A Little Glimpse of My Life

How do you define greatness? Is it defined by an “quantity?” Or is it defined by “quality?” Does greatness equal a number? Can greatness ever be attained? Maybe it is getting that Olympic gold or maybe it’s getting a “parent of the year” sticker from your child. Is it someone telling you that you changed their life, or is it the student who comes back 20 years later and tells the teacher “thank you?” Maybe greatness is getting up everyday to accomplish an insurmountable task you have been working on diligently for years with the same passion as the very first day. Or maybe it’s the soldier who completed hi s or her first marathon with 2 prosthetic legs. Maybe greatness is reconciling a bad relationship after 15 years or could it possibly be having the motivation and drive to continue when all others said you would fail?

To me greatness is never ending for it is a lifelong process. It’s like chasing something that at times is so close, but just slips out of grasp. I can’t measure it, and often can’t see it. I don’t wait on it, I go seek it. Greatness is created. It never comes to you. Each day we all wake p with the opportunity to be great. Let today be that day. What can you do with this day that demonstrates greatness? GO DO IT! 

You’ve worked hard, sacrificed countless hours, and are at the top of your game. If you’re not at the top, then you are paying your dues, putting in your time, and your moment of glory is just around the corner. So why the week long segment about “Mental Health” issues with athletes when you think you’ve obviously “got it made?” At some point, Shelley Beattie, Chris Benoit, Alexis Arguello, and Terry Long “had it made”. They looked the part, played the part, got paid for the part….and ultimately took their own lives. So why address mental health issues with athletes? I don’t care how famous, fine, fast, fit, fabulous, or freakishly big you think you may be. Without an awareness of your mental state or the capacity to manage cognitive changes in a healthy manner, ANYONE is fair game to succumbing to mental health issues. It doen’t have to be suicide, which is obviously after an illness has progressed for an extended period of time. It can start out with Binge eating, lead to Body Dysmorphic Disorder, cause Depression, and continually spiral out of control. If nothing else, I hope someone was able to gain insight from this week long segment and use it to educate and help themselves or others.    

As athletes, the world thinks we are invincible and at times we may even think that. But when reality sets in how do we deal with it? We must remember we are humans capable of victory and defeat; success and failure. It is when we neglect to understand the emotional vacillation that successes and failures bring that we often experience the most traumatic mental setbacks. Help is always available. If you need it please ask for it.      

Below is a list of well known athletes from various sports who have committed suicide.

Alexis Arguello (boxing) July ‘09

Shelley Beattie (bodybuilding) Feb’ 08

Chris Benoit (wrestling) June ‘07

Terry Long (football) June ‘05

Von Erich family (wrestling) Mike ’97, Chris ’91, Kerry ‘93

Donny Moore (baseball) July ‘89

Every few weeks I’ve decided to post my “20 Questions” about life, the week’s events, fitness, and anything else that’s on my mind. Giving credit where it is due, I borrowed this idea from my college newspaper “The Panther” printed at Prairie View A&M University. (Go PV!!) It’s just for fun, so don’t get your panties or boxers all in a bunch!

It’s the work ethics, discipline, and skill level that make a good athlete great? It makes us unique. It makes us standout. It’s the drive that forces us to crank out that extra set, go back to the gym on our day off, or complete that extra hour of cardio. The mind of an elite athlete is not “normal” when compared to others. It cannot be or else we would not be elite we would just be average. But at what point does this mindset cause our passion to be the best to turn into potentially harmful behaviors? The 5^th segment of my mental health blog will discuss Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and its potential characteristic features in athletes.

OCD is classified as an Anxiety Disorders. It is characterized by recurrent obsessions (thoughts which cause anxiety) and/or compulsions (the actions that alleviate the anxiety). (DSM-IV). The obsessions must be time consuming (1+ hr/day) and provoke some type of anxiety, while the compulsions are the repetitive behaviors engaged in to keep the anxiety at bay. Some common obsessions (thoughts) are contamination, doubts, and order, while common compulsions (actions) include hand washing, counting, and repeating words. The easiest way to remember it is that the obsession is the thought and the compulsion is the act. (ie- someone who obsesses about contamination will repeatedly wash their hands to reduce feelings of anxiety). Obsessive-compulsive tendencies are not uncommon as, as we all have some of the traits. Maybe it’s doing a certain morning ritual that feels awkward if done out of order. Maybe it’s playing a certain set of lottery numbers on a specific week every month, or even taking a certain route to and feeling like the day just won’t go right if you deviate from that route. No big deal, right? So then how does OCD and athleticism go together?

