Would You Sacrifice Your Inner Peace for the Chance to Increase Your Success?
As I enter my first official off-season as a bodybuilder (I guess I can call myself that now), I’ve been spending a lot of time reflecting on the mindset I want to embrace in the months ahead. While I’m still hitting the gym five days a week, my focus has shifted toward increasing my speed and endurance for the upcoming Canadian Army Run (half-marathon) and the Toronto Waterfront Marathon (full marathon).
Come November, I’ll be back under the guidance of my coach, Axel Lopez of Team Sunrise, embarking on a new building phase with the goal of adding a solid 5-10 pounds of muscle before the Toronto Natural Pro Qualifier next August.
Have You Heard of the Bronze Medalist Mentality?
A fascinating study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology titled “When Less is More: Counterfactual Thinking and Satisfaction Among Olympic Medalists” found that people’s emotional responses are often shaped by their thoughts about “what might have been.” It’s not just the results that impact our emotions but also our perceptions of risk, opportunity, and how close we feel to an alternative outcome. This research suggests that, aside from gold medalists, those who place third often feel more positive about their results than those who come in second.
Winning Best Overall at the Ottawa Natural Classic was one of the most exhilarating moments of my life. Yet, placing third at the Toronto Natural Pro Qualifier brought me a different kind of satisfaction—a deep sense of calm. I had placed. I had shown up. What more could I ask for?
The truth is, I approached both competitions with a Bronze Medalist Mentality. I credit this mindset to two factors:
1. It was my first time navigating the competitive circuit.
2. My commitment to Stoic philosophy, which teaches us to separate our sense of purpose and well-being from external outcomes and focus only on what we can control.
Think about any of the GOATs who have inspired millions worldwide. Imagine how any of these masters would react to placing second in their field. Many would be furious, frustrated, or inconsolable, channeling that energy into a relentless pursuit of first place. I’m not suggesting I’m on their level, but I am suggesting that their Gold Medalist Mentality—the constant drive to be the best—might be a key factor in their success.
As I prepare for my second season of bodybuilding, now with the knowledge of how fierce the competition is at the national level, I have a chance to reassess my mindset and get ready for the challenges ahead.
So, I ask myself—and you—once more: Would you sacrifice your inner peace for the chance to increase your success?
