Bodybuilding Journey Fall 2015 Part II

I used fitness, nutrition, and weightlifting knowledge I already had.....and merged it with Layne Norton's flexible dieting concepts and Arnold Schwarzenegger's Guide to Bodybuilding.

 May 12, 2015

June 1, 2015

 June 9, 2015

I remember waking up June 9th like "this sh*t just came out of nowhere." This was my reward for "trusting the process." For a while it did not feel like much was happening, then BOOM! I had confirmation I was on the right track.

In case you didn't know.....it feels damn good to have a hot body DURING the summer!

And to reverse the aging process. Looking like a few mature 20 somethings.

My daily protein (egg whites, chicken breasts, turkey breasts, and lean sirloin) really helped me keep solid muscle. The problem was I was at a point where I really needed to cut some weight. I should have been eating more greens, asparagus, and spinach during this time.

But it was time for me to get my first experience on stage at the Beachbody Classic in Nashville. Maybe I set my goals too low with this experience. I did not plan to win the event nor did I want to. It was a physique competition and I had been training, eating, and thinking like a bodybuilder. I simply wanted to experience.

I learned that dialing in during Peak Week will enhance what you've created. Also, the meal before pre-judging can make an amazing difference.

 The problem with the Beachbody Classic was that pre-judging was on a Friday morning and the on-stage finals was on a Saturday night.  I did not spray tan. I just rubbed half a bottle of olive oil on and made a commitment to enjoy the moment. I had too much body fat to win the competition, but when I sized up the competition I saw no reason why I could not be successful at this if I kept going. After Nashville, I went from getting the experience to wanting to win show.

Are you watching greatness or striving for it?

I was in the gym last night breaking a sweat on the StairMaster when I noticed a young lady staring up at the TV. She was standing next 7 different pieces of cardio equipment in the gym, but wasn't using any of them. Her gaze was set on the television. She was watching the two best men's tennis players in the world battle it out.

Later I went to a different part of the gym to bust out some ab work and there was a guy sitting on a stability, watching the tennis match. He wasn't crunching, pressing, piking.....none of that. He was sitting still, taking it all in. I enjoy tennis. I could watch almost any sport. But I would not completely stop my workout to soak it all up, even if it's Ohio State football.

It had me thinking, what is it about these guys that's so important? Why stop a workout to watch them?

My 1st answer was that people love to watch competition. The intensity of a duel can be capturing. Two men, two players, two teams going all out for a championship....well the competition doesn't get much better than that.

My 2nd answer was that people love to witness greatness. Djoker (as one of my clients calls him) and Federer are tennis geniuses. The best two male tennis players in the world. They have spent countless hours practicing their serves, backhands and drop shots. They have better conditioning than 97% of people on the planet. You can tell by watching their play they have sacrificed many holidays, Friday nights, and happy hours to work on their game.

I wondered.....would people prefer watching others greatness unfold rather than putting in the necessary work to create their own?

In what ways do you want to be great? 

Are you trying to accomplish great career success? Do you want to build the best body you've ever had? Have great health? Earn hundreds of thousands, even millions of dollars? Do you want to be a great spouse or parent?

Are you putting in the work necessary for that greatness? Or are you just doing enough to get by? Doing just enough to be comfortable?

This past weekend was perfect for me because it took me back to the roots. It made me think about my life goals and what I want to accomplish as a man, trainer, and entrepreneur. Everything I want to accomplish is possible but very little of it is "normal." I have to put forth EXTRA effort, EXTRA energy, and EXTRA focus because I want INCREDIBLE results, INCREDIBLE relationships, and an INCREDIBLE lifestyle. I do not want to be a normal trainer. I don't want to be a chip off the ol' block.

What do you want out of life? Are you putting in the work necessary to get it? If we had another market crisis like the one we had in '07 and '08, would you still be "comfortable?"

Go out and grab your greatness! It's out here for us if we are willing to get it. #IAMWILLING

Much love,

Q. McCohn