Principles of Progress
Discipline, Loyalty & Big Dreams: A Conversation Between Fruitloop and Maxime
What does it take to become Vice Champion of France in gymnastics, earn a place in engineering school, and plan a Master’s degree in the United Kingdom—all before your mid-twenties?
According to Maxime, it’s not just talent.
It’s values.
In this lively mentorship conversation, Fruitloop (mentor, motivator, and master of meaningful questions) sits down with Maxime (competitive gymnast, future engineer, and self-proclaimed sugar addict-in-recovery) to unpack the core principles shaping his journey.
Spoiler alert: It’s not about perfection—it’s about progress.
Rediscovering the Compass: What Are Values, Anyway?
Fruitloop opens with a deceptively simple question:
“What are values?”
Maxime pauses.
“They’re something that define you. Something every person lives with. They describe you.”
Not bad for someone who claims he’s never discussed values before.
Together, they build a list:
- Respect
- Loyalty
- Honesty
- Trust
- Empathy
- Responsibility
- Self-discipline
- Ambition
Fruitloop explains it best:
“Values are the principles we live by. When we follow them, decisions become easier. When we ignore them, we feel lost.”
Maxime nods. He knows exactly what that feels like.
The Year Everything Aligned
For Maxime, 2022 was legendary.
He trained 15–20 hours a week.
He balanced his final year of high school.
He became Vice Champion of France.
He earned admission to engineering school.
“I was most proud of myself that year,” he says. “I worked hard in sport and school. Everything had a purpose.”
So what powered him through?
Without hesitation:
“Discipline and hard work.”
But Fruitloop adds another layer:
“Did you love it?”
Maxime smiles. “I love the road to accomplish something.”
There it is—ambition. Not just loving success, but loving the process.
800 Kilometers Away: A New Chapter
Leaving home to study engineering wasn’t just academic—it was courageous.
In high school, Maxime’s world was simple: train, study, repeat. COVID limited distractions. Goals were crystal clear.
Now?
New city. New friends. Parties. Independence.
“Discipline is harder now,” he admits. “I have more social contact. I want to enjoy time with friends because I may only see them once a year in the future.”
This isn’t weakness—it’s growth. Life expanded. So did the challenges.
Fruitloop gently asks, “Do you think having a goal makes it easier?”
“Yes,” Maxime answers immediately. “When I know why I’m working, it’s easier.”
And just like that, he reconnects with his compass.
Loyalty That Lasts a Lifetime
One value stands out deeply: loyalty.
Maxime has been with his gymnastics club in Alsace since he was five years old. Even after moving across France, he kept his license there.
“I could have transferred to a closer club,” he explains, “but my trainers have been there since I was a child. They need me. I continue competition with my first team.”
That’s not convenience. That’s commitment.
The same loyalty extends to close friends scattered across France, Canada, and Mexico. For Maxime, loyalty isn’t loud—it’s steady.
Built by Example
Where did all this discipline come from?
Not a motivational seminar. Not a self-help book.
His parents.
His father served in the military and later built his own company. His mother worked as an accountant for 15 years while raising two children—often alone while his father was deployed.
“They never explicitly taught me discipline,” Maxime says. “I learned by seeing them.”
Hard work wasn’t a lesson. It was the atmosphere.
The Sugar Battle (Yes, Really)
Even disciplined athletes have struggles.
Maxime openly shares his challenge with sugar addiction. A doctor explained that certain bacteria in the body feed on sugar and influence cravings. He’s currently on treatment.
It’s a reminder that discipline isn’t automatic. It requires maintenance.
Fruitloop relates—she’s managing high insulin levels herself.
Growth moment? Shared humanity.
The Internship That Almost Wasn’t
Then comes the turning point.
Last year, Maxime delayed making phone calls to secure an internship. He hesitated. Overthought. Waited.
By the time he contacted Continental, they were ready to take him—but the visa process made it impossible in two weeks.
Opportunity lost.
“I lost a year,” he says.
But here’s where values show up again.
This year? He called early.
Continental offered him a position starting in May.
The “lost” year became a gap year filled with Dakar and Porsche Cup opportunities—experiences he wouldn’t have had otherwise.
“Everything happens for a reason,” he reflects.
Fruitloop smiles. “So it turned out to be a good mistake.”
Olympics or Engineering?
Will Maxime go to the Olympics?
“No,” he says calmly. “Four years ago I chose engineering.”
He understands the reality: elite gymnasts train 30+ hours a week and often earn very little. Passion matters—but so does practicality.
And that’s not giving up. That’s clarity.
The Value He Wants to Improve
When asked which value he’d like to strengthen, he answers:
“All of them. We can always be a better version of ourselves.”
But he identifies a specific weakness: initiating uncomfortable actions—like picking up the phone.
The difference now?
He acts sooner.
That’s growth in real time.
Final Reflections
By the end of the session, Maxime realizes something powerful:
- His discipline built his success.
- His loyalty keeps him grounded.
- His ambition gives direction.
- His mistakes teach faster than his victories.
Most importantly?
His values aren’t gone.
They were just waiting for him to reconnect.
As Fruitloop puts it:
“When we live from our values, choices become easier.”
And Maxime is living proof.
Takeaway for Readers
Ask yourself:
- What are your top three values?
- When did you feel most proud of yourself?
- Which value needs strengthening right now?
Like Maxime, you might discover that your compass has been there all along—just waiting to be rediscovered.
