Competition in the World of Competing
Ever since I was a little kid I have always been
competitive. I always strive to be the best whether it's dance, soccer,
running, or bodybuilding. I have this urgency to be the greatest version
of myself and to always be number one. In a few ways this mindset can be
a blessing and a curse. A blessing in the sense that I never give-up, I
never throw in the towel, I never complain about how hard something is because
I know I can do better. However, this mindset can also cause me to take
the "fun" out of situations. For example, going bowling with
friends, it may not be a competition but I turn it into one. If I don't
do well, I get extremely frustrated with myself and usually shut down. I
have been competitive since day one and will never stop but one thing I do need
to work on is my mindset.
It's definitely not a crime to want to be the best or to be
competitive but what I do need to focus on is MYSELF. What do I mean by
that? Instead of focusing on what other people are doing I need to turn
my focus to myself. I need to stop
worrying about how much the other bikini competitors weigh, how much someone
can squat, how many calories they are eating versus my meal plan, and most
importantly I need to stop worrying about what so-and-so placed at the last
competition. I have the dedication, the persistence,
the consistency to make all my dreams come true so whyyy am I worrying so much
about other people?! I know that
everyone is different. Everyone has
their strengths and weaknesses. We all
have different body types, metabolisms, and workout regimens that work for us
specifically so why do I still care so much about what other people are doing
around me?
The world of bodybuilding is competitive, hence why it is
called a “competition,” but the truth of the matter is, we are NOT competing
against one another. We are competing
against ourselves. Yes, we all stand on
stage next to one another, yes we all get judged and critiqued, and yes one
person goes home with a first place trophy BUT it’s not because anyone is
better than anyone else. It’s about how
much progress he/she has made since their last competition. In a world where bodybuilding is not fully understood
by outside people it really is important that we all stick together and stand
by each other. Instead of being jealous
of someone for getting a sponsorship or becoming an IFBB pro we should
celebrate them and their hard-work because we all know how much discipline it
takes to get there. When it is our time
to shine, we will. If becoming a pro
bodybuilder is what you want then YOU will succeed. If you want to be a sponsored athlete, then
you will. If you love it so much there
is no chance you won’t make it.
So the next time you log on to Facebook, scroll through
Instagram, or hear through the grape-vine that so-and-so made their dreams
come true, instead of getting mad or frustrated with yourself, smile and
congratulate them on their success.
Because one of our “own” made it!
Having some competition is healthy, working towards a goal is admirable,
but getting annoyed with someone for being who they are…that’s when you know
you need to take a step back and reassess one’s mindset. I have faith that when it is my time to
shine, I will do just that, but for right now I will continue to grind and
hustle silently. I will let my hard work
speak for itself when the time is right for me.
So a HUGE congratulations to all my fellow competitors for achieving
their goals, for busting their butts, and for staying positive when times got
tough! I believe in you, just as much as
you believe in me. Stay strong and lift
on!
xoxo Torinator Takeover
