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InnerFitness: Five Steps to Overcoming Fear and Anxiety While Building Your Self-Worth
The goal to improving one's life begins internally. By addressing the quality of your mental state—whether fear, doubt, anxiety, depression—you can achieve a positive self-worth and improve your quality of life. It all begins with you! All of us, at one point in our lives, have wondered if we are able to make the decisions or choices that will turn our lives around. Can I begin that work project I have been putting off? What about the diet that will help me lose weight and get healthy? Can I salvage the marriage that’s ripping at the seams? What do I do after losing my job? The hardest part can be taking that first step toward such a goal, and the fear can be overpowering. That is the goal of InnerFitness. Former Mr. Universe, Nordine Zouareg, learned that while his outer self was chiseled out of stone, his inner self was crumbling. Rather than giving up, Nordine looked back on his life and actively reflected on the emotions that affected who he had become. From that point forward, his goal was not only to improve the quality of his life, but that of others. During such self-exploration, he noted five key issues to personal improvement. They self-worthtrusttranquilitybodydesire to fight By exposing these five basic issues which hold us back, Nordine shows how to be empowered, have emotional clarity, and consistently choose freedom over fear, success over self-sabotage, confidence over insecurity, and courage over passivity. In essence, retraining your brain from “I’m not enough” to “I’m good enough.”InnerFitness explains how to manage your inner voice—the one which tells us we’re not good enough, that we cannot succeed. By taking such steps, like celebrating victories (large or small) and seeing failures only as temporary and instructional, you will be on a path to loving yourself for who you are…which is the first step to a happier life.
- GenresMental HealthNonfiction
219 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 26, 2021
33 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Nordine Zouareg
4 books1 followerNordine is a French-American fitness personality, high-performance coach, and author of three books. His Mind Over Body and InnerFitness® methods are revolutionary in the fitness and wellness industry. He is a former Mr. Europe, Mr. World, and Mr. Universe champion. In March 1995, the U.S. Department of Justice awarded Nordine Zouareg with an Alien of Extraordinary Ability Status (EB-A1). To get this status, an alien must be able to show extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics through sustained national or international acclaim. He speaks five languages.
Nordine is also the founder of Executive InnerFitness®, which for the past decade has helped thousands of overworked US Corporate Executives find work-life balance. Nordine has made it his mission to provide effective and proven methods for maintaining both emotional and physical fitness. He has spent years understanding the unique pressures and stresses of working in high-performance, his stress environments, and has used his knowledge to help people tap into their ability to peak performance and ward off stress and emotional chaos.
Born prematurely in the Saharan desert — in the back of a French Army truck — to Bedouin parents and in war-torn Algeria, Nordine has overcome insurmountable obstacles to achieve success. He was a sickly infant with a birth weight of two pounds and constantly fell ill. To seek advanced medical care for their newborn, Nordine’s parents moved to France, where he was diagnosed with rickets. They settled in the suburb of Paris, where Nordine spent the majority of his childhood with the 12 siblings that followed him. Poor health eclipsed a major part of Nordine’s early life, resulting in a weak constitution, which made him an easy target for school bullies.
A Unique Philosophy
It’s no surprise that Nordine pursued health and wellness and made it his passion. As a guide, he will lead you to a better, healthier, and happier life. There’s a lot of information out there on how to reduce stress, get in shape, and be healthy—but what experts have ignored is the deeper motivation necessary to live a healthy life. Nordine’s teachings will give you a plan that involves more than just diet and exercise. It will empower you to take control of your health once and for all.
One must prepare mentally before embarking on a life-transformation journey. Nordine will help you identify the enduring inner motivation that will keep you working toward and achieving your goals. He will show you how to inspire yourself and everyone around you as “fitness” is not only about being fit, looking good, and feeling great — but also about igniting a flame of inspiration in others.
