Rachel Lankford Dominates Summer Shredding: A Close Look at Her 2nd Place Triumph
Back in 2017, I met some of the brightest and most disciplined people in the Air Force, and Rachel was definitely one of those individuals.
Recently, I had the opportunity to catch up with her on her most recent journey, and I have to say, it is extremely inspiring. I thought I'd share her story with you guys…
What motivated you, as an Air Force medic, to make the leap into the world of bodybuilding and compete in your first show?
“I’ve wanted to compete in a body building show since 2018 but I knew I wasn’t mentally prepared for the challenges that it came with at the time. My sister, Becky, inspired me when I would go to her body building shows to support her journey. It wasn’t until a year ago I felt I was finally ready and motivated for the mental and physical challenges of a body building competition.”
Can you share any specific challenges or doubts you faced during your prep, and how did you overcome them?
“I would say most days were challenging because your growth is dependent on how hard you push, the quality of your workouts and consistency exemplify everyday. I definitely had my days where I would doubt myself more towards the last few weeks of prep for the show. It would be some days where I felt that I wasn’t pushing myself hard enough because mentally and physically, because of the depletion of carbs, I wouldn’t have the energy to push harder. In those moments, I believe that is where the real challenge is. Can you push yourself past comfort and break those boundaries? This is why I decided to do a competition. I had plenty of mental battles along the way of prep for the show. Times when I want to quit I just remember my why.”
Did your military training and experience as a medic help you in your bodybuilding journey?
“I would say my training in the military helped me develop some traits that benefit me in the body building industry. Some grit from basic training and studying the anatomy from medical training. The grit helps me push through tough situations like pushing my limits on mental barriers while I lift like when I want to stop on a comfortable rep range but I have “more in the tank” I will keep going. Studying anatomy in medical training helps me understand my body more to know where I need to be feeling my muscles being contracted and bone structure.”
Competing in bodybuilding requires rigorous training and discipline. What was your daily routine like leading up to the competition, and how did you stay committed to it?
“I learned from my coach, Jenna, that I needed a routine and schedule for my completion prep otherwise it would cause more stress and dysfunction leading to likelihood of falling off plan. She has been a huge guide and mentor for me since December 2022. Staying committed to it was so important to me because I felt I would be doing a disservice to myself and giving up was not an option because I am fully capable of doing this competition prep.’’
What was the most significant mental or emotional transformation you experienced during your bodybuilding journey, and how did it affect your self-confidence and overall outlook on life?
“I would say the most significant mental transformation I’ve had is noticing every single day we have multiple opportunities to do better for our health. The next move you make can spiral you down or it can set momentum in a positive direction. You choose. My outlook on life has been more optimistic in a sense of I have more control of my life than I thought.”
How did you deal with setbacks, if any, and self-doubt along the way, and what advice would you give to others facing similar challenges?
“I did have some self-doubt at times but I would recommend that at times you think that you can’t do something or it begins to be overwhelming it’s okay to take a step back and stop looking big picture. Look at your challenge from a smaller lens. Focus on one task at a time instead of the mass of things you have to do. Break it down.”
Could you share a memorable moment from your bodybuilding competition that stands out as a turning point or a rewarding experience?
“I remember when I would train with my coach and when I would be going through a set of exercises with her she would remind me that pain is temporary. When I am training I now tell myself that all the time when I need to push boundaries in my lifts. It’s rewarding every time.”
Achieving a 2nd place finish in your first bodybuilding show is impressive. What strategies or mindset did you maintain to stay motivated and continue to improve your performance?
“I remember at my completion telling myself that everyone else went through their own challenges to get here just like I did and this is not easy so my respect for competitors was at an all time high. I focused on only controlling what I could and that was my appearance, posing, food/water intake and mental space.”
Who was your biggest support group during your prep?
“I gratefully had my boyfriend Joseph there competing with me at the same Summer Shredding Classic Show. He has been my biggest supporter along with my sister, Becky and my close friends Raeann and Breanna. I appreciate all of them so much.”
“I’d like to add that my sponsorship from Reach Your Potential Nutrition helped me achieve my goals as well.” Code: Goomie
Many people are afraid to step outside their comfort zones. What advice do you have for individuals who want to pursue a new passion or challenge but are hesitant to take the first step?
“For anyone that wants to pursue a new passion or step out of their comfort zone I would recommend you first evaluate why you want to do it. Then surround yourself with like minded people. Establish attainable goals, small ones that aren’t too difficult to achieve and that will help with momentum. Remind yourself that it’s not supposed to be easy and that growth happens when it gets uncomfortable.”
In what ways has your bodybuilding journey influenced your life outside of fitness, and how would you encourage others to pursue their own dreams?
“Ways that body building has influenced my life outside of body building is my relationship with myself. I can do anything if I put my mind to it. When I choose my health I also choose to give a happier and stronger version of myself to others. I have been able to give more to others than I ever have before. One thing I noticed is you start to look crazy or people start to say “I don’t know how you do it” and that’s when you know you’re on the right track! I encourage you to ignore the negative energy and surround yourself with likeminded people.”
What was your diet like during prep?
“My diet was pretty strict but I don’t mind structure. I actually prefer a meal plan to follow than macros because it’s less stress on me to not think about what to eat and just have it packed and ready to go. It doesn’t have to be a meal plan but for you it could be macros and flexible dieting. It’s all based on preference.”
What was the go to dessert once you stepped off stage?
“My go to dessert post show was definitely cookies! I was craving that the last 4 weeks of prep for my show.”
Will you be doing another show any time soon?
“I will be immediately going into a growth season for about 8 months then start another competition prep for the same Summer Shredding show except it will be the Championship because I qualified from this recent show.”
What are 3 goals that you want to achieve over the next 1-2 years?
“Over the next 1-2 years I will have started taking in my own online clients to personally train because I just obtained my NASM-CPT. I also will continue to reenlist in the Air Force for another 4 years while I continue my body building journey.”
Follow Rachel on her socials below:
Rachel’s journey shows just how capable we all can be if we set our minds on a goal, work hard, and find people to support us along the way.
I have a motto that I live by, and that motto is, “Take Flight.” If there is something on my heart that I want to do but it’s scary and seems impossible, I “Take Flight”.
There’s a possibility that I may fail, but what if—what if you actually succeed?
You’ll never know until you start taking action.
I hope her story inspires you to chase after your goals.
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