Six Tips for Making Ethical Shots – NSSF Project Childsafe Blog
January 1, 2025Team Ruger Shooters Randi Rogers and Gordon Carrell / Wild & Uncut / EP 85
January 6, 2025In today’s world, where everyone’s glued to their phones, it’s hard not to get caught up in the glossy highlight reels of social media. Whether it’s influencers flashing their toned abs, the perfectly filtered selfies, or the “effortless” vacations, we’re constantly bombarded with curated snapshots that often feel like we’re seeing the best version of someone’s life. But how much of what we see is real?
We all know the drill: the photos that make us look our best—high-angle shots, filters that smooth out imperfections, and poses that accentuate the good stuff while cleverly hiding the not-so-flattering bits. The truth is, we rarely see someone post a raw, unfiltered moment—like getting out of bed with a face full of sleep marks or rocking the muffin top over our favorite jeans. But behind every perfectly edited post is a bit of manipulation. And sometimes, it’s hard not to feel like we’re measuring ourselves against a version of reality that doesn’t even exist.
When Social Media Becomes a Mirage
While it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to others, especially when those comparisons are based on unrealistic expectations, the reality is, those photos you see are just snapshots—tiny glimpses into a much bigger picture. And, unfortunately, it’s often a picture that doesn’t reflect the full truth.
Social media influencers, particularly in the beauty and fitness industries, have become masters at portraying a “perfect life.” But what you may not know is that many of these influencers are working behind the scenes to create content that’s not as effortless as it seems. Whether it’s getting the perfect angle, using filters, or editing out flaws, the aim is often to present a version of themselves that aligns with what the followers want to see—no matter how much it strays from reality.
For younger generations, the impact of these distorted images can be significant. Social media culture has cultivated an environment where sexualization for likes and approval has become commonplace, especially among teenagers. But the truth is, chasing validation online can lead to a toxic spiral of comparison, unrealistic beauty standards, and ultimately, an unhealthy relationship with self-image.
Behind the Perfect Selfies
It’s easy to assume that the person you see online is just like their photos—because, let’s face it, we want to believe the highlights. But social media gives users the ultimate power to shape their own narrative. People can create a persona that fits whatever vibe they’re going for, whether that’s a glamorous lifestyle, expert status, or a perfectly curated fitness routine. Social media has this way of making us believe we’re seeing the full story when we’re only seeing the moment they chose to share.
It’s Time to Be Real About Reality
The problem really starts when we begin measuring our self-worth against these photoshopped, filtered, and curated versions of other people’s lives. Let’s face it—social media doesn’t often show us the behind-the-scenes struggle. It doesn’t show the early mornings spent meal prepping, the sacrifice of going to bed hungry to meet a fitness goal, or the mental discipline it takes to choose steamed veggies over fries.
Fitness, for example, is not an Instagram post. It’s the sweat, the soreness, and the consistent work that happens when the camera is off. No one wakes up looking like a fitness model—they work hard to get there. And the same applies to everything else we see online. Whether it’s someone’s business success, or their travel lifestyle, there’s a journey behind every post, often full of setbacks, sacrifices, and failures that don’t get shared.
The Power of Real Inspiration
Here’s the good news: there’s a lot of authentic, inspiring content out there, too. Real people, sharing real struggles, and showing you that it’s okay to not have it all figured out. Sometimes the most inspiring people aren’t the “experts” or the ones with thousands of followers—they’re the ones who are just like you, sharing their journey and challenges, making progress one step at a time.
Social media can be an amazing tool for finding motivation and support, especially for those just starting out on their own fitness or personal growth journeys. Whether you’re getting into fitness for the first time or you’re a newbie hunter, there’s a wealth of content that’s both relatable and motivating.
The real takeaway?
Your journey is your own—don’t compare it to someone else’s highlight reel.
Commit to Your Own Progress
So, how do we break free from the endless scroll of comparison? First, embrace the fact that progress isn’t linear—and social media is just a snapshot, not the whole picture. If you’re looking to make a change, whether it’s in your fitness routine, changing your eating habits, or your overall lifestyle, the key is consistency. Success doesn’t happen overnight, and it certainly doesn’t happen without sacrifices.
Maybe you’re just starting your fitness journey, or maybe you’re frustrated with the lack of results from your current program. Either way, the first step is to be honest about your goals and set realistic expectations. Want to lose body fat, build muscle, or increase your endurance? Great! But it won’t happen with shortcuts or overnight fixes. It takes time, effort, and a willingness to get uncomfortable.
The next step? Build your support network. Find people who inspire you, who get your goals, and who will lift you up along the way. Surround yourself with those who support your healthy lifestyle choices and won’t make you feel bad for skipping an alcoholic drink at dinner.
And finally, be real. Real with yourself, and real with your followers. Social media doesn’t need to be all about perfection. It’s okay to show the hard days, the setbacks, and the moments when you feel like giving up. That’s the stuff people can truly relate to. Because behind every fitness transformation, every success story, and every Instagram-worthy photo, there’s a whole lot of work—and maybe even a few tears.
Ready to Start?
If you’re ready to kickstart your fitness journey or take your goals to the next level, remember: it’s not about competing with others or obsessing over perfect photos. It’s about showing up every day, making the best choices for your body and mind, and finding a community of people who support you every step of the way.
So, let today be the day you stop comparing yourself to someone else’s carefully curated life. Start loving yourself enough to put in the work. Your goals are achievable—you just have to show up, stay committed, and embrace the process. And most importantly, be proud of every step you take, no matter how messy or imperfect it might seem. After all, the real beauty is in the journey—not the filter.
Ready to make a change? Join our community of at Wilderness Athlete and let’s crush those goals together. If you don’t know where to start, I invite you to check out the 28 Day Reboot and Rebuild. Both programs come with daily workouts, a guide and tracker and meal plan that are goal specific either for fat loss or muscle building. And you won’t need a gym membership or coach to get started. 🌟
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