Real Talk: My Biggest Takeaways from My Bodybuilding Career
Hey ladies, it’s your girl TotalBodyCarly and this is real talk - no sugarcoating, no filters. Competing in bodybuilding was one of the wildest, toughest, most eye-opening experiences of my life. And looking back, here are the biggest takeaways that completely shaped me:
1. Resilience is Built, Not Born
Bodybuilding pushed me in ways I didn’t know I could handle. Prep is grueling, and yet it showed me how damn resilient I really am. You don’t just survive it, but you grow from it.
2. Discipline = Freedom
To step on that stage, I had to be organized, consistent, and disciplined. That structure gave me motivation and actually freed me in other parts of my life. It was proof that when you commit, you transform.
3. Body Dysmorphia is Real AF
Here’s the hard truth: when you’ve been stage-lean and shredded, coming back to “normal” life can mess with your head. It’s disheartening to look in the mirror and feel like you’re not enough - even when you ARE. This is why mental health and self-compassion are just as important as the physical grind.
4. The IFBB Pro Card Pipe Dream
Getting your pro card? Hard. AF. They sell it like it’s just within reach, especially once you hit 35+ in Masters division. But let’s be real - you’re competing against people who are cycling a ton of steroids while you’re grinding it out naturally. It’s not impossible, but it’s not the “easy win” they market it as either.
5. Confidence That Can’t Be Shaken
Despite the struggles, bodybuilding gave me a confidence I’ll never lose. When you go through prep, you tap into a mindset most people will never understand. That kind of discipline and grit? It carries into everything. It taught me I can do whatever the fuck I set my mind to. Period.
So here’s the deal: bodybuilding is not just about the body - it’s about the mindset. And if you’re ready for something that gives you that same structured, powerful, holistic blueprint - then check out my TBC 75 Shred Program.
It’s 75 days of guided nutrition, structured workouts, and (most importantly) mindfulness. Because shredding isn’t just about looking strong - it’s about becoming strong, inside and out.
If you’re ready to step into your next level, this is your roadmap. Your better, stronger, more confident self starts here.
- TotalBodyCarly
