Strong As F*ck

Obviously competing in strongman requires quite a bit of strength. As bittersweet as it may be, I have come to find that most of the very strong people I know have come from a whole lot of pain. Some may say that it takes a certain level of crazy to put yourself through the type of training required to complete in a strength sport. I laugh at this, well maybe it’s more of a nervous giggle, but I do think it takes a special something to be able to do the things required to push the body to any physical extremes.

The term "inner strength" has so much cliché attached to it that I really avoid trying to reference it. Lately I’ve had to focus on mine via self-care. Step 1, write more.

After winning my subclass at Nationals this year, Eli proposed. Of course I said yes... I was on cloud 9. I didn’t think it was possible to have a happier weekend! I’d been single for so long that I had convinced myself nobody would ever want to marry me. His love changed so much for me; unfortunately, as I’ve blogged about previously, post-competition blues got the better of me and I went into a very dark place. In my darkness, I became extremely negative... my negativity was received with anger and a few weeks later, the relationship is over... it feels like the world has been ripped from under my feet. 

I won’t go into the other details of betrayal and heartache, but I will share what I’m focusing on now: I’m so grateful for the opportunity to learn life lessons. I’m thankful for the reminder than I am loveable and that I have a whole lot of love to give. I’m proud of myself for speaking up and always telling the truth. I’m reminded to always trust my gut & will continue to work on impulsivity--taking time to respond to things instead of reacting when emotionally charged. I am confident that I will come out of this pain even stronger.

The #igetoutalive challenge came with perfect timing and I jumped on board. I’ve been focused on self care via journaling, meditation, dancing, playing with my dog, treating my body right and LOVING MYSELF 💜 No matter what you’re going through, stay STRONG AS F*CK!

Nats. No Worlds

The past few weeks have been all about making big decisions… Due to my health, I have made the decision to not pursue a spot at worlds this year. After six weeks on antibiotics, I was left feeling incredibly weak and drained. I went back to the hormone doctor for a blood test and all of my levels were incredibly low again. It seems that while I was sick my body tore through these slow releasing hormones at a much faster than normal rate. That being said, we implanted my second round of pellets last Friday. As I mentioned after my first insertion, the pellets take about two weeks to start working. I almost didn’t register for Nationals, but since it’s my only chance to get an invite to the Arnold I decided I have to do it! 

Training for Nationals has not been as great as I originally thought it was going... All this time with very little energy and body aches and pains has been not only physically exhausting, but emotionally too. But there’s no better way for me to really test myself then to go into this knowing what I’m physically capable of (and putting behind me how I think I feel) and BRING IT! 

After not being able to do a video entry for Worlds last year due to my dislocated middle finger, I really wanted to do it this year. I recorded all 3 events — 200/hand farmers, 185 log for 5 and a 410 deadlift (no suit)... Knowing all of those numbers were below what I could do if I were actually training to peak those events, but I knew the numbers would be “good enough” to get me qualified; however, when it came time to submit, I decided not to... why? I’ll tell you.

 1. My body needs some time. With the hormones and having been so sick, I just need to focus on my overall health. I won’t stop training Strongman, but I’m going to spend a few months getting my weight back under control and feel like my endurance is back where I’d like it to be.
2. I am broke. I already had to turn down Stones of Strength because I can’t afford to fly to CA (2 weeks before I take time off for Nationals) so another trip to NC is not in the budget. I’m trying to move within the next few months... big move, news in that soon, but I can’t waste money on extra domestic travel and days away from clients (when I’m not working, I’m not making money... and if I’m not making money, how can I pay my health insurance and other bills).
3. I want to compete at the Arnold, but if I wreck myself before then, I won’t do as well as I know I can do.
4. Related to 2, December means holidays and I like to travel to see my family (as none of them live in Chicago), so I can’t take more time in December off if I want to see my family for Christmas! 

I will continue to train and plan for comps in 2019, but right now I just cannot afford (financially, time wise, nor physically) to compete at Worlds.

Nats and Worlds

As of this morning, I am still sitting at exactly 200 pounds. I do have my period so I suspect that once that’s done I should be just under 200. As much as we always talk about how the number on the scale really shouldn’t matter, I am really looking forward to that first digit no longer being a 2. There is just some sort of a psychological comfort that will come from seeing the number on the scale does sending toward my "comfort zone." I hardly ever wear myself as to avoid becoming fixated on the number I see… But I am trying to weigh myself every other week just to make sure the progress that I perceive in the mirror matches fat loss that can be tracked by the scale.

Today we are officially within seven weeks of ASC nationals and training is getting intense. I have been fighting off some nasty sickness for several weeks… It started with strep which I took a full run of antibiotics for, but there has been a nasty cough that keeps me up at night... which has yet to go away 😡 Poor sleep and fighting off sickness (in addition to my cycle) means I feel pretty weak. Needless to say, it is very frustrating.

In addition to training for heavyweight nationals, I also plan on completing the online qualifier for worlds strongest woman which is due by mid-September. My hope is to drive out to Indiana to film my videos with my coach, Terry Rady, so that he can coach me and hype me up!

For my friends/family/followers who are not in Strongman, my events for the upcoming contests are:
NATIONALS:
Axle clean & press away 210lbs, Frame deadlift 475lbs, Circuis Dumbbell 120lbs, Frame carry 515lbs, Medley: 220lb Block, 315lb duck walk, 255lb sled pull
WORLDS: Max Deadlift, Max log clean & 5 rep press, Max 100ft farmers carry (w turn)

So far, training has felt pretty good. A few weeks ago I successfully picked and carried the frame at contest weight (half distance) which gave me a massive confidence boost even through it ripped both of my hands open 🤷🏻‍♀️ Last weekend, I was out in San Diego and got a chance to train with Kristen Rhodes. She gave me some great pointers and I was able to get multiple reps on the CDB at closer to contest weight than I have ever even been able to clean... so aside from my low energy from fighting off illnesses, I’d say I’m feeling pretty good. Next round of blood tests will be in a few weeks to see how my thyroid function is doing and to make sure my hormones stay at optimal levels as I go into Nationals!
[I do have a few extra test results I am waiting on and some writing to post about birth control that I will post soon]

Heavyweight

If you have been following along at all, you know that I’ve been dealing with a lot… The hormone issues lead to weight gain and even since starting treatment, we haven’t quite found the perfect balance of everything yet. As I have been working to slowly take off the weight my body put on (down almost 10lbs in 7 weeks),  I have been doing quite a bit of reflecting when it comes to what the scale says and what the mirror tells me...and how each makes me feel.

Earlier this calendar year I knew my body was screwed up. So rather than fight it and cut weight for shows to compete in middle weight, I entered as a heavy because I was confident I could take on open class and win. Because of that, my invitation for nationals this year is as a heavyweight... shit. A few weeks ago, the events for Nationals were posted... as I looked at the weights, I really got overwhelmed with self-doubt. Should I even compete? Should I just wait to see the announcement for Worlds and go as a middleweight? So... I asked my coach.

Now, one could easily say that coaches just want your money etc. etc. but the reason I have the coach I work with is because I genuinely trust that he will always be honest with me. Terry is not only my coach but he is one of my most trusted friends. So as we looked at the events together, he got excited and told me that he thinks I should compete as a light heavyweight and that I have a good shot at an Arnold invite. So, I said LETS DO THIS!

Training for these heavy ass weights means that I’m not doing the extra cardio that I would like to do so that I can feel as if I am working toward the aesthetic I am more comfortable with. 

Two hundred pounds. Fuck! That’s a big number. I always tell my clients not to set a number goal because the scale can be so deceiving… But I’m having a really hard time with it. I know that I like to walk around anywhere between 178-185... But I haven’t seen those numbers in almost a year. I know all about what muscle weighs etc... but I also know what my programming has looked like and I haven’t grown anywhere other than what’s clearly fat storage. I’m very aware that I am incredibly critical of myself, as we all are… But myself, like anyone who has been plagued by the NPC, I hold to an incredibly high standard because I have seen the body I am capable of chiseling out. Yeah yeah I know that back then I wasn’t as strong as I am now, but I would really like to get back under 190 soon. 

