Sydney Samborski

Being different is the most powerful way to be yourself. Making sacrifices is hard, but so is staying the same. I’ll do anything to grow both mentally and physically. Having to say no in the moment might suck, but what would really suck is to say ‘yes’ to anything that doesn’t align with my goals. People around you might fall off because getting laser focused isn’t always glitz and glam, but those who are really in it with you will only grow too. A rising tide lifts all boats. Set your goals. Get clear on them. Create an action plan. No excuses.

Days before I went on stage, I was writing affirmations in my journal. One that I kept repeating and writing over and over is, “I am a champion” and “champion mindset”. 💪🏼 Fast forward to show day, and I kept reminding myself to be calm, cool, and collected - from check-ins to backstage, to everything in between. ☺️ I was listening to @jayshetty with Arnold Schwarzenegger yesterday and Arnold talks about embodying a champion mindset ALWAYS. From how you sleep, eat, breathe, think and train. You must always carry yourself to the highest regard whether it be the words you think and speak, or your actions. 💭 I have done a lot of reflecting specifically on the content I consume and the influences around me, and have made the conscious decision to absorb only what brings greatness. No mindless scrolling, no mindless watching. Being as intentional about the influences I absorb as I am the food I put in my body. 🤍🤍 I feel strong (thanks, extra carbs), I feel focused, and I feel ready for my next round of prep beginning in a few weeks. We can always strive to be greater, but you must put some action behind the plan to make it happen. 💦🔥 Hope this week brings you all a little bit closer to your goals, and each day you make the effort to show up 1% better than yesterday. 🥹🩷😘 Xoxox, Syd 👑

MIGHT MESS AROUND & GO TO NATIONALS BABY!!! 🥲🏆 Stage shots are in and we’re 21 weeks out from my very first national stage. WOW 🥹🥹 Feeling so grateful for the path in front of me, right when the universe knew I needed it. More locked in now than ever 🩷

CO bits n’ pieces 🏔️🌲🫶🏼🥲

I am absolutely speechless. While the title of overall bikini champion feels so good, I feel like I’d already won before the show even started because of all of the love and support I had from the people around me. 🏆🥲🫶🏼 Making it through this prep was a win in and of itself. I’ve talked about how down bad I was mentally at the beginning of it all, and there were so many times I contemplated if I could make it through. My intuition told me to just keep going & I know I owed it to myself to continue to push. I put my head down and continued to check the boxes. Looking back on it all, I think the structure and organization I had to have in the last 16 weeks is what got me through. Preparing for the show aside, I can’t express how grateful I am for it all. Truly my friends and family are the ones who got me through. I feel so freakin’ loved and supported and celebrated. 🩷 In the last few weeks of prep, a flip switched for me. I decided to be intentional about every single aspect of it. Shifted my mindset from HAVING to check all of the boxes, to having the privilege to check the boxes. I was intentional with every single word I spoke to myself and about myself. When it came time to step on stage, I was cool, calm and collected and felt I could truly just enjoy the experience. 👸🏼 (plus @npctwincitiesopen ran the smoothest and most amazing show experience any competitor could ask for!) The prize to me isn’t a trophy or a placing (even though I am SO grateful for it), it’s the person that I am at the end of all of this. The prize is the people I have in my corner. The prize is being inspired by the other competitors around me who have worked just as hard. The past 16 weeks have been a massively transformational time in my life for various reasons, and I am truly just soaking in every second of it all. 🌞 Mentally and physically I am feeling incredible. I see my WHY more clearly than ever, and I cannot wait for what’s to come. This weekend was EVERYTHING and then some, and I am so grateful for all of the support I’ve received. Thank you for all of the kind messages & love. 🩷🪽🥲💪🏼

Feelin’ like a princess inside & out 👸🏼👑 Prejudging ✔️ Resting up for finals & I cannot WAIT 🥲🪽 SHOUTOUT TO MY DREAM TEAM 😍 HAIR @heavenly.evanly MAKEUP @lainey.mua SHOES @theshoefairy_ SUIT @toxicangelzbikinis TAN @protan_official SHOW @npctwincitiesopen

ONE DAY OUT ⚔️🪽 It’s CRAZY what your body can do for you. I’ve loved my body through all of its seasons, but I’m feeling really grateful for the transformation I’ve made since I began seriously lifting. When you base your fitness and nutrition on FACTS rather than trends, major shifts start to happen. I don’t even feel like the same person I was in the last photos. Mentally and physically, everything has changed. I’m focused on my goals more now than ever. I feel confident. I feel strong. And I’m just getting started. ☺️

