Muscles & Metrics: What Bodybuilding Taught Me About Business
After my first NPC physique competition, I felt strong—physically, mentally, emotionally.
Not because I “looked good,” but because I earned that stage.
It changed how I move through the world… and how I lead my business.
Now I’m back in build for another show. And I’ve realized something:
I’d rather live life as a physique competitor than just… live life.
Yes, it’s hard.
But so is being a mom. So is building a company.
There are days I don’t want to do any of it—but I push through.
Because on the other side of resistance is that yummy feeling of accomplishment. This accomplishment was so delightful, and the system behind how I got there… priceless. As it established such a clear vision in my mind of how to tackle something that feels impossible. In fitness, in life, in business…
Here’s what I’ve learned—from the gym floor to the BABCO boardroom:
1. You Don’t Need Motivation—You Need a System
There were mornings I didn’t want to go. Days my body ached. Weeks I questioned if it was working. But the plan was there. The workouts, the macros, the weekly check-ins. I didn’t need to feel inspired—I needed to follow the structure. Over time, that structure became motivation. Results showed up because I did.
NPC Lesson: Show up even when you don’t want to. Systems build results—feelings don’t.
Business MVP: Create repeatable workflows so your team isn’t relying on willpower to move projects forward.
2. Growth Feels Like Discomfort
Muscles don’t grow unless you push them past their limits. If it’s easy, you’re maintaining—not growing. Prep taught me to lean into pain—not avoid it. That burn meant something was changing. Same in business: when it feels uncomfortable, you’re likely on the edge of evolution.
NPC Lesson: No pain, no progress. Discomfort is the signal you’re growing.
Business MVP: Normalize discomfort in creative and strategic work—growth demands it.
3. Measure It or Miss It
I weigh in daily. Take progress pics weekly. Track every macro. Because if I don’t measure, I don’t know. It’s easy to feel like you’re making progress, but unless you’re tracking—you're guessing. Business is no different.
NPC Lesson: Progress without tracking is just a story you’re telling yourself.
Business MVP: Set real metrics. Review them weekly. Adjust fast.
4. Micro Wins Create Macro Change
One more rep. One better meal. One walk instead of skipping cardio. These don’t seem like much—but they stack. Every micro-choice either moves you closer or further from your vision. Over time, it becomes visible. Tangible. Unshakable.
NPC Lesson: Your body is the result of what you repeatedly do.
Business MVP: Build systems that reward consistent micro-efforts across your team. That’s how momentum scales.
5. Rest is Strategy, Not Weakness
I just took a break. I didn’t track. I worked out less. I ate more. I gave myself space to breathe. And I came back stronger. If you never pause, you burn out. Recovery is part of the process.
NPC Lesson: Growth happens in recovery—not just the grind.
Business MVP: Build in rest cycles for your team. Protect downtime so output stays high and sustainable.
6. You Need People in Your Corner
I train hard—but I don’t train alone. My husband and coach lift me up. They cheer when I win. Push me when I want to quit. Having that support system keeps me going. It reminds me: I’m not doing this solo.
NPC Lesson: The right support makes you stronger.
Business MVP: Invest in team culture and mentorship. Champions are built together.
7. Purpose Changes Everything
I don’t just go to the gym. I prep for stage. That purpose anchors me when it’s hard. Without it, I lose clarity. Same in business—if you’re not building toward something, you’re just reacting.
NPC Lesson: When you train with purpose, the hard days have meaning.
Business MVP: Anchor every initiative to a clear “why.” Purpose fuels performance.
8. You Have to Believe It’s Possible
None of this works if you don’t believe. That’s the start. One day at a time, you get closer—if you trust it’s possible. Doubt steals momentum. Belief gives you fuel.
NPC Lesson: If you don’t believe you can grow, you can’t gain.
Business MVP: Great brands are built by founders who believe deeply—before the results are visible.
9. Vision Sets The Vibe
When there’s no structure, you drift. You spin.
Vision gives shape to effort.
I know exactly how I want to look—and I train every day to get there.
That’s how you build a body.
That’s how you build a company.
NPC Lesson: Define who you want to become—and train like you’re already her.
Business MVP: Start every quarter with vision. Then reverse-engineer the daily actions it demands.
Measure. Adjust. Rinse. Repeat.
10. The Battle Is Internal
The biggest struggle is with yourself.
The daily choice to do the thing you said you wanted.
To resist the urge to quit. To fight your own excuses.
The battle is always showing up—and forcing resilience.
That’s the work. Over and over again.
NPC Lesson: The hardest part isn’t the workout. It’s honoring your commitment when motivation disappears.
Business MVP: The hardest part isn’t the launch. It’s showing up every day after—when no one’s clapping, and it’s still on you to keep going.
This journey isn’t about vanity. It’s about intentionality.
About showing up with purpose—in your body, your business, your life.
Competing has made me sharper. More resilient. More aware of how I spend my energy.
It’s taught me to build with structure. To trust the boring parts. To rest without guilt. To lead from the inside out.
And most of all…
It’s reminded me that power isn’t just something you have.
It’s something you earn.
One rep. One choice. One day at a time.
That’s why I built BABCO.
Not just as a design agency—but as a living, breathing expression of that mindset.
Built by women who show up with discipline, clarity, and heart.
Badass bitches who lift heavy—in the gym, in meetings, in life.
We don’t just design brands.
We design with intention.
We build with purpose.
And we don’t wait for permission to take up space.
#buildlikeababe