I think that one of the hardest parts of getting over the number on the scale (or the size of the jeans I recently tried on) is the social stigma attached to it. While I am glad to see the "norm" is shifting ever so slightly to recognizing what’s normal/average isn’t what we see in most magazines, I would say it’s safe to hypothesize that I am not what most people would envision when I asked to picture a 200 pound (90.9kg) woman. I mean, I am included in that… And that’s part of where the dysmorphia comes from. When I look in the mirror I don’t see a fat person, but I do see my fat storage. The layer under the skin hiding the lines I used to love... The parts that jiggle … that’s where I focus. I have to stop doing that!!

I am putting significant effort toward tracking my intake and balancing it with my energy output. My program is designed to get me as physically prepared as possible for the big weights at nationals but more importantly to get me confident. The work I’m doing with my FM will keep moving me toward a balanced body and hopefully keep this weight coming off slowly and steadily. I have no idea what the next 12 weeks will bring, but I’m ready to do the f’king work. 

Here I am: strong, sexy, smart, capable, confident... a heavyweight 💪🏼

Six Weeks

I started Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy 6 weeks ago. The doctor told me it would take about 2 weeks for me to start "feeling" the hormones starting to work and 3 weeks until they were at full potency.

Traveling to Norway was just about when the doctor said I’d likely start to feel things. Traveling there, my flight left Chicago at 9:30pm Monday and landed in London around 11am Tuesday... after a layover, I arrived in Norway around 6:30p. I slept the whole time on the long flight and felt good when I got to Norway. Aside from the sun never going down, I went to bed at 10:30pm... I woke up at 6:15 without an alarm. I was just up... and I felt rested!

I cannot tell you how strange that was for me... for the next few days, I was totally on a perfect clock-- fell asleep before 11 and woke up around 6:30. Awake. Refreshed. Ready to get out of bed... did you read that? I wanted to get out of bed! I don’t know if I’ve ever woken up and felt good--not overwhelmed with dread or feeling like I didn’t sleep at all. I’ve tried many different apps to monitor my sleep cycles and they all told me I suck at sleeping 🤷🏻‍♀️ ...but now, I sleep! And not only that, but waking up and feeling "normal." I cannot tell y’all how jealous I am if this is how everyone typically feels when they wake up!!

In addition to sleeping better and waking up naturally, I started to feel better in general. Maybe it’s just because I’m actually getting restful sleep, but I’m certain the hormones are alleviating a significant amount of my depressive symptoms.

So this almost euphoric change lasted a few weeks, but then my not sleeping returned… My anxiety has been elevated and I even had a significant depressive episode less than a week ago. One that was so bad, in fact, that I found myself sitting at a train station watching the express trains go by…ready to take that step forward as each approached... I called or texted 10 people and nobody was answering. I really felt like I was completely alone in the world... Yeah I know that’s a pretty melodramatic, but there’s something about sending a text that says "HEY! I am not ok. Please call. I just need to talk to somebody." and having 10 people either not reply or tell you they’re busy that feels like salt in a fresh cut.

But I’m here. I returned home to Sugar. Grit.

 Monday I went in for blood test to see where all my levels were and I got those results back today. My cortisol levels are down which is great news… It is still elevated, but not insanely high like it was before which is why all of my hormones were so depleted. My testosterone level is now where it should be, but my progesterone is still low. We also noticed that my thyroid levels are down… Which made sense to me since my weight-loss has sort of paused. We looked at the results from my NutraEval and saw a significant lack of B vitamins... Which then explains the depleted thyroid. Low B3 & B6 also result in depression and irritability. So now we will be working to boost my vitamin levels and other micro nutrients through gut health… I will be supplementing as well as trying to up my intake of vitamin rich foods. In addition to this, I am taking a probiotic and digestive enzyme to improve cut health-- something often overlooked: low vitamin levels could be because bad bacteria inside of me aren’t letting my body absorb the nutrients I am feeding it. In another month, we will test my blood and saliva again...if the numbers still seem off, a fecal exam will give us a clearer picture of what exactly is happening inside my gut!

