go to http://www.sixpackandsenior.com for all photos, and posts.
When I was a kid I would awaken, lie in bed and imagine all the cool things I was going to do that day. We were poor and my only clothes during the summer time were cut offs, low cut tennis shoes and some T-shirt. When I zeroed on my plans for the day I’d pull these clothes on and head for the kitchen with zip, energy, and excitement. I would be so pumped with my plans I’d sometimes eat very little food on my way out. Focus and motivation came easy in these days. Life was measured in the moment.
As life got bigger and I grew up I found myself learning that in order to have anything of value you had to do far more than wish for it. No amount of talking could bring my dreams any closer. I had to ACT! I had to convert my thoughts, dreams, talk, into a very focused action plan if I wanted them to materialize. Sometimes in my exuberance and youthful over confidence I’d talk about what I wanted to accomplish and sometimes I would be ridiculed, made fun of, and told what I was talking about was for anybody but me. The pain of having supposed friends tell you that they didn’t believe in you was over the top and I cried myself to sleep many nights as I battled inside myself to believe I could do whatever I set out to do. I had to stifle the ugliness that others extended to you.
I discovered that in order to get the respect I needed from my friends, I had to stop talking and do something that got me closer to my goal. I had to ignore them and as Branch Warren says, “look after your own shit!” They don’t determine my goals, my feelings, my effort to win. I do!….I had to show them what effort looks like and I eventually, had to show them that I was a somebody. The finish line is mine but getting there involves dragging many naysayers across with you with Herculean effort and self mastery.
I started Bodybuilding after a very successful medical, and Air Force Career. I had gone through a divorce that nearly killed me. I was a broken man with no place to go. I bought a gym membership at a local Golds Gym. I trained twice per day X 6 days per week for 3 years. I usually wore three layers of clothes, i.e. strap shirt, T-shirt, Tight short pants, gym shorts, sweat pants and a sweat shirt with a ball cap with my head set. I soaked these clothes every workout. Then one day I had to take off my shirt for something and a local guy said I should try bodybuilding…..My response was swift….No way was I going to get up in from of 3,000 people in a speedo at my age. I talked to my wife and she said I should give it a try. I did! I won 3 trophies the first time out. No coach. I was hooked. I started my bodybuilding career at age 63 and have donee 21 shows and have won about half the time.
At 63 I heard some very discouraging comments about being too old. I pushed on and the rest is history. I was out to prove that I could do it. I determined that this was my journey and if I chose this then I would be the best I could be. Go to http://www.sixpackandsenior.com to see all my photos, posts, and articles.
Bottom Line: Be quiet! Get to work! Got show these people who doubt you or criticize you that you are for real. Nobody can steal or take away your effort….Only you can surrender it by listening to others who wish they were you….
You can look good at any age, but you got to want it…..Your mission to prove you are worthy begins NOW! My best to all of you…..
Six Pack and Senior 