Podcast Summary
Competition Preparation: Mental and physical preparation are crucial for high-level athletes in the days leading up to a competition. Minimizing distractions and focusing on self-care can help ensure optimal performance.
High-level athletes, including bodybuilders, need to focus on their mental and physical preparation before a competition. Dr. Mike shared his experience of competing at the NBC universe, explaining that he chose not to announce it publicly due to the overwhelming influx of messages and requests that would come with it. He also mentioned that conversations about the competition, while well-intentioned, could be unproductive and distracting. On the day before the competition, Dr. Mike experienced psychological distress and was not in a good state to interact with others. He also had to undergo tanning and stand around for long periods of time on the day of the competition. Overall, the experience reinforced the importance of prioritizing mental and physical preparation and minimizing distractions in the days leading up to a high-stakes event.
Bodybuilding challenges: Long wait times, lack of proper warming up, and extreme cold temperatures present challenges for bodybuilders, requiring them to adapt and focus on their performance despite inconvenience and discomfort.
Bodybuilding shows present numerous challenges for athletes, including long wait times for tanning, lack of proper warming up and pumping up areas, and extreme cold temperatures. These conditions make it difficult for athletes to look their best on stage, which is the primary goal of competing. Despite these challenges, show promoters put in a great deal of effort to make the event run smoothly, and athletes must adapt and make the best of the situation. It's a paradoxical experience, requiring athletes to remain calm and focused amidst inconvenience and discomfort. Ultimately, the goal is to perform at one's best despite the circumstances, and to trust in the training and preparation leading up to the competition.
Bodybuilding competition appearance: Paying attention to detail, like proper exfoliating and shaving, and having a supportive team and posing coach can impact the success of a bodybuilding competition.
Appearances can be deceiving in bodybuilding competitions. The speaker, despite being in the best shape of his life, didn't make the top call out due to a poor tan, which cost him a potential pro card. He learned that attention to detail, such as proper exfoliating and shaving, are crucial for a successful competition. Additionally, having a posing coach and a supportive team can make a significant difference. Despite his initial disappointment, the speaker gained valuable insights and realized that his motivation for competing was not strong enough to continue.
Bodybuilding competitions challenges: Competing in bodybuilding contests brings personal enjoyment and challenges, including stress from public aspect, impact on family life, and significant financial and time costs.
Bodybuilding competitions bring both personal enjoyment and challenges for the competitors. For some, like Mike, the process of dieting and training can be enjoyable, but the public aspect and impact on family life can be a source of stress and misalignment with priorities. Crystal's support and sacrifice highlight the importance of having a strong support system. However, the cost of competing, both financially and in terms of time and energy, can outweigh the potential rewards for some individuals. Ultimately, the decision to compete or not is a personal one that requires considering various factors, including the individual's motivation, priorities, and the impact on loved ones.
Online Comments: Online comments can provide valuable feedback and insights but can also be filled with negativity and unhelpful comments. Focus on the positive feedback and don't let negative comments define self-worth or professional reputation.
Engaging with online comments, especially on large public platforms, can be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, they can provide valuable feedback and insights. On the other hand, they can be filled with negativity, trolls, and unhelpful comments. The negativity bias in comments can often make it seem like there are more negative comments than positive ones, even when that's not the case. Additionally, some people may not leave comments at all, skewing the sample towards those who are more vocal and critical. Ultimately, it's important to remember that not all comments are created equal and that focusing too much on the negative ones can be detrimental to one's mental health and well-being. It's important to take comments with a grain of salt and not let them define your self-worth or professional reputation. Instead, focus on the positive feedback and use it to improve and grow.
External validation vs internal focus: Instead of trying to please haters or negative commenters, focus on being your best for yourself and find satisfaction in personal progress.
Focusing on pleasing the majority of your audience or customers, rather than trying to win over the haters or negative commenters, is a more productive use of time and energy. The speaker shares an analogy of encountering a disliked quarterback in an elevator, where despite the quarterback's nice behavior, the speaker would not change his allegiance to the rival team. The speaker also reflects on his experience in bodybuilding, sharing how he realized that striving for a pro card or looking his best for others did not bring him true satisfaction. Instead, he found happiness in being his best for himself and documenting his progress. Ultimately, the speaker encourages focusing on what matters most to you and not getting distracted by external validation or negative comments.
Bodybuilding trade-offs: Bodybuilders face negative health effects and time demands, but can find fulfillment in new pursuits like Jiu Jitsu and helping others through fitness.
The speaker is transitioning from bodybuilding to focus on other areas of his life and interests, such as Jiu Jitsu and helping others through fitness. He acknowledges the trade-offs of bodybuilding, including the negative effects on his health and the time and energy required, and is excited about the potential benefits of his new pursuits. The speaker also expresses a sense of accomplishment and readiness to move on, despite some feelings of resentment and nostalgia. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of considering the trade-offs and potential benefits of different pursuits, and the speaker's willingness to make a change in order to prioritize his health and personal growth.
Acceptance and moving on: Even during tough times, it's important to learn to accept the situation and focus on things that bring joy, while keeping the option to return to past passions open.
Even though the speaker is going through a difficult time after not qualifying for a bodybuilding competition, he is learning to accept the situation and move on. He recognizes that life isn't always exciting or easy, and that sometimes we have to make decisions that aren't ideal but are necessary. He also acknowledges that his perspective might change in the future, and that he can always return to bodybuilding if he chooses to. Overall, the speaker is learning to find peace with the present moment and focus on the things that bring him joy, like jiu-jitsu. Despite the challenges, he remains committed to his passions and is looking forward to what the future holds.