Breaking Down the Societal Norms

Judgement and being critical of others is part of being human.  As much as each of us don't want to admit this, we all have done this at some point in our lives.  Some more than others.
I also am at fault with this flaw as I have both judged others and have been judged.  However, I will say that growing more into the sport of bodybuilding and realizing how judgmental society can be to female athletes, my personal judgements of others have definitely subsided and it has made me much more mindful of how society shapes others and controls how we think of ourselves and others.

Before bodybuilding, before weightlifting and my additional gains of muscle I looked like an average women.  Nothing spectacular or out or norm to see or look at.  However, when I began bodybuilding and putting on weight, size and muscle I began to get noticed and looked at more wherever I went.  From the grocery store, school, work, and mainly any public place that I would go to I began to notice more people staring, pointing, turning away and whispering.  At first, I really didn't mind the attention, but as I progressed in the lifestyle more I began to feel ashamed of how I looked.  I felt different and society has never made me forget that.

When you walk into a grocery store and overhear a lady tell her son "look at how disgusting that lady with muscles looks," or when you are pumping gas and a man comes up to you and asks "Are you a man or a woman" the comments begin to get annoying and a bit degrading.  You begin to see yourself differently and it takes a moment to realize that it is not any fault of my own but it is how society has cultivated others to perceive the social norms.

I chose to pursue bodybuilding because it helped me focus on something other than my eating disorder.  Bodybuilding saved me from my addiction to bingeing and purging and allowed me to invest my time into learning how to love my body and all that it has to offer.  As I have made huge improvement and progress in my recovery process from my bulimia, the shameful and hateful thoughts about my own personal self-image has yet again come into light because I look different than what it acceptable to "societal standards".

I think the point of this blog post, besides my rant about judgement is that no matter what path we choose to take in life, no matter what others may think about what you do, the strength of your own internal mindset is what needs to be controlled.  Almost daily I have to take a step back and breathe and thank God for letting me accomplish all that I have in my 25 years of life.  I have to tell myself that although I may not be everyone's ideal choice for looks or body type, it doesn't matter.  I have a loving fiancé who has supported me from the very start, my parents who accept my lifestyle and have accepted my crazy schedule into their lives and my close friends who understand that I am a bodybuilder, I may look a bit different than a typical 25 year old American female, however I promise you that like all women I very much deal with all aspects that an average 25 year old would deal with.

So next time you are casting judgement on others and voicing your opinion because you want to be an arrogant asshole or just curious about someone else's personal life choices, take a minute and reflect if it will make you a better person.  If your words and harsh stares and whispers are allowing you to gain anything out of life.  The answer most likely will be No.

Olympia Weekend

The goal for any bodybuilder typically is to make it pro and then eventually get to the most prestigious venue of them all, Joe Weider's Olympia Stage, in Las Vegas.  It just so happens to be going on as you are reading this and through the weekend.

Although the classes are stacked and the show runs for three days, it definitely puts into perspective how unique each individuals bodies are.  The Olympia Stage showcases the most amazingly sculpted bodies that are presented throughout the weekend.  Each body, or work of art (as I call it) is impressive and unique to that individual.

I just like to bring a gentle reminder to those who are not familiar with the sport, although these bodies may not be your cup of tea, you have to admit that the dedication, determination and sacrifice put in to sculpt each of these bodies is not only impressive but even mind-blowing.


Good Luck to all the athletes competing this weekend!



For More up to date and information on this weekends list of events click here 

5.5 Weeks Out- Thoughts on Passion and Bodybuilding Vs. Healthy Lifestyle

I have been prepping for this upcoming show for 25 weeks.  25 weeks I have endured countless hours of cardio, dietary restrictions of 1000kcals a day and lifting sessions that last 2+ hours that beat the shit out of my body. Everyday though, I crave it.  I crave the routine, I crave the pain and I push my body to endure every imaginable obstacle possible.

Its hard to explain what passion is if you have never really experienced it.  People always tell me I am crazy or that I have no life because I spend all my countless free time in the gym.  But it's not work to me, its what I love to do. It drives me to be a better person, keeps me motivated and always pushes me to become better than I was the day before.

Bodybuilding is a lifestyle, it is so much more than casually lifting in the gym.  To be a bodybuilder you have to be willing to give up everything and everyone to get to your end goal.  Those who that support you will stick around and those who do not will leave.  One of my pet peeves is people who call themselves bodybuilders who have never truly committed to the sport or lifestyle.

Eating right and lifting does not make you a bodybuilder. Bodybuilding is so so so much more: Sacrificing daily life, friendships, relationships, painfully swallowing the dry chicken or fish, getting discouraged day by day as you only see the subtle changes your body makes, prepping and bringing your food everywhere, spending thousands of dollars on food and supplements a month, waking up earlier than the world to get that fasted cardio in and ending the day with your HIIT training or PM cardio, getting 8 hours of sleep in between life and still trying to function as a normal human...that's the lifestyle for a bodybuilder. If you are willing to do that, then you can rightfully call yourself a bodybuilder.

September 2017:

I'm back!

I know it has been some time since I have been on and many changes have come and went through my life.  However, what has not changed is my passion for bodybuilding.  My consistent training and dedication to the sport as well as how adaptive my lifestyle has become with helping me achieve my dreams.

So what is new with me?! Well for the past year I was living in Kansas.  After graduating college and finishing my year out with Junior Nationals and then the Nicole Wilkins Championships.  I decided to get some space from my previous life obstacles and moved down to Kansas.  Of course, I should tell you there also is a man involved in this ordeal as well :) My soon to be husband.  That's right I also got engaged while I was away. He was stationed in Fort Riley, KS so I moved down to be with him as he went through transition leave.

