Some random thoughts.... Your reputation will follow you around for the rest of your life. Do you really want to be known as that self absorbed a**hole who does nothing but post selfies of your abs and talk about your next fitness competition? We ALL love getting in shape and seeing the results of our hard work. However, please realize that while you may be getting tons of likes and accolades on social media for your scantily clad pictures and posts...your so-called fame and notoriety has a shelf life. Your looks and beauty have a shelf life. And someday your fifteen minutes of fame will EXPIRE. The same people who are kissing your ass today, wont give a sh*t about you tomorrow. Sadly, many are too blinded by their own superficiality and selfish behavior to realize there is a world BEYOND the fitness industry. There is a world BEYOND 5oz of chicken and 1/2 cup of sweet potatoes. You may be a wannabe celebrity on a random Saturday after winning your class at a local show...but NEWSFLASH: Come Monday morning, nobody cares about your trophy, your abs, your suit and your tan. In fact, the majority of the population in the REAL WORLD dont understand wtf a bodybuilding show IS...nor do they care. There is an entire world out there, full of REAL problems. There is ACTUAL suffering going on...beyond the suffering of your low-carb day, sore muscles and water retention in your glutes. If you love going to the gym, if you love competing, if you love the world of bodybuilding - then GREAT! But please...remember to STAY GROUNDED and keep things in perspective. There are a plethora of narcissistic fitness people out there...we have ENOUGH in this industry and dont need anymore. I challenge everyone who is in a position of influence...a position of power...to please step outside the box and open a dialogue of more relevant topics and social issues...in addition to quarter turns and crest whitening strips. In a lot of ways, I wish physique competitions would take a page from beauty pageants. At least with beauty pageants the competitors have a platform in which they advocate for specific causes or issues. They have an interview round where they can use their brain and show off their intelligence. Granted, we will NEVER see that in the bodybuilding world...simply because we are ONLY judging by the persons appearance. But that doesnt mean that when competitors are OFF the stage, that they cant try to make a difference in the world (outside of fitness topics), and use their exposure through the fitness industry to help contribute to society on a larger level. There is nothing worse than wasted talent, and wasted opportunities. Be MORE than a chiseled 6-pack, great hair and perfect smile. What you see in the mirror wont always be there. Your looks wont always be there. So make sure you have something MORE...on the inside...to fall back on. PERCEPTION IS REALITY. Remember that. If you come across as a self absorbed a**hole, thats exactly how people perceive you...and what you have now officially become. However, if you remain AUTHENTIC and transparent...remain a person of substance and conviction...you will foster incredible life-long friendships and relationships in and out of the gym. Be MORE than just a pretty face and perfect body. Get involved in your community, educate yourself on relevant issues OUTSIDE the gym, form your own opinions and try making a difference, volunteer your time to help others in need, etc. Still diet, train hard, enjoy your fitness journey...but also make sure you put forth the same effort on the OUTSIDE...as you do on the INSIDE. There is nothing more powerful and beautiful than a brain...with a VOICE. Beauty, brawn AND brains? Now THAT is a triple threat that can make a profound difference in this world. Something to think about...
Posted on: Mon, 14 Jul 2014 15:32:09 +0000