Nordine knows that it can be overwhelming and sometimes discouraging. Like you, he read many books, listened to CDs, gone to transformational seminars, and so on. But he also spent decades studying and researching why people knew what they knew but failed to do it. Today and — more than ever before — we are facing hard times; fear, anxiety, and the lack of self-worth are threatening everything we do. As fear takes control, our behavior changes for the worse. We use spiritual substitutes such as comfort eating, alcohol, drugs, and even violence whether it is verbal or physical. We rationalize the things we shouldn’t be doing; we find excuses and we believe in them. This is what he calls — falling into the abyss of a low level of existence.
You must transcend motivation to inspiration by building your self-worth and rising to a higher level of existence.
Nordine is also the founder of Executive InnerFitness®, which for the past decade has helped thousands of overworked US Corporate Executives find work-life balance. Nordine has made it his mission to provide effective and proven methods for maintaining both emotional and physical fitness. He has spent years understanding the unique pressures and stresses of working in high-performance, his stress environments, and has used his knowledge to help people tap into their ability to peak performance and ward off stress and emotional chaos.
Born prematurely in the Saharan desert — in the back of a French Army truck — to Bedouin parents and in war-torn Algeria, Nordine has overcome insurmountable obstacles to achieve success. He was a sickly infant with a birth weight of two pounds and constantly fell ill. To seek advanced medical care for their newborn, Nordine’s parents moved to France, where he was diagnosed with rickets. They settled in the suburb of Paris, where Nordine spent the majority of his childhood with the 12 siblings that followed him. Poor health eclipsed a major part of Nordine’s early life, resulting in a weak constitution, which made him an easy target for school bullies.
A Unique Philosophy
It’s no surprise that Nordine pursued health and wellness and made it his passion. As a guide, he will lead you to a better, healthier, and happier life. There’s a lot of information out there on how to reduce stress, get in shape, and be healthy—but what experts have ignored is the deeper motivation necessary to live a healthy life. Nordine’s teachings will give you a plan that involves more than just diet and exercise. It will empower you to take control of your health once and for all.
One must prepare mentally before embarking on a life-transformation journey. Nordine will help you identify the enduring inner motivation that will keep you working toward and achieving your goals. He will show you how to inspire yourself and everyone around you as “fitness” is not only about being fit, looking good, and feeling great — but also about igniting a flame of inspiration in others.
Nordine knows that it can be overwhelming and sometimes discouraging. Like you, he read many books, listened to CDs, gone to transformational seminars, and so on. But he also spent decades studying and researching why people knew what they knew but failed to do it. Today and — more than ever before — we are facing hard times; fear, anxiety, and the lack of self-worth are threatening everything we do. As fear takes control, our behavior changes for the worse. We use spiritual substitutes such as comfort eating, alcohol, drugs, and even violence whether it is verbal or physical. We rationalize the things we shouldn’t be doing; we find excuses and we believe in them. This is what he calls — falling into the abyss of a low level of existence.
You must transcend motivation to inspiration by building your self-worth and rising to a higher level of existence.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 3, 2021
For me this review is a bit difficult. It's well organized, the chapters are absolutely appealing and the author gives a lot of examples: from clients and also from himself.
The chapters are well divided and you can take a lot for yourself from this book. Great tips you can follow without problems, without needing any equipment, everything comes from the heart and you learn that you have to work on yourself. The experience reports are touching and transports how important it is to want something yourself, no one can take that from you. The most important thing is to be at peace with yourself, to love yourself and to have self-confidence.
I liked all this very much in the book. However, the examples could have been described in more detail and what bothered me most was the writing style. Yes, the author has been a very successful bodybuilder, and today he is a very successful life - coach. Honestly I found these facts mentioning on almost every page a little too much. There's not so much sympathy in the writing style. And sympathy for the reader this is what makes a self-help book sympathetic. As I said, everything is great and helpful but for me, as a help-seeking reader, it often came across as "I've done it, so you do it too! if you can't do it, book a seminar with me, I was missing a little sympathy in the writing style and the whole thing only scratches the surface. It would have needed more examples also and just from people who are not CEOs, but craftsmen, plumbers, doctors, nurses, normal people (but who probably can not afford the seminars) this is the normal mass of people, and they have exactly the same problems. Also, in my opinion, the author should have provided a little more background about connections of feelings. What comes out of a not so nice childhood for example.
