It would not be unfair to say many of us participate in an art form. We struggle to sculpt our bodies into lean, muscular, aesthetic living statues. The constant struggle of monitoring food intake, long and painful workouts, and carefully working with our tools available to us to create what our visions of what perfect masculinity should look like. The journey is long and tedious and some will find the perfect ideal is always just nearly out of reach. It is easy to lose track of the true accomplishments we have made and the suffering put forth.The feeling of looking in the mirror and being unsatisfied is something that every bodybuilder is familiar with. Like any true artist we feel there are improvements to be made and we are working with an incomplete format. We visualize the body parts we need to improve upon, the insignificant flaws, and the myriad of inconsistencies in our bodies. In this constant state of discontent it becomes easy to miss the great strides we have made with our bodies and mental psyche.

Think back to the very first time you lifted weights. What did you look like? If you were like me you were frail, weak and could only dream of the possibilities of possessing a herculean body. You worked, learned the lessons of discipline, patience, and willpower. If you did anything right in this art form you transcended your body to a higher level and it is apparent to possibly everyone but yourself. You have received more respect from your peers, greater self confidence, and even a different mind set than when you started. And while we can nitpick the flaws, and make adjustments to further improve ourselves; remember the true gifts of bodybuilding. You now possess the mental and physical strength to overcome obstacles that many will never have the privelage of knowing. Take a moment to stand in front of the mirror to appreciate and be happy with what you have now; for tomorrow it will be back to work and more challenges will be met.

“You can say what you want and act how you want, but what you do in the end is what you meant all along.” - Cus D’Amato