As athletes we are very good at goal setting and doing whatever it takes to reach our desired level of success. If someone insinuates that we can’t do it, we work tirelessly until we do. We often push ourselves to the point of exhaustion, fatigue, or injury. If someone says stop, we may get angry and work that much harder. I do believe that our innate drive for success is our motivator, but at what point do we cross that fine line and consider our efforts obsessive? Is it after we have lost friendships or occupations behind our drive? Or after failed marriages? Our success and quest for greatness becomes the obsession and the ways we go about achieving them our compulsions. We want to be the best. If we are not, we can become frustrated, disappointed, angry, or aggressive. This forces us to repeatedly participate in activities that reduce the anxiety and make us feel better such as working out, practicing, etc. Viewed from this perspective it is easy to see how elite athletes are prone to obsessive-compulsive tendencies in their quest for greatness. It should not be considered alarming, rather it should make us more aware of our individual behaviors in order to develop a healthier sense of greatness that is not achieved through complete mental sacrifice. Like I stated in a previous blog, what good is greatness and success if one is too miserable to enjoy it?

www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd/index.shtml

www.helpguide.org/mental/obsessive_compulsive_disorder_ocd.htm

www.aafp.org/afp/980401ap/eddy.html

Food makes the world go ‘round…..(at least that’s what we are taught). A job promotion, graduation, birthday, retirement, anniversary, holiday……we have an excuse to eat for EVERY occasion. But then society says everyone should be healthy and fit. That sounds pretty contradictory to me! So is it a wonder that so many people suffer (often in silence) from eating disorders? Athletes in particular are expected to maintain performance ready physiques and whether they win or lose, the reward or choice of comfort, is usually food. Again, contradictory. I’m assuming most have heard of Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa, but people typically get them confused. Hopefully this will enlighten you.

Anorexia Nervosa is the “refusal to maintain a minimally normal body weight” (APA:DSM-IV). Being underweight is the main distinguishing factor of the disorder. A person must weigh less than 85% of what’s considered “normal” based on height/weight. The loss of weight is typically achieved through dieting, fasting, excessive exercise, or binge/purge (eating and vomiting).  Bulimia Nervosa is characterized by “repeated binge eating and/or inappropriate compensatory methods to prevent weight gain” (APA: DSM-IV). Weight gain prevention is achieved by purging, misuse of laxatives, diuretics, enemas, fasting, or excessive exercise (often referred to as Exercise Bulimia). Both disorders sound similar. The easiest way to remember the difference between the two is that with Anorexia, a person is unable to maintain normal bodyweight. With Bulimia, a person is able to maintain normal body weight.

Depending on the sport and levels at which one must take their body to excel in competition, many characteristics of the disorders are experienced by athletes. The use of manipulated diets, enemas, and extreme exercising is common in prepping for a bodybuilding, fitness, or figure competitions. Women may also experience amenorrhea (loss of menstrual cycle) due to low body weight when doing contest prep. Some of these characteristics are also not uncommon for gymnasts or distance runners. So does that mean if you experience these symptoms you have an eating disorder? Of course not. There are several other factors that would warrant the diagnosis.

Unfortunately, due to society’s emphasis on “size” more people are dealing with the pitfalls of these disorders. LISTEN, it is not a gender specific disorder, or a socioeconomic disorder. It does not care about your race, age, or ethnicity. This is an UNFORGIVING disorder that claims more lives than any other psychological disorder. I truly believe awareness is key to prevention. My hope is that knowing and understanding some of the characteristics associated with the disorders will allow us to look at our own behaviors and attitudes regarding food and exercise and evaluate whether they are being done for healthy or unhealthy reasons. Additionally, I hope that through education we can help others who may be suffering from these disorders.      

www.edtreatmentcenters.com

www.eatingdisorders.com

www.nationaleatingdisorders.org

In order to be great one must think great. Bill Gates, Michael Jordan, Oprah Winfrey, Martha Stewart; to these moguls failure was never an option..it was for the next man. My belief is that athletes think the same way. We train to win, not for a consolation prize. We train to be the best, not second best. We strive for perfection knowing it can never truly be attained. So what happens when perfection is not achieved? A few things can occur. We either immediately start working toward it again, dismiss the situation altogether, or deal with some type of emotional battle that can manifest into various forms of depressive states.  

A Depressive Disorder (also referred to an unipolar depression) falls under the spectrum of Mood Disorders. There are numerous symptoms associated with depressive states (ie- insomnia, lethargy, fatigue, isolation, anhedonia, guilt, suicidal thoughts, irritability, etc).  It is the paring of symptoms over specific periods of time that determine the type of depressive disorder. My point is not to display a checklist of items, as all symptoms must be considered within a contextual setting. Rather, it is to allow others to see why (in my opinion) athletes are so prone to experiencing symptoms related to depressive states.

