Most of that plan held true, with the exception that just a few weeks before beginning my contest prep for the 2012 Team Universe, my trainer suggested I consider competing in the Physique Division as opposed to the Bodybuilding. After some serious thought, I decided this was EXACTLY the division for me! I discussed my decision in my April post "Fork in My Road".
In early January 2012, I signed up for Skip LaCour's Mass Machine Bulking & Cutting Challenge which was scheduled to run from the beginning of January to the end if June. I was a big fan of Skip LaCour's books "Thinking Big" and "Thinking Big II" and had found Skip's thread on the Internet at bodybuildng.com where he was posting information on the "Challenge". It sounded like a great way to learn more about Skip LaCour & his philosophies and a great source of motivation. With that in mind, I signed up for the "Challenge". Another reason was that I wanted to use the "Challenge" to make sure my motivation & energy would remain strong & I would keep me steamrolling all the way to Team U! I refer to signing up for the "Challenge" like taking out an insurance policy to ensure I met my goals!
The "Challenge" ended up being so much more than I originally expected & I ended up being so much more involved! In fact, I myself ended up being so much MORE than I expected and won the "Most Influential" category of the Challenge. I learned so much the Challenge and will be posting a future blog on the Challenge and some of the major items I learned that have not just impacted my bodybuilding success, but more importantly my life success.
The "Challenge" involved submitting weekly progress photos to monitor our results, weekly homework assignments, and daily videos to watch. After a few weeks, Skip nominated team captains. Although I wasn't one of captains designated by Skip, I felt like a team captain & actively participated in the Challenge with almost daily posts to the forum spreading my positive energy throughout!
As the Challenge progressed, we were encouraged to post videos of our training for Skip's expert advice & constructive criticism. Many of us created our own you-tube channels for these and other videos. I created my own you-tube channel named with my goal in mind of spreading positive energy 24-7! We were also encouraged to start on-line journals where we would be assessing our daily progress and monitor our "daily disciplines" that we set out to accomplish each day to reach our goals. I started my on-line journal and began journaling every day. I realized the power of the journaling and wrote every day. The writings in this blog that follow were taken from my on-line journal and posted here to create this blog post.
I noticed a few of the Mass Machines in the Challenge had their own websites & I decided it was high time I created one of my own! I had seen other competitors in the past with websites but never new how to get started with one. Skip was glad to assist me with this endeavor and Joy's BB Journey blog began! Thanks Skip for helping me accomplish the goal of creating my website which helps me appreciate the progress I am making & enjoy the journey every step of the road instead of waiting until the ultimate goals are achieved!
Reflecting back on the most important thing about my Team Universe experience was the impact the "Challenge" had. It was such a learning experience, not just about bodybuilding but about life, and made my Team Universe competition about so much more than winning a trophy. The "Challenge" allowed me to create my own "Road to the Team Universe" that I could share with the Mass Machines and with others through my on-line journal, you-tube, and website. It gave me connection to people who shared my same passion and allowed me to motivate & inspire others.
I took my lap-top and camera with me to the Team Universe so that I could document the events at the Team Universe, photograph, and share it with the Mass Machines and others live right from the event! I also had my good friend Kathy along to share my journey with me. You'll find this statement later in my blog that I had written live from competition at the Team Universe. t seems to sum it all up:
You know what has been so awesome? All the support I have had, all the emails, all the texts that I have had telling me I have already won no matter what. that I will win. what else is great? This, just being here, now, looking at my friend Kathy & thanking her for being here with me & being a part of this experience, her help with the tanning & as my friend & support means so much. Everyone means so much - all you Mass Machines!
Another piece of background before I begin with my competition experience: another Mass Machine, Tyler Leenknecht was also competing at the Team Universe & participating in the Challenge. Skip worked with Tyler during the Challenge creating videos with him & instructing him with his competition and training efforts in his "Road to the Team Universe". You'll see Tyler mentioned in my blog as I was able to help document his competition & bring it to the Mass Machines along with mine which added to my fun!
The writings below are my account of my journey as written in my on-line journey for the Challenge:
Thursday, July 5th - Step 1 Today began step 1 of the journey. It began by waking up at 4AM as usual to keep my schedule. Ate breakfast & headed downstairs to pose and then do my LAST cardio session! I thought the day of the “last” cardio session would never come!