Through & through I make myself proud. Taking a moment amongst all of the chaos to appreciate how far I’ve come 🥲🫶🏼 I was listening to a @jayshetty podcast with @senada.greca (thanks for the rec @chrisninakolar ) & one takeaway was how you speak to yourself at ANY time of the day, whether it be out loud or in your mind, matters. The reality is we are all always evolving and none of us can ever be perfect, but speaking to yourself in a positive way makes a HUGE impact. Regardless of external conditions, what you think is what you become. So think POSITIVELY. Even if your hair is out of place, or you’re tired, or frankly, if shit sucks. The external conditions are NOT who you are, stay grounded in being strong, capable, and radiant. My mantra lately has been, “I control my mind, my mind does not control me.” You got this. 🤠🩷 HAIR @heavenly.evanly @sloanes_beauty_bar 💆🏼‍♀️👸🏼 My fav sockies hehe @lskd SHOES @theshoefairy_ 🧚🏼 CAN’T WAIT TO SHOW YOU MY SHOWDAY LOOK ☺️

Team Girly Pop clocking in 🩷💜

J U N E 🌞 moments (& things) worth remembering 🥲🫶🏼 FINAL PUSH before the stage! 😈⚡️

ADAPT & DESTROY ⚡️ Proudest big sister moment. Time and time I’ve watched Masey do the most incredible things, and I couldn’t be more proud and inspired! THIS IS MY WHY. I think of all the excuses we can make to avoid hard work, but time and time again Mase say f*** the excuses. He does the damn thing! I’ve heard from so many people who don’t even know him how much of an inspiration he is, and I couldn’t agree more. I’m in awe every single day of his hard work, how he takes care of his body, defies odds against him, and rises up in the community he has created. I love you so much @mason_branstrator 🩷

INVEST in yourself NOW & your future self will thank you 🥲🤍 Here’s what I mean. Every small action towards a better you has a much bigger reward in the long term. If there’s anything the last 14ish weeks of measuring food to the gram, hours of cardio, and lots of lifting & tears, it’s that the gratification is delayed. You can’t quit just because the progress in that moment isn’t “big”. You know that quote that’s like, “the best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago, and the next best time to plant it is right now”? Don’t wait. Take small actions TODAY, even if it’s practically immeasurable. Stop making excuses as to why you CAN’T & start taking steps in the direction your future you will be grateful for. What does investing in myself look like? 🚫 Saying NO to people, places & things that don’t serve me. 💭 Making decisions with my best interest in mind, not the interest of others or what they’ll think. 🍴Fueling my body with whole, healthy foods. 🌞 Following a daily routine that energizes me. ☑️ Checking all of the daily prep boxes off. 🙏🏼 Trusting that even hard actions or choices will pay off in the long run. 😴 GETTING SLEEP 3️⃣ Doing 3 things before bed that will help me be more prepared for the next day (laying out clothes, cleaning, packing meals, etc.) Instead of trying to conquer the whole staircase, think one small step at a time. Soon, these will become habits that serve a better YOU! 🩷

Surround yourself with people who: 🌟 want to see you glow 🦋 bring out the best in you 👯‍♀️ you can be yourself around 👏🏼 believe in you, even when you don’t 💭 support your goals & dreams 🩷 love and accept you just the way you are As you get more focused and relentless with your goals and dreams, those who don’t align may fall back. Who you surround yourself with is a DIRECT reflection of you, so make sure it’s the ones cheering you on, supporting your growth, and have a mindset that aligns with yours. You’re not for everyone, and everyone is not for you. Energy is currency, baby. Sharing your time with others is a gift, so choose to spend it with those who fill your cup and lift you up. I’m so grateful for the amazing support system in my life 🖤🩷

Find one reason why you CAN 🩷 At the beginning of this prep, I was really REALLY going through it. It was completely unrelated to being on prep, but I could barely answer, “how was your day?” without tearing up. With some extra TLC from the people around me, some adjustments to my meds & sticking to the freakin’ plan, I’m feeling 10x better. I’ve recently been weighed down by my anxiety, constantly worried about what’s 25 steps in front of me instead of just one step. I felt really frustrated because I was trying everything in my power to feel better and I couldn’t pull out of my funk. I felt defeated. I felt like I was failing. I regrounded, allowed myself some time to feel all the damn feelings (even though it was SHITTY), received lots of love from my close circle & got back on the horse! At just under 6 weeks out, I’m feeling damn good. Oh, and a weekend in Houston with your bestie is absolutely good for the soul 💘 @vitamin_kee Feeling ready to hit the stage in 41 days and feeling extremely grateful for the people who picked me up when I was low. If you’re feeling down, you got this. It might not be better tomorrow, maybe not even next week, but take one small step at a time and I promise the storm cloud will pass. I know what you’re going through, and feeling like even just getting out of bed is a battle, is so draining. Take care of your body & mind, and it will take care of you right back! 🥲🤗