Think of a Normal Curve. 90% of the average population falls under the normal curve, 5% below average, and the remaining 5% above average. Athletes fall within the above average 5%, as our work ethics, drive, and motivation are what allow us to exceed the norm. This means ability wise, we perform better than 95% of the entire population…….that to me is greatness! So why the depression? When we compare ourselves, we do so against others who are also within the “above average” classification and we are often forced to see ourselves as mediocre. A genius is only defined as such because others around him are average. A genius compared to Albert Einstein is just smart; he is not longer a genius. As athletes when we compare ourselves to others who are great, it levels the playing field and makes our quest for perfection much more difficult attain. In turn, this can lead to feelings of failure, sadness, unfulfillment, and ultimately to depressive states…..even though we are STILL performing better than the average person.  This is why it is so important to have other activities to help remain grounded and well-balanced. IT IS OKAY to compare ourselves to the “average” person once in a while. Although failure is not our desirable option and our quest for perfection continues, we should ask ourselves this: How much are a  few moments of perfection worth if they cost a lifetime of anguish and unhappiness?

NOTE: Obviously depression is not that simple and a true diagnosis is far more complex. But externally it is often difficult for people to understand why someone who looks as if they are in the best physical shape of their lives can be so unhappy and miserable. To these people I say don’t train to be “good”, train to be “great” and see how much of an emotional toll it takes on you.

For those who need it, I encourage you to use or share the provided links below as you see fit.

www.psychologyinfo.com/depression

www.depressiontreatmentnow.com

www.psychcentral.com

www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression/DS00175/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs

As athletes we are taught to exceed beyond natural limits. Despite knowing that perfection is unattainable, we strive relentlessly to pursue it. It is this quest for perfection that can often have unfortunate psychological consequences. The second segment of my mental health blog discusses Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD).

By definition BDD is a preoccupation with an imagined or exaggerated defect in physical appearance. (APA: DSM-IV) In its extreme forms people can become so preoccupied with their perceived defects that they mutilate themselves in attempts to fix them. The term “dysmorphia” describes a body part that seems to be grossly out of proportion, but is not.It is frequently experienced among athletes as they get in impeccable shape for an event, and then gradually lose that shape following the conclusion of the event. You know what I’m referring to…picking up those 2-5 lbs the day after a show and it feels like 50lbs. You look at yourself in the mirror and feel like “super glutton”; like your stomach is spewing over the sides of your pants and your back rolls are bulging. This feeling is normal, but should subside after several days of getting back on a regular healthy nutrition schedule.  Another common form in male bodybuilders is Muscle Dysmorphia, often referred to as “bigorexia.” In this case, persons affected obsess about not being muscular enough. Although being critical of your physique is very common, it becomes problematic when the obsessions become so great that they are life consuming, interfere with social or occupational responsibilities, and all things are secondary to muscle gain…..and no, I’m not referring to spending extreme amounts of time in the gym while prepping for a show. People affected with various forms of dysmorphia look into a mirror and see images that are unrealistic. In its basic form, it can be treated with brief therapy, while at its worst it can require hospitalization from repeated attempts at mutilation or to prevent an individual from harming themselves.

Again, my point is not to alarm people, but to bring awareness to a frequently overlooked condition. The links below provide additional information about the disorder(s).

 www.teenbodybuilding.com/derek43.htm(excellent article by Derek Charlebois on bodybuilding.com)

www.mayoclinic.com/health/body-dysmorphic-disorder

www.vpul.upenn.edu/ohe/library/bodyimage/muscledysmorphia.htm

For this week’s series of blogs, my focus will be on common mental health issues associated with athletic lifestyles. I use the term “athletic” as it covers all spectrums and is not limited to the fitness and bodybuilding community. My first segment discusses Binge Eating. It’s something that happens to the best of us, and is often joked about, but can become a serious issue. Binge eating can be classified as one of the characteristics of the eating disorders Anorexia and/or Bulimia. By definition a “binge” is eating in a discrete period of time an amount of food that’s considerably larger than most individuals would consume under similar circumstances (American Psychological Association: Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition). A “discrete period of time” is defined as less than 2hours. 

