By Radley West
“If I can inspire just one person to take a step toward better health, then every challenge has been worth it.”
Earlier today, someone asked me why I do the things I do. More specifically, why is it important for me to compete, especially after all the obstacles I have faced? It is a fair question. Competing takes time, energy, discipline, and sacrifice, all of which are harder to manage when life throws curveballs.
The truth is, my reasons go far beyond medals, rankings, or personal records. I see competition as a platform, a way to share my story, my struggles, and my journey in hopes that someone else might see what is possible. If one person is inspired to take a step toward better health because of what I am doing, then I have accomplished something worth every bit of effort.
This past year has not been easy. Like many people, I have had my share of setbacks, both personally and professionally. There were times when training was the last thing I wanted to do. There were days my body felt tired and my motivation felt even weaker. Yet, I kept going. I showed up for the workouts. I stayed committed to my goals. I made the decision, over and over, to keep moving forward.
Why? Because I know someone is always watching. That someone might be a client in my gym, a friend who is struggling to find their spark again, or even a stranger who follows my journey online. If my persistence helps them believe they can start, or keep going, then I have done more than just compete. I have connected.
Competition also keeps me honest. It forces me to push past my limits, both physically and mentally. It reminds me that growth only happens when you step outside your comfort zone. Training for an event teaches discipline, patience, and resilience, qualities that spill over into every other area of life.
The beauty of competition is that it is deeply personal. My reasons for showing up might be different from yours, but the lessons we take away are the same. We learn to endure. We learn to adapt. We learn that the real victory is not in crossing the finish line first but in refusing to quit before we get there.
So when someone asks me why I still compete, my answer is simple: I compete because I believe in what it stands for. I compete because it keeps me growing. Most of all, I compete because if I can inspire even one person to make a change toward better health, then every early morning, every tough workout, and every hard day has been worth it.
Radley West is married to Dr. Andrew West and together they own Anytime Fitness Lake Murray and 33/18 Chiropractic Associates. Radley is a gym owner and personal trainer with more than 20 years of experience helping people achieve non-traditional health goals. She and her team approach fitness by teaching clients to build better habits and create sustainable, feel-good fitness and nutrition routines—no need for intense six-pack aspirations (unless that’s your thing).
