I’m the most competitive person I know.
With the exception of Vegas.
As women, it seems we often have a hard time with competition. We’re too worried about being nice, well-liked, feminine… it reminds me of a quote I read long ago that went something like: Why is a woman a bitch and man is strong?
One of the most competitive women I’ve ever seen died yesterday at 64, just 5 years after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. She even coached and won the year she was diagnosed. That’s something I loved about Pat Summitt. She wasn’t afraid of being competitive and fighting to win. She knew that competitive drive is what makes you great.
Coach Summitt lead the Tennessee Lady Vols basketball team to the most wins in NCAA history of ANY coach, male or female. In fact, she was such a great coach that the men’s teams tried to recruit her! She wouldn’t do it. She said the women worked harder.
She was notoriously tough, but managed to balance that with love and genuine care.
We learned about what it takes to be a leader, what it takes to be a great woman, what it takes to be a great lady, what it takes to have character, what it takes to have poise. – Former Lady Vol and WNBA star Tamika Catchings in 2013.
I hope that her legacy lives on, especially for young women. You CAN be competitive and be a leader, and at the same time be well-respected and liked.
WIN something this week in her honor. 😉
[Tweet “Competitive women aren’t bitches. They like to WIN.”]
And now imma lead you right on the day’s eats.
Read on and link up to Jenn’s WIAW baby at the bottom.
Breakfast:
The usual morning cocktail and the glorious matcha sludge.
And then I won breakfast. The base was my cauliflower crust, which I love, but the pièce de résistance was Lindsay’s fried avocado. TRY. IT. #Vegasapproved
https://www.instagram.com/p/BHM-VYQBv9G/
Lunch:
We tried a new spot down the street for lunch. They had a taco spacial – buy a drink, get a free taco. Naturally, I bought a glass of bubbly. I’d just worked out… it was a recovery drink. HA!
The tacos were ok. Nothing special, but not bad. This was my swordfish taco. I also got a mahi taco.
Dinner:
Vegas was craving Italian so I did a little experiment with a quickie chicken parmesan. It turned out really well! I didn’t bother with the breading. I just seared it for ~3 mins on each side before topping it with marinara, basil, grated parm, and smoked mozzarella. In the oven for 15 mins and it was done!
I served it over the gluten-free quinoa pasta I got at the NOW Foods immersion – Vegas actually LIKED it! We’ve experimented with a few brands, but this is the winner so far!
It was followed by popcorn and M&Ms… I was too busy watching Orange is the New Black to take a picture.
[Tweet “Quickie Chicken Parm + #WIAW #fitfluential”]
***
In other news, I had my first “real” legs day post-ACL tear. My thoughts expressed here.
Do you have a problem being overtly competitive? I’ve definitely toned it down at work in the past.
What’s your favorite quickie dinner?
Competitive but most of the time with myself. I try to be humble towards everything in life, but a bit of competition definitely adds some good fire 🙂
I’m not much of a basketball person but I felt a lot of pride reading about Pat. Such an amazing story!
She’s certainly left a legacy.
Ps I’m not able to link up for some reason?
Me either??
Me either? It says error adding link and then that I have reached the maximum number of links allowed.
Sorry about that! I think there was some bug. I just deleted the link up and created an new one. Lmk if it doesn’t work for you still!
Yum!!! That chicken parm looks SO gooder, quickie or not!
I could not agree more! When I was in corporate America, I can’t tell you how many times I was told I had to be softer and it always rubbed me the wrong way because it was perfectly find for men but not women. Double standard!
I’m so glad I’m not alone. I don’t have a filter and I sure as hell don’t want to have to develop one when it’s perfectly fine for some dude to rattle off his opinion.
I used to be really really competitive as a child, but some where along the line I’ve lost almost all of it… I really don’t know why or how.. Or perhaps I just keep it inside now, which is kind of not good.
PS so the link up is telling me I’m at my maximum amount of link ups to “this collection” and not letting me post. This happens?
The same thing is happening to me!
Me too!! Apparently we are all WIAW rock stars 😉
Hehe that’s a good way of looking at it. 😀
LOL! Sorry rockstars… I think there was some bug. I just deleted the link up and created an new one. Should work now!
Thanks Laura! I added mine, and even though it had a back link it said that it didn’t. :o) At least it worked. Thank you so much for your patience gal!
All the women, who independent!!! Definitely need to hear more of those kind of inspiring words more often.
Having trouble linking up too 🙁
Throw your hands up!!!
