A: You have mastered the local events in your area but now you want to go beyond the title of local hero! The transition needs to be a decisive one and you need to plan wisely. Competing does not overtake your life, rather, your lifestyle changes around your goal of stepping onto the national stage. You may have to sacrifice many events in your personal life and trust me, you will feel some level of guilt among family and friends. You know you will make it up to them eventually, but the balancing act becomes even greater in the national competitors’ life.

Invest in yourself: You must think of yourself as an athlete. You must live the life. From shopping at the mall to attending work functions, you are an athlete and you must adapt to the lifestyle as other athletes do in all sports. You must give yourself a curfew, get plenty of rest and eat clean.

Get it Done: Whether the gym closes early, you miss the grocery store, or a personal crisis arises, get the job done. A national-level athlete finds opportunity in every difficult situation. Don’t make excuses!

Choose shows wisely: Be smart about the shows in which you choose to compete. If Oxygen is covering the event, then there is a good chance you will be seen (especially if you place high). It is not enough to keep winning a local event year after year if the show does not get any publicity. Take the plunge, save your money and fundraise to get yourself noticed! Think of yourself as an actress trying to get discovered in Hollywood. Get out there and be seen!

Glam it up!: When you are a national-level athlete, you must show up to every event well-dressed and act as a professional. Do not chew gum at the athlete meeting. You need to always look good as you never know who is standing next to you. The same holds true for stepping onstage. You may have borrowed a suit or bought a used suit for your local event, but to step on a national stage you need a great suit from a top designer and you need a hot hairstyle and flawless makeup. Don’t think that hot body is enough to get you top honors. The suit, the hair, the makeup is all part of the total package of today’s superstars!

A national-level athlete clearly has a different mindset than others. Her focus and discipline is fierce and her vision is always clear. If you ask some of them, they will tell you that it can be stressful at the top! So before you make the decision to “make it to the top,” be sure you are ready for the journey ahead.

ANSWERED BY:

Cathy Savage
A renowned fitness and figure choreographer in Norwood, MA. For information on her services, fitness camps and more, visit
www.cathysavagefitness.com