Diana Pitts 5

My show Experiences with Team Powerhouse

My First Show

I participated in my first bodybuilding show in the spring of 2010.  I entered in the INBF beginner figure class.  As I arrived early for the mandatory competitors meeting, I joined all the other competitors waiting out in front of the venue on the stairs.  I recognized a few competitors I met at posing classes in earlier months, but 

I was pretty much there by myself. 

 I had an experienced helper lined up and was anticipating her arrival at any time.  As the time arrived to enter the venue and attend the competitors meeting, I contacted my diet coach and asked him if he knew where my helper was.  At that time I was informed that my helper was not going to be in attendance today due to a family emergency.  If I wasn’t nervous already, now I had no help.  I decided I had to go thru with the competition and wasn’t sure how I was going to apply my own bikini bite or spray myself w/ Pam!  I laugh now, but on that day it was far from funny. 

Upon entering the venue, I followed the other female competitors back stage to the prep room.  I had so many thoughts racing through my head.  When do I go on?  How will I know when it’s my turn?  Is there anyone around that might be able to help me?  It seemed quite tense in the prep room.  Women were doing last minute touch ups to their tan, hair, suits, makeup.  I reached into my bag and took out my brand new bottle of bikini bite.  I opened the lid and realized that I couldn't get it to work.  The roller ball was stuck!  I looked around to see if anyone seemed to appear willing to help me.  Nearby there was another competitor and a helper.  They seemed to know what they were doing and they very friendly (not quite like most of the people in that room).  I told them that this was my first show and my helper was a no-show.  I asked them if they new how I could get my bikini bite to work.  They immediately offered to help and I was so relieved.  Thanks to them, I was stage ready when my class was called. 

My first stage experience was terrifying.  I had so many thoughts in my head.  I was nervous about being on stage in front of a large crowd.  I was angry that my helper didn't show up.  I was fearful of messing up my routine.  I was thinking I was crazy for even being here and told myself I was never going to do this again.  My pride forced me on stage.  I was at least going to go through with the competition and then that would be the end of it. 

I stepped on stage with the other beginner competitors.  I was shaking like a leaf through the entire quarter turn routine.  My movements were jerky; my face was tense w/ short episodes of smiling when I remembered to.  I had the classic “scare crow” fingers.  The harder I tried not to shake, the worse it seemed to be.  I was so relieved to exit the stage only to go back out all by myself for the T-walk.  My T-walk was not much different than my quarter turn experience. 

When the prejudging was complete, I met w/ my diet coach.  He suggested what I should have for my meal in between prejudging and the finals later that evening.  He also suggested that I get a spray tan backstage because my tan wasn’t dark enough.  By that time I was just done with trying to “fix” anything else.  I don’t think he realized that the previous day I spent eight hours applying around 8 coats of what I thought was the right shade of tan for the show.  My diet coach kept telling me I wasn’t dark enough when I would send him pictures of my tan.  My friends diligently helped apply all these layers of tan.  At that time, I felt more than dark enough.  I felt freakishly tan.  My kids were even asking me why I was so brown.  I decided I wasn’t going to spend the extra $100 to get the spray tan and headed out to lunch. 

I returned for the evening show.  I was required to do my T-walk again that evening.  Surprisingly, I was less nervous.  I actually felt quite confident and smiled with ease during my routine.  
As I stepped off stage, I started to have an overwhelming feeling of accomplishment.  I did it and I didn't quit!  To my surprise, I ended up placing third in the beginner class.  I was quite pleased.  As I left the show that evening, I started to think that I wanted to do this again.  I started to think that there had to be a better way to “do this”.  This was the beginning of my journey to pursue a smarter way to prep for my next contest. 

I went on to compete in two shows in 2011.  I also went to local shows as a spectator to try to learn more about the sport.  As I have mentioned in a previous blog, I noticed Debbie Portell and Team Powerhouse.  I thought it must be nice to have that team support at a show.

Joining Team Powerhouse

I joined Team Powerhouse in the fall of 2011.  I competed in three shows so far this year (2012).  Having the support of a dedicated trainer and team members sure makes all the difference.  Teammates have attended all the shows that I have competed in this year, even one that was out of town in Liberty, Missouri.  Debbie has always been willing to be my backstage helper without question.  She takes time out from her busy client weekend schedule to ensure all my needs are met on the day of the show. 

I came from a bad first show experience and know what it’s like to have minimal support with show prep and no help at my first show.  I try to convey to my teammates all the benefits of being part of Team Powerhouse and how valuable the support system is that we cultivate.  There’s nothing like a positive support system and the benefit of the knowledgeable team leaders/members.  I can’t thank the team enough for all their support.  There’s nothing like having all your team members hollering out your name in support when you’re on stage at a show.