“I completely fell in love with the sport and the people around. I would say everything good in my life has come because of bodybuilding.” —Ted Finkelman

For those who pursue this sport at its highest levels, it is much more than just lifting weights in the gym - it is an all-consuming lifestyle. The psychological strength required is just as demanding as the physical toll of intense training. Only those who can manage both aspects will find their way to the top. But for those who reach their goals, few victories can surpass the thrill of seeing years of commitment realized on competition day.

Ted Finkelman has transformed his physique over a decade of bodybuilding through immense physical dedication in the gym and kitchen. However, his success also stems from cultivating the mental strength needed to overcome self-doubt, unsupportive family, injuries, and periods of falling off track in his training. Ted's story exemplifies the balance of physical progress and safeguarding of mental fortitude required for sustained success in the demanding world of competitive bodybuilding.

Tune in as Sherrie and Ted discuss the importance of learning to handle the cyclic nature of the bulking and cutting phases, understanding the physical and mental demands of the sport, having a solid support system, embracing setbacks as opportunities for improvements, and more. 

Connect with Sherrie: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherrie.massiakapach 

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mindbodysoul_hypnothetapist 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherrie-kapach-b5bb26243 

Email: [email protected] 

Episode Highlights:

01:25 From a Gamer to National-Level Competitor

07:56 Training and Competition Challenges

12:00 Building a Strong Mind to Overcome Setbacks

16:03 Beyond the Changes in the Mirror

Connect with Ted: 

The Hebrew Hulk's transformation began when Ted, a Medicine Hat local born and raised, once glued to his computer and devouring a whole pizza; looked in the mirror and realized his sedentary lifestyle was unfit for a 20-year-old. Faced with a lack of guidance and inundated with "get fit fast" advice, he embarked on a journey of self-improvement.

Through extensive research, basement workouts, numerous setbacks, and failed attempts, Ted persevered. Trying other coaches, he eventually understood that he had to take charge himself, allowing him to master his passion and guide others toward success effectively.

This realization, born from his personal transformation and acquired wisdom, inspired him to share his knowledge, knowing how profoundly it could benefit others striving for greatness.

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“Bodybuilding is sexy.” —Ashley Sproat

For too long, women have been constrained by narrow gender stereotypes that define femininity solely by appearances. However, through natural bodybuilding competitions, women find an empowering platform to proudly express their strength, dedication, and multidimensional selves. By challenging conventions and redefining beauty on their own terms, these athletes encourage all women to embrace self-confidence, break barriers, and own their power.

Ashley Sproat is a natural bodybuilder who was first drawn to the sport to help overcome postpartum depression through renewed goal-setting in the gym. After seeing success in transforming her physique and mindset, she was encouraged by friends to compete naturally, an experience that has allowed her to redefine her relationship with food and fitness while empowering other women to embrace their multifaceted selves. She now looks forward to continuing her competitive journey to bring an even stronger package to the stage in the coming year.

Tune in as Sherrie and Ashley talk about the misconceptions about bodybuilding and femininity, how bodybuilding provides an opportunity for self-expression, the importance of proper nutrition coaching, the role of discipline and routine in achieving goals, and not letting setbacks derail progress.

Connect with Sherrie: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherrie.massiakapach 

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mindbodysoul_hypnothetapist 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherrie-kapach-b5bb26243 

Email: [email protected] 

Episode Highlights:

03:09 Bodybuilding and Femininity

07:09 Fitness Competition and Preparation

14:04 Self-Expression at Pageants  

18:35 The Power of Mindset and Discipline

23:07 Do It For Yourself

“Just because you're in the gym does not mean that you have to compete. It's not for everybody, and that's okay. It doesn't mean that just because you're not competing, all of a sudden you're not a bodybuilder.” —Cristina Rifo

While bodybuilding requires intense physical training and discipline, the mental demands of the sport are often overlooked. Preparing for a competition brings tremendous stress as competitors push their bodies to the limit with strict diets and grueling workouts over an extended period. This type of lifestyle can negatively impact mental well-being if proper care is not taken. Thus, making self-care a priority helps bodybuilders sustain their passion for the sport over the long term.

Before becoming a bodybuilding coach and professional competitor, Cristina Rifo struggled with disordered eating and body image issues. After using the sport to help cope with a difficult divorce, she now focuses on educating others about balancing physical training with mental well-being.

Listen in as Sherrie and Cristina discuss why mental health issues like anxiety and body dysmorphia are common in bodybuilding but often overlooked, the importance of maintaining a healthy mindset alongside physical training, the challenges of handling struggles with family members who may not support your lifestyle choice, the importance of setting the right reasons for pursuing bodybuilding, and more.

Connect with Sherrie: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherrie.massiakapach 

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mindbodysoul_hypnothetapist 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherrie-kapach-b5bb26243 

Email: [email protected] 

Episode Highlights:

01:19 Struggles with Nutrition and Mindset

05:26 Bodybuilding is NOT a Fad

09:46 What the Journey Looks Like

“The mindset is the hardest part. You can do anything with your mind so don't doubt yourself.” —Correna Barthel

Having a positive relationship with food is vital for overall well-being and sustainable fitness goals. Learning to make balanced choices and listen to hunger/fullness cues helps cultivate a healthy mindset around nutrition that supports long-term health and wellness.

