Too Much Thinking Can Kill Your Dreams
I always wanted to be on the cover of a magazine.
When I was younger, I was bullied and picked on, so I started working out. I was 5’, 11’’ and 125 lbs. I started seeing results slowly but surely.
At age 20, I competed in first competition in 1989, the Natural Mr. Eastern USA.
After I started competing I thought one day I will be on the cover of one of these major bodybuilding magazines. I knew I wasn’t going to be the best bodybuilder in the world since I was determined to be natural. I became a professional body builder in 1992.
My entire career has been in the fitness industry. I own a gym, am a personal trainer, wrote seven books on training and training systems and have been in magazines many times before I was on the cover. I’ve worked for the major supplement companies in the industry.
What made you decide to finally realize your lifelong dream?
In 2008 someone presented the opportunity for me to be on the cover on Ironman Magazine. I had been writing for the magazine and since I’d done so much and had a great following, would I like to get on the cover.
I had to take a photo. The cover is not a given. I also had to get in the best shape I possibly could. If you are good enough, you can be on the cover.
I realized my dream, profiled on the cover of Ironman Magazine, a week after I turned 40.
What were the specific obstacles that you faced?
I faced many obstacles. In the beginning I didn’t get a lot of support. There were more people telling me what I could not do than what I could do. No one really believed in me in the beginning. I devoted my life to bodybuilding and to them I showed no promise. Many people get into bodybuilding because they were already muscular. Mu genetic tendency was to be a completely skinny non-muscular kid. Much of my family thought I would never make it and wondered how I was going to make a living.
I didn’t listen to anybody. As the years went by, I heard nay saying from a lot of people I had no muscle and that I would not be successful because I was not big enough. At the time, I would put my head down and do what I had to do. I did not listen to anybody.
Fear was definitely a problem. At 16, I was diagnosed with severe panic attack disorder. Anything that stressed me would trigger severe anxiety attacks. The attacks often started around competition time. I was always in a state of anxiety.
I have fought this most of my entire life. It’s never gone away. I’ve learned to control and deal with it, but it’s a battle I will always fight, which is bigger than the naysayers. It’s not that easy to tell your body that it’s not having a panic attack.
What helped you get through them?
I ignored the nay sayers and gained more supporters as I began to prove myself. As I got more involved in the industry, I grabbed on to the positive people and let them drive me. I had faith in myself and believed in myself.
I said to myself that I will give it the best try I possibly can. If I get there, I do. No one can tell me I didn’t try. I had a lot of disappointment and successes, but I always tried. I kept moving forward and will keep moving forward.
How did you feel when you finally accomplished your lifelong dream?
I was very proud and beside myself. I almost couldn’t believe I was looking at myself on the cover of Ironman Magazine. While attending large expos, people asked me to sign the cover with my picture on it. It blew my mind.
I actually remember being in the airport and the magazine was on the stands. I was looking in the sections, and someone came up behind me and said, ‘That’s you.’ I felt humble and proud at the same time.
I know I overcame a lot of odds. Very few people make the international cover, most of the people on the cover take drugs. I don’t have anything against it, that’s a personal decision, however I did by being drug free. I was full of joy. It was an exciting thing.
Bodybuilding is an art form. I tell everybody it’s a living piece of art. It’s a sculpture that’s alive. Instead of using paint and pencils, you use weights to sculpt yourself instead of a canvas. How amazing it is to take the human body and sculpt it.
What advice would you give to others that are contemplating finally living their dream?
Stop thinking about it and go for it. If the flame is lit, you have to jump on it. If you sit on it for two long, slowly but surer the candle light gets dimmer and dimmer. As soon as you think about it, you have to do it. Too much thinking can kill your dreams.
Then you begin to doubt yourself thinking, ‘I can’t do it. What if I get hurt?’ You have to jump on it and go for it and stop thinking about it. Don’t worry if you’ll make it or not. Getting on that stage and being the best you can be is the victory. Get on it. Go do it. Don’t let that flame burn out.
I want everybody to win. You can’t call anyone a loser who posed in front of all those people on their underwear.
To learn more about Eric Broser, click here.
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