Putting it in perspective, it is the entire bag of cookies you ate in one sitting. It’s the 2 entrees  and 2 desserts you ordered and ate by yourself at Appplebees. It’s the entire 2 .5lb bag of M&Ms or the 4 Big Macs you consumed. For many of us, this comes immediately following a show or on “cheat days”. Although not healthy, ocassional binges are not too harmful, they just take a toll on your body and your mind. If it’s an occasional event, Don’t go out and kill yourself with cardio because of the guilt. Take it as a loss and start fresh the next day….I don’t care how perfect your diet is: YOU ARE HUMAN and you will slip. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and keep going. It’s when the binges become repetitive that it’s problematic. My worst binges were during my first year as a competitor. I’ve downed a large stuffed crust pizza, an entire Chipotle burrito (I really paid for that), a half gallon of ice cream, two-2 lb bags of M&Ms, and almost 2 bucket-o-fries from McDonalds(they don’t even make that size anymore. It was the super-sized cup stuffed with fries). These were each in individual sittings…but obviously far too much food for one person to consume. These days I know a lot better and my binges are far and few in between…..but the point is that I still have them on occasion.

I raise this issue becasue after reading several posts on forums, blog sites, and discussion boards, I truly feel like many people struggle with chronic binge eating to a much more serious degree than is disclosed. My point is to bring awareness to the problem and enlighten others who struggle. If it is truly a problem that is of concern, I’ve provided a few resources below that can provide additional information. PLEASE use the information as you see fit or pass it along to others.

www.binge-eating.com

www.mayoclinic.com/health/binge-eating-disorder

www.renfrewcenter.com

www.nationaleatingdisorders.org

If fitness has become a way of life for you….AWESOME, but just like all things in life there is always “too much of a good thing.” When every conversation you have pertains to health and fitness, the last novel you read was the latest edition of Muscular Development or Oxygen, and you can describe every fitness related video on YouTube, then maybe a reality check of the other meaningful things in life might be good for you. When the world is chaotic, you’re tired, you job has burnt you out, or you are just too perfect for your own good, what keeps you grounded? Here are some things I have experienced or have seen other experience over the years:

1) Not seeing my twin brother in over 8 months and when I finally see him it’s at the airport the day before my competition and he greets me with, “You look anorexic! You need to eat.”

2) Walking through the aisles at the grocery store and tripping over my own feet…..(I swear something jumps out under me).

3) The honesty and innocence of a 5-year old telling their parents “Those pants are tight” or “Your butt looks big.”

4) Watching a gymnatsics class of 7-year olds who make doing 10 unassisited pullups on the parallel bars look easy.

5) Laboring over a solution for hours and haphazardly coming upon a kid who shouts out a no brainer solution that was too simple for you to think of.

6) Being greeted at the door by your pet whose only concern is “when are you going to feed me!”

Many of these occurences can be a nice needed mental break from our often gruelingly “fit” lifestyles, or just a break from life in general. You can’t help but laugh. If you have others, please feel free to add on.

Every few weeks I’ve decided to post my “20 Questions” about life, the weeks events, fitness, and anything else that’s on my mind. Giving credit where it is due, I borrowed this idea from my college newspaper “The Panther”  printed at Prairie View A&M University. (Go PV!!) It’s just for fun, so don’t get your panties or boxers all in a bunch!

1) Why did Eminem do Mariah like that in his new song?

2) Why can’t the USA men’s or women’s 4×100 meter relay team get in ONE final race? Ughhhh!

3) Why would you call yourself a “natural athlete” if you use performance enhancing agents? (Especially if you know you will be tested and fail…..duhhh!) 

4) Why is Usain Bolt so dang fast?

5) Why do people who are serious about lifting LOVE feeling sore the next day? (I think we’re all sick in the head)

6) Why haven’t they buried Michael Jackson yet?

7) Why do figure competitors not consider “Clenbuterol” to be a performance enhancing agent? Look it up ladies it’s on the anti-doping list.

8  Why is it so hard to type using proper grammar since everyone is so use to abbreviated text lingo? 

9) Why do people wait in line for hours to get the new electronics when there is ALWAYS a recall within the first few months?

10) Why is “HIIT” the new workout craze when it is just old school interval training repackaged?

11) Why do people use gym equipment while talking on their cell phones? (Get off the dang machine!!)

12) Why are All American EFX athletes so hot? (Ahhh, I had to put that in there!)

13) Why is this years Olympia going to be so interesting?

14) Why do clients think they can tell their trainer’s “I am doing everything like you asked, and am not losing any weight” and think their trainers will believe them?

15) Why did they design the “skinny jean?”

16) Why do men wear them?

17) Why is it easier to buy a new home and default on your mortgage than it is to open a new credit card? 

18) Why do people order diet sodas with junk food?

19) Why am I so proud to of being a life-long drug free athlete? (Hoo-rah!!)

20) What do you think?