Living by Values: In the “Red”
On a bright afternoon after a spontaneous bike trip along the French coast, Maxime joined his meeting with his usual calm energy. The sun had finally appeared after days of grey weather, and he seemed refreshed from a quick ride to Saint-Malo. The conversation quickly moved from travel to something deeper: what it means to live authentically—especially in work, sport, and study.
For Maxime, a French engineering student and competitive gymnast, authenticity begins with something simple but powerful: staying true to your values.
“Work needs to correspond to your values,” he explained. “You should not change who you are just to fit into the environment.”
Fruitloop nodded. Authenticity, she added, means being original and expressing your values without apologizing for them. Whether in a classroom, a workplace, or on a competition floor, honesty and integrity should guide every decision. Cheating on an exam or taking shortcuts might seem easier in the moment, but it contradicts the foundation of authenticity.
Maxime agrees completely. At his engineering school, the consequences for cheating are severe—students could be banned from official exams for five years. But for him, the issue is not punishment; it’s principle. “You have to work honestly and on your own,” he said. “Your results should represent your real effort.”
Where Authenticity Feels Natural
Although Maxime is studying engineering and dreams of one day working in Formula 1, he says the place where he feels most authentically himself is in the gymnastics gym.
For more than 17 years, gymnastics has shaped his life. Today, he sometimes coaches younger athletes, guiding children as young as six and teenagers preparing for higher-level competition. When he’s teaching, his confidence is unmistakable.
“In gymnastics I know exactly what to do,” he said. “I can transmit my values to the gymnasts.”
His favorite group to coach? Teenagers between 15 and 18 years old. They train with purpose, motivation, and determination—qualities that resonate deeply with Maxime. Younger children, on the other hand, ask many questions.
Fruitloop laughed knowingly. “My son is seven,” she said. “Everything is ‘Why?’”
Maxime smiled. “Yes, I am very patient… but it takes a lot of energy.”
Discipline: The Value That Makes the Difference
Among the many values that guide Maxime—honesty, respect, and loyalty—discipline stands above the rest in sport.
“Discipline is what can make the difference between two gymnasts,” he explained. “If someone learns discipline early, they can train hard for years and progress much more than someone who doesn’t.”
For him, discipline means consistent effort: strength training, flexibility work, and endless repetition of technical movements. It’s not glamorous, but it’s what transforms talent into performance.
While parents often teach values like respect and honesty, Maxime believes coaches play a crucial role in teaching discipline within the sport itself—showing athletes how to train, how to push through fatigue, and how to stay committed over time.
Turning Pressure Into Power
Athletes often speak about pressure as something negative. But in gymnastics, Maxime sees it differently.
“We call it the good stress,” he explained.
This kind of pressure creates adrenaline, sharpening focus and pushing athletes to perform even better than they do in training. But learning to harness it takes time and experience.
Maxime remembers his first French Championship in 2016, where pressure overwhelmed him and caused a fall during a pommel horse routine. Instead of discouraging him, the moment became a lesson.
Over the next few years, he trained not just his physical skills but also his mental strength. By 2022, the same pressure that once caused mistakes became a source of focus—and he finished as vice champion of France.
Fruitloop highlighted the secret behind that transformation: preparation.
“When you are prepared, the pressure becomes easier,” she explained. “Confidence comes from practice.”
Maxime agreed. Preparation, practice, and experience form the foundation for performing under stress.
Listening… But Staying True
Another element of authenticity is learning how to respond to other people’s opinions. Maxime believes it’s important to listen—but not to lose yourself.
“If someone gives good advice, I listen,” he said. “But if I am sure about my goal, I continue.”
He knows this from experience. Years ago, some people doubted his ability to enter an engineering school because he had chosen a technical pathway. Today, those doubts feel distant.
“Now I’m in engineering school,” he said proudly. “Maybe one day I will work in Formula 1.”
Sometimes, authenticity means believing in your vision—even when others don’t.
Fear of Judgment
Despite his confidence, Maxime admitted something surprisingly honest: he still feels nervous in unfamiliar environments.
In his gymnastics club, he feels safe. Coaches and teammates know his abilities, and he trusts them completely. But in new places—like a different gym or a professional environment—self-consciousness can appear.
“It’s difficult when people don’t know you,” he said. “You don’t know what they think.”
Fruitloop reassured him that this feeling is universal. Many people worry about being judged, especially when speaking another language or trying something new. The key is remembering that most people are focused on their own lives, not judging others.
Maxime will soon face exactly this challenge when he travels to the United Kingdom for an internship, where he will work and communicate in English daily.
He isn’t worried about his accent—but he admits he sometimes fears making mistakes.
Fruitloop offered simple advice: honesty.
“If you don’t understand something, just ask,” she said. “People appreciate honesty more than pretending.”
The Power of Routine
To stay connected to his values, Maxime relies on routine.
Discipline is built through daily habits: waking up early, eating well, training consistently, and dedicating time to study or personal projects. These routines keep him focused on long-term goals.
But routines must be balanced.
“If you do exactly the same thing every day, it can become boring,” he said. “You need a good compromise—structure with a little change.”
Authenticity… If It Had an Office Job
Toward the end of their discussion, the conversation took a playful turn.
“If authenticity had a job title, what would it be?” Fruitloop asked.
Maxime thought for a moment.
“Maybe… the CEO of personalities.”
The room filled with laughter.
Then came another creative question: If authenticity were an office supply?
“Glue,” Maxime answered immediately.
His reasoning was surprisingly thoughtful: glue keeps things together—just like values keep a person connected to their identity.
And if his own values were represented by a desk object?
“A painting,” he said. “A painting of all the people who taught me my values—my family, my coaches, my friends—and the important moments of my life.”
Living in the Red Zone
Finally, Fruitloop asked one last question: What color represents your energy during gymnastics training?
Maxime didn’t hesitate.
“Red.”
For him, red represents intensity, effort, and pushing to the limit during every training session.
“I put myself in the red zone every day,” he said with a grin.
It’s exhausting—but also deeply satisfying.
A Conversation Worth Reflecting On
As their session ended, both teacher and student realized something interesting: talking about values is harder than it seems.
Values usually operate quietly in the background of daily life. They guide decisions automatically, shaped by family, experiences, and personal goals.
But reflecting on them—really examining them—brings new clarity.
For Maxime, authenticity means discipline, honesty, and the courage to follow his ambitions. Whether coaching young gymnasts, preparing for engineering challenges, or chasing the dream of Formula 1, those values remain his compass.
And if his training philosophy is any indication, he’ll continue approaching life the same way he approaches gymnastics:
Full effort. Full focus. Always in the red.
