Brandon Gibson Essays (655 words) - Body Shape, Bodybuilding

Brandon Gibson Nancy Kirchner English 101 28 August 2017 IN IT TO WIN IT: COMPETING FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MEN'S PHYSIQUE BODYBUILDING My journey in bodybuilding began 14 years ago in Iraq. During this deployment I met some of the fittest individuals in the world. From that day forward I was determined to make it a lifestyle . What I did not expect is that it would eventually evolve into competing in a competition. By doing a competition I was able to see how I could drastically change my body, how big of an impact it would have on my mindset, and it fulfilled a lifelong goal . The most exciting part of this adventure was watching my body change every day . I had not imagined in a million years that I would be able to change my body to the extent that I had. The preparation for this show was tremendous and I have gone my entire life thinking that I would never see my abdominals. What I found was that combining a proper diet and a solid training regimen that I could literally watch my body morph on a daily basis. During my last three weeks I would literally watch the fat slowly decrease and my muscle was increasing at an equal rate. I feel that having a fit body will boost anyone's confidence. The se changes in my body started having impacts on my mindset. The competition had many impacts on my mindset and in the end it left me with so much more confidence. I have never been the kind of person to ever want attention or desire the spot light. My whole life I actually tend to stay secluded and avoid anything that does draw attention to me. I also feel that in order to conquer fears you have to attack it head on. Signing up for the show initially made me very nervous, but as I neared the show I began to get more excited. This whole adventure took me outside of my comfort zone and exposed me. In turn I actually became more confident and now I feel like attempting another show in the future. Completing a bodybuilding show had also ch ecked off one of the boxes on my bucket list. One of my life long goals was to compete in a bodybuilding competition . I have been surrounded for most of my life with men that lift weights and enjoy the life style . My grandpa is turning 89 and still to this day goes to the gym at least three days a week. Growing up my father had always been the strongest man out of everyone we knew. I would watch him as a child make lifts in our garage that was by far more than his friends. My dream was for me to get to a point in my life that I felt confident enough to do a show. I did not feel that I would ever reach that point. My actual tipping point came from friends and family . They had given so much support that it pushed me over the edge, otherwise, I would have never co me across th e confidence level I needed to do it myself. The whole process had a huge impac t on my body, the mindset that I had, and checking that box on my bucket list completing a lifelong goal . This whole journey taught me that I would have to suffer the pain of discipline otherwise I would suffer the pain of defeat. All my thought s of quitting or giving in during my preparation was followed by the fact that I know, winners never quit. I would mentally self-motivate an extra repetition , extend my cardio even longer, and drop the junk food. I ask anyone attempting a difficult task, would you rather s uffer through dedication and discipline or through defeat?