How Being A Perfectionist Can Make You Forget To Stop And Smell The Roses Do you ever pause and reflect? Or just appreciate where you have come from? Or even take a moment to assess areas of your life that are underdeveloped or neglected? As most of us may have experienced, there's hardly enough time in the day to do everything. Competing alone is involving and demands most of our time regardless of all the kinds of extremes life pulls us to.  While competing is important, we have to constantly keep in balance the various spheres of our lives. Life is more so a balancing act and we are always just a few steps from falling. Therefore, we should persistently devote enough energy to all those spheres lest we fall off. Finding a healthy life balance is not only necessary for boosting your productivity; it is important for your happiness and well-being. To help us through this topic is Jewelyn Merrill.  Jewelyn Merrill is an IFBB Bikini Pro. She is a seasoned Personal Trainer and Posing Coach. Jewelyn earned her Pro Card at the 2017 NPC USAs - her second national show - where she placed first. Competing for just three years, Jewelyn has performed extremely well, including her first-ever show, where she scooped Novice Overall Champion. Her recent victory is 2018 Iron Games Pro Bikini where she placed 1st.  In today's episode, Jewelyn talks about how being a perfectionist in the sport can actually make it hard for you to wear multiple hats. She also talks about how to experience life and to not get too caught up in the hunt. Finally, she will share her top secret on how to perfect your glute stance in comparisons.    Takeaways If you put your heart and mind into your goals, you will achieve them Be the best version of yourself Learn how to love yourself in the shape you are in Appreciate yourself and what you do Learn how to really stop and smell the roses Find balance in what you do Always listen to your coach Learn from your mistakes  Always be kind no matter the outcome Be at your best all the time Everyone is different; do not compare yourself to others Be 100% committed and consistent with your training and nutrition program Be ready emotionally, mentally, physically and financially   Important questions [00:06:55] When and where did you get your Pro Card? [00:11:59] What keeps you motivated? [00:12:17] Why do you compete? [00:17:57] Where did your fitness journey begin and how did you get into competing? [00:20:52] How were you able to build the confidence to put on a bikini and go on stage? [00:23:21] How do you take a step back to be able to start appreciating yourself? [00:26:52] What is not being balanced look like as a competitor? [00:41:27] How do you know when to push harder or when to take time off like you did?  [00:43:42] What exactly does it look like to take a break?  [00:50:36] What would you say was the thing that you did that helped you the most to bring your glutes in? [00:53:39] What is the trick to making your glutes hamstring tie-in look good?  [00:56:39] How many different poses are there for front poses? [01:01:08] How would you say competing has impacted your life in a positive and a negative way? [01:04:29] Who would you say is your mentor in the sport? [01:10:05] What piece of advice would you give to someone wanting to become a professional in the sport?   Follow Jewelyn Merrill Instagram: @ifbbpro_jewelynmerrill Facebook: Jewelyn Ventura Merrill    ----->Head HERE for your FREEBIES, coupon codes, and other links! https://vibe-athletics.mykajabi.com/links