Top 10 in the Finals in Bikini Division at WBFF Worlds Championships

I am  finished with the show!!!  I want to take a minute and write about my experience upon arriving backstage, ready to take the stage.  Once again, this is my own personal experience and I in no means mean to take away from the other athletes, their dedication, their passions, or their goals.  They all deserve so much credit for their hardwork and drive!

As I entered backstage area, you see 100's of girls swarming with sparkly, tight fitting suits, and beautiful eye popping make-up that makes you jump out of your skin.  Girls I had met the previous night, instantly looked different, almost unrecognizable.  I am ready for the fun party that I kept hearing about during my prep.  Eveyone stated how fun this was and all the wonderful fun friends you meet back stage.  There is surely a party?  Why else would they do this over and over?  Well to my surprise, no Party...Everyone was pretty much practicing their walks, touching up their layers and layers of make up.  Actually I am so surprised at everyone's sense of control.  Most of us are depleted nutritionally and dehydrated, not to mention super tired and we will be backstage for a good 10-12 hours, but everyone talks really sweet to one another and seems to hold it all together, when about 6 hours into it, I was ready to bolt out the door to some fresh air and a long run!  So I joined the ranks, put on my suit, my uncomfortable heels and paraded around.  I actually needed practice in my heels...my feet are way to accustomed to flip flops.  So the waiting and strolling around began...
I really wanted to embrace this experience, so I mingled.  Some girls were really nice.  You could feel of their inner light.  They were willing to help tie your suit, wipe your spray tan, and look you in the eye and talk.  Meeting a best friend and having a laughing, knee slapping party...not my experience.  But hey to be fair, we were at a competition and to be honest they needed to be somewhat self absorbed to focus on walks and to get grips of all the nerves.

The time finally came to walk on stage!  It didn't matter if it was your first time like me or your 50th, the nerves and excitement, could be felt from each girl.  My adrenaline started pumping and I wondered if this was the part that brought people back again.  Adrenaline can be very addicting and thrilling.

As I walked out, I went on autopilot.  For someone who speaks on live television and to large audiences, I found it odd that my lip started quivering as I smiled on stage and I could feel my legs and glutes shaking. I tried everything to control it in my mind but my body would have nothing to do w/ listening to my mind.  I guess I was really, really nervous even though my mind felt confident and relaxed.  I tried to smile, put out love and good energy...that was my gig.

After all the girls walked out, I got called out which I heard from the others was a "good" thing and most likely ment you made it to the finals.  That part felt good.  I must admit.  I am competitive, so I wondered if that was the thrill?  Judges analyzing your body.  Does it look as good on the front as the back?  Did she eat the right portions of carbs, proteins and fats for her body type?  Is she sexy?

As we let stage, literally 20 minutes of it, I was still trying to figure out the JOY of the sport?  I don't want to discredit it, but I was truely baffled.  No one was backstage  laughing, telling jokes and being on stage was so short for all the time spent back stage.  Let me back up a bit.  To fully understand what goes into this show you must get the right picture of what goes into it.  Countless hours are spent on this one night from the athletes.  Just like any sport, approximately 2-3 hours is spent/day for approx. 6 months getting prepared physically.  Time is spent each day preparing clean, healthy meals, shopping for fresh foods and making time to eat 6x/day.  For me, I didn't know anything about this, that I spent at least 15 min.-30min/ day walking in my heels and another 2 hours/day researching, youtubing, and seeing how this show runs, how people walk and pose.  I studied and researched every inch of this federation and what was expected.  Not to mention the time to find a suit and evening gown.  It added up to a full time job for at least 6 months or more for most athletes.

For me, I have always felt that you should love what you do or do something else.  I enjoyed the journey but was waiting for the climax at the event.  All our work turning into a party!  I guess it was a lot like how I feel about night clubs.  I understand why people go, but to me it really isn't a fun party.  Getting all dolled up to talk to superficial men, drink and drown your emotion or heighten them, to go home exhausted and totally empty inside.  While you are at clubs you get hit on from males, saying all sorts of nice things about you and your appearance, which to me is annoying because they don't know the first thing about me and my soul...Kind of like being on stage.  No one really knows all that your soul is.  They don't understand the flowers or garbage that may be growing inside.  In my mind  you can't judge someone fully on beauty without knowing their soul and mind.

By 5:30, I walked out for the final round.  The finals was the climax for sure!  We had Nick Carter singing.  It was a real entertainment show!  I was more relaxed the second time I walked out.  My legs didn't shake and I could smile without a quiver on my upper lip.  The large audience definitly brought an energy that was fun.  Finally after hours of waiting, they called out the Final 10 in Bikini...I am not going to lie, hearing my name felt so good.  It was all ego, but it was exciting!    As I stood there as the final 10, I gave out my love to all the athletes, to the cathy savage girls in the crowd who cheered me on...bless their hearts, to Jules my cathy savage coach.  To Stephanie Jacobs who was so kind and helped me along the journey (who may be the person I was ment to meet through this process). For my family who love me unconditionally.  I thank God that there is something for everyone!

When I went back to the hotel at 12:30 a.m, I stepped into the bathroom.  For a moment, I didn't recognize the face starring back at me.  I had to stare for awhile.  Wow, I had transformed!  My hair, face, and body!  I stepped into the shower and watched as black streamed down the drain.  It felt so good to wash the black off me.  I scrubbed and washed.  as I emerged, I saw "me" in the mirror.  The face I know.  How I love that face.  Clean, Pure and bright w/ blue eyes.



Danette Allen Fitness www.danetteallenfitness.com Body Heart Mind Soul Health & Fitness Retreats, Exercise Workouts, Nutrition, Visualization & More