After doing two competitions back to back—I won 1st place and best poser at the Jr. California and 2nd place at Venice, I’m experiencing the usual post show depression. It’s hard to understand unless someone’s been through it, but the experience is so demanding on every level, there is a huge letdown and sense of isolation afterwards. I train and diet year round—certain times are more extreme than others—but once I’m on stage, it’s over in a few minutes. Everything has to be timed just right. All of that pain and sacrifice and then it’s done.
I realized this time that competing isn’t fearful to me now, it’s more like work. Fun rewarding hard work, sculpting, refining, improving, creating, a reflection of my inner life. Constantly improving is what it must be about, because I have no control over who shows up on a particular day, but I can control how I come out, which is why the placing is less important than my ongoing personal progress. It’s ultimately a competition with yourself.
It takes eternal vigilance to be great at anything. And with bodybuilding it’ll never be good enough, it doesn’t matter what anyone says. It’s a double-edged sword, but that’s what keeps me going. My sport teaches me a great deal--face your fears, take risks, challenge yourself, believe in yourself, go forward regardless of the opinions of others.
Stay strong!
Dallas
Copyright 2007-2009 Dallas Malloy
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