Behind the glory and appeal of fitness, bodybuilding, and a healthy lifestyle is a world of struggles – a realm of inner battles and mental barriers where echoing voices hinder progress and sustain stagnation. Dickens Fenelon, a professional bodybuilder with a deep appreciation for the holistic mind-body-soul approach, felt the impact of mental obstacles firsthand, many times overcoming the abyss of giving up.
Now a Business Master Mindpower Coach, NLP Trainer, and founder of Dickens Coaching, Dickens Fenelon assists others in their fitness journeys, drawing from personal experiences to help empower and guide clients toward pursuing the most productive, fulfilling path to success. The company’s services, including the NPL Practitioner Coaching and the Private LevelUp-Mindset Breakthrough Coaching™, illustrate Dickens’ commitment to supporting efforts to elevate focus, challenge self-limiting beliefs, and foster a mindset of resilience and success.
This dedication is personal, rooted in his story of overcoming challenges through mental toughness, emotional resilience, and gaining clarity. Though Dickens’ current reality revolves around fitness, that hasn’t always been his journey. Having entered the workforce at a very young age, he dabbled in diverse industries, from fast food and construction to nursing homes, software programming, and insurance, quickly realizing that, no matter the field, he felt the most pride and happiness when interacting with and serving others.
Despite a proven track record of success in various sectors, Dickens knew that there was something more waiting for him – something he had been dreaming about since 16. During his high school years, he came across a magazine featuring Ronnie Coleman, an American bodybuilder who, as Dickens recalls, emanated the essence of health, confidence, and success. “I knew nothing about bodybuilding,” he reminisces. “But I knew one thing – I wanted his physique, I wanted my clothes to fit the same way, and I wanted to feel as confident as he looked.”
Motivated to work hard on his dream body, Dickens went to the gym the very next day, only to be rejected because of his young age. But the lack of professional equipment didn’t stop his determination, and the young aspiring man spent all his free time running on track and following the exercises presented on TV shows. Even in the nascent stages of his sports path, he was often approached by strangers and friends seeking advice on how to start their athletic journeys. Little did he know, all the answered queries and clarified concerns would later build the strong foundation of Dickens Coaching.
Every day, Dickens would encounter challenges, always tapping into his unwavering determination to come out stronger on the other side. In his mid-20s, ignited by the new dynamics and complexities of relationships, family life, and career, he realized that bodybuilding is more than strength training and exercise – it’s also a mental battle. “You chase something, and then life happens; you start a family, get a job, your days are getting busier and busier, and, all of a sudden, that dream takes a backseat,” he says. “When life stops feeling linear, what do you do?”
After years of asking himself that question, he found the answer – Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Mindpower Coaching. Dickens was introduced to this concept while running his first nutritional business. During one of the many seminars he attended, he met a physical and mental coaching couple, who soon became his mentors. “They were the ones who taught me the art of NLP and Mindpower Coaching,” says Dickens. “I quickly realized that it was more than a useful tool; it provided strategies and insights that helped me get back up whenever I tumbled down.”
Dickens credits his success to all the mentors and guides who helped and are still helping him throughout his personal and professional career. “I never took a single step alone,” Dickens reflects. “Any successful person has always had someone in their corner, helping them along the way, that includes me.”
Dickens Coaching applies NLP and MindPower Coaching techniques tailored to the needs and goals of bodybuilders, athletes, and high-performance individuals, now offering this knowledge as the LevelUp-Mindset Breakthrough. During the course, participants may explore strategies to control conscious and unconscious thinking, achieve agreement with others, use words with purpose, address inner conflicts that drain energy, and many other potential lessons.
The company is a culmination of Dickens’ life experiences, failures, and victories, from his first show in 2008, climbing the rankings from double-digit places to the podium and winning, and obtaining his International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation (IFBB) professional card in 2020. After founding Dickens Coaching, he transformed the entity from a passion project bringing little to no profits to a 6-figure enterprise that continues to uphold its value-driven mission throughout all growth phases. Just like his bodybuilding journey, Dickens’ life is illuminated by resilience, emotional awareness, and mental fortitude, which, combined, empower him to never crumble in the face of adversity.
“We were programmed to believe that fighting is a negative, that having to fight is a challenge in itself. The truth is, when you fight, you can win. You may not triumph on your first, second, or even third try, but every day you stay on track is a small victory worth celebrating,” remarks Dickens. “The key lies in understanding that pain and obstacles don’t happen to you; they happen for you. Once you take the time to analyze the reasons that are stopping you from moving forward, you may be able to find the silver lining in any situation, eradicating the risk of standing still and missing out on true happiness.”
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical, psychological, or financial advice, nor does it replace professional expertise or treatment. Coaching services, including those described in this article, are not substitutes for professional healthcare or therapy. If you have concerns or questions about your health, mindset, or personal development, consult with a qualified physician, psychologist, or other professional.
Published by: Khy Talara
