The intricacies of our life that create our best assets are a mere disguise of our most inherent flaws.

For instance, whenever I create an extravagant ensemble, I have to take in my client’s most noticeable features and choose to hide then or display them.

The petite model needs to display her beauty but hide her fragility. Like the outfits I choose for myself, bold colors and hard edges are the name of the game.

Her opposite, the large man whose gluttony is written in vivid detail by the contours of his body needs the slimming color of an obsidian hue and lines that create a better and more attractive form.

For those whose flaws are more internal than physical, they resort to other means to get the results and attention they desire.

Ajax, I hate to say it but you are like so many bodybuilders and strongman competitors I have met in the past. You’ve reached where you are because something inside of you keeps telling you you’re not good enough.

Every muscle fiber tells a story of self-doubt, every moment you focus on your appearance is a detriment. It takes away moments from the real work you should be doing. Your body is a map that displays your journey and it tells me a story I’ve seen the end to too many times. It’s a story of loving your body but never loving your self.

If you went to therapy instead of the gym, you might be in a place where well-adjusted individuals operate, yet you literally live in the confines of a circus. A place that illustrates the chaotic nature of your mind. You can’t outlift your mind. You can’t outrun your insecurities.

Even if you feel better in the moment, it will all come flooding back to you without doing the proper work. Something tells me there’s a block stronger than any weight stopping you from doing that. Something that tells me it’s all about appearances to you. That if you look strong, you don’t have to admit you’re weak.

You can’t escape the truth in a therapist’s office. All the things you try to hide from yourself, you’ll have to reflect on. Spoiler warning, it will not be as nice as the reflection you like to look at. If you don’t do it, your current journey only has two destinations.

They both require an outfit and which one you wear depends on if your mind is as strong as your body.

If not, it is simply the last suit you’ll ever wear.

If so, you’ll have to compete with the force no one defeats, age. You’ll come to me and still look for ways to accentuate your size and strength as every part of you deteriorates. Your body will break down as much as your mind and the only thing you can do is accept the inevitable, I was right and you’ll have to wear a dread-filled thick sweater to look as strong as possible in your weakest days.