All of us who have competed as athletes can recall a time or two when we faced off with our opponent (wrestling or track or football) and we got a quick glance at his/her eyes. We could tell instantly whether they were afraid, determined, or unsure of themselves. In a micro millisecond we had the situation sized up. Conversely, our opponent also gets a look at our “inner warrior” directly through our eyes. My only comment here is that we had better be able to flash furry back at him/her. They have to be placed on notice that we own this turf and they will have to kill me to take it.
In bodybuilding there is a tendency to make training a repetitive and emotionless process. We grind, sweat, grunt, flex, pose but in the end we have just gone through the motions. In order to change things from the mundane and get to the next level of effort and excitement we have to have decided where we want to go AND what it will take to get there. Without this mental and soul searching work we will slow down and quit.
Personally, I go to the gym with a chip on my shoulder. I determine to see my workout as a necessary thing to take me to the podium. My first principle is to be quiet. Stay focused. Think about where I want to go and what I want to look like. I talk very little during training (as taught by my recent coach Justin Dees). I think only about the work at hand.
In the end, I have developed an iron will to get what I want. I’m not unpleasant, I am focused and inside my head. Blocking everything else out. At this point if you want to know how bad I want this next show, all you have to do is look deeply into my eyes. Nobody’s home except this soon to be crowned champion. As it says on my site, “You can look good at any age,—-but you got to want it!” My eyes and my face will tell you the rest of the story without words. So shall it be with all of us who want to win more than anything else. Put fire in your soul that your eyes reveal. Ignite a great big pile of “want to” and the rest is history. Now show me how badly you want it!
Six Pack and Senior 