On my way to Becoming a Figure Competitor: The Last 5%

Back in May, I posted a blog post called The Last 5 Percent. It was all about not panicking when your goal (s) are in reach. I then posted the Last 5 Percent Part II, which was all about what I felt was THE BIGGEST REASON why people don’t complete the last 5% of any endeavor; with that being the new reality they must live into or live up to once complete.

BTW: I could easily replace the word “I” for “people”, so understand I am not taking a guru approach here, as if I have never had a problem with this myself. But I must say blogging about this peak performance aspect of goal setting and following through on achieving our goals always helps me, as I trust it helps you.

Well this Part III post on the last 5 percent is more an example of someone living into the last 5% of her goal. Her name is Katie Ochippinti and she is on her way to becoming a figure competitor. Actually she’s not alone; she’s doing it with my partner Rosie Battista, you can see Rosie in this picture with me recently in San Diego.

I have entered body building contests in the past so I know what it takes to be a “figure competitor” and it is allot of work. Believe me there are plenty of opportunities to not follow through, panic as you get close to showtime, and face the sheer fear of standing up on stage in a bikini (for women) in front of hundreds of people; with all your hard body sculpting work on display.

It’s a very personal thing doing what Katie and Rosie are doing and I have witnessed many of their challenging times.

First, there is no easy way; as we say in performance lifestyle training, when something doesn’t work you have to be prepared with something else, meaning when one approach doesn’t work you’ve got to have another way ready to go even if that means falling back on a philosophy to hold you over until you come up with another approach to moving forward. This is an example of what we call a “mindset”.

Katie and Rosie have the right mindset for this contest and they are developing that mindset every day, and that’s why they are able to follow through no matter what happens, or how challenging it gets. They are in their final 4 weeks of their contest preparation and in the last 5%. What’s keeping them in the game? Many things I’m sure, but whatever it is, there are reasons that are strong enough to stay the course.

This is a very challenging time, but when you’re as committed as they are, even amidst some pretty ambitious life goals going on concurrently, it would be more challenging not to follow through. It’s been amazing to witness the kind of dedication in them that achieves the goal and it’s been very inspiring. It’s a unique place to be when you follow all the way through and including that last 5%. In this case, everyone will know if they did the last 5% or not. It will show.

They are doing great. Rosie, has lost over 30 lbs for this show and she was already in pretty good shape. That’s what it takes when you’re on your way to becoming a figure competitor. Nothing like it in any realm of sports.

You can also see Katie’ Blog KO GOING THE DISTANCE – I am more excited for them than ever so, let’s send em’ some encouragement.

Perhaps Rosie, will keep you posted on what’s happening with her, here on the Performance Lifestyle blog.

~ JAM

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