American Idol and Bodybuilding……More Similar Than You Think!

I haven’t been a fan and actually watched American Idol in a few years.  I mean, we’re talking about back when incoherent, but lovable, Paula was on the panel.  But I stumbled upon the show premier as I was channel surfing for some background noise, while I got caught up on work e-mails at home.  As expected, its devilishly genius design, sucked me into the program before my forgotten e-mail response was automatically saved as a draft (I love that feature!)  Anyway, the heady mixture of the tragically talentless and the awesomely gifted is a carefully crafted formula for a massive waste of time.  But before I knew it I was wiping away tears of joy, as I identified with the unadulterated elation the contestants felt as they walked away with their golden tickets.  I imagined how their hearts must be overflowing with emotion as the sampled their first taste of success.  Some probably shocked at their good fortune for taking this chance.  Others relieved and validated that the time they’ve invested in their craft just may pay off.  I gazed at the contestants and wondered who was going to make it.  Even if luck brought them there, who has the wherewithal to get through the challenging weeks ahead?  Someone will eventually be named the winner, but at that point, it will be because of more than just talent.  The winner will have complimented their talent with hard work, dedication and motivation, not understood by most people.

There was a time (like a year ago) that these thoughts would have depressed me.  A time when I so desperately wanted…..something!  Something that I could work for, earn, be proud of and give me that moment, that the American Idol contestants got to feel.  And not just them.  I felt the same longing when I watched the athletes at the Olympics, celebrities at all the award shows (Golden Globes, Oscars, Grammy’s, etc.) any dance shows…heck even watching elementary kids at a spelling bee, and of course, professional sports.  Oh, don’t get me started on sports.  Even though I played in High School and one year of college, I CAN NOT stand watching sports.  Not because of anything to do with the sport itself.  But because it is hard to stand by (or more accurately, sit on my rear end eating and drinking junk) watching other people, that I don’t know or love, live out and fulfill their dreams, while I cheer them on for hours!  All I can think about is how I should be doing something other than being a bystander.

The problem was I wasn’t good at anything.  And to make matter worse I didn’t like anything!  At thirty-…..uh, thirty-something, you know yourself pretty well and have no patience for wasting time.  I have zero artistic talent, so singing, dancing and acting was not in the hemisphere of possibilities.  Yes, I played basketball in high school and one year of college, but it had been years since I picked up a ball and I didn’t think the WNBA was looking for a rusty mother, who was experiencing an early mid-life crisis.  I did, like the idea of being physical, but didn’t know what to do.  Yoga looked dreadfully dull.  Biking hurts my rear end.  There was NO way I was getting in a swimsuit to take up swimming.  And running, is just running, aka boring.  UGH….what was wrong with me?!  And even if I did find something, I had the issue of my hair (that is a whole other blog post) and the fact that I was a mother of two very small children and experiencing mom guilt (again, a whole other blog post).  I took care of one issue by chopping off all of my hair, but the guilt just wouldn’t let go.

I didn’t feel comfortable leaving the house, so working out at home became my “thing”.  I jumped on the Insanity and P90x bandwagon and eventually became a Beach Body Coach.  Logic told me that this was a perfect fit.  It was something physical that I could throw myself into and work really hard for and earn that moment.  The problem was I sucked at it!  And I hate cardio!  Thank God one morning, while performing “funny face” lunges for my infant son’s entertainment, I dislocated my knee.  I was out for the count, as far as cardio was concerned and wondering what I was going to do next.  With no other options, I picked up a pair of weights and never looked back. Low and behold….. I found my “thing”!  I just felt it in my bones.  But even more than that, I felt like I was being embraced by my new found passion.  Just like a little round peg, that fell nice, snug and secure into its perfect little round hole!

It’s been such a relief to find my “thing”.  I love that the competitive world of female body building gives me an opportunity to experience that moment.  Over the next 9 weeks, I have the opportunity that not many people get a chance to experience or even appreciate.  I’ll have countless 4:00am workouts that will push my body until it gives out.  I’ll bring my own pre-measured food to work meetings and gracefully bow out or leave early from friendly get-togethers.  I’ll be questioned by the inquisitive and condescending about why I’m doing this.  Hell, I’ll even question myself, as fatigue and irritability set in, when a minor issue, inevitably presents itself.  I get to do all this for an opportunity at that one moment

That moment when daybreak has finally arrived after an anxious and restless night’s sleep.  That moment when you have to accept that there is no more time and you either have or haven’t done all you could to prepare.  That moment when you see your competitors arrive and know that someone is going to walk away a winner and someone is not.  That moment of truth when there is nothing left to do but shake off the nerves and step on stage.  That moment when, as the adrenaline rushes, the bright lights hit and you look out, only to see nothing but a dark auditorium.  That moment when you feel the palpable currents of energy and an unforgettable taste of success…..because you made it.

Now, is it the same as winning a talent reality show contest and walking away with contracts, a million dollars, a car and product endorsements?  LOL….no.  But it is the indescribable, unforgettable, life altering moment that people are after, as they vicariously live through the contestants of American Idol.  Call me naïve if you want to, although the money is nice, I don’t believe that is what people are seeking.  People are in pursuit of epic memories, moments and experiences….thoughts to comfort us and stories to share.  You don’t have to be an American Idol to experience that moment.  I’m a female body builder with a bronze statue that feels like a golden ticket.