So, the journey toward finding balance and health continues... stay tuned!

Norway

Last weekend I had the privilege of competing in the IHGF Stones of Strength World Championship in Fefor, Norway. Wow... just wow 😻.
(If you have the chance to check out my Instagram, I did save all of my story posts in a highlight reel; unfortunately, I cannot export that nor link directly to it).

Before I talk about the comp, I want to share a little about why this trip was extra special for me. Not only was the opportunity to travel overseas a blessing in and of itself, but the timing could not have been better. Many people know about the emotional struggles I’ve faced for most of my life... and back in February, when I was first metaphorically handed this golden ticket, it was a lifeline from above. Having this trip to look forward to added a much needed light to my darkness... then the actual trip? Well, I couldn’t have made it better. Ok, maybe more sunshine? But nope, I wouldn’t have changed a thing. I had SO much fun. I met some amazing people from all over the world... friendships blossomed that I know will last a lifetime. 💋💋 

The events were as follows:

1. 48kg stone clean & press 1 min AMRAP [6]
2. 60-70-80-90kg Natural stone load & carry medley [56.8 seconds]
3. 116kg Hussafel carry for distance [100ft?]
4. 10kg stone put [753cm]
5. 80-90-103-112-120kg Atlas Stones [27.5 seconds]

All day I chased the pro strongwomen. I focused on being precise and not making mistakes. I didn’t want to drop anything and I didn’t want to flare up my lifters elbow... so could I have been faster? Probably, but I’m proud of my performance! I won the throw and set a new field record (753cm) without actually using my throwing technique 💁🏻‍♀️ I started blacking out with the Hussy, but I was so stoked to get that thing off the ground without tacky...I needed to breathe. I finished in 4th place overall, missing the podium by only half a point!

My take aways:  I’m extremely proud of my performance, especially as I am still so new to Strongman and strength sports. Competing is way more fun when you make friends and laugh all day. I need to travel outside of the US way more... the world of strength sports is full of so many other beautiful weirdos 💜 I am really interested in trying Highland Games and dialing back in my throws... so, I’m going to look into what comps are in my area this year and maybe jump in one for fun to see how I do 🤗

CLICK HERE FOR EVENT VIDEOS

I need to say a bunch of thank yous:

Casey & Nyck. What an incredible thing... you two got me this incredible opportunity simply because you saw something in me. I’ve never had that happen before in my life. The fact that you picked me out of the masses, gave me the opportunity of a lifetime... and then coached me for free, there aren’t words for just how grateful I am! Casey, thank you for hearing my concerns about my health and encouraging me to get my blood tests. I don’t know how much longer I would have continued to just "deal with" the issues I was facing if you hadn’t been so adamant about me talking to your FM. Guys, thank you.

To Francis & Kikki & Fefor Hotel! THANK YOU! It was an absolute honor to be a part of this year’s event and I really do hope I can come out again. You all put so much work into making the week perfect, and it was: The best week I’ve had in a very very long time.

S10 Fitness. Thank you guys for giving me so much of your time and really helping me peel away the layers to figure out why I’ve been having elbow pain. You guys have trained your eyes to see everything--big picture and tiny details. Thank you dropping so much knowledge and reducing my pain... and for being super cool humans on top of it all.

Spencer from Victory Athletics. The stone sleeves are a game changer!! Thank you so much for the support.

Insertion

Today marks the first of what I hope will be a huge shift in my world. I went in to my doctor appointment to go over my full blood panel results. Just as we saw both in 2015 and a few weeks ago, I have no progesterone (0.13 & should be 3-20) and very low testosterone (15 & should be 40-70). The difference between this blood panel and one previous is that this shows the difference between my estradiol and estrone. My estradiol (88) is lower than it should be (100+),but not as low as the first test showed. My estrone is high (75 & should be < 60).

