Coaches ... The Voice vs Bikini competitions ...

The lessons I gained from watching The Voice.

I hardly have time to watch television, unless there is a good show on. I happened to watch The Voice, while I was doing some work. Fell in love with the coaches! 

Watching the coaches on The Voice; and listening to their advice for the contestants, gave me a new understand of how important the right advice and coaching is. Words they said that came to mind; my favourite was about being a coach who can empower the contestant and give them the freedom to be true to themselves. 

Also having coached believe you have the potential and can win is so important. They also have to give some good criticism; Usher said to a contestant that did not make it: “If you do not live up to or  exceed expectations it could not benefit you”

I spoke to Natalie Du Toit (SA Gold medallist swimmer), and she said that having that ONE person believe in you, is all you need sometimes, that one person that will not give up on you, when you have had a moment of despair and disappointment.  “I see it in you, you are really blessed!”

“I think you are a diamond in the rough, and I have a lot to offer you” Coaches come with experience and knowledge, we cannot always learn ourselves.

I Loved their feedback, for every contestant, it was useful information the contestants can use to improve their skills and their life overall.  

If you plan on entering a competition, you need the right advice, the right motivation and the right mentors.

The right coach, suited to you and your goals. I have had the privilege of meeting and speaking to many amazing coaches, in person and online. The best thing is they are all different, they all have different advice, which makes sense as we are all unique, we have various food intolerances, interesting personalities and therefore you need to find the right coaches and mentors, for life and in sport.

“You and Me, we are going to be unstoppable” Don’t you love that? The passion, enthusiasm and positivity of that one sentence! 

Its not only your coach that can advise you either.

There are so many wonderful ladies I have met through competing, again in person and online (the international front). I can honestly say, the chatter about females being really nasty is not the absolute truth. I have met a few who are not the friendliest; however all the top athletes are friendly, professional and intelligent. 

I love, admire and respect them all, especially the ones I have had the privilege of meeting and speaking with, namely; Louise van der Nat, Alet Lemmer (Tough but awesome coach, i love her training), Ashleigh Frost (1^st SA Bikini Diva WBFF Pro yes i actually stood on the same stage... i was excited and nervous)
Anna Wood, Nina Richter, Catherine R Buys, and Antonette van Duuren (WBFF Pro - she is tiny but with a huge personality)  to name a few. There are many … 

For the men there is SA’s infamous Andrew Carruthers, I have always loved his magazines, especially the ‘Editor’s letter”. So many of his letters have changed my way of thinking, and we all know has changed the Fitness industry in SA. 

The one that WBFF Pro I have been in awe of, and respect him and what he has overcome, as well as admire his straight forward no nonsense posts, and that he always has time to reply.... has to be the Big Frank. (Frank Budelewski)

Truthfully my first goal was simply to lose weight and step on stage. 

That was achieved! That was my goal. 

I did not place, which upset me and considering I used to suffer from depression, that’s not a good sign. however after speaking to my coach, a judge and a photographer and seeing the pictures with my own eyes; I knew I looked fabulous. I knew I achieved my goal, however there is that small part of me that wished I made top 10. 

My second competition I was extremely excited, because it was new and so exciting. 

Again did not place, that was extremely upsetting, as I worked so hard. Then the depression set in and five months later, there I was trying to get back into my routine but something was still bothering me. Leading up to the competition I had a small melt down and it was not very pleasant. I turned to my coach for her wonderful and calming advice, not realizing she is also preparing for her own show and she has many other female woes to deal with, I had a reality check.  

Watching these reality shows, proper talent shows, with individuals, who we can all admire and respect, I realised a few very important lessons.

1.       You have a talent, you have a purpose, you just need to find it.

2.       Once you find your talents, set your goals to start achieving your life purpose.

3.       Choose the right coaches and mentors to  help you reach your goal.

4.       Lastly, only you can decide to work hard to reach your goals, no amount of outside motivation or coaching, can make you “do” something you don’t believe you can do.

I do love Simon Cowell on X Factor, he is brutally honest. I know we watch and laugh and some of the really bad contestants, and he can be harsh but if he doesn’t tell them that they do not have the talent, who will? 

I leave you with a few words of motivation the coaches gave:

·         The mystery of the person and how they are waiting to see it unravel.

·         The way the rhythm hits your body and how your decide to move

·         Don’t hesitate – own it

·         “I will caution you about… “

·         There must be a yin and yang to everything, don’t lose the balance.

·         Give everything every time, but bring out you.

·         “How can you get the emotional message out to the audience and the judges.” RJ

·         Empower them … give them freedom

·         She looks effortless and she commands attention

·         The judges were positive but it lacked the edge …