I started Bodybuilding in high school for sports . I have always been an athlete ; that was who I was as an adolescent , I had plans on playing college basketball , which ended up being cut short due to an ACL tear in my senior year of high school . This was the first time I experience mental health issues ; straight away I turned too training and bodybuilding as a way to cope .
As I developed into a young adult it became more and more apparent how important the lifestyle was for me to maintain a healthy relationship with myself and others . It was my safe space and a way for me to constructively work on myself .
Fast forward to competing in my younger 20 ’ s as a national level competitor and things were on a new level . The expectation , the pressure , the risks ( PED ’ s ), the dieting , and the anticipation brought a whole new level of mental health struggles to life ; a very big shift and change that I had to learn to adapt too . I have had many struggles myself over the years even a dark period where I thought about taking my life . I ’ m fortunate to have looked for help in my times of needs !
Like many other competitors of all ages you don ’ t know what is coming , you get thrown into the mix of doing what it takes to be your best ! I wish I had of known the ins and outs of how to manage these pressures ; but like all things in life , nothing is perfect .
Our minds often travel to the past and look into the future . The anticipation of what might happen or what has happened before can sometimes be more overwhelming than what we actually may be going through ! Over the years I ’ ve learned a few things that have kept me grounded and I will list what those are ;
• YOUR WHY : When it comes to competing or bodybuilding it ’ s important to find your “ why ” having a sense of purpose can help you stay focused on what ’ s important or required for you to keep on par with your goals . No coach , friend , family member , diet , training program can figure that out for you . This needs to be something you find yourself .
• MENTOR / COACH : Who I have become as a person & competitor has stemmed from always having a coach who helped direct me in the direction of my “ why ”. This is very crucial for keeping your mental health in check , staying focused , and having the support you need to accomplish your goal . I think it ’ s imperative at some point to explore having a coach especially in the pursuit of having a healthy relationship with your goals and circle around you !
• ASK FOR HELP : This is greatly overlook ed ; often times we want to take on our mental health battles alone . Many people have hidden their struggles for years from just not simply asking for help ! Don ’ t be afraid to seek help either professional or from close trusted people . I personally did professional therapy for over 4 years , and it was one of the best decisions I made . We all have different stories and experiences it ’ s never okay to hide or run away from these problems .
• SELF CARE : This is extremely important . We all need time to unwind , breath , cope , etc . You need to establish periods of the week where you connect with loved ones and most importantly yourself ! One of my personal favorites is cheap movie night at the Cineplex where I can go shut off for 2-3 hours and watch a movie . This is something that can help you stay on your