In this episode of The Atlas Podcast, I sit down with my long-time friend and renowned coach, Chris Gurunlian, to discuss the exciting new Fit Model division recently announced by Tyler Manion. We dive deep into the evolution of bodybuilding categories, exploring how this new division aims to provide a more attainable and entry-level option for aspiring competitors while growing the sport as a whole.
Chris shares his personal journey, from skepticism to full support, reflecting on how new divisions like Men’s Physique and Wellness initially faced criticism but ultimately flourished. Together, we analyze the potential impact of the Fit Model category on the industry, from offering athletes a more mainstream look to its potential for attracting new talent and even drawing back retired competitors.
We tackle some of the most pressing questions: Will this division hurt bikini? Does it lower the bar for competition? And how will it shape the future of bodybuilding? Chris and I also share strategies for athletes deciding whether to transition into this category and discuss the business opportunities it brings for coaches, posing specialists, and other industry professionals.
If you’ve been curious about the Fit Model division or the ever-evolving landscape of bodybuilding, this episode is packed with insights, debates, and actionable advice for athletes at all levels. Don’t miss this in-depth conversation about the sport's future and how you can adapt to thrive. Enjoy!
Stay Connected:

Team Atlas Website: www.teamatlasfitness.com
James Ayotte's Website: www.jamesayotte.com
Team Atlas on Instagram: @teamatlasmtl &
@teamatlaslifestyle
James on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/james.ayotte.79
James on Instagram: @jamesxatlas
Atlas Podcast on Instagram: @atlaspodcastx
Discount links: https://linktr.ee/Jamesayotte

In this episode of The Atlas Podcast, I sit down with Bikini Olympia Champion Ariana Brothers to reflect on her post-Olympia thoughts and discuss what’s next in her competitive career. We dive into your questions, exploring topics like whether you should tell your coach if you’ve deviated from your plan, how to determine if you’re truly ready to compete, and when postponing a show might be the better option. Ariana and I highlight the importance of honesty in the coach-athlete relationship, explaining how withholding details—like untracked refeeds—can disrupt your prep and compromise your results.
We also address the challenges athletes face as they progress in the sport, sharing how we build trust with new clients and set clear expectations. Ariana offers a glimpse into her new posing business, emphasizing its value for competitors looking to refine their stage presence and stand out. This episode is packed with actionable insights on prep, peaking, and posing, providing an in-depth look at what it takes to thrive at the highest level. Don’t miss this honest and informative conversation with one of the sport’s elite athletes!
The Atlas Podcast is available on:

YouTube: bit.ly/AtlasPodcastYoutube
Spotify: bit.ly/AtlasPodcastSpotify
Apple Podcast: bit.ly/AtlasPodcastApple
Google Podcast: bit.ly/AtlasPodcastGoogle

Stay Connected:

Team Atlas Website: www.teamatlasfitness.com
James Ayotte's Website: www.jamesayotte.com
Team Atlas on Instagram: @teamatlasmtl &
@teamatlaslifestyle
James on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/james.ayotte...
James on Instagram: @jamesxatlas
Atlas Podcast on Instagram: @atlaspodcastx
Discount links: https://linktr.ee/Jamesayotte

In this episode of The Atlas Podcast, I’m joined by Bikini Olympia Champion Isa Pecini for an in-depth look at her final preparations leading into the 2024 Olympia. As we gear up for the big event, we share our insights on maintaining peak conditioning while managing stress, the challenges of peaking at the perfect time, and how she’s balancing her training and diet just two weeks out from the stage. We discuss the 'less is more' approach to peaking an athlete and the strategies we’ve implemented to ensure Isa’s physique is dialed in for the biggest competition of the year. For anyone interested in the behind-the-scenes process of preparing a champion for the Olympia, this episode is a must-watch. We hope you enjoy it!

