Closed Mouths Don’t Get Fed: How Speaking Up Fuels Success in Fitness and Life

In both fitness and life, the phrase “Closed mouths don’t get fed” rings true. It’s a simple reminder that waiting passively for opportunities often leads to missed chances. Whether you’re in the gym, at work, or navigating personal growth, one truth remains clear: if you don’t speak up for what you want, no one will know your needs, and you’ll likely stay stagnant.

Asking for Guidance in Fitness

Imagine stepping into a gym for the first time. It’s intimidating. You’re surrounded by equipment you don’t know how to use, and there are people who seem to know exactly what they’re doing. At this moment, you have two choices: you can fumble through and risk injury, or you can ask for help. 

Too often, pride or fear of embarrassment keeps people from asking for guidance. But successful people know that asking questions isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a sign of strength. Whether you’re unsure about form, need advice on nutrition, or want to know how to break through a plateau, asking for help can accelerate your progress. Trainers, gym veterans, and even online communities are valuable resources, but they can’t assist you if you stay silent.

Speaking Up for Accountability

Accountability is one of the key drivers of success in fitness. It’s easy to let yourself off the hook when no one else is aware of your goals. You skip a workout, indulge in an unhealthy meal, and convince yourself you’ll “make up for it tomorrow”. But when you’ve voiced your goals to someone else—whether it’s a friend, workout buddy, or coach—you create an external source of motivation.

Don’t be afraid to ask someone to hold you accountable. Whether it’s checking in after workouts or offering encouragement when you’re struggling, that extra layer of responsibility can be the difference between quitting and pushing forward.

Making Your Goals Known

Speaking up applies not just to asking for help or accountability, but to making your goals known. Think of it like this: when you keep your ambitions to yourself, they remain internal, and there’s less pressure to act on them. But when you tell others about your goals—whether it’s running a marathon, hitting a personal best in the gym, or adopting a healthier lifestyle—you’re inviting commitment.

When you make your goals public, you give them weight. There’s no more hiding behind excuses or staying comfortable. This added layer of external pressure can propel you toward success faster than if you were to quietly work on your goals in isolation. And if you have the right friends, they’ll let you know when you're slacking or not doing your best.

Overcoming the Fear of Asking

Fear of rejection, failure, or embarrassment often stops people from speaking up. In fitness, this fear can manifest as hesitation to ask for help or to seek guidance. But here’s the thing: everyone starts somewhere. The fittest person in the gym was once a beginner, too. The difference between those who succeed and those who don’t is often the willingness to learn, seek advice, and adapt.

When you push past the fear of speaking up, you open yourself up to new opportunities. Maybe you ask a trainer for tips on improving your squat, and they introduce you to a technique that revolutionizes your workout. Or perhaps you ask a friend to join you for a workout, and their energy helps you push harder. By asking, you set yourself up to receive, whether that’s knowledge, support, or motivation.

Speaking Up for Yourself in Life

Fitness is a reflection of life. The same mindset that pushes you to advocate for yourself in the gym should extend to other areas of your life. Want a promotion at work? You need to express your ambition. Want to improve a relationship? Communication is key. Whether it’s fitness, career, or personal growth, the principle is the same: if you don’t ask, you don’t receive.

Closed mouths don’t get fed, and that applies to every area of your life. The willingness to vocalize your needs, desires, and goals is a powerful tool in breaking through limitations. The more you practice speaking up for yourself, the more confident you’ll become in pursuing what you truly want.

Feed Your Success

Ultimately, success—whether in fitness or in life—requires action. Speaking up is a form of taking control. It shows that you’re not waiting for opportunities to come to you, but instead, you’re actively pursuing them. Remember, the person who asks for guidance learns faster. The one who seeks accountability stays on track. And the individual who makes their goals known invites success into their life.

So, the next time you’re faced with a challenge or opportunity, remind yourself: closed mouths don’t get fed. Ask for what you need, and watch how quickly your fitness journey, and your life, transform.