What Happens After the Competition?

Post-Competition Counselling Support

To all the people who have competed in physical competitions: What drew you to the world of competing? Some people start at the gym for the first time in their 20s (my hand is up!). Others have been involved in sports of some kind throughout their entire life. Did you grow up in a sports-oriented family? Or did you start later in life?

In my mid-thirties, I began to compete in a form of bodybuilding competition. People who compete are drawn in for a multitude of reasons. For me, I loved having a goal to reach — the bigger, the better. It helped me cope with what was happening in my life at the time. I found a coach, prepared my meals, and hit the gym. HARD.

But something I didn’t account for was the super-highway I was building for my inner critic. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was placing a lot of my worth in the hands of those responsible for judging my efforts.

I must pause here and tell you that I have thought long and hard about sharing this — my inner critic still whispers, “Who cares?” or “This is trivial.” But that’s the thing: our feelings are not trivial.

Feelings matter.

Working so hard toward a goal of “fitness” came with side effects I hadn’t anticipated — anxiety, depression, loneliness, isolation, self-doubt, and a constant search for validation. The world of bodybuilding and fitness competitions is complex, exciting, and full of dedication — but it often lacks aftercare.

I remember the shame I felt after my first competition when I gained weight back, as if it were a secret failure I had to hide. Normalizing weight gain didn’t happen. Instead, I found myself chasing that elusive “stage self” for a long time.

The truth is, the emotional and psychological recovery after competition is just as important — if not more — than the physical preparation.

If you’ve experienced the post-show crash — the loss of structure, the identity shift, or the mental tug-of-war between pride and shame — you’re not alone. Counselling can help you process those experiences, rebuild balance, and reconnect with yourself beyond the competition stage.

You’ve trained your body with care and precision — your mind and emotions deserve that same level of attention and support.

If you’re navigating the transition after competing and want a space to talk about what comes next, reach out. Together, we can explore what healing, balance, and self-worth look like outside the competition lens.

You don’t have to figure it out alone; talking to someone can support your capacity to embrace all of you.