It’s Not Fatigue That Drains You – It’s Lack of Vision

FBB PRO COACH CAN ÜNAL canunal@ifbbprocoach.com

Introduction: What Does It Mean to Build a System?

In the world of sports—especially at the IFBB PRO level—building a system is not just about writing workout programs. It’s about creating a lifestyle, forging a philosophy, cultivating a mindset, and ultimately guiding others.

But as challenging as building the system is, there’s another struggle:

Communicating that system—finding the right individuals to carry it forward.

Even when every piece is in place and golden opportunities are provided, some simply fail to recognize them. This isn’t just the coach’s fatigue—it’s a leader’s.

What Does Providing Opportunities Look Like?

When a coach offers more than just training—what’s truly being built includes:

• Ensuring logistics and prep for competitions

• Promoting the athlete on social media

• Introducing them on seminar stages

• Ensuring visibility at events

• Structuring their daily life

• Connecting them with the right people

• Building their personal brand

• Sharing backstage strategies publicly

• Bringing them into the team, training alongside them

This transcends traditional “coaching”—it’s a vision partnership. And tragically, not everyone is able to perceive that vision.

Opening the Door vs. Stepping Inside

“You open a door for someone—but stepping through is their choice.”

Some athletes pass through physically but aren’t even aware of the world beyond. They don’t understand why the door was opened.

Example:

• Taken to an event but only focused on selfies, not learning.

• Brought beside the coach but not networking.

• Prepped for the stage but not informed how to represent.

• Promoted online but not crafting their own content.

It’s like holding a golden spoon in your hand—but never eating from it.

Physical Strength Doesn’t Replace Thinking

Many athletes are genetically gifted, physically strong. But:

• Their mindset remains closed.

• They lack a long-term vision.

• Their thinking lacks structure.

• They chase imitation, not growth.

• They step on stage with only physique, no story.

At an IFBB PRO level, it’s no longer about having a great body—it’s about systems.

Those Outside the System Can’t Appreciate It

“Every piece may be in its place, but some refuse to accept their part.”

Over the years, I’ve built systems by:

• Having athletes train with me

• Taking them to seminars

• Including them in events

• Providing brand consulting

• Integrating them into my network

• Investing my time and health

But some see it as a temporary opportunity.Others treat the system as just fuel for their personal benefit.

Not Expecting Return—But Craving Understanding

Coaches don’t build systems to get something back. They seek to be understood. To hear:

“Coach, thanks to you, I gained this perspective.”

If instead the athlete complains:

“I won the competition, but my social media is still small.”

Then we’re not speaking the same language yet.

Comparison of Athletes Inside vs. Outside the System

	Athlete in the System	Athlete Training Only
Vision	Long-term	Short-term results oriented
Event Participation	There to learn	There for photos
Seminars	Engages & absorbs	Just listens
Social Media	Builds a brand	Counts likes
On Stage	Represents & narrates	Just poses

Conclusion: System Builders Are Always Alone

“A leader builds the system while others sleep.”

As an IFBB PRO COACH, my greatest battle isn’t building physiques—it’s expanding perspectives. But if the system isn’t embraced, the only thing that grows is fatigue.

Closing Reflection

This is for everyone who gives effort but goes unrecognized; offers opportunities but finds no reciprocation; leads the way but gets no follow-through.

Athlete, remember: You’re not just receiving a program—you’re entering a system. Every opportunity is a test. If you fail to pass, it may never open again.

1. Visionlessness: The Failure to See Far Ahead

Vision isn’t just knowing what you want—it’s understanding why, how, and how far you’ll take it. The visionless athlete:

• Settles for short-term wins.

• Posts aesthetic poses, not meaningful content.

• Brings physique to the stage, but with no story.

• Fails to question “why” behind the coach’s direction.

• Underestimates brand building.

Example:They earn their PRO card but don’t network.They get promoted, but never produce their own content.They are shared—but never express gratitude or awareness.

2. Failing to Read the Game

Not recognizing evolving trends, social media dynamics, or industry shifts is sports-world blindness.

• They don’t know what to post or when.

• They rely on others to define them.

• They lag behind current aesthetics—thinking old-school physique still suffices.

This kind of blindness affects not just the industry but the individual’s self-awareness.

3. The Illusion of Growth

The most dangerous mentality is declaring, “I’m already there.”

Those who believe they’ve grown but haven’t:

• Are closed to learning.

• Repeat routines yet expect change.

• Reject feedback.

• Fence themselves off from criticism.

• Attribute every success to “natural talent.”

“Real growth begins with asking hard questions of yourself.”But these people never ask—they blame others instead.

4. Failing to Master Social Media & Marketing

In this age, social media is the athlete’s backstage stage. Those who fail here:

• Struggle to find sponsors.

• Don’t establish brand value.

• Leave untapped potential.

• Waste the backstage opportunities given by coaches.

Marketing is the ability to tell your own story—knowing what, when, and how to present yourself. Without that skill, a great physique is only silent emptiness.

5. Being Incapable of Self-Presentation

Some athletes are introverted or fearful. Being unable to present yourself often stems from lack of confidence or preparation.

• They choke on stage—they don’t know how to present themselves.

• They avoid interviews—they have no story.

• They stay quiet in groups—their knowledge is surface-level.

• They stay behind—they’ve never told themselves they deserve the front seat.

6. Ignorance Fused with Arrogance

The most dangerous combination:Dumb confidence + fake ego.

These individuals:

• Float on minimal insight.

• Downplay others to cover their own gaps.

• Label critics as “haters.”

• Attribute success to themselves, failures as misunderstanding.

