Trample the weak, hurdle the dead

I was recently told not to compete in an upcoming powerlifting competition by a friend because I "won't win". Probably not. In fact, I can pretty much guarantee, without a shadow of a doubt, that I won't win the competition. There are guys in 3 weight classes below me putting up 500+ lbs more in their totals. But this still doesn't matter to me. The one reason I started training for powerlifting is to be a better, much stronger version of myself. Before I started seriously training, I was lucky to squat 90 lbs. for reps. Not even 6 months later, I'm squatting 250 lbs for reps, and 301 for a max. And this is after having to reassess my form because I wasn't going low enough. 

I've encountered multiple people in my life who love to tell me that I can't do something. Maybe it's because they don't believe in my abilities, they don't trust that I can give something 100% intensity, or maybe they're just reflecting their own insecurities onto me. Regardless of the reasoning, FUCK 'EM! I'm not training for you. I'm training for myself. If I want to compete and get blown out of the water, why do you care? Let me worry about that.

The overall point is that you need not worry about the affairs of others. If you're trying to do something and someone comes along and tries to put you down, tell them to eat shit. Keep your eyes to the prize. You want to squat 500 lbs? Work for it. You want to buy a fancy new BMW? Work for it. You want to be a great basketball player? Work for it. Don't let anyone tell you you can't do something. Only you can determine that for yourself.

I'm continuously growing and building myself to be an animal, and I know that this is only the beginning. I have a great support system at home, and I've just met a group of guys that I hope to become great friends with, who will help me get to where I need to be. My goal is to compete later this year, and to smash my personal records into oblivion. I will be stronger, because I can be stronger. Keep that mentality with you always. Don't settle.