This is a blurb I wrote during my first year as a pro and found it full of motivation and inspiration as well as humility, enjoy:
Hey everyone….I didn’t disappear totally!! I have been on a four week “off season” and man did I need it!! I am back and started dieting yesterday for the Olympia and have my “fire” back under me!! I wanted to share some motivational stuff with you as a lot of you are about to go into national shows, your first shows, or just trying to get back in to shape. I will try not to ramble, but if I do, forgive me!!
Last season I had an amazing year, kind of a “Cinderella” story but figure style…lol!! I had been competing locally in AZ for a few years when I decided to take it to the next level and go on to do the Iron man and Emerald Cup last year. I placed fourth in the Iron Man, both third in the Orange County and Emerald Cup and I was thrilled but knew there was something missing from my package to make it complete. I met Kim at the Emerald Cup and I started with him immediately for the National shows. You see, from the start of last year I had it in my mind that I was gonna get that pro card and I wanted to get it right then and there, I had the fire/drive/ambition to do it, that I knew, but honestly still had doubts as to what to really expect. My physique changed in ways I didn’t expect and the results were phenomenal as I placed 4th at Jr. Nats and then went on to get my pro card at the USA’s. In only two national shows I got my procard…truly “Cinderella” in my eyes. I went on to the New York Pro Show and placed 10th–another amazing result!! BUT….I was burnt/spent/done/fried!! I felt for the first time a major burn out and both Kim and I knew it. My body was tired as well as my mind, I needed to take time off and rebuild my body. Even though I was spent, I still was on a cloud by all that I accomplished and even though it was a little tough mentally to gain back some wt and put back on the muscle, it also felt good to see “me” again!!
Fast forward to the San Francisco Pro show: I did fourteen week diet starting on Dec. 1st and the way my body changed from even last season was shocking!! I had a different body alright, but filled with dense and mature muscle. I was fresh and full of confidence and I think you could tell that at that show. I placed third and qualified for the O!!!! Another “Cinderella” moment for me, for sure. I lived on my cloud after that and started to prepare for the Colorado and Cal Pro shows, and will fully admit that I had a bit of an ego thing thinking that I will do well in these shows as well. Now that I was qualified, Kim and I decided to “play” with my body and see what the judges liked so that we could get an idea of what to bring to the Olympia so we brought it in smaller for both shows…..and guess what….I got WHACKED!! It wasn’t anyone’s fault, just a fact that I am a small girl and need to size I had at the San Francisco to match up with all the amazing pro physiques, but man did it do a job on me mentally!! In the past two years, I had never gone from 3rd to 16th at the Colorado and then did a little better at the Cal with a 13th finish. It was devastating for my ego, but what a blessing in disguise!! I needed that reality check to show me that not everything is a “Cinderella” story!! We all have and deserve success, but we also need the negative to retain the humility that makes us “real”. I hope that makes sense!!
I had a chat with Troy Alves the other day and we were talking about the “fire” that he felt he had lost because of coasting on such early success in his career, but after a few bad placings early this season and a long chat with Phil Heath, he saw the “fire” in Phil and decided to rekindle his own to get his butt movin’ for the O!! He sparked me for sure that day…he is an amazing person and definitely keeps my butt motivated every time I see him!! I was so down from those past two shows, and everyone kept telling me that I was already qualified and it doesn’t matter, I disagree, it does matter not because of my placings, but because of the message it sent to me and that I hope to refer to you all:
“Extraordinary accomplishments only happens when your passion produces extraordinary effort. If it doesn’t consume you, be ready to accept mediocre results”– John Rennie
Results just don’t mean placings, they are what you do to your body, mind, and spirit. This sport, like others, is about building a stronger, healthier, and better you, not just how you place. Keep the fire going, everyone, and spread it around because it is infectious, that is for sure!! As I prepare for the Olympia, I have my fire under me and I am focused!! It is a dream to be on the Olympia stage for me and to do it in my first full season as a Pro, is the icing on the cake!! With devoted hubby David, Kimbo, and all of the angels as my support, I know no matter where I place the experience and memories are the things that matter most!!
Good luck to all of you in whatever it is that you are working so hard to achieve!! I am so proud of each and every one of you!!
lots of love,
Andrea