by Ginny Gardea
With head held high, your heart plummets as the placings are announced. Call-outs didn't go as you expected and, as the trophies are presented, your fear of failure is realized. Months of blood, sweat, tears, and personal sacrifice flood your thoughts.
All you can do is to smile graciously, making your way off the stage before you're betrayed by your tears.
Let's face it — you can't win them all. So how do you cope with crushing disappointment when your performance falls far short of your high expectations?
What if you didn't get a crown?
You have three choices: hang up your heels, maintain status quo, or brave the gauntlet and change.
The physical and emotional demands of competition aren't for everyone. There is no shame in choosing to call it quits after you complete your last quarter turn. Win, lose, or draw, you have to train for the love of it. If the process holds no joy, it's time to move on.
There's a whole group of competitors who return to the stage year after year in the same condition, presenting a package identical to that of previous shows. Their placing in the shows is irrelevant to them because they enjoy the journey.
Nothing's wrong with this approach if it's in sync with your goals. But what about those with the burning desire to excel, to set personal bests, break through walls? How do you train to win, knowing full well the possibility of defeat exists?
Evolve. Do the work. Bulk up. Lean out. Learn.
It takes courage to be better than you believed you could possibly be. But, in the words of Tiger Woods, "No matter how good you get, you can always be better. That is the exciting part."
Adjust your attitude. What defines a win to you?
If holding the biggest trophy amounts to a victory, you may be sorely disappointed. If marked physical improvement or stage presence is your measurement for success, you determine your destiny as a champion. Figure competition can't be dictated by such limited concepts as winning or losing.
The outcome of competition is largely subjective because your efforts are evaluated by a panel of people with varied backgrounds and preferences. You can never be everything to everybody; invariably, another competitor will display more pleasing attributes to certain individuals.
This human element is what makes figure competition especially emotional. With other sports, points are awarded on clear-cut criteria — you shoot, you score. Cross the finish line first — you win.
Just know that a number on a score card can never possibly define who you are.
To understand your shortcomings you must be open-minded and prepared to receive constructive criticism. In addition to the critique provided by your coach, seek feedback from the judges at your event.
"I always recommend approaching a couple of the judges before judging starts. If they're not busy, give them your competitor number, and ask if they wouldn't mind taking some notes," suggests Dave Follansbee, NPC National Judge and Regional Chairman. "We want everyone to be successful," he says.
When your frustration fades and you feel you are able to be objective, spend some time evaluating your stage photos. Compare your critique with that of the judges and your coach.
Be honest in your assessment; remember, you can't fix a flaw without first recognizing it exists! Having identified your areas for improvement, construct a plan and let nothing stand in your way.
Michael Jordan once said, "I've missed more than nine thousand shots in my career. I've lost almost three hundred games. Twenty six times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed... If it turns out that my best wasn't good enough, at least I won't look back and say that I was afraid to try; failure makes me work even harder."
Keep at it. Your day will come!
If you shoot for the moon and miss, pick yourself up, dust yourself off, adjust your aim and try, try again.
Ginny Gardea makes her home in Portland, Oregon with her husband and one year old son. She is an NPC Figure competitor and trains with IFBB Figure Pro, Kristi Tauti. Ginny entered her first competition just four months after the birth of her son. She hit the stage and never looked back. Ginny holds a degree in Speech & Communications from Western Oregon University. In addition to training for competition, she enjoys traveling, reading, watching movies, and spending time with family and friends.
Ginny offers online figure coaching and can be reached for consultation at ggardea@impactfitnessproducts.com.
Winning competitors: 2008 Emerald Cup Class C winners, photo by JC Lopez
Giant trophy: FA member Bree Marsh - visit her Myspace
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