I grew up in Iowa 4th born of 10 kids. Parents were poor and so were we kids. Bad housing, barely enough food, no religion, little to no supervision. This little description just about defines me—–“BUT!” I didn’t let it define me. I took each crummy experience on the chin, bled, cried and was defeated—–For the moment! Nothing prepared me for the rudeness and pain the world could and did dish out to me.
One of my biggest and most formative lessons was that nobody was going to give me anything and more often than not somebody would take something from me against my will. This sense that I had to do it myself imbedded itself in my heart and mind. This was my first lesson in growing up. I am alone and I have to generate my own success and if I failed, I had to learn to “take it.” Sports provided me with an avenue to be important, respected, and a smashing success, (I’m a legend in my own mind). I’ve used this philosophy of being a self-starter in everything I’ve done since the early days.
In bodybuilding I/you are the only people in the arena. We live and die on our own self-effort and self-determination. We are never satisfied with just participating. We have to set the bar high so that we “expect” to win. Anything less is unacceptable. I hate defaulting to the self talk of being happy with just being there. I hate “moral victories” because nobody cares about introspection and phony feel good exercises—especially when you lose.
We are defined by what we set out to do and that we accomplish our objectives. So, I try to accomplish my standard three goals for a show: 1.) I have to be in the best shape of my lives that night. 2.) I must determine to make no stupid mistakes on stage. 3.) Move up or place higher this contest than my previous show. These are what defines my “victory.” Oh yeah! If I win—-Katie Bar the Door! Drinks are on me tonight.
Bottom line: You determine what you want to accomplish. Nobody gives you anything. You have to do it yourself. My admonition is to get after it. “Hustle” all day every day until you win! The best to you always.
Six Pack and Senior 