The ego is a fascinating monster.
My own approach has always been to push intense emotions down and attempt to deal with them later.
I was motivated by just thinking that if you had all this external success that everyone would love you and everything would be peaceful and wonderful.
For me, a life without expectation results in a life with inspiration.
I think there is no better way to invite a human being to view their body differently than by inviting them to be an athlete, by revering one's body as an instrument rather than just an ornament.