What You NEED To ACHIEVE

Back when I was in high school I had a real special goal...a dream...a passion that neither my friends or family could truly relate to. They did not understand that I was not interested in just hanging out or getting caught up in things that most high school kids would get caught up in. I did not go to many parties...I did not go to many weekend school functions...I did not go to my junior or senior proms. Also, by my senior year I had left a sport that had been a part of my life for 9 years because it was no longer something that I felt was important for me to focus on any longer. That decision disappointed my team...my coach...my family and friends. But, it had very little effect on me because I knew where my heart was. If there is one thing I understood early on in my life it is this: when there is an undeniable desire to succeed at something that is so strong that you are willing to give whatever you need to give to achieve, conquer and make that success a reality you will not deny the quest because you simply CAN NOT deny the quest. After I graduated high school I went to university but with no real academic goal in mind. In actuality my goals were very selfish and seemingly vain at the time and by nature of that many of the relationships I had became strained. In hindsight, I did my best at the time to explain to anyone I cared about that my goals were extremely important to me and that I would ask that they please consider that I would need their support and understanding while I took on my journey. Most of the people who were important in my life and cared about me stuck by and gave me the support, love and understanding (and at times even sacrificed) that I needed so that ultimately there would be a 'cleared path' enough for me to achieve my own success. How unselfish of them...to sacrifice and give what was necessary to see that I had the best chance for becoming MY best!
It was spring of 1985 and I was at Gold's Gym in Milltown , NJ watching an interview finish up with Richie Gaspari (former 4 x Mr Olympia) for FLEX Magazine. Rich and I were training partners at the time and he knew just how dedicated and focused I was at becoming one of the first young New Jersey bodybuilders to make a run at the NPC Teenage Nationals and USA Bodybuilding Championships coming up later that Summer. I remember Rich looking over and pointing to me to come over to meet the writer from FLEX. I walked up to them and Rich said..."this is the kid the bodybuilding scene needs to look out for". I was blown away that Rich would give me such props because quite frankly he rarely gave anyone props. The gentleman asked if he could do a short interview with me for an upcoming story in a section of FLEX magazine called 'Teen Scene'...? Hmm...No brainer. I sat right down and he started firing off some questions. Most of the interview was a blur. But, the last question I do remember him asking was this: "How do you think you will do at the Nationals and USA this coming July?" I without any hesitation boldly replied: "I will be the heavyweight champion at both shows". He kind of snickered and said: "You're pretty confident. Why do you think you will be the champion...do you know who your competition will be?" "Nope!" I said. "But I do know this...there is not a teenager in this country right now who has trained and dieted as hard and as consistent as me and as well has had the support from his family and friends as I have. I do not know who will show up the day of competition, but I do know that I will not be beaten on that day!"
As it turned out my prediction came true. I was the 1985 NPC Teenage National and USA Heavyweight Bodybuilding Champion... Just what I envisioned, expected and predicted so many months earlier. When you have a goal that simply CAN NOT be denied remember this:

'No one can cause you to have any kind of emotional reaction without your first giving them permission to do so. You alone are responsible for your feelings and emotions . When you know what you plan to do with your life, you will not allow annoying situations to deter you from your goals for long. If you set ambitious goals for yourself and work enthusiastically toward them, you will quickly realize that you don’t have time to allow petty annoyances to upset you and keep you from your objectives.' ~Napoleon Hill~