NPC Arizona Open July 2011

This last weekend was the Arizona Open and I wanted to share a few photos and experience of my first BIKINI show! This was the second show I've done. My first was earlier this year in March- The Natural Western USA in Mesa, AZ. I did not place at this show, and I'm not going to lie, I was extremely disappointed and ended up taking judging very personally. But after I got over the disappointment I was able to recognize all the things I learned through this experience and that alone was worth it.

Competing can be very tough. It is emotionally, physically, and mentally draining. But you must always remember that no matter what the result of a show, winning a trophy doesn't shape who you are. Those 10 judges aren't critiquing your personality, morals, values, or anything that makes you YOU. They are simply comparing your body and what they see on the outside to everyone else on stage next to you. Sometimes you just won't be what their looking for, and you have to be okay with that. Never forget to recognize your accomplishments and be proud of what you brought that day. It takes a whole lot of hard work, sacrifice, and perserverence to make it on that stage. Knowing that you brought your best and gave it your all puts you in first place no matter what the official results say.


2 Corinthians 4:16;18 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.