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Bartlett's Bodybuilding Chronicles - Archived
As these (Archived) Chronicles may reference events from the past, we cannot guarantee the current accuracy of the information (such as
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June 2008
ENJOY THE MOMENT!
Are you competing for the wrong reasons? There was a time when I felt
like winning a bodybuilding contest was the most important thing in my
small world! I was angry when I didn’t win, and felt that the training
and sacrifice were for nothing! It was all about winning, and my self
esteem was demolished if I lost. Even though it was thirty years ago,
I remember it like yesterday, hanging up on a dear friend and supporter
who didn’t tell me what I wanted to hear after my runner up finish at
a regional bodybuilding show.
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Garry in his Prime with muscles and hair
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I was so blinded by my compulsion and
need to win; I didn’t want to listen to reason. I like to think that
I have matured a lot since those days and that, if anything, age has
provided me with some much needed wisdom and insight as to how important
competing in a bodybuilding or figure competition should be. Can anything
be gained from the experience if you don’t win?
Now don’t get me wrong, it is very hard to justify all the sacrifices
in preparation for a competition and just walk on stage with a carefree
attitude where winning is not the major goal. Everyone wants to win,
but it has to be put in the proper perspective. I have known many
individuals who have paid a very high cost emotionally, physically,
and financially in their quest to win.
I received an e-mail the other day from a prominent Canadian
Bodybuilder who after many years of successful competitions is
now questioning if all the sacrifices were worth it? This individual
confesses that they loved competing but, in spite of all the wins,
still feels unsatisfied and has become frustrated! They are now
questioning if continuing to compete will change anything.
Unfortunately, after years of training and gearing all your energies
towards the goal of winning, to suddenly stop competing can leave a
huge void in your life!
So I ask you, what motivates you to compete? Are you competing for
the wrong reasons?
Being involved in this industry for the past 30 years, I would like
to think I have a bit of insight and a different perspective than
many of you reading this. There are some facts that are very clear
to me which I would like to share with you.
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Atlantic Champion Ron Mayhew competes for all the right reasons
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If winning is your main motivation, and you think because you have
sacrificed more and worked harder than your peers and that you
deserve to win, then you are going to be sadly disappointed.
There is no such thing as fair when it comes to a bodybuilding
or figure competition. When the lineup hits the stage, the judges
are only looking at what is in front of them, not what it took
you to get there. Your conditioning, shape, size, and presentation
will determine your eventual finish, not the sacrifices you made.
Unfortunately, there are those who are simply more genetically
gifted than you, and didn’t train or diet as hard, but still won.
So if you are looking for justice and feel you deserve to win,
I would suggest taking up lawn bowling!
If you do not win, accept it for what it is. Don’t go away raving
that you got ripped off and that the judges didn’t know that they
were looking at. Try to get some honest feedback, rather than just
listening to your friends who will tell you what you want to hear.
Regardless of what you might think, CBBF judges are experienced,
(some even have international exposure) and are much more qualified
than 99% of your friends and supporters.
Should you win a big show, don’t expect sponsors and press to come
knocking on your door. The facts are clear, very few people other
than family and close friends give a rat’s ass if you win or not!
In fact, the average person has no idea what a bodybuilding or figure
competition really is. Women bodybuilders will find it even tougher
as the general public often looks at them as freaks. Even your friends
may show indifference regarding your win by forcing a polite smile.
When your back is turned, they will often roll their eyes and question
why on earth you would want to look like that.
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Canadian Champion Vince Wawryk knows that competition comes 2nd with family being No. 1
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The point I am trying to make is that bodybuilding is unlike any
other sport. It can become a bottomless pit where you can pour in
unlimited resources, be it financial, emotional, or physical, with
little reward. Unfortunately, it has been my experience that the
individuals who have faired the best in competition are the most
obsessed, and often never satisfied even if they do win.
Now with Canadian summer competitions quickly creeping up on us,
it is time for you to sit down and do some serious thinking. Try
to figure out what motivates you to compete. Try and work out your
priorities and be realistic as to what to expect from your experience.