Totally agree with you! Young girls need to hear the message that they can do anything boys can.
For some reason I can’t join the linkup. It says maximum number of linkups reached?
I’m not able to link up either!
It’s fixed! I think there was some buy. Thanks!
Me either! Says something about me already adding to many links…but happy about your leg getting better and better!
All fixed – sorry about that! And thank you. 🙂
that breakfast flatbread sound freakin’ amazing! love that sound of that!
My link’s not working either..sad day.
I’m with you on the competitive thing, though! It’s such a stupid double standard. The fact that women who are ambitious and competitive have to worry about being perceived as bitchy really annoys me, especially when a man who acts the exact same way is praised.
All fixed – sorry!
And YES… it’s cray how many times I’ve seen women and men act similarly but be treated or reacted to so very differently.
I’m only competitive when it comes to myself. I’m not competitive with anyone else and I never have been. I have run two 1/2 marathons in my life and I probably won’t do anymore. The second one I started training for was a full marathon, but I got so competitive with myself that I ended up overdoing it and hurting my knees. I switched the 1/2 marathon, but my knees have never been the same 🙁
You sounds just like me with the running! I did two half marathons thought I’d do a full… and my knees had other plans. Then I started lifting, which opened up a WHOLE new way to beat myself up. 🙂
I totally agree that competitiveness does not mean being rude or unkind. My sisters (one of them in particular) are really competitive and some of the kindest coolest people I know. Oh, and for some reason, it won’t let me add my link to the link-up? ;'(
Ok, I Need to try that fried avocado toast, it looks awesome! So much respect for Pat Summit – my sister went to UT and is a proud Vol, so I root for them too. I was a college athlete so I definitely understand being competitive! It’s part of the game and nothing else. You play to win.
Amen to that! Vegas and I were (and are still) both athletes… everything in our house is a competition!
I can’t get my link to work, but I would have linked up 🙂 I loved Pat Summitts coaching and her fierce sideline glare. She started coaching before women’s basketball was a recognized sport! Talk about a game changer. She is dearly missed.
Sorry about that – there was some weird bug but it’s working now!
And YES that glare… I’d have frozen in my tracks if I’d gotten that!
Yup. Same here. Link-up prob.
That chicken parm looks awesome! I really like chicken parmesan, but they always bread it here at the YMCA of the Rockies where I work, which is no good for those of us who are gluten-intolerant!
Sorry about that – it’s working now!
I actually thought about breading it with almond meal, but seems like too much effort. I think it was just as good plain!
I’m glad to see that I am not the only one having a hard time linking up
on another note – your eats look fantastic….I need to go make breakfast bc I’m starving!
Sorry about that – it’s working now!
And thanks! Breakfast is my favorite meal. 🙂
I’m super compettitive, sometimes I’vegot to tell myself in situations it doesn’t matter like board games to cool it. the est of the time I think it helps me! I can’t link up either!
HAHA! I’m the same way. Literally everything Vegas and I do is a competition.
P.S. Sorry about that – it’s working now!
I can be super competitive with myself… I can’t link up 🙁 Your eats always make me jealous!
Sorry about that – it’s working now!
And thank you! <3
I love this post! I am super competitive. But you’re so right. I always feel like I need to be nice and not be a bitch. But I just want to win!! LOL Your chicken parm sounds so good and so easy. I like that it doesn’t have breading on it. I’ll definitely be trying that!
Thanks! Nothing wrong with a little winning. 😉
And I’d love to hear what you think if you try the chicken dish!
I’m not terribly competitive by nature, but I do think you’re right in your analysis. I would add another layer. I think often women describe other women as being “driven” while men refer to the same behavior with negative connotations.
That’s a good point. I’ve talked to women who’ve had different experiences with other women, in particular at work, with differing experiences. Half seems to think there’s too much pushing other women down to get ahead and others have had positive experiences. i’m glad I’ve been on the positive side!
I love this! I tell all my students (specifically my girls) that being confident doesn’t mean you’re a bitch. I think often we’re told this? Musical Theater and Opera are SO competitive that I tell them all to go to auditions knowing they are good at what they do and not to apologize for it. Because guess what? The most talented person doesn’t always have the most passion and in the end that counts for a lot.
They are lucky to have you! A lot of girls don’t have that kind of encouragement. Rock on!
I am very competitive. My husband does not always enjoy playing games with me because he is the complete opposite and does not appreciate when I’m a bad sport when I loose or laugh when I’m winning by a lot. [I’m working on toning it down.]
