The Panel...What are they looking for?

I have to ask...what is the NPC looking for in their competitors? Subjective this sport is but it is so hard sometimes to get on stage knowing that you have trained as hard and maybe harder than others but top five or top three does not happen for you. My thoughts are, that you just keep going and competing until your name is a household name in the world of NPC.
I myself with a career and being in grad school could not just keep going, but do want to continue in the near future. Time off your career to pursue something that you love as much as your job, may separate you from your family and friends for a bit, and has a ton of extra expenses if you do not have sponsors, this sport has so many rewards but also makes you realize that a balance of so many things in your life needs to happen. You give up so much but are at the mercy of a panel of opinions. How do we as competitors know what the judges want? I for one look at the pros and strive to look like them. I will be honest that I have thought of becoming a tri-athlete because winning and losing is black and white....and I most likely do not have to worry about my salt intake ;)! I then think back to some of the best times I have ever had and they go back to times when I am competing within the NPC and Muscle Mania, the people I have met and the effect they have had on my life is one that is not replaceable. Being a Competitor in the NPC is something that is with you for life but it is so frustrating to never know what "the panel" is looking for. We are all athletes up there and yes, sometimes I think, girl you beat me, but I know I think I look better than you....and then I think well I know that we have all trained hard and once we are on stage, it is out of our control and we need to put our sportsmanship cap on and keep smiling! So, I guess I am saying to those who do not place where they would like to keep striving to get to the top. Also, to those that are at the top do not forget those who strive to be like you, continue to inspire and pave that path for those of us up and coming. <3 Jilly aka J-Pappy