How will you handle not winning, and why are you putting yourself
through so much personal sacrifice for so little return? Is the
sacrifice worth the effort?
Following is a summary of what I think motivates people to compete
in bodybuilding competitions, and why these won’t provide you with
the necessary satisfaction that you hope for. Do you recognize any
of these traits in yourself?
- Fame: Should you do well in a competition,
chances are you might get a bit of press from your local paper.
However don’t wait for them to contact you. Go out and lobby for a
bit of press as often the local media is unaware of your accomplishments.
Other than a few congratulations from friends, family and your
local gym buddies, don’t expect much more. As for press and
articles in bodybuilding publications, it is very difficult for
Canadians to get featured in a Major publication like MuscleMag.
However, a new Canadian magazine does feature top Canadian bodybuilding
& figure athletes called “Inside Fitness”.
- Money & Becoming a Pro: I can’t think of
one Canadian bodybuilder & figure athlete other than top Pro Paul
Dillet who has actually made any money as a Pro. In spite of his
Pro earnings, Paul still had to find an alternate source of income
once his pro career ended. Without question, if you choose to
compete in contests, it is going to cost you far more money than
you will ever get back. If you think that competing with the
ambition of becoming a pro is going to earn you a living, then
take up golf or ice hockey. On the positive side, your success
as a competitor can be translated into earning opportunities in
other ways. A national or even regional title can help you in
establishing a reputation as a personal trainer, opening up a
gym or working for a food supplement company as a salesperson,
model or spokesperson. Quebec’s former Canadian Pro Joe Spinello
has done well promoting bodybuilding competitions. In my case I
became a photographer & author.
Unfortunately, there are those who tarnish the sport supplementing
their incomes by selling illegal drugs. Obviously, not a very good
career choice and not much of an option for a pension. Although if
busted, you might get a couple years of free room and board
compliments of the Federal Government.
- Insecurity: Perhaps the biggest motivator
that started us training in the first place was being skinny and
insecure. Once the muscle started to sprout, instead of developing
much needed confidence, a lot of the initial insecurity problems
just grew along with the muscle. In most cases as a skinny person,
no one paid much attention to you. Now all of a sudden people are
coming up to you and commenting on your physique. Unfortunately,
a lot of guys have a very difficult task handling the sudden
attention and begin to feel pressure to back up the compliments.
Of course the proving ground is to get on stage and compete. So
then winning becomes part of your self esteem and you must win or
face humiliation. The loss is a huge blow and only fuels your
insecurity to where you must prove yourself at the next show at
all costs. So, you take more drugs, train and diet harder to the
point of endangering your long term health. I have seen guys who,
in spite of sporting 250 pounds of solid muscle, still act like
that little insecure 98 lb weakling.
- The Thrill and Challenge of Competition:
Now this is where the real winners come from. These competitors
are true athletes in every sense of the word; they love getting
in shape and enjoy the challenge of competition. Yes, they want
to win, but it is not the end of the world if they don’t. They
enjoy the moment and savor the entire weekend’s activities, often
traveling with a spouse or friend and making it a vacation instead
of staying locked in their rooms, nervously wrapped up in a blanket
they are out socializing and making new friends. These athletes
often developed their competitive nature and social skills
playing high school sports and have arrived into the bodybuilding
& figure world with the proper attitude. Once their trophies
are buried deep in a closet and covered with dust, it is the
fond memories from the competition that are most cherished.
It is this type of attitude that everyone should cultivate,
if you are ever to enjoy your competitive years.
So my friends, as you prepare your diet, routine and contest
strategy for this summers national competitions, I would suggest
you honestly ask yourself why you are doing this. If your answer
is anything other than to travel, meet new friends and have fun
competing against Canada’s best, then maybe you should take a
serious look at how realistic your goals are. My advice to you:
ENJOY THE MOMENT!
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I would appreciate hearing from you!
grbartlett@yahoo.com
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Garry Bartlett is a leading authority on Canadian bodybuilding, figure and fitness.
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