“The competitive nature of the game was actually as fun as it was until you get to really experience it.” —Ryan Cardinal In the world of fitness, bodybuilding stands as a giant. And in this high-stakes arena, every decision counts; a minor slip can mean drastic failure. But the grind in the gym forms only half the battle, the mind is an equally important battlefield. After all, the body and mind shape each other. Those who are capable of enduring the strain and getting up after a setback emerge victorious.  This week, Sherrie interviews Ryan Cardinal. Ryan's life has consistently revolved around competitive sports, which sparked within him a determination to advance and perfect his abilities. Eventually, Ryan made the decision to approach physical training more systematically, focusing on gym workouts. A few years post this transition, the notion of trying his hand at bodybuilding surfaced. Unfortunately, a period of mingling with undesirable influences led to experimentation with drugs and alcohol, which impacted his journey in bodybuilding and compelled him to withdraw from it. Yet, his time in recovery saw the re-emergence of a resilient Ryan.  Hear more of Ryan’s journey to competitive building and the lessons he learned about the importance of being professional, competing for the first time, understanding the competitive nature of bodybuilding, getting into the serious side of bodybuilding, dealing with the stresses of the bodybuilding journey, the importance of having a support system, and the power of knowing your why.  Connect with Sherrie:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherrie.massiakapach  Instagram: https://instagram.com/mindbodysoul_hypnothetapist  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherrie-kapach-b5bb26243  Email: [email protected]  Episode Highlights: 01:26 Saved by Competitive Sports  06:51 Getting Into Bodybuilding and Having to Leave It 11:43 Getting Back Up After a Setback 14:38 The Importance of Being Professional 19:38 The Competitive Nature of Bodybuilding 25:59 The Hardest Part of Bodybuilding 29:05 The Importance of Having a Support System 32:07 Know Your Why