Sometimes winning a Pro Card at a show becomes a competitors only focus.
I used to think the same way. Compete to win or don't compete at all.
When I competed there was no thinking about "How to market yourself."
There was no Facebook so if you competed all you had to show for it was your trophy.
Before I entered my first show I thought I wasn't good enough to actually do a show -
especially to win one.
Then when I did finally do a show I placed 2nd, then next 3rd, then next 3rd.
My last show which was my biggest show I placed 5th.
Why and I telling you this?
Now I'll tell you why....
I joined a Gold's Gym when I was 18 and went every weekday at around 7pm.
One night I was there working out and Paul Roma the wrestler asked me what I wanted to do and I said "one day when I'm ready I'd like to compete".
He looked right at me and said "you could compete now".
In my head I was thinking that I'd get slaughtered in a show.
Finally at 20 years old I committed to doing my first show.
I dieted so hard and strict and I started at 210lbs and ended up under 190. I was very thin and my goal was just to be the most ripped since I thought I wasn't going to be the biggest.
Now I had started my diet 16 weeks out and 8 or 6 weeks out my younger brother decides he will do the show too. I'm in the Open Tall division and I'm up against 8 older experienced men.
My brother is in the Teenage Division and I think it was 2 height classes and he beat one guy and gets a trophy and then beats the other class guy for the overall and wins a second trophy that is six feet tall. So he has two 1st Place trophies and is Overall Winner.
I ended up with a 2nd place trophy out of 8 guys.
Imagine explaining that to people.
Look at me - - - I was thinking about entering a show for freakin' 2 years and dieted for 16 weeks and while my brother only jumped in 8 weeks out and he won his class and the overall.
The next year I entered the East Coast Iron Classic and I get 3rd place.
Then I do the Mr CT and get a 3rd in the Junior Division (under 22) and 3rd in the Open Division. (Three 3rd place trophies how am I doing?)
So I was never a winner in a show and I never got a Pro Card...
To me it wasn't about just being focused on the win anymore but what I could accomplish with my physique.
I found people just didn't understand - if you think of it only as a SPORT you either won or lost.
Everyone always asked, "How did you do?"
It seemed like every time I said I placed 2nd or 3rd other people were not happy for me?
They had no idea what I looked like or who I competed against.
Plus I was entering bigger and bigger shows NOT looking for smaller shows to try and win.
The last show I did the focus was on Marketing Myself by doing a big show and following that I started the Fitness Atlantic show.
I know many other competitors who have become coaches, opened gyms, written books, things that are bigger than a Pro Card yet work hand-in-hand with competing in a show.
I changed by outlook about how I felt on winning.
I improved my physique every show and my placings were lower each time because I was in bigger shows against more people each time. The final show I entered my a Worlds show in CA and ended up 5th place out of 22 guys.
There is always good stuff that comes out of doing a show for me it turned more into more of a physique transformation than a sport. Sure I wanted to win. That's just how it happened and wasn't planned that way and I just know how good it made me feel about changing my physique over time and I wanted to share that with other people.
I meet so many people that do one show and are done just like my brother.
This year will be 26 years for me since my first show.
When people ask me "How can I win?" I've trained a lot of winners but at the end of the day it all depends on who shows up. It depends if there is only 1 person or 22 people.
Afterwards, what you do next?
You going to stop or retire?
Years ago a competitor stuck around longer than today.
Today most people stay in fitness for two years and are done.
So when people come to me with asking ways to win I just think that was once how I felt as well.
I'd ask the same question back in the day but now I know there is always something bigger than winning a trophy or a Pro Card.
Especially now that you can market yourself as a fitness trainer and model.
Nobody knows if they will win especially the first show.
First: Show up in shape
Second: pick an awesome show with a crowd
Third: take photos with the best photographers
Fourth: regardless where you place positive things will come out of it.
As I say...
"Your Physique is Your Trophy"
I understand people wanting to win shows and get Pro Cards. I just want to point out to you that you never know the outcome and sometime it is bigger than a placing. (Like shooting for a fitness magazine)
Think about the Venue - Mohegan Sun is out of the best destination resorts for anyone to go and there is so much to do there.
Think about the Production - Yes, I hear people tell me I waste money on all of the moving lights and making the show look like a rock concert but I really wouldn't do it any other way. Also, guess what... I'm adding even more lights this year.
Think about the official photography team. This is so uncommon and most fitness models dream. You get to meet the team of real Fitness Magazine Photographers who do the stage photography, backstage photos and photo shoots.
I just think these events are so much a bigger picture than plain stage, black curtain, someone just turning on a light switch and handing out plastic trophies as they play 1980's music with people walking on the stage in jeans. Worse than poor production is that it is just simply a contest with extreme standards which can be unhealthy. That may sound like me taking a shot at other shows but honestly they know what they are and have no intention to change them.
I've had many conversations with some of these promoters and they just say, "It doesn't matter."
I believe quality of production does matter. I've heard many people who sat through shows and were bored out of their minds waiting to see the person they knew get their trophy and then head out before the show event ends.
I believe that when you enter a show you get into the best shape of your life and you can do that without getting too extreme or unhealthy. Main thing when people call a show AMAZING it really should be and not just because somebody won a trophy.
There is no better feeling than seeing people enter Fitness Atlantic year after year and get better and better.
Make the most of it and have fun.
Enjoy the process,
Brian