Yesterday when I posed, I really didn’t see what I liked. It was like everything was “hiding” and I definitely wouldn’t have wanted to go on stage that way. I know how much my body changes from day to day & yesterday was my last weight training day & my body was likely at an all time “depleted” state. Also, I had been on my feet all day packing & was exhausted & feel the packing day is always high stress. So with all this considered, I wasn’t overly concerned with the way I looked and that I wasn’t happy with it because I knew it would soon turn around & I wasn’t competing that day!
This morning when I posed, I had my normal “look” back and was fairly happy, although I still aim to improve each day closer to the show! I decided to photo & video my posing session so my trainer could get another look at me as I had been checking in with her each evening to let her know how I was doing. Last night I sent her a message saying I was flat, didn't like my look, etc. She said to see how I was doing this morning & we would adjust from there if needed.
After the posing, which was quite an intense session, it was time for cardio. This was the last cardio session & not supposed to be “killer” because the work is now done. After all that posing, my body was exhausted & let me tell you it felt like a killer fighting to keep my heart rate up. I left my warm-up shirt on just to sweat a bit more to help with any drying out.
After cardio & posing, it was back upstairs to email off those pics, shower, then get my first coat of tan. My friend was to arrive at 10AM & we were going to head out. About 9:30 as I was last minute packing I got a text, which I had hoped was from my trainer responding on the photos I had sent. Nope – it’s the office, asking a question about a job I had been working on, wanting me to give them a call. That was about the last place my mind was, but I made the call.
As I began eating that last meal before my friend arrived, I programmed in my GPS, then I began to have thoughts of I hope my friend realizes we are leaving from my house. We never really discussed that, but we usually do. I haven’t heard from her, I guess there is no issue. What if, what if, what if?? I texted her & shortly after she arrived, all was well & we were ready to begin that first leg.
Still hadn’t heard back from my trainer; you begin to worry the worse case! I thought I looked good, but maybe she doesn’t??? Maybe she is reworking my entire plan…….???? About the time we packed up my lap-top, I received a text. It was my trainer saying, “VERY happy with your pics! I emailed you”. So we pulled the lap-top out & checked the email just to make sure the plan had not changed any. Then, we’d better hit the road!
The trip went great. I started off driving, just to alleviate some of the load from my friend and because I didn’t mind driving a bit. No problems getting to the hotel, and when we got to the hotel it was nice for me to be able to breathe that sigh of “we made it relief”!
As we checked in & opened our room door, the room was great!
We quickly made ourselves at home. The next “first step” was for me to get checked in for the competition. My friend laughed because I kept saying, okay, step one, and she said, “no, this is step 2, we already completed step 1”. I said, no, I am taking this step by step & as we complete step 1, it is done, and it is time for step 1 again & we laughed! I wanted to hit the shower just to rinse some “stink” & first coat of tan off before I checked in. I want to present myself well from the time that I check-in to the show until the time I leave. Putting the suit on for the check-in, it is made a bit different in the way it hooks in the back. This will be something I’ll need to have the expediters help with ASAP backstage and I got as much help as I could from the expediters when I checked in just to make sure I don’t have any last minute issues with that.
Back to the room after checking-in for the event; the check-in process seems so easy. I went through another hard posing session to keep in the groove with my normal schedule evening posing/cardio time & it helps you focus on your goals. Still liking the way I look. This is the best so far. A bit fuller and dry, until at the end of the session when I realized I was beginning to hold water. No worries though. I knew why and that was because as I posed hard I began to drink more water which was showing up as I went through the posing & continued to drink. That won’t happen competition day!
Now, for another step 1, kick-back, relax, stay off my feat & begin to think more about show morning, visualize myself on stage in front of the judges, visualize the entire process so there are no surprises and I am 100% confident & remember what I came for:
I WILL earn my pro card at THIS year’s Team Universe by being motivated, dedicated, determined, maintaining a positive, can-do attitude, constantly pushing my limits outside my comfort zone into the zone of muscle growth. I am GIFTED. I am a CHAMPION and a CHAMPION Mass Machine!
1 Corinthians 10:24 Let no one seek his own; but each one the other's well being.
Friday, July 5th - Rest, Recover, & Visualize!