 After going over the six pages of test results, we discussed extensively my various symptoms that I’ve been dealing with because of this significant hormonal imbalance. Most of the medical issues have been more severe since the initial hospitalization in 2015, but many have been present since puberty. We decided the best course of action is to implant testosterone pellets and take progesterone, estrodim (to metabolize the excessive estrone), and magnesium orally.

Information about pellet HRT 

I have prided myself on being a "natural athlete" my entire life. Having people question me about being on drugs, usually because they are ignorant, has been something I have dealt with since high school. Even going through this HRT, I still consider myself natty. Bio identical hormone replacement therapy is to bring me to a "normal" hormone balance-- not to exceed normal levels as is the goal with most PED users. If I do get stronger because of this, neat. My only goal in making this investment is to feel better.

Here is a video clip of the pellet insertion procedure I had today. I didn’t feel anything. These pellets last 6 months. No lower body lifting until Sunday!

The doctor said I should start to feel the hormones doing their job in 10 to 14 days. I cannot express in words just how excited I am to start feeling better. To know that it hasn’t just been in my head… How for so many years even the simplest tasks feel like they take so much effort! To know that soon I will be able to wake up and feel "normal." The idea of living without so many of the symptoms that doctors have tried to Band-Aid with psychopharmaceuticals seems like a dream…I am trying very hard to not have too many expectations for this treatment, but I sure have a lot of hope!

This was an intake check list. Various symptoms are due to different hormone deficiencies. My main issue is no progesterone, so I’m taking that orally and they’ve put in the T pellets to help bring al my levels up to a normal range.

Testing 1,2...5

A major part of tackling heath issues is getting yourself tested. I mentioned the blood tests earlier, but I've come to learn is that it is important that your doctors order all of the specific lab tests to give the details you need in order to assess issues and then, in turn, start to tackle hormonal and nutrient deficiencies. The first blood panel I got (a 6 vile draw), and the conversation I had with the FM Nurse, led me to believe I knew exactly what the issues were... But last week I met with the Functional Medicine doctor I'll be working with here in Chicago, at Green Circle Wellness. When Dr Dina and I reviewed those lab results, she showed me a sample of the readout from the lab tests she runs. From a more detailed hormonal break down, to a full nutritional panel (I'll post about that one in a few weeks when I get it back)... we are gathering WAY more information... so, more tests!
Friday I filled a vile with saliva and mailed that out, Sunday I took saliva samples before Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner/Bed, Monday morning I collected a urine sample immediately upon waking up and then I went in for a 13 vile blood draw.


HERE is a list of all of the test profiles available. They are running just about everything for me to make sure nothing is missed. Because I am young compared to those from whom the doctor would expect to see similar hormone levels, we are taking extra time to make sure to run as many lab tests as possible--the more information we have about what's going on inside of me, the better!!
If all goes according to plan, I could start Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy as early as the 31st! Testosterone pellets and progesterone cream are the methods the doctor has hypothesized we will use...To read a bit more about what HRT is, you can read on GREEN CIRCLE

Here are 2 great videos about getting blood tests and HRT from Stan Efferding: BLOOD TESTS and HRT

Stones of Strength

A few months ago, I was awarded an incredible opportunity: an entry to compete in the IHGF Stones of Strength world championship this June, in Norway. What is this Stones thing? Think a combo of Strongman and Highland Games... all things Stones: lifting, loading, carrying, and throwing!

Current title holder, Casey Garrison, asked if I would trust him to coach me into this competition. He is pretty much responsible for getting my invitation, so after discussing with my coach, decided it was a good idea. 

