The Importance of Competiton
Step into the arena.
That’s where you find out what you’re really made of.
Competition will bring out the best in anyone. Sure, it can bring out the worst too—but the growth, discipline, excitement, and transformation it creates far outweigh the negatives. When you sign up for a competition, everything changes. There’s a clock ticking, there’s a standard to rise to, and there’s a responsibility to show up prepared. Training suddenly has purpose. Every rep matters. Every meal matters. Every night of sleep matters.
Because you’re not just practicing anymore—you’re preparing to perform.
The Power of Competitive Pressure
Competition forces you to grow. It holds you accountable. It demands commitment and effort. Deadlines get met, excuses get dropped, and the lazy part of your brain stops running the show. The moment you enter that competition, you have something to chase: a better performance, a bigger number, a faster time, or simply a better version of yourself.
There are always markers that must be hit. Some are set by you—others by the rules of the organization or sport. And you are never competing alone. In competition, everyone around you wants the same thing. They’re pushing themselves, and they’re pushing you—even without knowing it.
But here’s the truth:
The most important part isn’t beating the other lifters or athletes.
The real battle is doing better than you did in training.
Nobody cares what you lifted in the gym.
The platform, the field, the court—that’s the only place where it counts.
A Powerlifting Example
Take powerlifting. You get three attempts at squat, bench, and deadlift to build the biggest total you can. If it’s your first meet, the goal shouldn’t be to blow the doors off the place. The smartest, most disciplined goal is to go 9 for 9—making all your attempts. That shows maturity, planning, and control.
It tells everyone you were smart enough not to chase ego weight and disciplined enough to follow a plan.
Let’s say your best gym lifts are:
Squat: 225
Bench: 185
Deadlift: 275
That’s a 685 lb gym total. A realistic and respectable goal for your first meet might be 715–725 lbs. Anything above 685 is a win. Because you performed better under pressure than you did in training. And trust me—adrenaline is real. When the lights are on and your name is called, your body gives you more than it ever did in practice. Adrenaline is a hell of a drug.
Why You Don’t Need to Go Crazy
Some people crush themselves in training trying to be “competition-intense” every day. Not me. I don’t try to hype myself up or turn every lifting session into a war. My goal is simple:
perfect technique
clean movement
efficient execution
If the machine is well-oiled in training, it will be unstoppable on the platform. Plus, blowing out your CNS day after day is a fast track to burnout. Save the fire for competition day. That’s when it counts.
Control What You Can Control
My approach is simple:
Follow the plan
Stick to it
Pay attention to diet
Prioritize recovery
Execute on the platform
If you train hard and smart, there’s nothing to fear on competition day. At the end of the day, you’re just lifting weights in front of people. Or running. Or playing. Or performing. You’re simply showing the world what your hard work has built.
And whether you win, lose, or land somewhere in the middle—you leave with a story, a lesson, and a better version of yourself.
So no matter what the competition is, sign up. Train. Show up. Have fun.
You only get one shot at this life. Don’t waste it standing on the sidelines. When you’re old, you’ll be in pain anyway—might as well have some badass memories to make it worth it.
Because like Michael Jordan said:
“I can accept failure. Everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.”