Why Your Workout Buddies Might Be Your Secret Weapon
Science says group connection boosts performance. Here’s why it works for elite athletes... and you.
You can be the most disciplined person in the world… and still hit a wall.
Elite athletes know that feeling too. They train for months, even years, then miss the mark by a split second or a single point. The letdown can be crushing.
Author and elite athlete mindset coach Steve Magness has a surprising tool for helping them bounce back. He tells them to get together with friends. Not to talk about training or performance. Just to connect. Laugh. Share a meal. Be human.
Why? Because it floods the brain with oxytocin… the feel-good, trust-building hormone that makes you feel connected and safe. That connection rewires the brain from “I failed” to “I’m okay.” From “alone” to “supported.”
Now here’s where it gets interesting for the rest of us.
This same principle explains why so many of us move better, stay more consistent, and actually enjoy workouts when we’re in a live class whether it’s in the studio or online.
The exercises matter. The instructor matters. But the magic?
That’s the group. The faces smiling back at you. The shared effort. The “we’re in this together” energy. That’s oxytocin at work, and it can turn exercise from a chore into something you actually look forward to.
So if you’ve been struggling to stay motivated, maybe it’s not about more discipline or a better plan. Maybe it’s about connection. Find a group, show up, and let that built-in chemistry work its magic.
You’ll move more, feel better, and maybe even surprise yourself with what you can do.
If this hit home, share it, like it, and leave a comment so more people find it. What we share is for information and education only,,, we’re not doctors. We’re just sharing what’s worked for us. Always check with your healthcare pro before making changes.