Initially I was thrilled to get started training: atlas stones are definitely my favorite Strongman event, I was a thrower in high school and, well, I just really like the idea of picking up boulders HAHA Now I’ll be honest. I was not happy with the program Casey & Nyck gave me for the first 5 weeks. I was bored and missed Strongman (events/equipment). You see, I’ve never had any sort of desire to be a powerlifter, but the start of my programming with them was foundational static strength... and I was bored; nevertheless, I understood their WHY and followed the program (adding in occasional CrossFit WODs and my last minute decision to go compete in Connecticut). They say the things you like the least are often what you need to train the most...

Last weekend, I flew out to California to train with Casey and Nyck (as was planned from day 1). My three days of training at House of Power were pretty awesome. Anyone who trains Strongman and Highland Games knows that most athletes take every-other day off (these sports are extremely taxing on the central nervous system), but I didn’t want to waste any of my limited time with these guys--we set a plan for me to train different events/focus each day I was there [video highlights are hyperlinked]

THURSDAY: Banded axel push press, floor press, pin press sit ups, weighted negatives & chin ups, chest supported row, dumbbell pull overs, bicep curl, banded tricep press down 

FRIDAY: Dynamic warm up, slam ball overhead (mimic weight over bar), Atlas Stones over bar up to 300, AMRAP 240

SATURDAY: Natural stone clean & overhead press, stone put, stone carry medley

All of that event training got me SO hyped for Norway! For these next few weeks, I have co-written my program with the guys and, all my health issues aside, I’m feeling GOOD! I have 3 lifting weekdays, 1 prehab day, and 1 events day each week...

BIG THANKS to Casey & Nyck for putting up w my crazy, being great coaches and motivators, getting me connected w the nurse for blood tests, making me feel like my health and success are your priorities too...and did I say thanks for putting up with my crazy??? 💋💋

Make sure you’re following my training via IG & follow my blog to stay up to date with all things Ace 💪🏼

Empty

On Friday, I got my blood panel results back and conferenced with the Functional Medicine nurse. The results of my blood work showed that I have been running on empty for a very long time.

If you recall, in my original 2015 post, they found I had no progesterone, almost no estrogen and low testosterone too. I was put on birth control (artificial progesterone), but nobody ever followed up with more blood tests. Why? I’ll get to that.

After taking matters into my own hands and doing a lot of research, I reached a point where I knew I needed a professional who specializes in hormones to help me out. Through an incredible network, I got a FM to email me an order for bloodwork that I was able to have done at a local clinic (most states don’t allow people to just get their own blood panel done... so check your state regulations to find out if you can do this without a RX). 

My bloodwork showed that I have no progesterone, barely detectable estrogen and extremely low testosterone. 

 My levels: Estrogen <15, Progesterone < 0.5 , Test 15 / Free 0.6

Click HERE to see what are considered normal levels.

The nurse went on about how shocked she is that I am able to train and perform at the level I do without any hormones! I will be starting with a local FM very soon so that I can start on bioidentical HRT to bring me to "normal" levels and hopefully LOTS of the issues I’ve been facing over the years will improve.

There is no "why" yet... but based on my own research (and conference call w the FM & coach), it is very likely that my hormone levels have been an issue since puberty. To me, thinking about that is quite frustrating and painful. Knowing that 3/4 of my life have been spent fighting battles with depression and other health issues that could possibly have been prevented had doctors early on simply sent me for a blood panel and looked at these numbers instead of prescribing medications to bandaid my depressive symptoms!

So why didn’t anyone test my blood before? The answer is pretty simple: money. These days doctors make tons of money through pharmaceutical companies. Sending a person off for a blood test may seem like the simple basic place to start; nevertheless, because doctors are sold on pharmaceuticals with large dividends, prescriptions have become their go-to... instead of finding the underlying problem, they put a bandaid on it. Even when you hear terms like "chemical imbalance" being thrown around for people with ADHD, Depression, Anxiety etc... the likelihood that the actual chemical/hormone levels have even been assessed is slim to none!

