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In an age where workplace stress is increasingly prevalent, a former public relations executive turned wellness coach is advocating for a powerful yet simple approach to resilience: weightlifting. Deane Code, founder of Toronto’s GLO-On Wellness Coaching, emphasises that strength extends beyond physical capabilities; it is also about training the mind to overcome challenges. Her insights come from personal experience, where intense work pressures taught her the significance of physical and mental fortitude.
The Weight of Stress: A Personal Journey
During her tenure in public relations, Code faced the relentless demands of a high-stakes pitch for a healthcare client. With deadlines looming and the team under immense pressure, burnout became a familiar sight. “People around me were getting sick and falling like flies. They were burned out but I was still standing, and not because I was tougher, but because I trained,” she recalls.
Code’s commitment to her fitness routine, prioritising sleep and resistance training, allowed her to navigate the chaos with resilience. “I protected my sleep and kept lifting. I kept my body regulated while everyone white-knuckled it through with caffeine.” This experience highlighted the connection between physical strength and mental resilience, shaping her approach to wellness coaching.
A Holistic Approach to Strength and Well-Being
Now, Code helps clients rebuild their strength and confidence through a structured framework she calls Mind-Body Radiance Alchemy. This programme begins with a focus on the nervous system, addressing underlying issues such as chronic stress and poor sleep.
“Sleep can be so underrated and undervalued by people, but it’s actually the umbrella for everything else,” she explains. Code believes that by managing sleep and stress, individuals can create a sense of safety within their nervous systems, enhancing overall performance.
Once clients establish a strong foundation, the next phase involves developing strength through consistent, daily habits, particularly resistance training. Code likens this dedicated time to anchors that provide stability during stressful times. The final stage of the process, alignment, focuses on refining clients’ interactions with the world, promoting healthier self-talk and boundary-setting.
Transformative Outcomes
As clients progress through Code’s coaching, many report a significant shift. They discover that the gap between their authentic selves and the personas they project to others begins to close. Increased confidence, heightened energy levels, and a renewed ability to approach both work and life on their own terms are common outcomes.
If there is one piece of advice Code wishes to impart to knowledge workers, it is this: “Lift something heavy three times a week, not for the mirror, but for the message it sends your brain. You can’t think your way into being capable. You lift your way there, and your belief follows.”
The Broader Context of Workplace Stress
According to a Gallup report, approximately 40 per cent of employees globally experience significant stress on a daily basis, a notable increase from 31 per cent in 2009. This statistic underscores the urgency for organisations to foster resilience among their workforce.
Nancy Fonseca from Great Place To Work Canada posits that building resilience in the workplace is grounded in three key areas: trust, communication, and purpose. She advocates for leaders to communicate transparently, invest in continuous learning, and create an environment where psychological safety thrives. By connecting daily tasks to a broader sense of purpose, adaptability can become a natural aspect of workplace culture rather than a mere reaction to crisis.
Why it Matters
The implications of Code’s approach are far-reaching. As workplace stress levels continue to rise, adopting practices that enhance physical and mental resilience can significantly improve not only individual performance but also overall workplace health. By cultivating strength through weightlifting and mindfulness, individuals can better navigate the complexities of modern work life, leading to a more balanced and empowered existence. As organisations prioritise employee well-being, the ripple effects of these changes can benefit not just the workforce, but future generations as well.