Alarm set for 5:30 am this morning, which was sleeping in vs. my normal 3:50. I wanted to still get up early to get all my meals in & stay on schedule. Ate a meal then practiced posing to see how I was looking. Plan to get a bit better before stage hits tomorrow, but still very happy with my look.Friday Evening & Saturday Morning at Team Universe
Lots to do today before having some time to watch the men's & women's bodybuilding prejudging shows this eve. I will watch some, but my key focus needs to be on making sure I have all my prep done, my mind completely focused on how everything will go tomorrow, and everything fully thought out so there is no hesitation, just execution in the morning.
Another coat of tan went on, then it was time to try this year's competition make-up. You always want to do a trial run before the final product & the make-up has to be so different because you are so dark. You only put this make-up on during contest season, once or twice a year, and it is quite a process. I had everything pretty well worked out, except what lip color to wear.
Here are all the necessities for a make-up session:
and what lips to wear? No - too light, it will wash out:
too dark? brings out the hair?
this one might be about right?
Okay, next step, lets pull out that show jewelry! Bought it but never unpacked it - you aren't getting photos of that or my suit yet! ha!ha!
My friend & tanning service, thank God for here! Kathy - relaxing in her chair:
Okay, lets head to the microwave room & down to the lobby where I can make this journal entry. What to wear? What to wear? Of course! My Mass Machine Nutrition shirt!
So what now? Rest, relax, eat, & visualize more, again & yes, focus on my goal:
I WILL ear my pro card at THIS YEAR'S Team Universe by being motivated, dedicated, determined, staying focused on my goals, maintaining a positive, can-do attitude, constantly pushing my limits outside my comfort zone into the zone of muscle growth. I am GIFTED. I am a CHAMPION and a CHAMPION MASS MACHINE!
You know what has been so awesome? All the support I have had, all the emails, all the texts that I have had telling me I have already won no matter what. that I will win. what else is great? This, just being here, now, looking at my friend Kathy & thanking her for being here with me & being a part of this experience, her help with the tanning & as my friend & support means so much. Everyone means so much - all you Mass Machines!
Best of luck to Mass Machine Tyler - he competes soon! I'll be watching!
Proverbs 12:18 The tongue of the wise promotes health.
Last night was a good evening. After another coat of tan, we headed downstairs at 5:30 to watch the fitness routines, men’s and women’s bodybuilding events which were scheduled to start at 6. When we walked in, they were already on men’s bodybuilding and we found out they moved the show start time up to 4:00 to get things moving faster. There is always a very large (I estimate 250 to 300 competitors) at the Team Universe, so they try to expedite as much as possible.
I was concerned that maybe I had already missed Tyseagle in his prejudging, but no worries, he was yet to come. I was hoping I would recognize him & I did and as a fellow Mass Machine was very proud of him & his accomplishments and wanted to take some shots for him, so I snapped what I could. Way to go Tyler! I told my friend about how dedicated he was & how much work he had put in during Skip’s Mass Machine Bulking & Cutting Challenge! Way to go Tyler! You are a MASS MACHINE!
I thought his hams particularly rocked!
I was disappointed in the small number of women’s bodybuilders that came to the event. Only two lightweight women, four middleweight bodybuilders, and two heavyweight bodybuilders. This is a smaller number than I have ever seen in the women’s bodybuilding division since I began competing here in 2005. Generally, there is eight to twelve in each class. Here is a photo of the two heavyweight women. I was really inspired by the heavyweight (purple suit) in this photo so I took a few shots:
I headed out of the evening show just a few minutes early to microwave my final meal before bed & get my mental game on, making sure I had everything laid out to make tomorrow morning go as smooth as possible. I even wrote myself down a schedule, starting with wake-up at 4:45, read my daily devotional and thank God for today and all that He gives me, eat meal 1 at 5:00, and begin make-up and hair at 5:30 to 6:30, tan application 6:30 to 7. Competitors meeting at 7:30. I wanted to make sure I had plenty of time to get ready, felt totally in control & not rushed, and kept everything running as smooth as possible. I had a hard time going to sleep; just thinking of the success of this journey & my accomplishments thus far, how much I would enjoy the day ahead & continue to be proud because I know I have been working consistently towards my goals.
What DAILY DISCIPLINES did I do EXCEPTIONALLY WELL AT TODAY?
1) Wake up with a positive self-image and positive thoughts in my head!
2) Thank God every day for my life, for my health, for my strength, give all glory to God & post verse from my daily scripture reading into my journal.
