A 2 min read.

Mental fitness isn’t just a trendy phrase—it’s the foundation for thriving as a leader in the demanding restaurant industry. It’s about maintaining a positive mindset, building resilience, and performing at your best, even when the heat is on. My journey toward mental fitness started when I began exploring positive intelligence, a concept championed by Shirzad Chamine in Positive Intelligence.

Positive intelligence involves identifying and deflecting the “saboteurs” in your mind—the negative thoughts that generate stress, anxiety, and self-doubt. These saboteurs often stem from childhood coping mechanisms that linger, no longer serving us as adults. They include the controller, pleaser, victim, and others, all led by the master saboteur: the judge. For me, becoming mentally fit required confronting these inner critics head-on.

If you're ready to take your leadership and business to the next level, consider joining The Leadership Mastery Group. This monthly group coaching program connects you with like-minded leaders and provides expert mentorship to tackle your biggest challenges.

Together, we'll spend one focused hour each month addressing real-world obstacles and unlocking your full potential. Enrollment is now open—visit christinmarvin.com/groupcoaching to learn more and secure your spot.

The Saboteurs That Hold Us Back

When I first took the Saboteur Assessment, I discovered my top saboteurs: the judge, the hyper-achiever, and the hyper-rational. The judge was particularly relentless, constantly critiquing myself and others. It whispered that I wasn’t smart enough, thin enough, or capable enough to succeed. I judged employees for lacking my drive, distanced myself from anyone struggling with mental health or addiction, and even harshly criticized my husband during his sobriety journey.

Visualizing my saboteur helped me take control. In my mind, my judge became a scowling woman in a red polyester suit—someone I named “Karen.” Recognizing her presence, thanking her for trying to protect me, and firmly telling her to step aside allowed me to reclaim my focus and confidence.

Strengths Can Also Be Saboteurs

Surprisingly, what I once saw as strengths turned out to be saboteurs in disguise. As a hyper-achiever, I thrived on accomplishments—crossing off to-do lists, earning certifications, and launching 13 restaurants. But this relentless drive came at a cost. My hyper-achiever never let me pause to celebrate successes, pushing me toward burnout.

The hyper-rational saboteur, on the other hand, kept me emotionally guarded. Growing up in a chaotic household, I learned to prioritize logic over feelings. While this mindset served me well in fine dining and hotels, it left me struggling to connect with the emotionally charged team at GPLH. My dismissive attitude toward emotions created barriers in building authentic relationships and stifled my growth.

Turning Saboteurs into Superpowers

Recognizing and addressing my saboteurs transformed my leadership, relationships, and self-worth. Through practices like daily gratitude journaling, meditation, and reframing negative thoughts, I developed my positive intelligence and learned to approach challenges with curiosity and compassion.

Now, I’m a better communicator, entrepreneur, and partner. I’ve built stronger relationships, embraced vulnerability, and started setting big, fearless goals for my business. Mental fitness has taught me that every obstacle is an opportunity for growth.

Are Your Saboteurs Holding You Back?

Take the Saboteur Assessment to uncover your inner critics at Positive Intelligence. Developing your positive intelligence could be the key to unlocking your potential and leading with confidence.

If you're ready to dig deeper and transform your saboteurs into strengths, let’s work together. As a coach, I’ll help you identify how these hidden saboteurs are holding you back in your life and business—and guide you toward becoming the confident, resilient leader you were meant to be. Schedule a 30 minute call today and start your journey to mental fitness!

P.S.

For more leadership development, here are some additional resources for you:

1. My book, The Hospitality Leader’s Roadmap: Move from Ordinary to Extraordinary is available at christinmarvin.com/book.

2. Enrollment is now happening for The Leadership Mastery Group. This group of 6 individuals meet monthly to gain insights from one another to help grow their business. If you are ready to invest in yourself in 2025 and build a network of like-minded thinkers, this group is for you. Visit christinmarvin.com/groupcoaching to apply.

3. Tune into the No Hesitations Podcast Episode 32 : How to Lead with Clarity : 5 Strategies for Effective Restaurant Management

4. Contact me for a strategy session about overcoming your biggest challenge at christinlmarvin@gmail.com and start transforming your mindset, your restaurant, and your life today!