Witnesses of Time: My Companions in Mental Form and Preparation Processes

Life is Sometimes a Long Preparation, Sometimes an Unexpected Encounter

Until today, I have crossed paths with many people—whether seeking mental fortitude or wanting to give a new direction to their stage presence or life. With some, we worked intensely for months; with others, this process turned into friendships and partnerships lasting years. Of course, there are many more I couldn’t fit into this writing—some I supported briefly, some whose paths parted quickly. But each one left a mark, a memory, and a contribution within me.

In this blog, I want to share a brief summary of those with whom we experienced not just change, but also patience, determination, comebacks, falls, and rebirths together. This journey was not only physical but also a mental transformation.

Those Left Behind, Forgotten, and Remembered

Sometimes, photos taken together on social media, transformation pictures, or motivational videos suddenly disappear. Sometimes relationships end; sometimes people want to walk their own paths. But there is one truth: nothing that has happened can be erased—it only becomes invisible. Many clients, friends, or athletes may fade away from digital memories over time, but the places I hold for them in my mind and heart remain the same.

The reason I want to tell this story is not nostalgia. If I stand stronger today, it is because every moment I lived in the past was a building block. Every post, every silent thank you, every tough workout, every pre-competition stress and the success that followed—they are all real parts of this journey.

An Archive of Stories

Here today, I share before and after states of some people I worked with. Many of these shares were once in front of everyone’s eyes; now I leave them here again like an archive, a memory book. I want this to be not only for them but also an inspiration for newcomers.

Perhaps those we worked with once but whose paths have now diverged will read this too. Maybe what they experienced in the past will spark a new beginning today. Who knows…

Written by: IFBB Pro Coach Can Ünal

Can Ünal, who has coached countless athletes within the IFBB Pro League both in Turkey and internationally, is also an expert in mental form development and stage preparation processes. Believing that it is necessary not only to build muscle but also to carry mental strength onto the stage, Ünal prepares his athletes for life as well as competitions through the personal bonds he builds with them.

Active on Instagram and YouTube, Ünal continues to inspire many people through digital platforms.