The Power of Presence: Why Slowing Down Helps You Move Better
- Jenner McLeod
- Feb 9
- 3 min read
The Power of Presence in Sport and in Life
Around this time of year, I always find myself thinking back to my days as a swimmer.
Championship season would roll around, and suddenly all those early mornings, long practices, and countless hours in the water would come together into a single moment. It was the culmination of everything we had worked for not just physically, but mentally and emotionally too.
What strikes me most when I look back is this: I didn’t overthink any of it.
In high school, and later in college, I was simply there. I was present in practice, present with my teammates, present in the water. I remember thinking, How incredible is it that I get to do what I love, surrounded by these amazing people?
Even during the hard days, those grueling training sets and exhausting trips, I never once wished I was somewhere else.
Of course, those years had challenges. It was not all smooth sailing. But when I reflect on that time now, one word continues to rise to the surface:
Presence.
My high school swim coach and mentor always told us, “Be present.” At the time, it felt almost too simple. But now, I realize how profound that idea really is and how much we need it today.
Why Presence Feels Hard in a Fast-Paced World
We move through our days at lightning speed. From one task to the next, one responsibility to another. We have become remarkably efficient at managing our routines, our schedules, our obligations and honestly, that is impressive. We deserve credit for that.
But in that efficiency, something essential often gets lost.
We forget to be present.
We rush from meeting to meeting, workout to work, work to dinner, dinner to bed and rarely pause to ask ourselves:
How do I actually feel right now?
What is my body telling me?
How am I moving through this moment?
Sometimes we don’t pause because our to-do list is a mile long. I get it, there is always another item on the list. But let’s be honest: sometimes we don’t pause because we are afraid of what we might feel. I’ll leave it to you to name what might come up in that moment.
Presence asks us to slow down just enough to notice.
January Reflection- Where Did the Time Go?
As I reflect on January, I’m struck by how quickly it passed. It was a beautiful month filled with time with family and friends, meaningful work with my incredible True Line Fitness community, movement, fresh air, and settling back into routine after the holidays.
And yet, it feels like it disappeared in the blink of an eye.
So, as February begins, I find myself asking:
How do I want to show up this month?
I don’t want the 28th to roll around and wonder, Where did the time go? I don’t want to look back and realize I rushed through it all without truly experiencing it.
This doesn’t mean we need to overanalyze every moment, our brains deserve rest too. But it does mean we can build small moments of presence into our days: a breath, a pause, or a simple check-in with ourselves.
The Power of Presence in Foundation Training
And this is where Foundation Training comes in.
The next time you take your first decompression breath in class, I invite you to pause and really feel it. Notice your body. Notice your breath. Notice the incredible gift it is to move, to anchor, to be in this moment.
Whether you are practicin
g from your living room, in the studio, surrounded by others, or next to your furry friend take a moment to appreciate that you showed up for yourself.
The power of presence isn’t just about slowing down, it’s about fully inhabiting your body and your life.
As we move through 2026, I hope one of your intentions is health. And happiness. Because in my experience, happiness is deeply connected to feeling good in your body, breathing well, moving well, and showing up consistently for yourself.
If you have not yet experienced the incredible gift of Foundation Training, I welcome you to join me in Aspire this Saturday. It’s a perfect introduction to this work.
Foundation Training has truly changed my life and I believe it can change yours too.
I hope to see you in class soon, and I hope you take a moment today to simply be present.
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