At the beginning of my fitness journey, I declared that I would never compete. I believed that health and fitness is a lifestyle and competing is not a lifestyle I was willing to endorse.
But I want to give it a shot. I want to see how far I can push myself. It’s not about winning stars on my chart, or walking away with a medal or trophy. It’s about holding myself to a higher standard of health and fitness. It is about being in the best shape possible.
There are a few ground rules and provisos;
- I will always maintain a drug-free body. I never have and never will use anabolic steroids or performance enhancing drugs. Ever.
- I am currently consulting with a few coaches that know the game. If I cannot work competition preparation around my travel schedule, I won’t do it.
- My health always come first and I won’t allow a competition to destroy my health.
The idea of competing has crossed my mind a few times over the past few months. I haven’t entertained the idea beyond a thought process due to my fear of not being good enough, prepared enough, and committed enough. It’s also the fear of committing to something and ultimately, failing.
But I have since changed my perception.
The opportunity to compete is to overcome fear by looking the tiger in the eye. Competing is an opportunity to push myself further and build the very best body within my genetic limitations. As a person, I am always seeking to improve and become better. I am a huge advocate of the Kaizen Principles where I dedicate an article. I believe in lifelong learning and making continuous adjustments. I always uphold the Zen idea of being a student-of-life. I will always seek to improve my gold standard.
I have re-framed what it means to win. Winning is not about a scoreboard. Winning is about the mental scoreboard of having showed up to being the best you can be. Winning is a journey of preparing one’s character—not only about a moment in time where you are crowned with a gold seal.
I also think it would be fun! Richard Branson declares, if you are having fun doing a chosen activity—keep doing it. The moment you are not having fun, move on and do something else! The moment I am no longer having fun in the competition preparation process, I will revert to my normal health and fitness activities! The Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt holds this same attitude toward competitions. He says, “you have to enjoy yourself [to run your best].”
To be continued…
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