In case you haven’t already, make sure to read my last journal entry called “How My Summer Really Was” to understand this journal, which is really a continuation of that entry.

Well, here we are, two weeks out from the 2012 SAF Summer Spectacular. My show prep had gone very well so far. The important things to remember for show prep are planning and practice. If you don't know how to do that, I suggest learning from the pros; going to seminars; reading "legit" articles online such as those on SeriousAboutFitness.com; and following your favorite pros on social-networking sites as they often post tips, workouts, meal ideas, and tons of inspirational material.

If you do or don’t have a coach helping you, it's important to be prepared – show prep needs to be taken seriously. Just think, not only are your friends and family there to watch you onstage, but so are other pro athletes, magazine scouts, sponsors, and even Olympic athletes. Bring a package onstage that you are 100 percent proud of, and leave with no regrets.

After competing in June, when I attained my first-place medal at the inaugural Physique Canada event and worked the stage for SAF with my first Elite Pro performance, I came home feeling good. But after a few days of eating unclean and having some birthday celebrations that involved alcohol, I found myself feeling depressed. You put so much work, effort, and excitement into competing that, when it's over, if you don’t have something else planned or a good exit prepared, it can be a recipe for disaster.

There is so much information out there it can be overwhelming. From magazines to online articles, every other Joe Blow in the gym giving their two cents, where do you draw the line? Where do you say enough is enough? If I were to listen to every article I read and everyone I meet in the gym who thinks they "know it all," I would be running in complete circles all the time. One person tells me I am not big enough, others tell me I am too big, some people tell me to change my reps, while others tell me to change my diet. When it comes down to it there are three rules that I follow: