Everywhere you look these days character is exposed, and usually it’s not a pretty sight! Professional athletes and referees are accused of illegal drug use, prohibited sports gambling, and even game fixing. In politics, it seems to be a regular occurrence that an officeholder is accused of conduct inappropriate to their office, such as taking illegal campaign contributions or misusing their office powers to enrich themselves and their friends. Even in bodybuilding, scandals are somewhat regular, with illegal steroid and growth hormone use near the top of the list.

But, in amateur fitness competitions, such as the Body for Life contest, does character really matter? Of course it does! It matters in many ways.

To the corporate sponsor of this competition, character of its contestants is critical, and that is the reason that some of the scoring of a transformation kit is based on the essay, so that the judges can assess the person’s character and fitness and suitability to be an endorser of products for the EAS/Abbott Nutrition line of products.

So, what do we really mean by good character? What did Porter Freeman mean when he said he looked in the mirror the day he started the challenge, didn’t like what he saw, and said to himself, “I have more character than that?”

One of the simplest definitions of character is “what you do when nobody is looking.” The Bible talks about a man of character as someone who keeps his word, “even when it hurts.” There’s another place that you’ll find a great outline of what character is all about. Probably nowhere are the elements of good character expressed better in terms of actions than in the book, “The Four Agreements.” They say: 1. Be impeccable in your word; 2. Don’t take anything personally; 3. Don’t make assumptions; and, 4. Always do your best. These are perfectly expressed “rules of the road” for succeeding in interpersonal relationships while maintaining at all times good character and behavior that will benefit everyone.

What do these principles have to do with BFL? Only this. To the extent that any of your “problems” in succeeding in this program, getting in your workouts, sticking with the diet, and finishing victoriously have something to do with how you perceive you are treated or mistreated by another, these four agreements will be the map to your way out of your weakened condition. And to the extent that you are able to adhere to these agreements and bring your behavior into line with them, it will reveal much about your character to those around you, and maybe even to the contest judges.

In the end, whether you become a named champion or not, these principles will sustain you through a competition so stressful and tough that many have been shipwrecked on the rocks of self-pity and mediocrity.