Conclusion: A good guide for people who want to change something in their lives and do not know what it is, unfortunately with a touch of arrogance on the part of the author.
The chapters are well divided and you can take a lot for yourself from this book. Great tips you can follow without problems, without needing any equipment, everything comes from the heart and you learn that you have to work on yourself. The experience reports are touching and transports how important it is to want something yourself, no one can take that from you. The most important thing is to be at peace with yourself, to love yourself and to have self-confidence.
I liked all this very much in the book. However, the examples could have been described in more detail and what bothered me most was the writing style. Yes, the author has been a very successful bodybuilder, and today he is a very successful life - coach. Honestly I found these facts mentioning on almost every page a little too much. There's not so much sympathy in the writing style. And sympathy for the reader this is what makes a self-help book sympathetic. As I said, everything is great and helpful but for me, as a help-seeking reader, it often came across as "I've done it, so you do it too! if you can't do it, book a seminar with me, I was missing a little sympathy in the writing style and the whole thing only scratches the surface. It would have needed more examples also and just from people who are not CEOs, but craftsmen, plumbers, doctors, nurses, normal people (but who probably can not afford the seminars) this is the normal mass of people, and they have exactly the same problems. Also, in my opinion, the author should have provided a little more background about connections of feelings. What comes out of a not so nice childhood for example.
Conclusion: A good guide for people who want to change something in their lives and do not know what it is, unfortunately with a touch of arrogance on the part of the author.
February 26, 2021
For me, Inner Fitness sets the stage for what it means for us to reconnect with ourselves especially coming out of 2020. This book underscores what it means to be conscious of self, not self-conscious. I have fallen prey to anxiety — especially in the age of social media — what I should look like, what I should act like, who I used to be, compared to who I am. Reading this book has been a re-grounding exercise in who I am, who I want to be, and how best to learn from all the experiences life and the universe will give me.
Inner Fitness is not only a good read, but a practical toolkit for those of all ages to reference as they navigate life and respective milestones. The author uses various written exercises, personal life experiences, affirmations and lists to help the reader explore their inner self which is often overlooked in today’s society.
Lastly, this book is the culmination of decades of expertise and practical knowledge shared from a champion level athlete. These insights include physical, nutritional, mental and spiritual fitness insights that are only usually accessible if you know elite athletes or elite coaches. I highly recommend this read to people who want a playbook to better understand themselves while cultivating a life of wellness, peace, and abundance.
Inner Fitness is not only a good read, but a practical toolkit for those of all ages to reference as they navigate life and respective milestones. The author uses various written exercises, personal life experiences, affirmations and lists to help the reader explore their inner self which is often overlooked in today’s society.
Lastly, this book is the culmination of decades of expertise and practical knowledge shared from a champion level athlete. These insights include physical, nutritional, mental and spiritual fitness insights that are only usually accessible if you know elite athletes or elite coaches. I highly recommend this read to people who want a playbook to better understand themselves while cultivating a life of wellness, peace, and abundance.
August 9, 2025
A BEAUTIFULLY ARTICULATED WORK OF ART. Each page is saturated with compassion, honesty, knowledge and direction. This book masterfully strategizes an insightful path for anyone to attain balance in their life. I found this read to be both compelling and inspiring. The pages turn quickly with this one! Not only does Nordine share some of his most vulnerable and most powerful life changing moments with grace and unmatched emotional multitude, he offers very precise scientifically backed methods to achieve ones goals in all realms; "The Four Pillars of Mindful Fitness": physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. This book became my "safe place" to see and accept my own "truths" without feeling judged. This felt like a conversation with a most trusted friend. This will ignite a different sense of confidence and uncover the energy we all possess in order to make "change". The solutions, methods, nutritional plans, and exercise regimens he presents are incredibly organized, to the point, easy to follow, and just feel "tangible". He really took the time and care to give his readers the best 'tour guide' to living life with vigor, longevity and health and well-being. InnerFitness is ABSOLUTELY GENUINE and I ABSOLUTELY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK.