My favorite quickie dinner is a salad thrown together with whatever is left in the fridge. It usually turns into something good and only takes about 5 minutes to create.
All of the food pictures you post looks super delicious! Whether it be something you eat while eating out or something you create. I want to come out and eat with you to have what your having!
HAHA! We play Monopoly and it’s like a brawl to the last dollar.
You’re welcome to dinner any time! 🙂
Love you. You are a winning bitch, and I love it about you.
Fuck yeah. Love you too!
Definitely i feel I am competitive & to an extent I can be at work but I’ve learned how to “tone it down” as you stated. I work as a team w/ other people so we need to work together well lol. I have been told by people I can be intimidating haha. In my head I’m like GOOD but I don’t really mean to be. But I guess I am just intense when I do stuff. A friend told me I’m like that at the gym too 😂😂. She’s like I wasn’t sure whether I should ask u a question bc u are so intense & scary 😂😂😂. Ummm I just really get into stuff haha. Fav quickie dinner… Hmmm usually something involving chicken lol. It’s easy for me to make things with chicken lol. Also it’s awesome you had a good leg day. That’s what fighters do lol 💪🏽💪🏽
I have been told I’m intimidating too… and every time I take it as a compliment. HAHAHA! I just know what I want!
Chicken. Are you sure you’re not a Southerner? That’s our go-to any time of day.
That’s a great special, buy a drink get a free taco!! I wish I had some place around me that did that. 🙂
Also that chicken parm looks delicious!
Coach Summitt was a woman my dad brought to my attention in high school. He was so impressed by her that he pulled me into watching TN play, it was a bonding thing and something I will always remember. She was an amazing woman! And I might be able to give you and Vegas a run for your competitive $$! ha!
That’s so cool your dad pointed her out to you. She was a great coach, gender aside.
And we welcome you to any competition. 😉
The Hubby was real bummed about Pat Summitt too.
I like the idea of getting a taco with my drink. Genius marketing concept.
Well. There are a crap ton (<-- technical term) of tacos and beers here. Gotta stand out somehow!
Oh no, I knew she was sick but I hadn’t heard that she passed away… ugh, 64 is too young! You’re so right though. Tough women get a lot of grief… I think it’s one of the reasons that people don’t like Hillary. She’s a tough cookie and men tend to not be big fans of women who don’t take shit!
Damn right!!! I’m so sick of them her riding her ass. UGH.
Oh boy do I have a competitive streak… I don’t know if it has always been a good thing. However doing crossfit has really helped me work out my competitiveness in my head to make it a positive. I am not, by any means, the best, strongest, fastest CrossFitter but what I can do is use crossfit to compete against myself to be better, stronger and faster than I was yesterday. And this has helped me grow so much and stopped me using competition to compare myself to others and define my self worth.
Although you get me on a board game and I am so seriously competitive… You don’t want to see me lose… :-O
Learning to channel my competitive streak to be competitive with myself has been a huge lesson as I’ve gotten older. I’m sure I was intolerable as a kid.
P.S. I’ll kick your ass at Monopoly. 😉
i’m so sorry to hear about Pat. What a tough battle. Thanks for sharing her story. ANd thanks for being YOU! love this and the avo and vegas approved!
xoxoxo I did a Mode article on women being labeled bitches!
People need to get over that shit – it’s not 1970 anymore! <3
i do have somewhat competitive nature and i feel like it brings the best out of me..really enjoyed reading others comment because really, being competitive isnt the bad thing like it is portrayed to be.
I loved reading them too! I really wasn’t expecting some any other women to identify. It’s good to know we’re not alone!
Once upon a time some people on the internet called me a bitch for being so competitive about…. competing. Uh, yeah. If I enter a competition, damn straight I want to win! The whole thing made me laugh because I’m not bitchy at all IRL.
Riiiiiight. Because who wants a competitive competitor? Christ…
I am an official fan of the hashtag Vegasapproved.
Competitive women definitely aren’t bitches. I am actually glad they take over that part, because I am too lazy and too old to compete 🙂
I love your take on the postworkout drink. I always say a drink postworkout is fuel. So clearly, it’s needed.
Lazy and old are like the two LAST words I’d use to describe you. So shut your face. 😛
I’d bet you’d compete to beat me to a glass of that post-workout. 😉
You’re the most competitive person you know? I don’t know about that – I think I could take you on!! 🙂