CANADIAN PHYSIQUE ALLIANCE JAN/FEB 2020 ISSUE | Page 83

Going through my 4 years of competition
were amazing as I continued to do well.
My goal was to do a level 4 show which
was Nationals and stop competing after
that. So, when the 2001 nationals were
held in Halifax, my goal was finally met. I
didn’t have the success I wished but
nonetheless I did it. At this point I was
tired and told myself I would never do this
again. I felt burnt out and just wanted to
quit. I took one week off the gym after
Nationals just for a little break to heal up.
Mentally it was difficult as I didn’t even
want to see a gym in front of me. I vividly
recall walking in the gym to the change
room and getting changed. As I walked
out on the floor for my workout, I just
looked around, had a numb feeling and
went back to the change room and went
home. It took me a solid two years to
eventually get over this hump. I was
mentally in a good place to start up a
regular regiment to keep healthy, workout
and have fun again. As years went on, I
helped others in preparation for their
own shows. I was fine with that as I still
didn’t have the bug to compete yet. I
didn’t mind living vicariously through
them.
In 2017, I was in the lobby of the hotel
where the athletes meeting was being
held for an event. I had a small chat with
Rudy Jambrosic, now CPA Chief Head
Judge. We chatted regarding the years
that had gone by since I last competed.
Rudy mentioned that I should make a
comeback. I said possibly down the road,
but this stuck in my head.