Bodybuilding is probably the last sport one would think of as a spiritual practice because of its ego-covered outer layer. Spiritual journeys are usually seen in the context of religion, and the discipline of yoga, with its emphasis on channeling the breath and meditation, most strongly connoting a spiritual exploration. It is exactly the same in bodybuilding: Bodybuilders use breath in a specific manner to open up new strength levels and release the struggle in the mind that lifting heavy weights creates. The journey of a bodybuilder begins as a stereotype and evolves into a spiritual exploration.
When a bodybuilding or body sport athlete first gets started, everyone feeds their ego in direct relation to their physical gifts. Others encourage them to begin competing, and at first they do relatively well; they attract lots of attention, maybe even win some trophies, which further feeds that core ego. The attention and notoriety build a false identity of fame and fortune, slowly taking over the bodybuilder to such a degree that they ultimately behave like the stereotype that everyone has of bodybuilders and body sport athletes. They truly do not know that their behavior is modeled after someone they've seen in a bodybuilding or fitness magazine who is just as unaware of the ruling ego in their own lives.
Then there is a shift. They stop winning and receiving positive attention; someone more talented enters the picture and is now having the same experience that they've just had in the development of their ego identity. This is a critical point: most bodybuilders or body athletes stop here because they suddenly realize that they actually have to make sacrifices, start exploring the sport more deeply, and start learning from other bodybuilders they thought were less talented. This point of choice is what separates the stereotypical bodybuilder or body athlete from one on a spiritual path.
Those who choose to continue the journey are compelled to give up the ego identity and begin the exploration with humility. Having access only to each next step in a sea of uncertainty challenges the mind, but despite the frustration and accompanying negative self-talk, they allow the process to break them down one step at a time. The choice to keep following each step – daily, hourly, and sometimes minute to minute – demonstrates their commitment to the process, and over time builds a quiet inner confidence.
These bodybuilders and body sport athletes are willing to accept having only that one step at a time. The process is demanding but doable, and although their past wounds reappear with great force, a disciplined focus comes with relative ease. This time they have the awareness and clarity to respond with fresh perspectives, primarily because the escapes of food, drugs, drama, etc., are no longer available options. The person they choose to breathe life into is the man or woman who rises above past wounds and destructive behaviors and who emerges as the transcendent self that has lain dormant within them.
Then there is the shift that can never be fully explained, and it happens during or after you go through this cleansing process. No one, except you and those closest to you, will ever know the darkness through which you've traveled as the process delivers you to the doorstep of your next level. You become Mr. Olympia like Phil Heath. You win the NPC Nationals like Todd Jewell or place top six in the country in Women's Physique like Danielle Neverkovec, goals accomplished amidst the noise of negative mind chatter.
The story of a spiritual journey repeated itself countless times the weekend of the 2011 NPC Nationals in Miami. Some came armed with the dream of becoming a professional, while others anticipated the experience of being counted among the best in the country. These are the hallmarks of spiritual journeys: We are either handed a prize or we are shown another step, recognizing that we are still in the unfolding process. Above all, we see that bodybuilding is a catalyst for development. It requires that we breathe through the weight of our fears as we awaken to what is and take the next step in our spiritual exploration.
