Sharpening “The Blade”

Today was a stressful day at Casa Nelson. It began with the University of Kentucky Wildcats men’s basketball team down by 18 points to the University of Florida only to eek out a win in the final seconds of the game – and by one point. The culmination of the day (which had me wishing for a Xanax) was waiting three hours into the Arnold Classic men’s open for this year’s winner to be named.

It all came down to three competitors but I was on the edge of my seat for one reason: I have been blessed to call Dexter “The Blade” Jackson my trainer. Call me biased but after an impressive showing during both pre-judging and the final, I was disappointed for him as he took second place. With 29 professional titles, including being named Mr. Olympia in 2008, and collecting an unparalleled nine Arnold wins globally, Dexter is arguably the greatest bodybuilder of all time.

Like Secretariat’s near miraculous margin of victory at Belmont in 1973, Dexter’s professional resume will likely never be eclipsed. He is truly the stuff of legend.

Wanna know the really awesome part? Dexter is 50 years old.

Digest that for a moment.

In how many professional sports do you see 50-year old athletes competing against men half their age and doing so extremely well?

Later this year at Joe Weider’s Olympia, Dexter will retire from competitive bodybuilding. Tonight was the very last time he’d take the stage during the Arnold Classic in Ohio. He was amazing. He was inspiring.

I’m 42 years old and am only just taking the first steps towards entering the sport of competitive bodybuilding. Am I crazy to think that someone my age who’s not already in “fighting” shape has a chance in hell of making it to the finals at Olympia one day?

Maybe.

But I don’t give a rat’s ass what anyone else thinks. Dexter believes I have a shot at becoming a competitor and that’s all I need to know.

It’s going to take a LOT of grueling work and sacrifice.

It won’t be easy but I have the GoAT in my corner – and he doesn’t pull any punches. Dexter also doesn’t put up with my crap. If I deviate from our nutrition plan or skip a workout, he calls me out on it. He’s equal parts stern taskmaster and my number one motivator.

And he’s exactly what I need in a trainer and coach.

Every conversation with Dexter is a learning experience. It’s an opportunity to grow mentally, emotionally, and physically as I push myself harder and harder in pursuit of something that wasn’t even on my radar a year ago.

When I struggle to pull on my sports bra and leggings because my muscles still ache from workouts I completed days ago, I know I’m one small step closer to achieving my goal. When I pass up pizza at the office with my coworkers in favor of another serving of chicken and broccoli alone at my desk, I’m another step closer.

Success isn’t obtained instantly but rather through consistency.

Dexter recently had to remind me of this fact and asked me point blank about the seriousness of my commitment. I’d allowed stress and outside influences to pull my focus away from my path. I’m not ashamed to say I got a little emotional. Not because he was being hard on me but because I’d lost faith in myself. That conversation with Dexter helped me gain some much needed perspective.

Over the past couple of weeks my stressors have increased but my focus, now reestablished, has not faltered. In fact, it’s more intense than ever. My morning fasted cardio sessions help center my mind in preparation for the day ahead. My time in the gym every evening is a respite, filling me with endorphins and confidence.

This life isn’t for everyone.

I have friends and family members who don’t understand my drive to earn my way to an IFBB* pro card and ultimately have the chance to compete in one of the Ms. Olympia divisions. And that’s okay. I’m not asking anyone to understand or accept my chosen path. It’s mine. That’s enough for me.

For someone who’s getting a late introduction into one of the most physically demanding sports known to humankind, having the very best bodybuilder in the world guiding me seems like the best possible place to start.

Tony Robbins said, “If you want the best year of your life, you need to decide to find a great role model. Who is already getting the results you want? Model your behavior after the individual who you identify as doing exactly what you already want.”

There’s only one Dexter “The Blade” Jackson and he’s the coolest cat I know.

*International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness