无论是退出还是离开，我总是要面对许多不同的问题。在成长的过程中，我被教导说，当你对某件事负责时，你就会成功。我致力于比赛，我致力于训练自己，我决心终身成为一名纯粹的运动员。I've always had trouble differentiating between the two.Growing up, I was taught that when you commit to something, you see it through. I committed to competing. I committed to training myself. I committed to be a life time natural athlete.
我曾赢得两个奥林匹亚冠军，凭自己的本事。但是，我离开了舞台。我没有再参加比赛。在最后一场奥林匹亚，胜利近在咫尺。有人告诉我，我在预选赛之后一直领先，但决赛的时候我被反超。I won two Olympia titles - and I did it my way.But, I walked away from the stage. I wasn't done competing. At the last Olympia I was in, a line was drawn in front of me. I was told that I led the competition after prejudging, but the decision was reversed at finals.
我得了第二名，输了一分。我还被告知，如果我想赢，就应该“做出一些改变”。I had taken 2nd place...losing by one point. I was also told that Ineeded to "make some changes" if I ever wanted to win again.
不用我多说，我也不想说，因为我相信很多人知道我要干嘛了。甚至在我说这件事之前…生活第一比赛第二，我的改变就是我要离开了I won't go into more detail, as I'm sure many have already filled in the blanks.. even before I tell this story..Life first competition second, my change is that I want to leave.
考虑到我的选择，我离开了。我离开了我钟情的事业。我带着健康，带着问心无愧，离开了。我走了，但我知道我是一个积极的榜样——成功之路永远把握在你手中。Given my choices, I walked away. I walked away from acareer that I loved. I walked away with my health. I walked away with my integrity. And, I walked awayknowing that I am a.positive role model- that you can continue to achieve success by walking your own path.
我挥别舞台。我的辉煌难以再现…但是，我有更多的健美杂志封面，更多的健美事业，更多的露脸和健美研讨会，甚至有机会出第一本书。I miss the stage. And l thought I'd never see success at that level again... but, l've had more magazine covers, morebusiness, more appearances and seminars, and even hadthe chance to write my first book.
有些日子，我觉得我告别舞台，告别健美了。有些日子，我怀疑人生。假如你经历生活中的困难时，你也会经历那些日子，请用它们来为你的成功加油。There are days when l feel like I quit. There are days when I wonder what could have been. As you go through tough situations in life, you'll have those days, too.Use them to fuel your success.