Graven Image?! Or Vehicle for Sculpting Mental Discipline?

bodbuds
Dec 6, 2014
2 min read

Dear Body Buds,

The other day, I made a post on my Instagram account that got a lot of traffic and feedback. Several people asked me for links to it, so I thought I would throw it up on the blog so I could email them links to share on social media.

Please keep in mind these are my thoughts and opinions, and I hope if anything, they will give you something to consider and evaluate within yourself.

"I will be the first to say that bodybuilding can honestly be quite stupid and ridiculous. WHAT? Yeah, I said it [please be aware I compete in Women's Figure and train a team of bodybuilders and athletes as well...] So let's back up and define this statement in full. :)

Bodybuilding (or any form of fitness) is stupid IF the SOLE goal is the body, physique, or final aesthetic product (which anyone who knows anything knows that he "photo shoot" or "stage body" can't, and shouldn't be maintained). If the body--as a product--is the only intention of an individual, I venture to say they have fallen into the trap of this quote's message.

I see photos on Instagram left and right that digust me, as the way that these page's popularity is based on the circumference of skin that is exposed in the name of "fitness." Inspiration? I'll leave that to you to decide. But for me--no. I don't follow pages like that. It bothers me.

The body can easily become a "graven image" or form of idolatry. Do we worship the body? Or do we fall in love with the process of caring for our bodies?

I constantly evaluate myself and the WHY of all I do and encourage my clients and athletes to do the same.

The physique itself is simplyy the facilitating medium through which the mind and character may be sculpted. I believe the initelligence of an individual, the essence that resides within a spirit body, and is housed in a mortal frame--our very identity, personality, and existence--can be shaped and refined THROUGH learning to control the physical body. This is one of the purposes of God allowing us to come to earth and have our time in this mortal existence . . . to learn and to grow.

It's a very interesting thing for me to run a company in this industry that I have openly said kills me because of the salacious approach of the majority of those in this field of fitness and nutrition. However, I LOVE the truthfulness of learning to control our minds and bodies using proper science and discipline. I LOVE helping so many of you find these answers for yourselves and gain so much freedom and happiness from self-mastery and taking control of your lives.

No matter what we each believe, I hope we can not worship the body, but respect it.

Fuel it. Train it. But NOT worship it.

God, our loving Heavenly Father, and His son, Jesus Christ, are whom I worship."

Love your bud,