It’s competition season and every weekend you can find at least a regional National Physique Committee (NPC) show to attend. This past weekend was the 2018 NPC Upstate Classic in Spartanburg, SC. I did not compete like I had the past two years, but was in attendance.
I love shows even though it is an all day affair. It keeps my head in the game and focused on what the task at hand is. I also like to be able to support other athletes.
Show weekend: the athletes are everything
One of the things I love about bodybuilding are the relationships you make on and off stage.
When I attend a show as a spectator or volunteer I get the opportunity to mix and mingle with more athletes than when I am competing. At the NPC Upstate Classic, it was all about the bodybuilders and classic physique athletes.
I love being able to watch them take the stage in the evening for their routines.
It also gave me the opportunity to meet some new bikini athletes. We are now Instagram friends and I can’t wait to see them again at an upcoming show. But I also had the opportunity to catch up with Malorie, who I befriended at this very show when we both competed at it.
There’s nothing like being surrounded by others who can understand what you are going through. You can share in the pain and agony. You also get to share in their triumphs because again, we all go through similar trenches to get to the stage even though our stories might be different. There is a thread that ties us all together.
Less than three weeks to go
I will be competing at the 2018 NPC Victory Classic in Charlotte on June 23. I can’t believe it is less than three weeks away.
If I am being completely honest, I go back and forth wondering if I will be as ready as I want to be when I hit the stage. But there are moments like this one captured by my coach that says I am moving in the right direction.
I didn’t know my arms and shoulders looked like this. Seriously!
This gives me hope and I can’t wait to see what I look like when I hit the stage.
Now don’t get me wrong, I do believe I have made great improvements since the 2018 Palmetto Classic but I put so much pressure on myself. I want to beat my 2017 NPC Stewart Fitness self – physically and mentally. I think I will be able to do it. Until then I have to keep pushing.