We were lucky to catch up with Jess Rose McDowell recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Jess Rose, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
I’m continuously building upon my confidence & self-esteem through experiences, failure, success & simply navigating life’s challenges with resilience & optimism. I personally do not believe we’re ever at our peak confidence or self-esteem, it’s not a one-time accomplishment; rather, it’s a continuous journey of self-discovery & growth.
I truly want every reader to gain resourceful knowledge of I how build confidence & self esteem. Instead of writing a lengthy article talking about myself, I’m going to list my top 5 behavior tools that has impacted how I treat myself & how I navigate life in a world where fake appearances, bullying, showcasing & technology has created a mental health crisis that only we as a society can change for the better.
One of the primary obstacles to build confidence & self-esteem is negative self-talk. Good gravy do I loath it! The number one self deprecation that is inflicted upon by you. Outside elements that fuel the negative self-talk are not the culprit, because you’re in control, period. I’m a firm believer that whatever “it” is that does not serve a purpose in your life for the greater good should be eliminated; that means people, places & things. You’re in control of how you preserve yourself daily. Acknowledge your strengths & accomplishments, then remind yourself of them regularly. Treat yourself with kindness & understanding, especially during setbacks or failures. Acknowledge that everyone makes mistakes & that these moments offer valuable opportunities for learning & growth. Cultivating self-compassion fosters resilience & a positive self-image. When I sense negative self-talk starting to muster in my head, I immediately redirect my thoughts & set aside whatever “it” is that’s triggering me.
Establishing achievable goals provides a sense of direction & accomplishment. Break larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks, & celebrate your progress along the way. Each achievement reinforces your belief in your abilities & contributes to a greater sense of self-worth. It’s super important to step out of your comfort zone! I cannot stress that enough. We live in a world where hiding behind screens is a social norm creating social anxiety, little face-to-face interaction & fear of judgement. Growth occurs when you push beyond your comfort zone. Trust me, there is space for everyone to succeed you have to channel your individuality. Embrace opportunities for personal & professional development, even if they initially seem daunting. Each new experience expands your skill set & enhances your confidence in your ability to adapt & succeed. An example I share often is; utilize the endless resources & digital world for your benefit instead of it becoming a comparison trap. Again, you have the control of what you see & how it’ll help advance you in life.
I’ll say this until my last breath; you should never stop learning or seeking knowledge from those you respect. Be observant. Be open to feedback. Hear what people have to say. Embrace a growth mindset by seeking opportunities for learning & skill development. Whether through formal education, workshops, online courses, or self-directed study, expanding your knowledge & expertise enhances your confidence & self-esteem. Reframe your perspective on failure as a natural part of the learning process. Stop thinking about what others think about you. Remember you’re never going to please everyone, nor should you. Instead of dwelling on mistakes, analyze them objectively, extract lessons, & apply them to future endeavors. Viewing failure as a stepping stone to success reduces fear & fosters resilience.
One thing about me…I’m going to treat myself. If you don’t treat yo’self often not only will you build a mental block, you’ll also burnout not being able to showcase the best version of yourself. Prioritize self-care activities that nurture your physical, emotional, & mental well-being. Engage in regular exercise, maintain a balanced diet, get adequate rest, & allocate time for hobbies & relaxation. Do whatever “it” is that sets your soul on fire & energizes your creative juices. If you’re budgeting or if spending money gets in the way of your confidence & self-esteem, they’re several self-care options that don’t require spending. Let’s be honest, I like spending money on me, but when I’m practicing on my spending habits my goto (aside from fitness & running) are outdoor activities, home improvements, quality time alone, reading, & adventures with my dog.
Cultivate an attitude of gratitude by regularly reflecting on the positive aspects of your life. Focus on the things you’re grateful for, no matter how small, & express appreciation for the people & experiences that enrich your life. What is meant for you will happen & remain. You’re mindset will start to recognize a sense of abundance & contentment, enhancing your overall well-being. Reflect on your progress & the challenges you’ve overcome. A habit & tool I swear by is journaling, offering a safe space for you to release. You can write whatever is on your mind freely without judgement. It’s also a timestamp for you to go back & read as a reminder of how you’ve overcome each life chapter & everything in between. My journal is a private storybook into the world of my prayers, thoughts, experiences, & imagination.