Their arrogance feeds vacuum—but true fullness is humble. When someone says “I’m done,” they’ve really never started.

7. Disdain for Others: A Defense Mechanism for Inadequacy

Those who don’t grow often belittle those who do—because seeing excellence reminds them of their own lack.

• They dismiss their coach.

• They minimize successful athletes.

• They degrade systems and events.

They need excuses to stay outside. Because those outside a system hate that system.

8. Visionlessness Is a Choice, Not a Disability

No one is born with vision. But vision can be developed.

Vision = Not just seeing—it’s understanding. Vision = Not just knowledge—it’s intent. Vision = Not IQ—it’s character.

When you neglect character as you sharpen the physique, you remain incomplete.

A Coach’s Patience: Hands That Build, Then Are Forgotten

I’ve dedicated years to sport, people, and systems. I didn’t just design training—I tried to elevate everyone who trained with me. I taught them not only how to work out, but how to think, perform, speak, and position themselves.

I promoted them on social media, included them on seminar stages, said in interviews, “This athlete has a future.” I networked for them, introduced sponsors, brought them on my team—it was

all effort and intention.

But then one day, they look at me and ask:

“What did you really do for me?”

At that moment—I stop speaking.

Doors Can Be Opened—But Only They Can Walk Through

My job was to open the door.Their job was to see the world behind it.

I didn’t just take them to a gym. I introduced them there. I told others, “This athlete is different.” If they treated it like just another selfie, there’s nothing more I can do.

This isn’t visionlessness—it’s ingratitude.

Those Who Can’t Write Their Own Stories Break Others’ Pens

Unsuccessful individuals dismantle another’s effort to mask their own shortcomings:

“I already knew everything.”“I could’ve done it without you.”

But the truth is:Everyone walks their path. But some paths are cleared by someone else.

I provide the spotlight; I aim the camera.What you do with it—how you leave your mark—that’s on you.

To erase a coach’s work is to dishonor the system. Because systems aren’t built easily—but ingratitude can destroy them in a sentence.

Building the System Is Prepping the Stage—But Standing on It Isn’t Enough

For years I’ve coached. I didn’t just train athletes—I opened doors, paved roads, carried them to events and stages, promoted them online.

Perhaps these tasks fall outside of traditional coaching. But they’re essential for anyone building a system. Because if you build a system, you must raise individuals who can carry it forward.

Yet how painful it is when some don’t even comprehend the stage they’re placed on. They just pose—no intention, no substance. Because stepping on stage isn’t physical—it’s mental.

What Vision Definitely Is Not

• Vision is not merely “a good physique.”

• Vision is not “getting a pro card.”

• Vision is not “two Instagram poses.”

Vision is foresight. Vision is positioning yourself within a system. Appreciating why you’re on stage, why you’re promoted online, why your coach brought you on a seminar. Without that—you're just a consumer, not a creator.

Opportunities Are Given—But If You Don’t Walk, Nothing Changes

To take an athlete to an event, semifinals, create exposure—these are opportunities. Granted, yes—but granting doesn’t mean perceiving.

Some go, take selfies. Some linger backstage. A few truly try to uncover the essence of the stage.

And Then There Are Those Who Don’t See—and Blame

Here lies a deeper, more exhausting pain:

You give everything. You guide. Promote. Embark. Share knowledge. Devote time. Provide chance after chance.

Then one day, they look at you and say:

“What have you done for me?”“What doors have you opened?”

This isn’t just thanklessness—it’s perceptual blindness. They don’t just fail to see—they actively deny what was done. This isn’t the coach’s breakdown. It’s the athlete’s.

Thinking You’ve Grown: The Most Dangerous Delusion

True elevation begins with self-questioning. “I’ve arrived” means you’ve stopped.

These athletes:

• Repeat the same programs expecting change.

• Criticize everyone else—never themselves.

• Chase followers, not their story.

A stagnant illusion of growth quietly erodes careers.

Ignoring Social Media Isn’t the Issue—Failing to Understand It Is

An athlete who doesn’t post isn’t in trouble. But one who doesn’t grasp its purpose is.

They expect sponsors, recognition, stage presence—but then vanish digitally. They post nothing, tell no story, share nothing. This digital realm is their new stage.

Not Being Understood ≠ Failing to Communicate

Many athletes complain “nobody understands me.”But the real issue is:

They never speak.

They never open up at seminars. Stay silent at events. Avoid sharing online. Offer no story.

It’s not that people don’t understand them—it’s that they never made themselves present.

Arrogance Born of Visionlessness: False Greatness

Some refuse to grow and then mock everything that does.

They disparage coaches. Dismiss systems. Attribute success to luck.

When you can’t grasp something, your instinct is to destroy it. That’s how you remain lost in darkness.

Developing Vision Is a Choice

No one is born with vision. But everyone can cultivate it.

Vision = Understanding, not just seeing. Vision = Intent, not just information. Vision = Character, not just intellect.

Ignoring character as you build physique leaves you incomplete.

FINAL THOUGHTS

An athlete who doesn’t grow mentally, lacks a digital voice, can’t market themselves, can’t narrate their journey—and then refuses to accept this reality:

• Doesn’t fit the system.

• Remains limited.

• Leaves nothing behind.

• Falsely believes they’re misunderstood—but they actually never told their true story.

As I built these systems, I didn’t just share physiological knowledge. I opened doors, showed paths, introduced connections. I cannot carry an athlete who refuses to walk.

“You can open a door—but stepping through is their responsibility.”If I open the path—their job is to understand and walk it.

IFBB PRO COACH CAN ÜNAL