I cannot emphasize how important it is to take your health and well-being seriously. Be an advocate for yourself and don’t be afraid to ask WHY! Ask you doctor to check your blood before (and after) taking any new medications... you might even learn that you don’t need those meds! Here are more links about why you should get your blood tested.

https://www.everydayhealth.com/news/things-your-doctor-wont-tell-you-about-blood-tests/

https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/a19929267/blood-test-results/

https://www.privatemdlabs.com/lp/anti-aging-testing-.php

Hormones

If you’re not familiar with what started a few years ago, please read Sick & Tired to gather some background information.

Through that debacle, we learned that I had no progesterone and very low estrogen (which meant I was still estrogen dominant). I was put on the Depo shot because that was deemed the best course of action. My uterine biopsy showed no cancer, so I went forward with my life assuming the shot would solve all my issues and that I wouldn’t need to worry about anything anymore. For almost two years, everything seemed to be ok! 

Late last fall, as I was prepping for NAS Nationals, I got my period and it didn’t stop... I bled for almost 3 weeks! I called the OBGYN and was fortunate enough to schedule a phone consultation where we talked about options. She and I both wondered if the shot was to blame because my hormone levels were obviously fluctuating [assumed without blood tests] around the time when I’d need my "next shot" and decided that a hormone IUD would be a good option. The IUD has a lower dose of progesterone, but is directly in the uterus and releases consistently. So, right after Nationals, I had one put in. 

A few weeks later, I started my new Strength program and I felt weak. I had no clue why. I started to break out with painful, cycstic acne and, again, I had no idea why. It seemed my depression was on overload and I couldn’t get a break. I was snapping at everyone and my world was getting darker and darker... My psychiatrist had me try a new medication, but I quickly stopped that as I knew there was something we weren’t seeing. 

Why didn’t my OB have me get a blood test? Why didn’t my Psychiatrist ask about my birth control? Why am I getting acne at 35? Why have I been depressed since I started puberty?

I decided to do some research on my own. I needed answers. I purchased The Women's Book and started to read. McDonald has gathered TONS of research and compiled it in one place. I realized that this IUD was likely the cause of my acne & I found the recommended BC for a strength athlete was a gen3 pill w a specific combination of hormones... so I immediately made an appointment with the OB and had the IUD taken out and was prescribed the pill I requested. 

My skin cleared, my strength seems to be back... I’m a little less crazy... but I’m still dealing with quite a number of physiological issues that I am certain are due to my hormonal imbalance. Hopefully the new Functional Medicine practitioner will have answers for me next week!! Stay tuned.

Post-competition Blues

I stopped updating this blog a few years ago... I never really had the audience and it just took a backseat to the quick posts I could get out via Instagram. 

Recently, I was encouraged to get more content out there. While I’m working on starting my YouTube channel, I figured getting some blogs written would be a great place to start.

I’ve been competing in Strongman for almost a year now and I’ve noticed that after each competition, no matter how I perform, I seem to get the blues. I am lethargic and my depression really seems more prominent than it "usually" is. I was doing some research and I found a few studies of high level athletes (Olympian) who reported similar feelings. When you have an intense high and the adrenaline + dopamine overload of a competition, returning to "normal" neurotransmitter levels can feel like depression; moreover, for somebody who already battles depression, that contrast can feel even more extreme!

So how do we overcome this? Many athletes seem to distract themselves with the next competition on the calendar. While I don’t consider this to be unhealthy, I’m curious what other coping strategies people use!

It may sound weird, but I find tanning can help. If the weather outside doesn’t allow for me to soak up some Vitamin D (boosts serotonin), then I will use a low-level tanning bed to help get those feel-good chemicals going in my brain. Additionally, I get a massage, my nails done... maybe a facial #teatYOself 😁 A little extra self-care goes a long way in pulling me out of the funk. Then setting up my plan for what’s next... always having new goals to set and chase--that’s my game plan!

If you have a post-competition routine, I’d love to hear about it! Comment below.

Reference: Florio, J. "The Dark Side of Going for Gold." TheAtlantic.com . 18 Aug. 2016.