A Competitors Mindset

   You're scrolling through your IG, seeing all the girls in their bikinis that sparkle and holding the trophy high. You think "Wow! That's what I want to do! I'm going to do a competition and look amazing too!" Hold. The. Phone. It doesn't work that way, and it shouldn't work that way. Let's go through a few tips to mentally prepare you for the road you want to walk. 

   1. PREP IS NO EASY FEAT. Prepping for a show consumes a lot of time, you have to be ON all the time. What I mean by that is, you have to do the workout no matter how you feel that day. You have to eat the food, no matter how you feel that day or how badly you're craving that burger instead. You have to sleep and recover properly. It takes work. 

   2. YOU NEED TO LOVE YOURSELF FIRST. This is a HUGE one. If you want to step on stage because you think the way those ladies look will make you feel better about yourself, re-evaluate that thought. Bodybuilding is more than just a physical sport. It is going to make you really look at yourself and in more than a physical aspect. During my first two shows I constantly nit-picked things that weren't even there and I wasn't focused on what need to actually be done. I compared myself to everyone as often as I could instead of focusing on what I was building. I wasn't ready to see what I truly had to offer myself because I was seeking it in others. If your goal truly is to step on stage, you need to love yourself inside and out. That confidence, or lack-there-of will show through on that stage. It will show in your posing. It will show in your walk. It will show in your smile. And above all it will show in your work(body). 

   3. YOU NEED A GOOD SUPPORT SYSTEM. Listen, this is major as well. I did my first two shows damn near solo.... that is when you begin to really know what struggling is in this sport. If you have nobody to lean on when you don't feel like going anymore, you will quit or half-ass it. If you don't have a team to keep you accountable, you will slack. You will convince yourself that you are doing all the things you need to do, yet when show day comes and you step on stage and you aren't dialed in the way you should be... mental devastation. Instant bodily reaction in hormones, which will begin to show on stage. Having a second pair or eyes that knows what they are doing, they are experienced and well versed in the sport is also a good idea. I am a coach and I still have a coach for this, why? Because he sees what I don't, or maybe I am unwilling, to see myself. You also can't pose and see you all the time without filming, and even then... are you being honest with yourself? 

    4. IT'S OKAY TO HAVE FUN AND WANT TO WIN! My first two shows were to me, disastrous. I didn't place where I had visioned myself. But it was rightly deserved! Aside from not being dialed in on my nutrition and water in the leading weeks up to show day, I took everything way too seriously. I overtrained myself, working o nut around 6 hours a day. I ate roughly 1200 calories, even then that was far too little for me then. This is not a healthy way to approach prepping for a competition. 


     5. YOU NEED A COACH WHO HAS COMPETED BEFORE. Listen, I know it's "easier" to do things on your own. Humble ya damn self and get a coach. If you are in this to win this and not for the fun of it, then you NEED a coach. Don't just find any old coach or one who has done only one show. I may be on my third in 7 years, however I took my time between. I switched divisions and had to lose 30 pounds of muscle. I lost the love of my life four years ago and nearly broke my back 3.5 years ago. It's a journey. I never placed where I wanted in my first two shows for several reasons. 1. I did not have a coach. I was self coached. 2. I took advice from other competitors who were NOT CERTIFIED TRAINERS. Why does this make a difference? Anyone can find anything they want online, coaches and trainers have schooling to back them. 


   While I personally do not believe this sport is for everyone it is a personal choice to begin the journey to the stage. Make sure that you choose the right coach who will give you the right tools to succeed. Not sure how to find the right coach? You can read our post on How to Choose the Right Coach for You. Since this is a highly important step, I definitely suggest starting here as the right coach will help you learn these simple mindset tricks. 

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