Thanks everyone...
Hey guys, I appreciate the encouragement, particularly b/c I know you guys can empathize with what it takes to get there...
Competition... in one sense, I am working towards it... but it's just under a year away... will re-assess in 6 months and see if I need one more year so I don't make a horses rear of myself on stage

... I don't "need" to win, BUT, I also don't need to be "that guy" that everyone looks at like "huh?" hahahahaha!
"competition lean"... if anything else, I like that idea... I had more than my fair share of years of being the "incredible bulk" but if I'm honest with myself... it was more like the "incredible bloat"!
Thanks again for all the encouragement, as I often mentioned my "extreme lone-ranger" mentality... your words truly help A LOT!