The Atlas Podcast is available on:

YouTube: bit.ly/AtlasPodcastYoutube
Spotify: bit.ly/AtlasPodcastSpotify
Apple Podcast: bit.ly/AtlasPodcastApple
Google Podcast: bit.ly/AtlasPodcastGoogle

Stay Connected:

Team Atlas Website: www.teamatlasfitness.com
James Ayotte's Website: www.jamesayotte.com
Team Atlas on Instagram: @teamatlasmtl &
@teamatlaslifestyle
James on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/james.ayotte...
James on Instagram: @jamesxatlas
Atlas Podcast on Instagram: @atlaspodcastx
Victoria's on Instagram: @posingvs & @schmidtvictoria_
Discount links: https://linktr.ee/Jamesayotte

In this episode of The Atlas Podcast, I sit down with top Olympian Ariana Brothers as she opens up about her journey in the bodybuilding world, the ups and downs, and what it truly takes to succeed at the highest level. Ariana shares her personal struggles, from feeling lost after tough competitions to making a pivotal decision to switch coaches in pursuit of winning the Bikini Olympia title.

We dive into her previous challenges with peaking, trusting the process, and how small changes completely transformed her look on stage. We also reflect on the importance of being coachable, the lessons learned from past experiences, and what helped her come back stronger than ever. Whether you're an athlete aiming to level up, a coach seeking to better understand how to guide your athletes, or someone facing tough decisions, this episode is for you. Enjoy! 
The Atlas Podcast is available on:

YouTube: bit.ly/AtlasPodcastYoutube
Spotify: bit.ly/AtlasPodcastSpotify
Apple Podcast: bit.ly/AtlasPodcastApple
Google Podcast: bit.ly/AtlasPodcastGoogle

Stay Connected:

Team Atlas Website: www.teamatlasfitness.com
James Ayotte's Website: www.jamesayotte.com
Team Atlas on Instagram: @teamatlasmtl &
@teamatlaslifestyle
James on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/james.ayotte...
James on Instagram: @jamesxatlas
Atlas Podcast on Instagram: @atlaspodcastx
Victoria's on Instagram: @posingvs & @schmidtvictoria_
Discount links: https://linktr.ee/Jamesayotte

In this episode of The Atlas Podcast, I sit down with IFBB Pro Prescilla Deschenes, an athlete I’ve had the privilege of coaching for nearly three years. Prescilla opens up about her journey from amateur to pro, sharing the discipline, mindset shifts, and personal challenges she faced along the way. We discuss what it really takes to act like a pro before you even earn the title, including the importance of posing practice, balancing aesthetics, and the mental game behind achieving success in bodybuilding.

Prescilla also reflects on overcoming an eating disorder and how competing helped her establish a healthier relationship with food. For anyone looking to step up their game or seeking inspiration to overcome obstacles, this episode is a must-watch. Hope you enjoy it!

The Atlas Podcast is available on:

YouTube: bit.ly/AtlasPodcastYoutube
Spotify: bit.ly/AtlasPodcastSpotify
Apple Podcast: bit.ly/AtlasPodcastApple
Google Podcast: bit.ly/AtlasPodcastGoogle

Stay Connected:

Team Atlas Website: www.teamatlasfitness.com
James Ayotte's Website: www.jamesayotte.com
Team Atlas on Instagram: @teamatlasmtl &
@teamatlaslifestyle
James on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/james.ayotte...
James on Instagram: @jamesxatlas
Atlas Podcast on Instagram: @atlaspodcastx
Victoria's on Instagram: @posingvs & @schmidtvictoria_
Discount links: https://linktr.ee/Jamesayotte

In this episode of The Atlas Podcast, I’m joined by Claire for an insightful discussion on a variety of topics. We explore the logistics and challenges of in-person consultations during the busy competition season. We also dive into the intricacies of online check-ins, sharing how our team continues to produce top athletes year after year, even when managing multiple shows across different time zones.

