Never Stop Starting

The easiest thing to do is quit. "Well, at least I tried," sometimes becomes the definitive answer that we live by from time to time. Why does it have to be "definitive? Why does not accomplishing something or failing at something have to be the end? Let's keep it real, we do this occasionally when trying to execute a task or goal. We get frustrated, upset, then quit. Then we "figuratively" kick that goal under the bed and never look at it again.

     Businessman W. Clemente Stone said, "Success is achieved and maintained by those who try and keep trying." We know this, but sometimes we need to hear it (or in this case, read it). It's OK to fail at something, but it is more important to get back up and finish what you've started. "LIFE" will always happen. We will get sick; hurt; lose careers, and lose important people in our lives, but we always need to remember that we still have to push forward. Push forward with every bit of energy or drive we have! Literally everything! Think of how may times those things I've named happened to you, or how many times you've been tested? I'm sure each you can spend an entire day thinking of when life hit you square in the mouth, and you just stopped...everything. Guess what? Life is going to hit you again and again (even after you read this blog). The important thing is to never stop starting. Never give up and never stop pushing through.

     Martin Luther King, Jr. was arrested 30 times. He was spit at, stabbed, beaten, but didn't quit fighting for racial equality. For over 10 years he endured this, but he never stopped starting. Martin Luther King, Jr. died before he seen the true outcome of his life's work. His "I Have A Dream" speech depicted what he hoped would happen. Honestly, how many of us would have quit after the 1st, 2nd or even 3rd time we were sent to jail? How many of us would have stopped if we were stabbed and almost died? How many of us would have stopped if we were beaten, spit at? He never stopped starting.

 I've been trying to achieve the IFBB pro-card status for10 years.

• In 2009-2011 I traveled so much for work I didn't put in the effort needed to get my card.

• In 2013 I moved to Michigan, and although I was training, I still tried to adjust to the move.

• In 2015, my father died, and I got into a funk.

• In 2016 I tore my glute muscle and was unable to train until 2018.

• In 2018, I became extremely bloated days before the North American Bodybuilding Championships. I didn't compete.

• In 2019 (10 years later) my little sister died.

• In late 2019 kept pushing through and competed at the North American Bodybuilding Championships. I took 2nd place overall and received my IFBB pro card.

  
  

   I never stopped starting even though life hit me square in the mouth...a lot!

  
  

     I'd like to end this blog with a quote from Martin Luther King, Jr. I feel it is fitting, "“If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”