May 3, 2021
This book came into my life at the right time. I see had major changes in my personal life in 2021 already, not to mention dealing with a pandemic, a year of lockdowns etc.
I’ve definitely been struggling, and throwing myself into my training as a way to cope. Nordine’s book just grounded me, making me stop and refocus. I’ve been prioritising everyone else but I’ve neglected my own self and as a result my sense of self-worth has disappeared. Nordine explains things in a practical, easy to read way that really resonates. I have come to so many realisations about myself, my past, and the path ahead of me. It’s definitely a book worth reading over and over again.
I’ve definitely been struggling, and throwing myself into my training as a way to cope. Nordine’s book just grounded me, making me stop and refocus. I’ve been prioritising everyone else but I’ve neglected my own self and as a result my sense of self-worth has disappeared. Nordine explains things in a practical, easy to read way that really resonates. I have come to so many realisations about myself, my past, and the path ahead of me. It’s definitely a book worth reading over and over again.
December 30, 2025
Inner Fitness by Nordine Zouareg thoughtfully explores the internal work required to create positive, lasting change and build self-worth. The book addresses the mental and emotional barriers that often prevent personal growth, offering practical, easy-to-apply tools in each chapter to help cultivate a healthier, more resilient mindset.
Zouareg's approach is both accessible and motivating, making complex concepts actionable for everyday life. I would recommend this book to anyone who has struggled with overcoming mental hurdles or breaking habits that stand in the way of becoming the best version of themselves.
Zouareg's approach is both accessible and motivating, making complex concepts actionable for everyday life. I would recommend this book to anyone who has struggled with overcoming mental hurdles or breaking habits that stand in the way of becoming the best version of themselves.
June 5, 2021
You’ll find a lot of unique take-aways in this book. There are a lot of “aha moments” to take in. Nordine has put his heart and soul into the writing, and doesn’t skimp on the ups and the downs of his journey from being an athlete (Mr. Universe) to a wellness practitioner, coach and family man.
But this isn’t a “fitness” book. It’s a blueprint for holistic wellness starting from wherever you are on the inside. I’m not going to add any spoilers here, just read the book. You’ll find practical, applicable real-world (and real-mind) methods for wellness from the inside outward.
But this isn’t a “fitness” book. It’s a blueprint for holistic wellness starting from wherever you are on the inside. I’m not going to add any spoilers here, just read the book. You’ll find practical, applicable real-world (and real-mind) methods for wellness from the inside outward.
August 17, 2025
This book is a must-read for lasting personal transformation. If you're committed to enhancing your health and well-being, I highly recommend InnerFitness. This insightful book explores five essential steps to overcoming fear, doubt, and anxiety, while strengthening your self-worth. As a long-overdue guide, it empowers readers to recognize and harness their inner strength and potential. Nordine Zouareg is a true expert offering wisdom, strategies, and an understanding of what it takes to create meaningful, lasting change. If you're ready to transform your life, this book is an essential read.
March 19, 2024
DNF 30%
I got through the first section and just had to give up on this. This is a book about Nordine and his accomplishments and failures. The parts for the reader can be summarised into a couple of pages, but it took 100 for Nordine to get nowhere.
He also mentions on nearly every page that he was a body builder and Mr Universe. We Know Nordine, you've told us 100 times already!
I got through the first section and just had to give up on this. This is a book about Nordine and his accomplishments and failures. The parts for the reader can be summarised into a couple of pages, but it took 100 for Nordine to get nowhere.
He also mentions on nearly every page that he was a body builder and Mr Universe. We Know Nordine, you've told us 100 times already!
June 27, 2021
The whole enchilada....the self help books of self help books.
January 9, 2021
The first half of the book is is so inspiring and helpful with tips and tricks. This book breaks down multiple reasons why you could have this problem and then gives you multiple different answers and ways on which you can approach on how to fix this. The second half was a little bit of a trigger for me with a past of an eating disorder and still recovering it was uncomfortable to hear how to achieve the ideal weight etc. definitely wasn’t what I was expecting from the title of the book. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews