Do the inner work

I honestly think this is one of the most slept on things in bodybuilding, because bodybuilding is all about being tough right? “going to war” and “being in the trenches” honestly that analogy is almost laughable, bodybuilding the same aa any physique transformation is hard yes, of course it is but your not at war you can quit when you like, no one is forcing you and at the end of the day its a choice, a choice to do better and be better in you physique and mind.

So this is why that inner work is so slept on, but it shouldn’t be. If you want lasting change you have to get rid of bad habits, we have all worked with that one person who is always going to get on a diet maybe they do for a few weeks bring a salad into the office and go to a couple gym classes only to give up and put the weight back on again. When we ask why we could say they are lazy, and yes in some cases that is true but I think more so they didnt support their physical change with a mental one as well.

There are Ladys in this sport who have been around for years, great relationship with food, training and body image, compete when it feels the right time and improve year on year, they love it! Then we have the opposite end ladies who make bodybuilding their whole personality for a year #nodaysoff never eat an off plan meal compete maybe 2 years back to back then burn out and you never hear or see from them again then they will re appear on insta saying how bodybuilding ruined their life and relationship with food and their body.

Now of course bodybuilding didn’t inherently ruin anyones life or relationships at the end of the day its a stage and a gym, inanimate objects what ruined it was the pressures put on the athlete by themselves, their coach, and social media along side their inability to work on their mindset as well as their 6 pack.

How you work on your mindset is going to be different from one individual to the next but here are some things that I have found both really help me and my clients.

Podcasts - listening to podcasts where personal pain points are discussed e.g post show binging, this can make you feel less alone and understand that your not the only one who struggles with this area. take what resonates with you from the episode and maybe write it down to look back at later. there are so many great podcasts out there my podcast is ThicccCast where over the years I have discussed with guests a wide range of topics people struggle with.

get post show ready early - I think I will do a whole extra write up or potentially an Ebook on post show as there is so much we can unpack but essentially prepare yourself for any emotions or challenges you may face post show, read blogs, watch YouTube, listen to podcasts and communicate with your coach what you are concerned about might happen this way you can feel more prepared going forward.

Journalising - journalling or thought dumping is a great way to help with a busy and overthinking brain we can often get in prep getting it all out and onto paper clearing your mind and turning negative spirals into positive ones e.g instead of writing “am I going to be lean enough” recognise that spiral and change it to “I am working hard to bring the best version of me”

manifesting and gratitude - I love this as a morning activity to do upon waking finding positives in the day and thanking the universe/ god/ whatever you believe in choose 3 things to be grateful for that morning. e.g I am grateful for the endless love of my dog, or, I am grateful I can move my body and complete a prep. manifesting is saying what you want to happen in a way it has already happened. e.g on show day I brought my best physique and won my class.

classes outside bodybuilding - sometimes bodybuilding can be all consuming taking a step back into the real world once a week and being around different types of people can both help you mentally and towards your goals. A lot of my coaching clients also take part in yoga or reformer pilates both of these help with posing can moving the body more freely but also being around “normal gym bodies” not in bodybuilding gyms where we are constantly comparing.

Don’t put the pressure on - remind yourself that the only person all this matters to is you, as a coach of course I want you to do well but equally I just want you to be the best you, and place first or last I will still be immensely proud of your journey. And people on instagram? they will be focused on the next thing in 0.2sec. remind yourself of your why and just focus on being the best you.

Meditate - when you have days your mind feels full of noise mediating or even just sitting somewhere peaceful will help quieten things down. this can be either guided meditation or on your own chose what works best for you.

Ice baths or cold water swimming - contrary to some (very loose) claims they will not help with recovery so please avoid around training windows but they will potentially help with your mindset getting into a cold plunge will teach you to focus on your breath and nothing else putting you in a mediative state.

trust your exactly where you need to be- it may not always feel like it but just trusting that some things don’t work out in order for better things to come into play is exactly how you will move forwards.

walk away from anything that doesn’t align with you - if your listening to a podcast or following someone on social media and they make you feel bad about yourself or not good enough etc, SACK THEM OFF block them don’t talk to them etc but walk away if what they say doesn’t resinate.

If you would like me to explain any of these points a bit deeper please drop me a dm.