The Natural Movement - November 2010
Promoting 100% Natural Athletes
Steve, 25, has been training for 7 years and has been entering competitions for the past two seasons. In 2009, Steve took 2nd in the novice tall class at the INBA Western USA in Sacramento, Ca. This year he won the overall novice title at the INBA Grand Prix in Fairfield, Ca. He then went on to capture the short class at the INBA Western USA. Steve capped off this season at the INBA Natural Olympia where he did not place in the Open tall class, but he felt it was a great learning experience. Steve talks about his decision to train naturally, “Well, to be honest, I was very close to taking some semi hardcore supplements, simply because of impatience. I knew I would put on size so much faster if I took something like tren, but then I discovered natural bodybuilding. I was debating doing a show and was scared and unsure if I was ready. I did not want to get destroyed on stage! After talking to a few competitors I finally decided to do my first show and to remain natural. Looking back, I am very glad I took the natural pathway to the stage and I get a sense of pride knowing that everything I have achieved has been pure hard work.” His future goals, “I am not sure which shows I will be doing in the future. I am taking some time off to improve my weak areas and get bigger. I plan on winning my pro card (PNBA) when I return to the stage in 2012!” Words of wisdom from Steve Firman for other aspiring natural athletes, “I encourage others to remain natural simply because of the complete sense of accomplishment you gain. You can get big naturally through hard work and dedication. It takes time, but every step of the way you know that you earned and built your physique by yourself, for yourself. Your body will transform according to what you put into it. Set difficult goals, not impossible ones; if you train, diet, and just WANT it enough, you can and will achieve your goals, whatever they may be.”
To contact Steve Firman email him at hondadirtbiker500@gmail.com
Staying Mentally Ripped
By Steve Firman  Bodybuilding as a whole is extremely complex, and is variable from one person to the next. There are an endless number of techniques, exercises, and diets used throughout the sport. Everyone seems to be looking for that edge, that new idea that will push their physique to new heights. However, one of the most valuable, underrated and often overlooked tools available is simply your mind. Your state of mind and thought process are the foundation for everything you do in life, and bodybuilding is no exception. I have found over the years that your mind will give up before your body 99% of the time. You are literally only as strong as your mind allows you to be. Everyone has experienced that little voice in the back of their head attempting to hold them back. It is always negative, pushing excuse after excuse into your mind as to why you should quit. With time, you may start to believe it, and that is when you fall into trouble. I remember years ago in high school, when I went on an eight-day survival backpacking trip. On the last day, the leader told us we would all be running five miles on a high-elevation mountain road. I had never run five miles before and instantly doubted I could even complete it. My mind was pulling me down from the start, but to my surprise, I found myself running a half hour later. I remember feeling so exhausted, and how my head began to flood with reasons to walk for a while, and rest. I was unsure of how close to the finish I was, so I eventually, reluctantly gave in to the fatigue. As I walked on and caught my breath, I turned the corner about a hundred feet later, and there was the finish line. I immediately began running once more, with new-found strength, revived by the sight. I crossed the line and finished the race, but to this day I remember how my mind dragged me down, and how I could have easily finished without ever slowing. The same occurs during weight lifting. The poundage may look daunting, but you have to believe that you will complete your repetitions before they even occur. Layne Norton explained that he has already lifted the weight in his head before even attempting the task. Arnold Schwarzenegger stated, “We all have great inner power. The power is self-faith. There's really an attitude to winning. You have to see yourself winning before you win. And you have to be hungry. You have to want to conquer.” Arnold had an unparalleled intensity in his mind, and I would have to say he definitely conquered with his seven Olympia titles! Arnold also said that when you think you are completely exhausted, ask yourself "was that really the absolute last rep you could have performed?" You can almost always do one or two more reps after running that question through your mind. All of us have those days where our heads may not be completely in it. Life happens, your mind wanders and before you realize what occurred, you are heading home from a boring, unproductive workout. Another scenario is that you decided to cheat on your diet before a show, because you felt that you “deserved it” and “one bite will not hurt me”. To avoid all of these detrimental situations, you must constantly remind yourself of why you are in the gym lifting that weight, or running on that machine, or eating that boiled chicken. I like to think of my fellow competitors as perfect people. Every time I want to yield to that voice, and do something harmful, I think to myself “They are not cheating right now" or “They are doing more weight and more reps" and the urge is gone. Focus on your goals, and what you plan on achieving, and keep them at the forefront of your mind at all times. The one way to really continue making progress is to keep your mind hungry for more. Satisfaction does not really exist in competitive bodybuilding, since everyone has weak points and room to become better. This is a sport where you really have to want improvement for yourself, continuously throughout your training and dieting. Perfection may be unattainable, but that should not prevent anyone from striving to get as close to it as possible! The people who allow themselves to give up remain average, but the people who constantly fight and push those urges away, go on to become great.
|
|
|
