Fit and Focused With Allison Moyer: What Does Your Attitude Say About You?
Charles Swindoll penned one of my favorite quotes regarding attitude;
“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, the education, the money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our attitudes.”
I had high hopes of winning my class going into the Arnold. I was in the best shape I was capable of being in, and was on par, if not crisper then my presentation for Nationals in Miami where I placed 3rd. I was calm, collected, confident. I felt content and positive with the package I was bringing to the stage and I was anxious to get up there and show the judges how hard I had worked during my prep. When finals rolled around Saturday morning, I was so nervous backstage, anxious about the results, and praying harder then I’ve prayed in a long time.
And then my number, number 364 was called for 2nd place.
My cell phone was FLOODED with text messages, facebook messages, phone calls and emails, some of encouragement, some of support, some offering “condolences” and some outraged at the contest placings. I felt disgusted at the negative response of some of my friends and family members- I didn’t want to commiserate, I didn’t want to whine, or complain or wallow over my placing- I wanted to celebrate it. I was excited. Second place isn’t first, but it sure as hell is better than third.
I think there’s a lot to be said for accepting your placings in this sport with grace and humility. Despite how you feel about how you did, at the end of the day the moment you agree to step on stage you are relinquishing any control you have over the situation and passing it to the judges. They are there to do just that- JUDGE, and in getting up on that stage you’re giving them permission to call the shots as they see fit. In the end, it’s not about the court of public opinion or the forum boards or even your friends, family, or local pack o’ gym rats- the only people who have an opinion that COUNTS are the judges.
Honestly- I am nothing but grateful for my 2nd place finish. I have always been a firm believer in gratitude when it comes to competing. I feel so many people get wrapped up in how well they placed or if they got screwed or if politics came into play and they tend to miss the beauty of the entire process, the journey, and they cease to enjoy what the stage is all about- a celebration of the hard work and dedication it took to get you there. Competing is voluntary; I’d never do it if I didn’t love it, enjoy it, or gain something deeper from it. For me, it’s about much more then how well I placed.
Of course, I wanted to win my class and have a run at the overall, who wouldn’t. But leaving that aside, I was still first callouts, I finished 2nd, and I looked my best yet. I had nothing but positive feedback from the judges and I’m already looking forward to stepping on stage again. One of the strengths that lies in being an athlete who’s suffered low placings, is that it makes you UNAFRAID. I think there’s a fear in being the type of athlete who always steps on stage and comes out on top- a fear of losing that stride, that winning streak, a fear of the feeling that will follow if you’re second, third, or fifteenth. Well I’ve been second, I’ve been third, and I’ve been fifteenth and it’s only ever made me a stronger, more capable, and confident athlete. I’m not afraid to step on stage, ever. I’ve taken bad placings and risen above them, and should I find myself in that position again, I know it will only se
rve to make me a stronger woman moving forward. I’ll rise above it. Competing with no fear is a very freeing feeling- I step on stage with nothing but confidence and joy in my journey
Competing often times doesn’t wind up with the results you may want. In the end, the majority of us who compete will lose more shows then we win. Adapting a positive attitude and treating losses with grace and professionalism will go a long way to taking the misery out of falling short of your ultimate goal.
I know my pro card will come. It might not be the next show, or even the show after that, but it will come. I’m confident because I won’t stop working hard, making changes and adjustments and doing my best until it DOES come. Figure encompasses a variety of physiques, some leaner or fuller then others, some more or less muscled, some bigger or smaller. At this stage in the game I feel I know what I need to do to look my best, both for myself, and for the judges, and I will continue to bring that same package to the stage until it’s worthy of pro status.
“Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.”
- Brian Tracey
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