RX Girl
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Vacation is over, and my Olympia prep is ON! Thank goodness for the week respite, because I really, really needed it. Even though the Olympia was relatively close, I allowed my body and mind a little rest from competition prep. After enjoying some fishing, snorkeling and key lime pie in the Keys, I returned to Orlando with a healed body and mind ready to take on another four hard weeks of preparation.
The first few days back in prep mode were relatively easy, as I really missed the gym and the competition prep regimen. It’s funny how you can be in prep mode for so long that you start to feel like you just can’t wait for a break; then, you get a break and you can’t wait to get back on “plan.” Anyway, as my first week back concluded, I could start to feel some of the chronic aches and pains returning—glutes, knees and hips—and exhaustion resurfacing. Ugh. My vacation was wearing off.
I started to look ahead wondering how I was going to make it to the Olympia. What if my body did not hold up? It’s been a long season for me, have I pushed my joints too hard? Before a full-blown worry session began, I received a little inspiration from another sport that I follow closely—college football. I was listening to sports radio on the way to the gym when I heard an interview with Chip Kelly, the Oregon football coach. He was explaining that his team still had a lot of work to do before their season opener. The radio host asked him how he approached getting his team ready for their debut, and he said, I focus on having the team “Win Each Day.” At that moment, a light bulb went off, a surge of energy darted through my body and my Olympia prep mantra was established.
“Win Each Day,” for me, is about staying focused on the present moment and giving everything I’ve got each day. If I do just that, I will be ready for the BIG day. There is no need to worry about what will happen tomorrow, a week from now or even on show day. In fact, I believe that allowing your mind to be distracted by future outcomes drains the energy out of today. In fact, I think it can be a path to discouragement (i.e., How can I make it four more weeks? I am exhausted!).
Thus, I am focused on making the most of each day so I can hit the pillow at night feeling confident, empowered and at peace. I want each day to feel like its own individual challenge. Not only will it allow me to celebrate the process and journey more deliberately, but it will allow me to quickly move on from a “bad day,” since each day represents a new challenge to overcome. Love that.
Now, I am off to the gym to conquer another day of training. Until next week, enjoy your journey and WIN EACH DAY!
Jaime Baird
IFBB Bikini Pro