Additionally, Claire and I talk about training and nutrition for athletes during pregnancy, highlighting the balance between staying active and ensuring a healthy pregnancy. We cover the importance of posing practice, flexibility, and how small details, like tanning, can significantly impact competition outcomes. Finally, we address the emotional highs and lows in competitive bodybuilding, emphasizing the importance of self-worth beyond just placings. This episode is packed with valuable insights for competitors at all levels. We hope you enjoy it!

The Atlas Podcast is available on:

Stay Connected:

In this episode of the Atlas Podcast, Victoria Schmidt and I discuss the Toronto Pro, highlighting our athlete Maxine Somov, who won the Pro Bikini class and qualified for the 2024 Olympia. We dive into why she will be a top bikini athlete, focusing on both her physical and mental attributes. Additionally, we cover various topics, including my plan to clone myself, lol. We hope you enjoy the discussion!

The Atlas Podcast is available on:

YouTube: bit.ly/AtlasPodcastYoutube
Spotify: bit.ly/AtlasPodcastSpotify
Apple Podcast: bit.ly/AtlasPodcastApple
Google Podcast: bit.ly/AtlasPodcastGoogle

Stay Connected:

Team Atlas Website: www.teamatlasfitness.com
James Ayotte's Website: www.jamesayotte.com
Team Atlas on Instagram: @teamatlasmtl &
@teamatlaslifestyle
James on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/james.ayotte...
James on Instagram: @jamesxatlas
Atlas Podcast on Instagram: @atlaspodcastx
Victoria's on Instagram: @posingvs & @schmidtvictoria_
Discount links: https://linktr.ee/Jamesayotte

In this episode of the Atlas Podcast, we welcome back Victoria Schmidt for an in-depth conversation about self-respect—what it means, its importance, and how it profoundly influences everything and everyone around you. We hope you enjoy the discussion!
The Atlas Podcast is available on:

YouTube: bit.ly/AtlasPodcastYoutube
Spotify: bit.ly/AtlasPodcastSpotify
Apple Podcast: bit.ly/AtlasPodcastApple
Google Podcast: bit.ly/AtlasPodcastGoogle

Stay Connected:

Team Atlas Website: www.teamatlasfitness.com
James Ayotte's Website: www.jamesayotte.com
Team Atlas on Instagram: @teamatlasmtl &
@teamatlaslifestyle
James on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/james.ayotte...
James on Instagram: @jamesxatlas
Atlas Podcast on Instagram: @atlaspodcastx
Victoria's on Instagram: @posingvs & @schmidtvictoria_
Discount links: https://linktr.ee/Jamesayotte

In this episode of the Atlas Podcast, we welcome back Victoria Schmidt for an in-depth conversation about self-respect—what it means, its importance, and how it profoundly influences everything and everyone around you. We hope you enjoy the discussion!
The Atlas Podcast is available on:

YouTube: bit.ly/AtlasPodcastYoutube
Spotify: bit.ly/AtlasPodcastSpotify
Apple Podcast: bit.ly/AtlasPodcastApple
Google Podcast: bit.ly/AtlasPodcastGoogle

Stay Connected:

Team Atlas Website: www.teamatlasfitness.com
James Ayotte's Website: www.jamesayotte.com
Team Atlas on Instagram: @teamatlasmtl &
@teamatlaslifestyle
James on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/james.ayotte...
James on Instagram: @jamesxatlas
Atlas Podcast on Instagram: @atlaspodcastx
Victoria's on Instagram: @posingvs & @schmidtvictoria_
Discount links: https://linktr.ee/Jamesayotte

In this podcast, recorded in January 2024, we discuss various subjects with Isa Pecini. We delve into Isa's future competing plans and goals, as well as her past struggles with anorexia. From my coaching perspective, we also analyze Isa as an athlete and we compare her previous preparations to the methods we currently use for her offseason, preps, and peak weeks. Isa shares her emotional journey, from the highs of winning to the lows of losing the Olympia. This podcast was particularly enjoyable for me because Isa is a very kind and genuine person. It also marks her first English podcast, allowing listeners to experience her sweet personality firsthand. We hope you enjoy it!The Atlas Podcast is available on: