DON'T!

Here's an article I wrote, for some extra motivation...


It's 3:30 AM. You're all alone in your kitchen, nothing but a single nightlight struggling to illuminate a space entirely too large for its wattage.

You're in a state of confusion, eyes blurry, body numb, mind battling with itself resulting in a blunt headache.

Sleep. Every part of your body aches for it, nothing more. Your head nods forward, your heavy lids put up a fight as you struggle to open your eyes. Once you do, they fixate on the enormous blue bottle of BCAA's.

That bottle's always there, your faithful partner in crime. When the silence seems to scream, amino acids have a loud voice.

Listen...do you hear it? They're telling you to get your ass in gear, stop pussyfooting around and down a few of 'em prior to getting those sneakers on and running out the door for your hour-long cardio session.

Listen. Hear that sound? That's your heart beating.

The blood running through your veins has a purpose; it's there to feed your cells. Your tissues, organs, muscles. Don't just stand there; give it a reason to keep making its circles through you.

The brisk air hits your warm skin, the moonlight beaming down harshly as if questioning your reasons for being up at such an ungodly hour. Your body quivers, begging you to go back to bed just for a little while...and once again, you ignore it.

Any weakness you had slowly melts and trickles to the ground with every deliberate step you take.

You're on a journey with no place for self pity or limitations. This is your life, this is who you are. Strong, powerful, brave, and every other antonym for weakness you can think of.

Without a soul anywhere in sight, you try to remember why you're doing this to yourself. In this solitude, the moonlit sidewalk takes your mind on a journey.

You begin recalling incidences you'd long forgotten; like that time in college, when a professor gave you a B on a paper that took you eight weeks to complete. He handed it to you with a grin and a memorable statement: "if I were grading based on effort, you'd get an A+ for sure!"

Effort. That word is loaded with more meaning than you ever thought possible.

Eight weeks researching the generation and spectrum shifting of spallation neutrons? Try going back to the gym for your second cardio session, third trip that day — when your body is so weak and carb depleted, you see stars circling around your head as soon as you step on the treadmill. You grasp the handles to make sure you don't fall off, but the thought of giving up never even crosses your mind.

That's effort.

Leg day, you're doing squats. It's an all-out set five; you're on your nineteenth rep of twenty. Heavy bar pressed into your skin, your eyes swelling with tears, quads and ass burning as if they're on fire. Your heart feels like it's about to explode.

One more rep, you're not a quitter. Quitters don't win, and you're a winner. Rep 21, here you come.

That's effort.

You aren't hungry in the middle of the night, when you wake up to force down yet another shake. You sure as hell don't want that second can of dry tuna for lunch when the guy in the next cubicle is loudly devouring his third slice of pizza, but cheating on your diet is sacrilege to you!

You're at the holiday table with nothing but a plain turkey breast on your plate while the rest of your family, barely fitting in their chairs because of their lard asses, stare at you in disbelief while trying to convince you to see an "eating disorder specialist."

Your reaction is nothing but an irrepressible grin as you look back at them, their mouths full of butter-drenched stuffing. You thank God for making you different and start to wonder whether you're adopted, yet you don't say a word to disagree with anyone — it's pointless, in their eyes you're a freak.

You get an A+ for effort.

You're more proud of yourself now than you ever imagined possible just a few years back. You grew, changed, transformed — inside and out. You're a different person now than you were when your professor handed you that paper. You're confident, tough. A true winner.

Your feet keep hitting the pavement with even more determination and there's now a faint smile on your face. You remember why your alarm clock is set to go off at a time when all of your single friends aren't even asleep yet. It's once again obvious how much you love every minute of being...different.

The battle taking place in your mind just a few minutes ago has been replaced with clarity. That headache is gradually dissipating, allowing you to delve even deeper into your thoughts and memories.

"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired and success achieved." You remember the Helen Keller quote you learned back in High School. It spoke to you back then, but you embody it now.

All those times in the gym, when you felt like you have nothing left, you were developing character.

That last rep, the one long after your muscles have failed and the last drop of Spike is gone. You're dizzy, out of breath, and are trying to find the strength to rack the weight...when you suddenly realize that you're about to compromise your workout.

It hits you that you still have one more weapon in your arsenal. The most powerful of all tools you've got: the mind.

You sit on the nearest bench, staring at the floor to stop the room from spinning. A sluggish lift of the head and you see a defeated warrior staring back through the mirror. Gazing yourself in the eyes, you make a single statement: you will do one more rep, or you're a gutless wimp.

The words penetrate your mind. An ocean of adrenaline washes over your body, sending chills up your spine...the eyes leering back are now emotionless.

Glaring past the mirror, you stare straight into the face of every bad experience you can remember. All those moments you felt fragile, spineless, wimpy.

A quiet smile begins to form with the realization that each of the painful memories just contributed to the five tons of gasoline poured onto a dull spark. You don't do another rep. You do three instead...and they feel light!

You've got character. A chuckle slips out, breaking the 4AM silence. Half an hour down, thirty more minutes to go.

Crossing the street to start the jog back, you pass a former coworker's house. Good guy...strong-willed, kind, patient, positive. Used to always tell stories of the "good ol' days" in the marines, how much the guys had gone through, how tough the boot camps were.

You've quoted his favorite saying hundreds of times over the years: "Pain is weakness leaving the body." One of your favorite quotes of all time — one that you not only understand, but have found yourself transcending hundreds of times in the gym.

All those times your mind screamed, just one more rep, when your body had thoughts of its own. Thoughts of lactic acid, burning through your pores in attempts to rupture through your skin; pain so immense that it felt tangible, screeching right back at your mind...telling it to quit.

One more rep. The mind prevails. Pain is weakness leaving the body, so you embrace it. Accept it for what it is — simply a mental barrier. Nothing more than an imaginary wall you've broken through time and time again.

Remembering yourself just a few years back once again, you're amazed at the way a person's spirit can be completely reshaped, strengthened by the iron and the lifestyle it creates.

You fight the urge to scream at the top of your lungs, making everyone see what a miracle it is to have the power of choosing your own path. The authority to create the body, the mind, the character you desire.

The power to take life by the horns and make it go your way is truly a sacred privilege; to abandon that control is a goddamn sin! Use it; make it your own...savor the endless possibilities!

Sprinting through the front door, you feel boundless energy; ready to take on whatever the day has in store for you. It's only a bit past 4:30AM, the world's barely beginning to awaken; you're already ahead of the game.

You can't wait to enter the gym with a vengeance today. You'll walk in as if you've been possessed, knowing your intentions and letting nothing in this world deter you.

The headphones will go on and as the sound of rock gets louder, you'll turn into the most callous, volatile warrior you can fathom. Nothing will have the power to distract you or make you feel weak; you're unstoppable.

You own this mind of yours, control it! If you do, at the end of the day you'll stand a little taller, grow a little stronger. and move one step closer to every one of your goals.

In the end we all make choices, often not having the prudence to realize their lasting consequences. Choosing to control your destiny is the most basic decision you can make.

Once the choice is made, there's no turning back. No warrior will willingly surrender all control.

Winners are not those who never fail, but those who never quit.

You're a winner.

Giving up is not an option.

Labels: Articles

You’ve set your internet home page to MuscleWithAttitude months ago. You don’t remember where Krispy Kreme is, and have forgotten the taste of what used to be your favorite dinner: Double Quarter Pounder with cheese. You now look forward to chicken and broccoli dinners followed by sugar free jell-o for dessert.

Boring, but it works. So well, in fact, that you look just like that girl on the cover of Oxygen this month! Hell, maybe even better. You wonder how she got there, and you just know you could do it too. If only someone were to show you the way, you too could be rich & famous, making millions while inspiring women all across the nation...no, the world...to follow in your footsteps.
Guess what? MWA has got you covered once again!

Today is your lucky day. One of the best known, most respected individuals in the fitness world, Mr. FitSights, aka Conor, himself is here to help you get started.
Conor is an exceptionally talented photographer who’s been working with fitness models and figure competitors for the past ten years. He’s photographed everyone from the very top pro’s in our industry, to those just starting out.

I personally am lucky enough to call Conor a great friend, and can tell you that he’s not only one of the most intelligent people I’ve ever met, but also one of the funniest! If this guy doesn’t make you laugh...it’s time to give up hope. Needless to say, we had a great interview—one I’m sure you will find both entertaining and very helpful.


ON: First things first: the one question I get asked most often is, what steps should be taken by someone attempting to break into the fitness industry? I can’t think of anyone more qualified to answer this question than you, so how does a fitness model get started?

C: With MySpace, Facebook and other forms of online promotion being so readily available these days, the fitness model realm is getting more and more crowded every year. However, there are still many ways to make your mark on the industry, but just like most things in life, it takes hard work, patience, dedication, and a bit of luck.

The most important step is to refine your look and get yourself to a point where you want to take the plunge into the modeling world. In this industry, it helps to be personable, outgoing, and all of those admirable traits — but lets be frank — it's all about your image. Hair, face, skin, physique, smile and everything in-between.
So before you start building a portfolio, make sure you've got those aspects in place. Because if you do, you'll be able to work with better photographers sooner, build a more impressive portfolio quicker, and be on your way to becoming The Next Big Thing.


ON: Speaking of “better photographers,” how would a girl find reputable, trustworthy fitness photographers?

C: Reputation is everything when it comes to seeking out a photographer, so the best way is to simply ask your peers in the industry. Click around on fitness model pages on MySpace, and if you see someone with a photo that you really like, ask them who took it and how it was to work with the photographer.

Most people are happy to share good experiences with photographers, and also glad to share some horror stories. Always take those horror stories with a grain of salt though, because the photographer and/or model could have had an off day. However if the horror stories start to pile up, then you might want to heed their advice.


ON: How much should an aspiring fitness model expect to pay to have her photos taken by the photographer whose work she likes?

C: This is a tricky topic, because the old adage "you get what you pay for" doesn't always apply. When trying to schedule a photoshoot, the payment will usually be handled in one of three common ways — you pay for the shoot, you do an "exchange," or you are paid for the shoot. Allow me to go into a bit more detail on each one.

When paying for a shoot, you are usually working with a highly skilled photographer that will be able to bring the best of you and capture images you didn't think were possible. Services like make-up and hair are often a part of the package to ensure optimal results. Great care in styling, location and lighting are taken to make sure its worth the sometimes high price, which can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. Usually you'll get all the photos, but only a certain amount are refined via Photoshop to make the model look absolutely flawless.

An "exchange" is usually characterized by the acronym TFP (trade for print), or TFCD (trade for CD). As a model, you are exchanging your time and talents for the time and talents of the photographer. The aim is for both parties to get what they want out of it — good photos for their respective portfolios. Depending on the photographer, the model can either be a newbie and use the shoot to gain valuable experience in front of a camera, or they might be expected to know how to work it if the photographer is more seasoned. In the fitness industry, however, most photographers you'll meet work in this general format, and are happy to work with new models trying to establish a more diverse portfolio.

Lastly, if you have a look photographers desire, there's a chance to get paid for a shoot. These shoots are typically for large, popular websites with members sections, so the photographer is paying you for your photos which they will in turn make money from. While its hard to say no to free money, make sure the photos are tasteful and flattering. Remember that even after you spend the money you earned from the shoot, those photos will still be floating around the internet for years to come.


ON: Scary thought, definitely enough to make you think twice about who you choose to take those photos! But what if there are still images the model doesn’t like; how does she prevent them from being seen?

C: This is a touchy subject. Depending on what the model release says, especially if you are being paid for the shoot, you don't really have a lot of control over this. Just try to work with a reputable photographer and you can avoid this problem — they'll either do their best to not take any disparaging photos in the first place, and will usually remove them from the internet if you ask.

I wouldn't try to have a photographer remove a photo because your hair isn't falling the way you prefer, but if a photo was taken during a lil nip-slip, then its usually grounds for a removal request.


ON: So a model release is the agreement a fitness girl should expect to sign at every shoot?

C: No matter what type of format the shoot is, always insist a model release is signed, especially if it's your first time shooting with the photographer. I must admit, when I shoot with friends whom I've worked with in the past I don't really bother with releases, but that’s only because the terms of the shoot are already known and established, so it's not as big of a deal.


ON: I agree, it’s always a good idea to get the legalities out of the way and make sure both the photographer’s and the model’s terms are clear and agreed upon. Once the photoshoot is over, would the model get copies of all images taken? Does the photographer keep copies, as well?

C: These aspects are all dependent on the type of shoot you are doing and what is agreed to in the model release. In general, if you are paying for the shoot, you will get all of the photos (or at least the cream of the crop) and you retain the rights to them.

If it’s a TFCD shoot, both parties get to use the images how they see fit, and if you are getting paid for the shoot, don't always expect to get the photos, although I see most people to operate paid shoots in the fitness world still give the models copies of their photos.


ON: When the model does have a few great photos, how does she get into fitness magazines? Do you think that’s a good way to begin a career in the fitness world?

C: There are two routes you can take to achieve the common goal of appearing in a fitness publication — either shoot with a photographer who routinely submits to magazines, or simply send in the photos yourself. The first option can be a bit trickier, because photographers who submit tend to be a bit more discerning with who they work with, but that's why it's important to work hard and refine your look before seeking out the upper echelon photographers.

The second option is actually a lot more painless than you'd think. Simply email your photos and a brief blurb about who you are and why you think they should run one of your photos to a contact from the magazine's website, and you just may end up with a shout out, a small profile, or even a request for an extended pictorial if they really like your look.

And remember there is a wide array of publications out there, from Max Sports & Fitness to Oxygen to FitnessRX to Ironman. Keep in mind the "look" each magazine showcases for female fitness models when deciding what types of photos to send in.


ON: Our aspiring fitness star is now in the magazine of her choice. She’s on cloud nine, but can she expect to get paid? Is it true that even cover models don’t always get paid for their work?

C: Don't expect to retire to a mansion along the bluffs of La Jolla from the money you make as a fitness model. With any luck, you'll be able to make enough money modeling to buy lunch at a restaurant along the bluffs of La Jolla, but even that isn't guaranteed. Some magazines will pay you a small sum of money to print one of your photos — $50 or so — but even that instance is rare.

A lot of the time, the alleged prestige that comes along with being featured in a publication is supposed to be payment enough for models. Fitness modeling is a route that can often lead to a bit of fame, but don't expect fortune to come along for the ride as well.


ON: Alright, let’s move onto the fun stuff: those details that make or break a photoshoot. What would be a good outfit to where to a shoot?

C: I'm a proponent of the mantra "wear the outfit, don't let it wear you." Pick outfits that compliment your physique, your structure and reflect your general sense of style. Try to shy away from outfits with crazy patterns or ultra bright colors because they'll draw attention away from your physique and the other elements of the shot.

If you know the location beforehand, keep in mind colors or styles that would mesh with your surroundings. Doing a shoot in a grungy alleyway? Grunge up your look with a ripped up, soiled tank top over a bikini top, some boots with a heel and a strappy leather wristband. Feel free to get inspiration from magazines, TV shows, music videos or wherever else you see cool outfits.


ON: “Cool outfits” sounds great, but where do fitness models get them? How many changes of outfits should be on hand? How about accessories?

C: A lot of people think they need to shop for photoshoot clothes at stripper stores, but I tend to think otherwise. I'm not a huge fan of that kind of style of clothing, and I think you can find sexy items anywhere — from American Apparel to Target. It's all about finding clothes that flatter your shape and show off your physique. Save the stripper clothes for the bedroom (or work — hey, I'm not here to judge!).

