When Personal Bias Shines Through: Navigating Wellness with Your Inner Compass
Have you ever had your doctor, personal trainer, or nutritionist advise you on something that made you think twice?
Say what?
I have more times than I can count.
When someone in authority advises me to do or not do something regarding my health and wellbeing and it just doesn't sound right, I tune into that inner guidance. That uncomfortable feeling isn't paranoia—it's your intuition picking up on something important.
The Reality of Professional Bias
Wellness professionals are human beings with their own experiences, cultural backgrounds, and yes, biases. These can unconsciously influence their recommendations in subtle but significant ways. A trainer who's passionate about bodybuilding might push high protein diets for everyone. A nutritionist who thrived on a vegetarian diet might tell you to cut meat out of your diet for good.
I’m not excused from this bias either. Like anyone, my views are shaped by what I’ve lived, learned, and seen work in real life. Over time, our experiences quietly stack up—and those stacks form the lens through which we see the world. That’s not a flaw. It’s human. The goal isn’t to eliminate bias—it’s to notice it. In ourselves. In others. And to stay curious enough to ask: Is this true for me?
I’ve adopted a balanced approach in all matters. You can easily over and underdo something—whether it's exercise intensity, dietary restrictions, or wellness routines.
Being aware of bias isn't about questioning expertise—it's about recognizing that even well-meaning professionals can let personal preferences overshadow what's best for you as an individual when it comes to lifestyle and wellness recommendations.
Red Flags to Watch For
Your internal alarm system might activate when you hear:
One-size-fits-all solutions presented as gospel
Dismissal of your concerns or lived experiences
Pressure to adopt extreme changes without considering your lifestyle
Advice that conflicts with what you know about your own body
Recommendations that seem more about the provider's philosophy than your specific needs
Your Body, Your Authority
Here's what I've learned: Trust your intuition. Listen to your body. Use discernment.
Your intuition has been collecting data about your body and lifestyle preferences for your entire life. When a wellness professional's advice contradicts that deep knowing about what works for you, it's worth pausing. This applies to lifestyle choices like exercise routines, dietary approaches, and wellness practices—areas where you truly are the expert on your own experience.
It's worth noting that emotions and deeper knowing aren't the same thing. Fear, frustration, or resistance might be immediate emotional reactions, but intuition tends to be quieter and more consistent—that steady inner voice that knows what truly serves you versus what just feels easier in the moment.
Your body sends signals constantly—energy levels, sleep quality, mood changes, physical comfort. No professional, no matter how qualified, has access to this internal feedback system except you.
Finding Your Balance
The goal isn't to become your own wellness guru or dismiss professional guidance entirely. Instead, it's about becoming an active participant in your wellness journey. Ask questions. Seek different perspectives when something feels off. Research approaches that resonate with you. Most importantly, remember that you're the one living in your body every single day and know what energizes or drains you.
The best wellness professionals’ welcome questions and respect your input. They see you as a partner, not a passive recipient of their expertise. If you encounter professionals who seem uncomfortable with your engagement or dismiss your concerns about what works for your lifestyle, that's valuable information too.
The Bottom Line
Your wellness journey is deeply personal, and the best approach is one that honors both professional expertise and your own inner wisdom about lifestyle choices. When bias shows up—and it will—your job isn't to be polite or compliant. Your job is to advocate for yourself with clarity and confidence.
Start paying attention to where you might be over or under doing something that could be impacting your wellness. Are you pushing too hard with exercise or not moving enough? Restricting food too much or eating mindlessly? Obsessing over wellness practices or completely ignoring self-care?
Balance isn't a destination—it's an ongoing practice of honest self-awareness and gentle course corrections.
Trust that uncomfortable feeling. It's often your first line of defense in creating a wellness experience that truly serves you.