We some times do what we do just for the love of it, never expecting anything in return. There may even be times when we question our own abilities.
There have been many times when my own insecurities take over and I wonder if what I’m doing is correct or if I have what it takes to succeed.
But, every now and then, someone takes you aside and basically gives you a pat on the back or something happens that validates what you are doing. And it feels great!
Well all of those things happened for me on Saturday night. A friend of mine (Nikki) who I had basically one of my training partners decided to enter a fitness show.
This would be her second show ever and of 2009. For the first show she had worked with another trainer for about 9 months, she was cardio-ed to death, and she placed 7th out of 12 girls.
When we started we only had 6 weeks to make some magic happen! It was at times an emotional 6 weeks, but we pushed through, BIG thanks to Darrin for the nutrition, and tanning guidance.
Saturday was show time. The afternoon show is where the judges really make most of their decision about who they like. So it was important to make a good impression. Darrin, her sister and I helped critique her before going on, she was looking better as time went on. As her category drew near the three of us went to our seats.
the money shot... you should have seen me demonstrating this to her back stage!
They came out in groups of 7. Nikki was last to hit the stage in her group. And she looked nervous (was it just because I know her, or was it apparent to everyone?)! Her presentation was a little off, but physically she was the best amongst her group. Now it was a waiting game until the evening show, which was 3 hours away.
Darrin wouldn’t be there for that so I was going to have to reapply tan and add glaze. Something I had never done before.
Applying some glaze on her butt. It's a tough job but I'm a trooper!
Once the evening show started we heard that her category wouldn’t be on stage until 8. So another 3 hours of waiting! Her sister, a friend and I, basically just sat around doing nothing.
Then more drama, because the show was moving slowly they changed how they wanted the girls to walk on stage, which meant we had to change our posing.
This is where I became a chorographer, changing her routine and her moves.
Then once again it was time to watch. They brought all the girls out, and lined them up like cattle, 28 in total, it was a tough field.
Then they started calling out the top 10. As I scanned her competition I knew she MUST be in the top ten. The girl who I thought had a good chance of winning it was called out in 6th. That made me nervous. If they only give her 6th did my girl not even make the top ten?
Doubt was setting in. Had I failed her?
However then they called out a girl who had a very similar body type to Nikki’s, and hope was back, because I knew Nikki had her beat. They finally called 713 in second, Nikki’s number, she was second!
The top 3
I jumped out of my seat I was so happy. The weight of the world felt lifted off of my shoulders, and it was replaced with a gentle pat on the back.