3) Maintain a positive, can-do attitude
I headed to the competitor’s meeting with a calm, cool, can-do, Mass Machine attitude. As they called the Women’s Physique classes to turn in their music at the competitor’s meeting, my expectations were right! Yep, there was about 60 Women’s Physique Competitors, 22 of which were in my class, Class B. The completion would be serious, but you know I LOVE a CHALLENGE!
First mission after the competitor’s meeting was to find expediters to help with a troublesome suit issue. This ended up being quite a challenge & my biggest challenge before hitting the stage. Long story, I’ll just say I was running up & down elevators in a crowded hotel 30 minutes before I was to go on stage to get suit adjustments and oils. Everything worked out okay – I think! I’ll see when I see those photos! All I have to say is Thank God I carried my own bikini bite with me because this was the first year since I can’t remember in my competition experience that it was not available & I needed my own!Monday, July 9th - We're Back & Ready for Round 2!
I had plenty of time to go through the routine & visualize myself on stage in my head. The nerves were high, but I reminded myself of my identity, Skip’s MM Power Statement popped into my head just before I hit the stage, “Your identity, how you see yourself, is the most powerful tool you have….”. Although the morning routines were written out as 60 seconds in the registration forms, we were informed that they would be only 45 seconds long. I didn’t want to cut my poses out that I had been practicing, or run through them too fast, so I did what I thought was best. When called back out for quarter turns & mandatory, I felt confident, like I flowed through things well like I had practiced, and hit things well without losing balance and getting the squeeze on.
We were separated out into groups and compared. The first group of three in my “wave” was pulled out. Then I was called out in the second group of five; then there was a final call-out group. Like I said, there were 22 competitors, so there was another “wave” pulled out for comparisons which makes is difficult to have any idea of exactly how you placed. So now is when you have to ask, was I the best me? Yes! It is also time to plan for whatever will happen…… if I don’t earn that pro card today, I need to set up my plan to compete again at the Pittsburgh Master’s Nationals in two weeks. No worries either way, I am a Mass Machine & have my scheduled meals for Sunday just in case I have to go that route. And whatever happens, I AM A CHAMPION & a CHAMPION MASS MACHINE!
Here are a few photos that my friend took of my "wave" of call-outs:
Corinthians 12:9 My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.
Got back into town yesterday after an exhausting but fun weekend! Didn't get much sleep on Saturday night because the evening finals ran so late. It was 10:30 at night before I stepped foot on stage. Considering I got up at 4:45 to start getting ready for prejudging that was a long day. Besides, bed time for me is usually 9 at night!
I have to admit, I was very disappointed when I was told after being introduced on stage at the evening show that I did not make the top five. The results are in and I placed 7th out of the 18 in my class, Physique Class B. Photos of me are here:
http://contests.npcnewsonline.com/co...joy_henderson/
Photos of others in my class, class B and the placings are here:
http://contests.npcnewsonline.com/co....php#wphysique
So what does this mean? The top three in my class earned their pro cards, and that was my goal. But! I plan for the worst and EXPECT the best! So, I am registered for the NPC Master's Nationals Championships less than 2 weeks away in Pittsburgh, PA on July 20th. This is another chance at the pro card that I am after!
So... when I left for my trip to Team U, I also packed my normal meal plan foods for Sunday in the event I needed to stay on my diet if I didn't earn my pro card at the Team U. Since that was the case, I got up on Sunday morning early so I could keep my meal schedule, had my normal oats & eggs & hit the road home.
It was hard trying to smile on Sunday morning to be honest, just a bit disappointed and had no idea how I placed at this point, just that I didn't make the top five. Results on placings would not show up on the Internet until much later. As I left the hotel, I passed by some of the pro card winners headed into the hotel for the Sunday morning photo shoot for NPC magazine. I tried to continue to hold my head up high as I was still a winner. I hit to the hotel restaurant for a cup of coffee & found the Overall Men's Bodybuilding Pro Card Winner, Jeff Beckham, having breakfast at the bar before the photo shoot. His physique looks tremendous & his character seems to match so I went over & quickly congratulated him & introduced myself and let him get back to his breakfast. Seeing him & enjoying his journey helped lift me up.
On the way home I texted my trainer who congratulated me & thought I looked incredible and put together the perfect package. We then began to develop my plan for Master's Nationals and what I would need to do to get ready again. Our conversation got me going again & I was ready to roll!