While I'm not a fan of stripper clothes, I'm a huge advocate of accessories. They help to break up the usually large expanses of bare skin that fitness models tend to show off in photos — for good reason, of course. So spice up that skin around your neck, arms, wrists and waist with some accessories that not only compliment you, but also what you're wearing.

The amount of outfits is dependent on the time you'll be shooting, but I'd recommend about 2 per hour of shooting, just to be safe. It's always better to bring too much and have options than have too little and be forced to wear things that may not go too well with your location.


ON: What about hair and makeup, are there usually makeup artists and hair stylists at shoots? If not, do you have any tips on what makeup and hair looks good in photos?

C: If you are paying for a shoot, makeup should be a part of the fee, or at least be a recommended option available for the model. On all other types of shoots, you're usually on your own in that department. If you aren't comfortable doing your own makeup for a shoot and want something more dramatic, head down to a MAC or Sephora counter and let the experts there do what they do best.
Your makeup should mesh with the rest of the elements of your shoot — location, outfit and mood. Don't get ultra-dramatic smoky eyes and long lashes and then wear a sundress while frolicking on the beach. Go into it with a plan, and when it doubt, look at those same sources of inspiration (mags, TV, music videos) for helpful hints.


ON: Are there any grooming tips you can give to an aspiring model? Nails, body hair, skin...anything you can think of.

C: Well, unless you're going for the very niche market over at furryfitnessmodels.com, I'd try to minimize the Sasquatch look as much as possible. Remember that photos are taken from all different angles and zoom lengths, so bringing a crisp, clean, polished look to the shoot will only benefit you.
When you have stubbly pits or busted-up nails, you may have to alter your posing to avoid exposing them, so its best to grant yourself the freedom to situate yourself however you'd like by taking care of those things ahead of time.


ON: Sounds pretty basic! What if the girl has scars? Does she need to wear outfits that hide them, or can they be touched up in photos?

C: Anything and everything can be touched up in Photoshop, but don't expect the photographer you work with to be skilled enough to take care of these things. I've seen the whole gamut of no touching up and color correction, to the obliteration of pores and skin texture due to a hefty dose of blur tool.
When a photo is touched up by someone that a deft Photoshop technician, you won't know it's been touched up. There won't be any indication of a scar, a pimple, a stray hair. It will just be the physique, in all it's natural glory.


ON: So if a model breaks out two days before a shoot, should she just pretend it’s not there and carry on, in hopes of getting that huge pimple on the tip of her nose photoshopped out?

C: If something comes up before the shoot — a rash, rogue pimple, serious bloating, etc — simply contact the photographer and see how he feels about the problem. It's best to let him/her know in advance, and the shoot can either be rescheduled, cancelled, or perhaps the problem can be overcome. The sooner you get the word out about your little (or big) problem, the sooner a decision can be made on how to proceed.


ON: How about a tan; is it necessary for a fitness model to wear stage color to a shoot? If not, is it a good idea to have a natural tan, or does it not matter?

C: Having a healthy, bronzed exterior always enhances a physique in photos — but to a point. Stage tans can look muddy and splotchy, and there's always the problem of matching your face to your newly applied dark skin tone. Try using a tanning process like Mystic Tan, which will give you even coverage and a nice color.


ON: I have a few flawlessly tanned, very well groomed, gorgeous friends who are still painfully shy and would love some tips on how to relax in front of the camera. Any ideas?

C: Well, for some people it’s hard to feel natural while standing half naked in front of a stranger...and for others, its nothing. As a competitor, you should be comfortable and proud of your body, so although I don’t recommend wearing your posing suit to the grocery store while picking up some chicken breasts, wearing a bikini at a shoot shouldn’t be anything to get nervous about.
The photographer you’re working with should be able to calm any nerves as well. Personally, I usually break the ice with a little old fashioned comedy...but who knows what other photographers do. Juggle? Break-dance? Yodel? I’m sure everyone has a different approach.

ON: Told you he’s funny! Thank you Conor for taking the time to help debunk some fitness industry myths and help us all take better pictures. Your time is very much appreciated.

For more of Conor’s work, please visit his website, www.fitsights.com.

Labels: Articles