in life. Whether I’m handling a real estate deal, coaching a client, or just managing “mom life,” I find myself comparing my behind-the-scenes reality to everyone else’s highlights. It’s easy to feel inadequate when you wear so many hats.
Joanna Keppler is a running coach, real estate professional and mother who has learned that the hardest miles in life are often the ones in our own heads. Jo is passionate about helping women improve their lives through movement and mindset. She is known for her refreshingly vulnerable approach to the “juggling act” of career, fitness, family and ministry. She doesn’t believe in perfection; Instead, she focuses on showing up fearful of failure.
At the moment I’m preparing for a fundraiser: The Power of 26: Empowering the Next Generation – Sport For Lives. [As of now, Joanna is currently running this run] I teamed up with Sport For Lives to run 26km for 26 Futures over 26 days to raise funds and awareness for education. Why 26? For a long time, my running was an internal dialogue, a way to process pain or achieve personal bests. “The Power of 26” flips the narrative. It’s about using my physical abilities to bridge a gap for the next generation. When the miles get tough, I don’t go for a medal; I am deeply committed to the little boys and girls whose future we are trying to secure. This change is powerful. When you choose something bigger than your own reflection, the comparison trap disappears. You don’t worry about whether you’re fast enough or getting enough likes. You’re just grateful that you can run to help.
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Nobody is looking for perfection
Even before the race started, it was a reality check to see people committed to this cause. It’s a reminder that people aren’t looking for “perfect,” but rather a collective willingness to show up. I see this quiet courage all the time in the women I coach. It’s not the top athletes who inspire me the most, but those who are afraid to start.
I remember a customer, let’s call her Sarah, who was convinced she didn’t look like a runner. Struggling with deep insecurities and the chaos of being a new mother, 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 start; She started so she could become herself. It was inspiring to see her cross her first finish line because she was real. She taught me that true courage does not lie in the absence of uncertainty; It’s the willingness to keep going anyway.
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“Not good enough” is enough
That’s where I am right now. I am far from perfect as I juggle the demands of the real estate industry with the discipline of training and the chaotic energy of motherhood. My goal for this year is to stop paying attention to the runners on the other lanes. I want to focus on my own abilities and trust the work I have done.
When you feel like you’re not enough, know that you’re not alone, that the starting line is there for everyone, and that the only person you really need to escape from is the version of yourself that told you you couldn’t do it.
Three ways to break the “not enough” cycle:
1. Change the lens
When the comparison spiral begins, get out. Look at the horizon. When we realize how huge the world is, our insecurities feel small. Remember: you are a participant in life, not just an observer.
2. Anchor on duty
The quickest cure for self-consciousness is service. When you’re committed to contribution rather than aesthetics, your self-esteem is no longer up for debate.
3. The power of “yet”
Fight your inner critic by adding a word. You’re not that fast yet. You’re not that strong yet. This shifts the focus from failure to growth.
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