What my feet taught me about running a business

Happy Monday!

Today I want to share something unexpected my feet taught me about business - one of those sobering reminders that hit me hard this week...

My lovely friend (and Orthopaedic Consultant) Andy recently messaged me, wishing me luck for my upcoming half-marathon. 🏃🏻‍♀️

As I scrolled up to read our older messages, I found one from 2018—when I was in a very different place. I was desperate for a quick solution to the excruciating pain in my right foot. What I didn’t know at the time was that this ‘temporary injury’ would turn into seven years of chronic foot pain.

💬 Here’s what I wrote to Andy back then:

'Andy, I’m so frustrated. I can’t walk, run, exercise, or dance. Do you have any advice at all to help me speed up the healing? Surely it should be better by now!? I’m going crazy.’

I was desperate for instant results. I wanted a solution, a fix, something to make it all go away.

But healing doesn’t work like that.

Neither does health,

Nor business,

Nor life.

7 Years of Chronic Pain: Lessons in Patience, Mindset & Growth

My right foot pain lasted from 2017 until end of 2021—only improving when I moved to London and had to walk everywhere (turns out progressive & gradual movement was the key!). But just as I was recovering, my left foot developed severe pain in my plantar fascia and Achilles tendon.

I spent years in frustration, self-pity, and endless cycles of false hope. Every time I thought I was improving, I’d push too hard, flare up my injury, and feel like I was back to square one. I built huge limiting beliefs around my body, my abilities, and what I was capable of.

I eventually convinced myself that I would never run again.

But I was wrong.

What Changed? The Power of Mindset & the Right Support

With everything I've learnt over the past several years as a coach and my own self-development journey, last year I finally made a commitment to prioritise my health sustainably and for the long-term. This time, I chose to do it in a way I never had before. Instead of focusing on quick results, I re-framed my approach to health as something sustainable and long-lasting. I knew I needed help and lots of support, so I hired my incredible PT, Ilona, who taught me to slow down before speeding up.

With her guidance, I stopped trying to force instant results and instead focused on building the right foundations, as well as consistent, progressive, sustainable training. She also helped me to re-build my confidence and to start challenging my limiting beliefs around my capabilities for overcoming my challenges and getting healthy again.

🚀 The result?

✅ I’m now three weeks away from running a half-marathon

✅ Yesterday, I ran 16km non-stop, completely pain-free! 🤯

✅ Something I once thought was impossible is now happening—because I changed my approach.

💡 And the biggest lesson?

👉 We cannot rush the process—but we must nurture a mindset of possibility and abundance.

👉 If we expect immediate results and don’t get them, we feel like failures and stop trying.

👉 But when we allow ourselves time, patience, consistency and support, we create real transformation.

This Is Exactly the Same in Business

Building a business is like training for a half-marathon.

💡 If you go in expecting instant success, you’ll burn out.

💡 If you try to sprint too soon, you’ll hit a wall.

💡 If you get frustrated and quit after a few months, you’ll never see what’s truly possible.

💡 If you try to run before you can walk (I.e. you don’t build the right foundations) you will fall, and it won’t be sustainable

The truth?

Most people don’t fail in business. They just stop too soon.

Key Business Lessons from My Foot Pain Story:

🚀 1. Stop Expecting Fast Results—Trust the Process

• I spent YEARS expecting my foot to heal overnight. Every time it didn’t, I felt like a failure.
• Entrepreneurs do the same thing—they expect their business to be thriving in a few months, and when it’s not, they feel like they’re not cut out for it.
• Healing takes time. Growth takes time. Success takes time. The sooner you accept that, the easier it gets.

🚀 2. Be Consistent, Even When You Don’t See Immediate Progress

• My breakthrough in running didn’t happen because of one massive effort—it happened because of many months of patient, consistent work. Business works the same way.
• Showing up every day, even when it feels like nothing is happening, is what separates those who make it from those who don’t.

💡 Think about it: What if you gave your business the same patience and persistence you’d give to recovering from an injury or training for a marathon? How different would your results be?

🚀 3. Get the Right Support—Because Going Alone Is the Hardest Way

• The game changed when I hired my PT, Ilona. She slowed me down, helped me build a real plan, and supported me when I wanted to give up.
• If I had continued trying to do it on my own, I’d probably still believe I could never run again.
• Business is the same. Trying to 'figure it out alone' often leads to frustration, wasted energy, and slow progress.
• Find people who have been there. Get the right guidance. Let others help you succeed.

🔥 Because success is not just about effort—it’s about the right strategy.

A Final Thought…

If I had listened to my own limiting beliefs, I would still be in debilitating pain. If I had given up every time my training got hard, I would still believe running was impossible for me. If I had refused to slow down and build a strong foundation, I would never be at the point I am today.

💡 The same applies to business and life.

🚀 If you’re struggling in business—keep going.

🚀 If you’re not seeing results yet—trust the process.

🚀 If you’re feeling stuck—don’t rush, but don’t stop. Because what feels impossible today could be your reality tomorrow.

🔥 Go slow before you speed up. But never stop moving.

Wishing you a wonderful week

With love,

Marcela

💭 Quote of the week: 'Big things have small beginnings.' — T.E. Lawrence

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Thank you.

Dr Marcela Aguirre

Helping Overwhelmed Early-Stage Solopreneurs Gain the Know-How & Confidence to Build a Sustainable One-Person Business | ICF Certified Coach | Doctor | Ex-Military Officer | 1:1 | Group Coaching & Workshops | Speaker