Tag weightlifting

WHAT TO DO AFTER YOU HAVE SLAYED THE DRAGON

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Original post can be found at: http://www.rxmuscle.com/blogs/the-life-inspiration-and-dedication/10154-what-to-do-after-you-have-slayed-the-dragon.html

Pro CardThe enticing waters of the competition world can truly rule a competitor’s life, especially when a national qualification is won at local and regional shows and the national stage beckons. In fact, most of you probably already have your national contest strategy in place and are prepared to hit contest after contest to maximize your chances of getting a Pro Card.

Every year competitors continually squirm through that national level bottleneck in an effort to go Pro, accommodating and prioritizing the NPC national contest schedule and scheduling work and vacations around it. Believe me, I can relate. The national contest lineup was so etched in my brain over the last few years that I would maneuver my work schedule and everything else around it, year after year.

A profound shift seems to occur for many competitors as they pass into the Pro ranks. When I went Pro in July of 2013 at Team Universe, everything in my life took a radical shift. I am sure many of you who are IFBB Pros understand what I am talking about. Suddenly you are cast into a wide ocean, with more contests, more opportunities, and more ventures. It can be downright confusing, overwhelming and a bit depressing once you realize that the battle you waged to slay that dragon is now over, and that unless you wish to slay a bigger dragon by earning a spot on the Olympia stage, you might not know what to do now.

Probably the best advice I can give to new IFBB Pros is to enjoy the moment and float on the cloud for a while, then be prepared to roll up your sleeves and get to work. I honestly believe that becoming a Pro actually means you have to work harder to reinvent yourself and make your mark in the world. You are in an elite group, surrounded by many driven and incredibly talented people. How will YOU stand out?

Maybe competing is still very much in your blood and you want to collect wins and points, or you want to remain relevant in the competition world. That’s fine, but just make sure to look at the bigger picture. The people who didn’t give you a second glance when you were an amateur might suddenly be fussing over you, but don’t let the attention get to your head. You need to leverage your Pro status and your unique talents and position yourself in such a way that you truly make an impact on your followers and potentially build business and a name for yourself. Think beyond the stage, push your brand and your message, and you may indeed become one of those Pros who really stands out.

Fitness As An Insurance Policy

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One of the biggest challenges I face as a physician and fitness professional is convincing patients and clients that healthy eating and regular exercise serve as the best insurance policies in optimizing health and minimizing the risk of illness and disease. It is especially frustrating because I know first-hand that this is true.

I began weight training at the age of 21 to heal from my teenage bout with anorexia. Luckily, I was already practicing relatively healthy eating habits once I abandoned my starvation mission. I was not surprised by the fact that I loved weight lifting, how it made me feel, how it made me look, and how it made others look at me. It also empowered me and lifted me from the darkest period of my life, becoming my saving grace and an insurance policy for my health and well-being. I became intrigued with the world of fitness and quickly noticed the “can do” attitude that was so pervasive. At one point I had considered competing in the fitness division and had even looked into hiring a coach, but then I got sidetracked by medical training, marriage and then divorce. Little did I know then that I would finally hit the bodybuilding stage in my 40’s and eventually attain IFBB Professional Status.

healthy lifeI may be a freak of nature and blessed with decent genetics, but then again, maybe not. My maternal grandmother died of cancer at 63, and my maternal grandfather passed away at 81 of a heart attack. My mom suffered from a brain aneurysm rupture ten years ago and now battles high blood pressure, macular degeneration, and osteoporosis. In contrast, my blood pressure is at the low end of normal, and I have the bone mineral density of a 20 year old. My mother’s veins are very small and deep, while mine are huge pipelines which sit right under the surface of my skin. With that type of family history, I am thankful that I took charge of my own life as a young adult and made changes which protected my health.

Hopefully my story resonated with some of you and perhaps inspired you to take regular exercise and healthy eating seriously. Please do not wait until your health begins to suffer. Be proactive and preventative, especially if you have a family history of certain diseases. Revamp your eating habits NOW. Commit to a regular exercise program that incorporates resistance training. No more excuses!