Successful because of Bodybuilding

[SkiFlex]

Ive been a frequent visitor to this site. I find it entertaining and informative which is a great combination if you want to have a successful site. Thought Id try a subject that is a little different but very relevant to bodybuilding.

Id love to hear stories of how bodybuilding effected your lives for the better. Now I know all you young studs out there have the "bug" right now. You are anywhere between 15 and 22 and completely obsessed about getting huge and ripped. Maybe daydreaming about getting on stage. Noone is going to talk you out of taking the juice and noone is ever going to convince you that there should be more balance in your lives. I know, because I was there. Instead of using Ipads looking at youtube, we were looking at Flex and M&F, hidden in our school books during English class.

Im 45 years old and ive been training seriously since 15. 30 years my friends. I competed from the time I was 17 until I had my first child at 26. I did well but not fantastic. I won some state level shows but never progressed beyond that. Why? Well thats simple. 1) I wasnt willing nor could I afford in my 20's what was necessary to achieve the condition to push me to a national level. 2) I wanted balance and a family. To be a serious bodybuilder and an unselfish dad and husband was difficult if not impossible. 3) I wanted a career. For those of you who think you can sustain a family on owning a gym or being a personal trainer, well lets just say its going to be damn near impossible. Those who are lucky enough to make decent money are few and far between and most likely located in very specific areas in the country. You arent gonna find a lot of self sustaining bodybuilders in Binghamton NY.

So what the hell am I trying to say? I wouldnt have traded that passion for bodybuilding for anything. I truly believe that it has made me the family man and professional I am today. The confidence you retain from being a bodybuilder is absolutely essential for success. However, had I tried to hang onto that bodybuilding dream I couldve quite possibly become much less than I am today. I missed out on competing through my 30's for the reasons I just mentioned, but I always trained hard and Im looking forward to stepping back on stage in my 40's, now that my children are grown.

Today I enjoy tremendous success as the top financial executive of a well known world wide manufacturer. Hint, you all have one in your garage. Can anyone else share success directely or indirectly attributed to bodybuilding? Lawyers? Doctors? Bankers? Business Owners?

If anything, this is meant to provoke discussion and/or inspiration.

I can take being slammed, if this is a stupid subject than I totally understand, just thought Id start something that maybe could get some dialogue going.

Id love to write a book someday on this very subject.

[kelkel]

Outstanding post Skiflex! Timely as well. Within the past half hour I posted in a thread on Marcus's Diary how bodybuilding has opened up so many doors in my life, both professionally and personally. I know full well I would not be the person I am today without the dedication, discipline and perseverance I learned from body building that has carried over into most all other endeavors in my life. I'm a bit older than you and have "been there and done that" as well. A very similar story to mine. Nicely done.

Again, great post. I look forward to more responses.

kel

[king6 II]

I can attest to working out AAS use and building muscle leads to an increase in self confidence. And an increase in self confidence I think is important in going after the things you want, accomplishing your goals. I think success is a matter of opinion, regardless of what you do as long as you are happy I would consider that to be successful. Bodybuilding or just building muscle whether it be bulking or cutting involves setting goals and then working hard to achieve those goals which I think can be a template for everything else in life. If you can put on 30 lbs of muscle in a year and then go through a brutal cutting process, you may think hell, if I can do that I can go to med school and be a doctor or go to law school and be a lawyer. I think lifting can certainly be a model for success in your personal life.

[Oki-Des]

Lifting has also made me a dedicated and hard working man. I too am in my 40's and feel like a self made man. I created a medical technology that I knew could help millions. I had little money at the time so I bought a book teaching me how to write patents and I wrote my own without the help on an attorney. I then purchased a CAD program and taught myself how to use it and designed my medical device to be manufactured on my own as well. I then gave speeches to the Center of Medicare and Medicaid proving my inventions medical necessity and now every major insurance carrier pays for it. It also is not a cheap item. Each unit, depending on requirements costs between $9K and $86K per patient. My very first customer was the Department of Defense and I am now helping wounded British soldiers as well. I have licensed the technology to several nations and have even had my invention showcased in the National Inventors Hall of Fame and the United States Patent and Trademark Office. My invention even appeared on the History Channels television show Modern Marvels. I also started a 501c3 public charity with board members that include celebrities, diplomats and even royalty. My charity gives my medical technology to those who do not have insurance. I attribute much of my success to my dedication and much of my dedication to working out. I can certainly relate to your post and agree that working out is a great foundation to a great life.

[DAAS]

I dont think its any secret that with out bodybuilding Arnold would have been a nobody. It opened so many doors for him its unreal

[kelkel]

Lifting has also made me a dedicated and hard working man. I too am in my 40's and feel like a self made man. I created a medical technology that I knew could help millions. I had little money at the time so I bought a book teaching me how to write patents and I wrote my own without the help on an attorney. I then purchased a CAD program and taught myself how to use it and designed my medical device to be manufactured on my own as well. I then gave speeches to the Center of Medicare and Medicaid proving my inventions medical necessity and now every major insurance carrier pays for it. It also is not a cheap item. Each unit, depending on requirements costs between $9K and $86K per patient. My very first customer was the Department of Defense and I am now helping wounded British soldiers as well. I have licensed the technology to several nations and have even had my invention showcased in the National Inventors Hall of Fame and the United States Patent and Trademark Office. My invention even appeared on the History Channels television show Modern Marvels. I also started a 501c3 public charity with board members that include celebrities, diplomats and even royalty. My charity gives my medical technology to those who do not have insurance. I attribute much of my success to my dedication and much of my dedication to working out. I can certainly relate to your post and agree that working out is a great foundation to a great life.

That's a great life story!

[diesel101]

Gonna be tough to beat that,I'll keep my pathetic life to my self.lol