How What You’re Consuming is Undermining Your Peak Performance
From food and media to relationships and self-talk—what you consume can either drag you down or sustainably fuel you towards clarity, purpose and peak performance.
You Are What You Consume
As a professional ballet dancer and certified coach, I’ve developed a finely tuned awareness of my own system—body, mind, and spirit— so that I can consistently perform my best. My life’s work is rooted in continual dialogue with my physical, emotional, and spiritual energy, and the energy of the people, places, and things that surround me. Together, I work with my coaching clients to tune their own awareness about what in their system is supporting their best version of self, and what is sabotaging them.
The overall success of my performance in life, on stage, and in my coaching work depends on my awareness of my internal state and the questions I ask myself:
Am I clear? Is there anything I can do to support my energy flow? Do I have any energetic leaks? Is something draining me?
When coaching high-performing clients—and in my own life—I often highlight this truth: “We are what we consume.”
Most high performers already understand this intuitively. Athletes eat for performance. Business leaders feed themselves with knowledge. Creatives nourish themselves with inspiration. But, beyond just the obvious nutrients that each specific facet of our humanity needs to thrive, I encourage clients to look at the whole picture of what they consume if they want to be their biggest, most vibrant selves.
“If we want to do our best work, we must be brutally honest—but judgment free—about what we consume and what we expose our systems to. Then through our awareness we make shifts to improve our situation.”
Before we get into how to inventory your consumption, let’s explore what “you are what you consume” really means.
A Brief History of the Concept
The phrase "you are what you eat" was first introduced by 19th-century French gastronome Jean Brillat-Savarin, who wrote:
“Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are.”
This reflects the idea that the nutrients in our food—vitamins, minerals, macros—literally become us. The quality of what we eat directly impacts the quality of our physical health.
In modern times, this concept has expanded into a deeper awareness:
”You are what you consume.”
This broader understanding recognizes that when we “consume” anything—food, energy, media, relationships, beliefs—it becomes part of our internal landscape. What we engage with defines our lived experience. What we give our attention to fuels us, or brings us downward.
If you watch a horror movie, your body may respond with fear. If you eat nutrient-rich food, your energy increases. If you surround yourself with loving people, your inner world expands.
We are sensitive, responsive beings. What we expose ourselves to shapes us.
Why This Matters
You are responsible for the quality of your life experience. If you want your life to move in a specific direction, consume the things that will help you get there.
If you’re feeling stuck, ask:
“What am I consuming that’s keeping me here?”
“What could I consume that would help me move forward?”
Now, let’s take a closer look at common areas of consumption that shape your reality.
Inventory: What Are You Consuming?
Before we begin our inventory, let’s agree to be gentle with ourselves. This isn’t about guilt, judgment or shame; We are raising our awareness so we can make empowered, supportive choices.
Take time to write your own list of what you consume in each area (your list may differ slightly from the list below depending on the specifics of your life). Then, as you go through your day, pause and ask yourself:
“Is what I’m consuming supporting the best me?”
“Is it what I’m consuming sabotaging me from being by best self, or supporting me?”
What We Feed the Physical Body
Food & Drink
Food is medicine. Nutrient-rich food heals and energizes. Poor-quality food leaves us depleted and malnourished.
What are you feeding your body?Movement
Exercise strengthens and recharges us.
Are you moving your body in ways that feel nourishing and sustainable?Medicine
This includes not just prescriptions, but also holistic or intuitive forms: a walk in nature, a long bath, time in the sun.
What helps your body heal?Substances
Coffee, alcohol, sugar, or other substances affect your system—positively or negatively.
Are they fueling you or draining you?Rest
Your body needs recovery time to integrate, restore, and grow.
Are you getting enough quality rest?
What We Feed the Emotional & Intellectual Body
Self-Talk
The voice in your head can build you up or tear you down.
Is your inner dialogue kind, or is it filled with shame, judgment or criticism?Relationships
The people around you either energize or drain you.
Who supports your growth? Who contracts your energy?Environments & Objects
Your surroundings affect your nervous system.
Do your spaces feel peaceful or chaotic? Comforting or stressful?Media & Information
What you read, watch, and listen to shapes your mood and mindset.
Is your media diet uplifting or anxiety-inducing?The Past
Old stories and unhealed wounds may still be running in the background.
How often are you reliving the past? Is it shaping or limiting your present reality?The Future
Forecasting can inspire or overwhelm.
Are you imagining possibility—or fueling anxiety? How often does this distract you from the present?
What We Feed the Spiritual Body
Energy & Inspiration
Our spiritual body is fed by beauty, awe, wonder and hope.
What brings your spirit to life? What dulls your light?
A Personal Example
A few months ago, I noticed a subtle shift in my energy. I felt more stress and discontent than usual. So I did an inventory.
Two things surfaced:
A draining personal relationship
My daily consumption of news and social media
As soon as I became ware of what was infecting my energy, I made some changes. I limited my exposure to both compromising factors, replacing them with nourishing inputs. Instead of starting my day listening to the news and scrolling, I listen to classical music or an uplifting/inspirational podcast—I open the social media and media apps if and when I am ready. I also restructured boundaries with the personal relationship that was draining me and gave more of my attention to connections that feed and fuel me.
It sounds simple, but in practice, this kind of discernment work and action isn’t always easy. For me, the healthy choice is not always the most convenient. But, it’s always worth the effort and investment.
I’m constantly evaluating, tuning in, adjusting. Supporting my best possible outcomes is an ongoing process. If you’d like help discerning what you’re consuming and how to align your life with your highest vision, I’d be honored to work with you.