Building confidence & self-esteem is an ongoing process by implementing the above behavior tool into your daily life, you can cultivate a strong sense of self-worth & resilience, empowering you to pursue your goals, & aspirations with courage! My goal for this article is to encourage you to get out of your own head. Remember that true confidence & self-esteem stem from within & are cultivated through self-awareness, self-acceptance, & continuous growth. Something I say on a regular basis is, “You’re strong, cable, healthy & worthy!”
If you ever want to connect with me let’s chat! Reach out on Instagram @FitWithJessRoseMcD or on TikTok @JessRoseMcD.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m currently located in Miami, FL & am Director of Fitness at a large Yacht & Country Club where I have 12 trainers & 5 fitness attendants. I run the entire Fitness Department including the group fitness classes, scheduling, events, member retention, personal training, administrative, budgeting, purchasing, & more.
It is truly a rewarding position that I’ve worked extremely hard to be in & to provide the highest quality of fitness & health services.
I’m signed to a modeling agency where I’m continuing to grow & work my way to being on the cover of magazines, on the sides of buildings, in commercials, & the face of campaigns. My dream would be to work with brands like Sports Illustrated, Women’s Health, Nike, & Alo. Being in front of the camera is exciting, you turn into a character like version of yourself, as well as get to experience new places & work with insanely talented people. Modeling is a form of expression for me & an outlet to influence woman to go after what they
I’m a growing Content Creator – I’d call myself a micro-Content Creator at the moment but its allowed me to partner with brands I genuinely use on a daily basis & utilize my creative outlets. It’s a rewarding experience that I’m lucky to be part of & intend to continue to invest my time in. Working with brands that listen to your feedback & respect what you have to say, not only as the Content Creator but a consumer too. Follow me on TikTok @JessRoseMcD & on Instagram @FitWithJessRoseMcD.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Revisiting topics from my main article on confidence & self esteem.
Listen – to others around you, those you mentor, & the people who mentor you. Accept feedback as a gift someone is giving to you because they care about your future. Don’t be a “know it all”, it’s totally normal to ask for help.
Never stop learning – research & stay updated on trends in your industry. Maintain continuing education & strive to earn additional education through certifications, degrees, workshops, & publications. We have endless outlets to learn.
Stay focused – continuously set short-term & long-term goals to achieve, but that you can also look forward too. Maintain motivation by having a routine that consists of healthy habits. Write down your goals & visualize yourself in those moments. You’re never going to please everyone, stop trying.
STAY HUMBLE & BE KIND!!!
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
Networking & simply getting shit done. I moved to Miami in May 2023, immediately I emerged myself in the fitness, health, & wellness community. Building & nurturing relationships with others can open doors to new opportunities, support, & collaboration. I started meeting people, networking, collaborating with people & brands. I truly started marketing myself as the entire package. I redirected my time management to my advantage by prioritizing my days & weeks.
You’re your biggest advocate! When it comes to manifesting, prayer, & setting goals no one is going to get shit done for you except yourself. That means I’m doing everything in my power to ensure I’m setting myself, my career, & my future up for success. I schedule all my tasks for the week ahead of time & then insert additional tasks into sections of my schedule that fit as the week progresses.
For example: Weekends are for filming content that requires bigger deliverables, editing content, meal prep, Welker Day (I take my dog to the beach, spoil & bathe him lol), house chores, & long runs. From there I’d break those tasks down into days.
Saturday: Workout, insert some sort of work, grocery shop, run miscellaneous errands, jot down content that needs to be filmed, & Welker duties. Then space to insert additional tasks that come up.
Sunday: Long run or workout, meal prep, film content, edit content, start house chores, & do something for myself – social or self care. Then space to insert additional tasks that come up.
Monday: Long run, Welker Day, finish house chores, plan out upcoming week, finish editing, & submit any content deliverables. Then space to insert additional tasks that come up.
Tuesday – Friday: Workout, Director of Fitness, submit modeling auditions when role is presented, film daily personal content or collaborations, answer emails, Welker duties, get additional movement in, review finances & incoming revenue. Then space to insert additional tasks that come up.
If you take time to write down & visualize your tasks you’re more prone to having quality time management & get shit done! 🙂
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @FitWithJessRoseMcD
- Facebook: FitWithJessRoseMcD
- Other: TikTok @JessRoseMcD
Image Credits
All shots were taken by Matt Roy – local Miami photographer.
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.