By Caroline Gick
My name is Caroline, and I have a problem. I’m an athlete, a librarian, and an entrepreneur—and apparently, I can’t stop competing. Honestly, I thought I was done. My last figure competition was in 2011, at the NPC Nationals in Miami. After that show, I hung up my 5” stripper heels for good—or so I thought.
They resurfaced last week, though—along with all the anticipation, desire, motivation, and anxiety that we all feel when contemplating a new competition, challenge, or goal. Maybe I shouldn’t have been surprised, but I was. I still am. I have so much going on in my life—so many other things to do—that I put competition out of my mind, thinking I’d come to terms with that decision.
The Seed is Planted
Two women came up to me in the gym the other day with a pretty cool question. “Are you competing?” one of them asked. “You definitely look like a competitor. We’re competing for the first time this spring, and we’re so excited and nervous!”
“No,” I replied, “but I’m flattered, so thank you. Good luck!”
I’ve been asked this question before, and it always makes me feel good, but over the past year, it hasn’t swayed me from my decision to put other pursuits first. What’s the difference now? I think it’s the fact that I’ve recently come to terms with being, at my core, a goal-oriented person. I spent the last year trying to be “okay” with training and eating well just for me—and with trying to make balance and peace of mind my overall health goal.
Didn’t work. Not me.
I need something to drive me and make me accountable: a deadline, a plan, a coach, and a tangible goal like a photo shoot or a competition. Without that, I’ll flounder—and floundering in my physical realm makes me flounder in my mental, emotional, and intellectual realms, too. Everything works together. And as I was coming to this realization—learning to accept and love this about myself—those lovely women approached me in the gym.
So, what happened? Their comment stuck with me, and a huge smile would spread across my face whenever I thought about it. I couldn’t stop thinking about what it would mean to be back in prep mode. I also couldn’t stop thinking about what it would mean to be prepping for a show at the same time I’m pursuing all my other goals. Typically, I’ll tend to take on five things too many, all at once, then work my ass off to make everything happen. Anything less, and I don’t feel productive. For better or worse, that’s how I am.
The Big Announcement
So, here’s the point of all of this:
I’ve decided to get back on stage as a figure competitor. My next show will be the Contra Costa Bodybuilding Championship on May 11th here in northern California.
To kick things up a notch, and hopefully help some people, I’ll be sharing my experiences here on DH. As a competitor, one of the things I’ve always craved is real-life, practical advice from other competitors. Because I take a different approach to competition training and diet by following The Carb Nite Solution and using the Shockwave Protocols, however, I’ve often felt like I’ve been on my own in many ways.
I don’t want to feel that isolation any longer, and I don’t want anyone else to have to, either. This will be my third competition following the DH protocols. I have a lot of experience, a lot to share, and I also expect new and different challenges during the course of this prep.
Thirteen Weeks to the Stage
This is the beginning of the 13-week series on this site that will chronicle my journey to the state. You’ll hear about my diet and training, the highs and lows of contest prep, tips for show day, and anything else that comes up—all the things, both big and little, that one encounters as a figure or bikini competitor during this incredible experience.
It’s an unexpected decision for me, although I guess I shouldn’t have been so surprised. I’m psyched, I’m scared, and I feel vulnerable and motivated and proud. Most of all, thought, I feel ready.
89 days and counting. Let’s go!
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