In Kansas, I continued training religiously and actually found the most amazing gym called The Foundation.  Location in Manhattan, KS.  (Seriously if you guys are ever in the area stop in and check out the place, ask for Matt, Alexis or Josh and tell them I sent you) - You will NOT be disappointed.  It was definitely an eye opener to see so many different training techniques under one roof.  While I was down there I was also prepping for the 2017 Junior National bodybuilding show, however, I got diagnosed with hyperthyroidism soon after prep began and quickly my body shut down.  I lost over 40 pounds in 2 weeks, my muscle was gone and I had to battle overcoming my illness and putting back on my muscle.  It was a devastating let down to have to drop out of that show.

Mentally and Physically I was a mess, however, my fiance was by my side and still continues to support my on my road to recovery as I put the weight back on and continue chasing my dreams.
Fast-Forward 5 months, here I am today.

I am prepping again for 2 local Michigan shows.  My coach and I have decided to take things a bit easier for this year to make sure that my body is healthy enough to endure the prep.  So far it has been very adaptive and I currently am sitting at 5.5 weeks out and 7.5 weeks out.  

I will be in touch soon with much more detail about my life but wanted to keep you guys updated with my current situation.  Be in touch soon.

Do the Necessary to Achieve the Dream.
 

It's been awhile since my last post but my life has completely changed in the blink of an eye.  After completing in two NPC shows back to back last month, I can say that I have had a very successful year competing.  Now my plan is to take 8-10 months of and effectively grow and condition my body to obtain that pro card I have been striving for.  

Besides my shows, this sport has allowed me to understand the concept of stress management.  These past few months have been super stressful and a lot of life changes have happened overnight.  I got myself out of a toxic relationship, I discovered the love of my life, became a fitness model and sponsored athlete and have maintained an amazing and focused mindset to off set my bulimic like tendancies.


Overall I am genuinely thrilled with the path I have chosen for myself and will continue to strive to be the best that I can be.  I am going to begin regularly posting my updates on here for you guys in order for you to follow me more on my off season prep, plus I have a few new people that I am excited to introduce you to that are a huge part of my life. 

Everyone have a great day and I will be in touch soon.


Sending Love and Gains

xo Shan

The Sacrifice to Happiness

My blog initially began as a experiment for my social media class, but as I began to grow fond of documenting my updates I decided to continue with the blog and continue documenting my progress as I began my 14 week cut into my junior national bodybuilding show in June.  With the consistent stress that I am under it is hard for an individual who is not adapted into the bodybuilding lifestyle to understand that this is not a hobby.  It is a full time job.  

The commitment and dedication needed to maintain in a peak performance state almost all year is crucial to become successful in this sport.  Within the past 3 years I have transitioned into a bodybuilder, sacrificed, relationships, friendships, and hobbies in order to train to become an IFBB pro bodybuilder.  Although I am not there yet, it will happen when my time comes.  

Many questions I get asked are why I turned to the sport of bodybuilding and what drew me into the sport of lifting iron, sweating my ass off in the gym and having to buy mens clothes in order for them to fit my arms...the truth....

I am recovering bulimic and the sport of bodybuilding helped me focus on something other than my eating disorder.  I suffer from clinical depression, bulimia, and body dysmorphia.  The sport of bodybuilding allowed me to focus my energy into something different and change my mindset on how I feel about my body.  I also was in an abuse relationship, which fueled me to fend for myself and eventually learn that I don't need a man in my life that isn't going to respect me.  

Then bodybuilder Shannon was born.  

Since then my life has changed, and now with my strict regimen, close group of few friends and my job.  That is now my life at the moment.  I am content with it and it's making me discover myself in ways that I never realized I possibly could have found out.  

I have so many thoughts on this and will continue on later...but my rambling thoughts are about to mesh together as I am about to pass out to bed....

Staying Hydrated: Do We Take it for Granted?

It is essential with every workout, fitness regimen, and every lifestyle an individual chooses to live to stay fueled and hydrated as much as possible,  With the human body made up mainly of water, the key to living an essentially healthy and energized lifestyle is to stay hydrate with water.  But what if water disappeared?  What if after a heavy workout the water your body thirsts for is no longer available or even worse its there but its poisonous.  If you aren't living under a rock then I am sure that many of you have heard about the Flint water crisis occurring in the state of Michigan.

Recently it was discovered that Flint, MI, who replaced their water source from Lake Huron to the Flint River in Mid 2014, did not treat the water properly before it was expelled into the communities taps. The water itself had large amounts of lead found in it, this has lead to sickness, skin irritations, as well as a mess of inconvenience for the local Flint residents.  These locals in the community cannot drink, wash, or come in contact with any of the water sources from the river without risking detrimental illness. skin issues, and a variety of other medical problems.

As our nation pulls together to help the city of Flint, MI overcome this tragic event we all need to keep in mind how a simple element such as water, that is so crucial for our survival.  Take the time from your busy days and schedules and help donate to individuals who are not as privileged to even get free water out of a drinking fountain at the moment because the lead contamination is so high.  To donate to the  city of Flint as well as other information of how you can help, please click here ...Keep in mind that just by donating a case of water you are helping someone quench their thirst, keep their children alive and keep living their lives as best as they can.

To read even more about this event follow the links that I have listed below:
Flint Water Crisis pairs with Time Magazine 
Flint Water Crisis Explained 

I also encourage everyone who reads about this crisis to spread the word on how they can help the city of Flint.  What is so great about social media in today's world is that news spreads fast.  Share and post and continue to talk and mention ways individuals can help the city of Flint in order to keep this city in exceptional spirits as the mess is being cleaned up.