Finding Your Values

We all have a reason for doing what we do. We don’t become bodybuilders because we’re told to; we don’t just fall into it. We have to have purpose behind what we’re doing because it’s not easy to eat on a consistent diet, train hard every day, and sacrifice time with friends and family. You start to learn your values in life when you decide to dedicate yourself to becoming the best bodybuilder you can be. This is your lifestyle.

Deciding to switch from recreational weight lifting to bodybuilding will not only affect you directly, but it will affect everyone else in your life indirectly. There have been times when I did not give my friends and family time and attention because I’m in the gym training, or I’ve skipped out on family dinners because I’m staying true to my diet. Every person is different when it comes to bodybuilding and living the lifestyle. You will learn more about yourself through bodybuilding than what you thought you knew. You will begin to show your true colors.

When I first started my bodybuilding journey, I was extremely selfish. Nobody or nothing would get in my way of doing what I wanted to do or thought I should do to be the best bodybuilder I could be. I pushed a lot of people away and shut out time with friends and family just so I could feel like I was the most dedicated person on the planet. As I gained maturity and progressed in my career, I began to notice what I was doing. While it’s great that I wanted to be the most disciplined and dedicated bodybuilder that the world has ever known, I didn’t want to lose the things I deeply valued.

Every year that I grow closer and closer to my goal of being the best, I take a look within and ask “how can I make this better?”

When I prepare for a competition, I decide what I need to improve physically and internally. For example, when I was an amateur I wouldn’t let anything distract me from what I needed to do in the gym. I felt that I had to prove something by being a “tough guy.” That mentality quickly went away when I realized my purpose in bodybuilding. I know I work hard. I know I do everything in my power to be my best every day. I still sacrifice and dedicate my life to bodybuilding. Now, though, I don’t need to be a “tough guy.” I am confident that my body will do the talking. My purpose is to continue being the best bodybuilder I can be while still giving back to others and building positivity. Making a positive impact on others is the best feeling in the world.

There will come a time when my physique is not at its prime and I no longer compete. When I look back, I don’t want any regrets. I want to know that I valued the people around me and enjoyed my career and life throughout my bodybuilding journey. So for now, I will give everything I have to bringing up my physique, and just as much effort into building up my character. We are always changing because the world is constantly changing around us. To stay the same means no growth. We all want to feel as if we are progressing toward something positive every day. No one says that good is good enough—I know champions don’t. I challenge you to take a look within and recognize what you can do to be a better person. I can almost promise you that it will change your life. You will become happier and, in turn, you will become better at everything in your life, including bodybuilding.
Once you identify your values, you will find your purpose—your purpose in bodybuilding and your purpose in life. Do not let others dictate who you are and what you are doing. Successes in life are great, but only when you achieve success with the right attitude. Put effort into what you value most. I don’t have goals that are outside my purpose and what I value. Stay true to who you are and do your best to bring others up with you. Life is short for everyone and, for some, even shorter. Do what you can today to make a positive impact on someone because that someone could also make a great impact on the world.