One thing my trainer wanted me to do was go get a cheat meal to replenish my body, mind, & soul & get prepped to go hard another 2 weeks. My husband & I went out to an Italian Restaurant last night & I ordered a hand made Supreme pizza. I was hoping I would not be disappointed as I had not been to the restaurant before & let me tell you it was AWESOME! Then they brought out mini complimentary canoli which was the perfect topper off!
Then, I decided it was going to be legs on Monday! Yep! Put that pizza to use on building some powerful legs, my most challenging bodypart! Got home & reviewed the leg workout to see what was in store - yep! I'm ready for it!
When I popped onto the forum (Bodybuilding.com IFBB pro section) & saw Skip had posted my pics I thought, yea, I have squats today! let's do a video! I have time being off work & what better way to show the mindset of a champion than to show squats the day after returning from competition travels & the fist day back prepping for the next show.
What was GREAT about my workout?
1) I was mentally into it!
2) I loved having the energy from the food to train!
3) I was focused
4) I was proud of myself
5) I had positive self-image
6) The abs felt heavy, deep, & good!
7) I used heavier weight in leg extensions & short lunge than last time & was very focused in my mind & using the target muscles
8) I wasn't afraid of the squats, controlled the weight & started heavier than last week
9) I really felt my hams deep on the leg press
10) I really felt my hams on the single leg curls & they were Kai style, very controlled, & focused
11) I am getting stronger & more balanced at single DB deads & was able to go heavier
What isn't perfect YET?
1) should have got more reps on my final set of squats. seems I "failed" too soon looking at prior sets
2) continue to fight hard on leg press
What DAILY DISCIPLINES have I done EXCEPTIONALLY WELL at today?
1) wake up with positive thought in my head & positive self image
2) thank God every day for my life, my health, my strength. I AM SO THANKFUL FOR THE ENERGY & CAN-DO ATTITUDE & POSITIVE ENERGY I HAVE TODAY!
3)Get myself physically, emotionally, & psychologically ready for EVERY SINGLE set I perform in the gym.
4) Use a pyramid training style with specific intent for each set
5) Focus on proper form & execution and get the target reps for each exercise according to my plan. PRETTY GOOD AT THIS ALTHOUGH MY LAST SET OF SQUATS WAS LOW & I SUSPECTED I WOULD NOT GET TARGET 10 REPS BECAUSE WEIGHT WAS HEAVIER, but I WAS INTO IT
6) My revised goal (swap Team U for Masters Nationals):
I WILL earn my pro card at THIS year's Master's Nationals by being motivated, dedicated, determined, maintaining a positive, can-do attitude, staying focused on my goals, constantly pushing my limits outside my comfort zone into the zone of muscle growth. I am GIFTED. I am a CHAMPION & a CHAMPION MASS MACHINE!
7) I will understand that my mind will ALWAYS lead my body, I will BUCK UP, and act as if those body parts (legs) I don't like to train are the ones I love to train more than any other"
10) Maintain a positive, can-do attitude – positive energy 24-7
12. Do something to help or inspire someone else EVERY day
What DAILY DISCIPLINES do I NEED TO IMPROVE UPON TODAY?
I am going for 10 for 10!
I took the day off work, planning ahead to allow cooking for the week before returning to the hectic schedule. I am enjoying the day getting caught up with things & planning my next journey!
Evening Journal Entry:
Back to the split cardio sessions. I can endure it another 9 days. Ran 3.1 miles in 30 minutes & finished the last 10 min on the stepper. Stiffness setting into my legs from this morning's let workout so chose the treadmill for the majority because I find the stepper taxes my leg strength too much to allow me to keep my heart rate high. (ie, resistance on stepper increases to get my heart rate up but then becomes too hard for my legs to push).
During cardio, continued to plan out the steps I must take to get me to Master's Nationals. Also thought about my encounter & short chat with new IFBB pro Jeff Beckham & how he presented himself. Skip says pros seem to have a special way about them & he definitely had a unique, very calm, refined, elegant way. Very confident & appeared to be traveling alone since he was eating breakfast alone.
Listened to some hard rock for a change. The Three Days Grace song, "Without You" I like to give a different meaning to. If I think of it in a human relationship kind of way I don't like the song, it seems weak. I think of it as singing it to God & it is totally different.
Thank you to everyone reading this & for posting in my journal for taking the time to read my journal, enjoying the journey with me & for being a part of it with me!
Romans 7:18 I know that in me (that is my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present within me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.
