Saturday, my client Ariel stepped on stage for a bodybuilding show — and walked off with second place. That alone made for a terrific Saturday but here is more to it.
As proud as I am of his performance, what struck me more was the atmosphere and level of competitors at the show.
Backstage was full of young men in their 20s (some old geezers like me as well), smelling of tanning lotion and posing oil— strong, focused, polite, supportive of one another.
Yes, they were competitors. But there was no trash talk. No egos.
Just grit, discipline, and camaraderie. There was a competitor who had lots of loose skin around the chest and lower abs, I went up to him asking: my man, how much did you lose?
Him: About 100 lbs! How incredible is that?
In a time when young men are constantly being criticized…
…for being lost, lazy, entitled, or distracted — this felt like the antidote.
These guys didn’t arrive here by accident. but by starting their diet in March! Training through hunger and fatigue, five to six times a week.
That means no late nights, no alcohol or fast food for a goal that paid them nothing but pride ( and maybe a plastic trophy).
Is there a vanity aspect? Sure, but getting in that kind of shape is extremely difficult no matter what. Additionally ,you go in your underwear in front of several hundred people which is a scary proposition in itself.
By putting yourself out there, you make yourself vulnerable which is a risk most people will never even think of.
In a world obsessed with instant gratification, these men chose delayed returns by picking a goal six months out..
We live in a culture that tells you to “just be yourself,” they choose transformation and bettering themselves .
Are there young men struggling today? Of course.
But don’t let that drown out the stories of the ones getting after it.
They’re not in the headlines nor are they going viral because toiling away is boring .
But they’re in the gym every morning.
They’re building more than muscle — they’re building character and resilience.
I see it every day. And I’m proud to coach some of them.
Let’s not forget:
Discipline is alive and so is integrity.
You just have to know where to look.–
Maik