Correna Barthel is a competitive bodybuilder who found her passion for the sport after seeing women on stage at her first show. Inspired to transform her physique and lifestyle, she embarked on a weight loss journey under her coach that resulted in her losing 70 pounds over three years through dedication to training and nutrition. However, Correna experienced a setback after her first competition where she overindulged in treats instead of properly fueling her body in recovery, which negatively impacted her digestion and relationship with food— a lesson she now passionately shares to help others gain a better understanding of their body’s needs. 

Listen in as Sherrie and Correna talk about the importance of having a positive relationship with food, why it is challenging, and how to overcome setbacks. They also discuss the transformative power of bodybuilding, how being involved with the community can help boost motivation, and how competition empowers one toward self-improvement. 

Connect with Sherrie: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherrie.massiakapach 

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mindbodysoul_hypnothetapist 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherrie-kapach-b5bb26243 

Email: [email protected] 

Episode Highlights:

01:17 Fitness Journey: From Weightloss to Stage

06:15 Learning to Have a Positive Relationship with Food

13:12 Overcoming Setbacks: The Power of Community Support 

Connect with Correna: 

Correna is a passionate bodybuilder dedicated to her fitness journey and inspiring others. Married to her supportive husband Reece, and a proud pet parent to two fur babies, Luke and Lily, Correna found her calling in bodybuilding after watching Reece compete in November 2021. With a blend of tomboy strength and feminine grace, she embarked on a transformative path with her wellness coach Brett Riffel, shedding 45 pounds and then another 25-30 pounds during her first competition prep. Now, with three stage appearances under her belt, she aims to continue her growth and compete again in 2024. Active on social media, Correna motivates others through her journey, sharing "Sweaty Selfies" and her progress to keep herself accountable and inspire her followers. Alongside her fitness journey, she runs a successful business as an Independent Representative for Zyia Active, fostering a community of support and fashion. Correna aspires to continue competing as long as possible and, eventually, to mentor others in the bodybuilding world, embodying resilience and determination in all her endeavors.

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“There was more to getting healthy than going to the gym. It had to start with nutrition and working on mental health.” —Sara

While the gym is where many see visible progress through strength gains and physical changes, true fitness begins from within. Our mental, emotional, and nutritional well-being lay the foundation for any physical activity to take root and blossom. Only by addressing underlying issues can we empower our bodies to perform at their best. 

Sara knows better than most that the journey to better health is a lifelong marathon, not a sprint. After receiving a life-changing breast cancer scare in 2018, she decided to fully commit to her health and wellness. She has lost over 100 pounds through lifestyle changes over the past three years. While she is not competing herself just yet, her goal is to feel confident enough to step on stage by 2025. 

Don't miss this empowering conversation with Sarah as she discusses the importance of whole-body wellness and insights on making lifestyle changes that last.

Connect with Sherrie: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherrie.massiakapach 

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mindbodysoul_hypnothetapist 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherrie-kapach-b5bb26243 

Email: [email protected] 

Episode Highlights:

01:29 Navigating Weight Loss Journey

03:36 No Two Stages are the Same 

05:00 Lifestyle Changes DO NOT Start at the Gym

06:43 The Importance of Confronting Personal Issues

Connect with Sara:

Sara is an avid fitness enthusiast and supporter of bodybuilding. After a breast cancer scare led her to lose over 100 pounds through lifestyle changes over the past three years, she found inspiration in her friends who compete in bodybuilding events. 

While she currently observes and cheers on her friends as they train and compete, Sara's goal is to be competing on stage herself by 2025. When she's not in the gym working towards her fitness goals, Sarah enjoys learning from the journeys of others and providing encouragement to those starting their own wellness transformations.

“Always be yourself 100% because if you can't be yourself, you're not going to get into work.” —Erving Gutierrez

To achieve great things, half measures simply won't cut it. We have to be willing to go all in and give our absolute maximum effort at every step of the journey. And this requires making sacrifices, pushing past discomfort, and persevering even during tough times. If we want to be the best we can be every day, we must be willing to leave no stone unturned in the relentless pursuit of our potential.

In today's episode, we explore what it takes to fully commit to the bodybuilding lifestyle with our guest, Erving Gutierrez. Erving has recently competed in two shows within one year— an impressive feat that required an immense amount of dedication. Listen in as Erving shares his journey into bodybuilding and what motivated him to take on such an ambitious competition schedule. 

Sherrie and Erving also discuss the mental and physical challenges of preparing for back-to-back shows, how drawing on inner strength and support from others can help us persevere, and the importance of commitment and sacrifice to achieve our goals.

Connect with Sherrie: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherrie.massiakapach 

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mindbodysoul_hypnothetapist 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherrie-kapach-b5bb26243 

Email: [email protected] 

Episode Highlights:

01:09 2 Shows in One Year

02:48 Mental Challenges in Prep

06:36 Legacy Award

08:33 The Importance of Commitment 

Connect with Erving: 

Erving Gutierrez is a competitive bodybuilder. In his first year in the sport, he took on the ambitious goal of competing in two shows just months apart. Through his experiences, Erving emphasizes the importance of selfishness to commit, sacrifice, and give your full effort to achieve goals in bodybuilding. He hopes to inspire others to push past limits through sheer force of will and determination.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ervgtz/  

“It's not just the physical part of it, but you have to be mentally focused on your journey. Keep going and never give up. It may take time, it will suck. But at the end, it’s all worth it.” —Sourav Chowdhary 

It is the marriage of a strong mind with a strong body that sees competitors across the finish line in their best possible shape. Getting one's body into peak condition requires extreme discipline, sacrifice, and perseverance for months on end. But unless the mind is equally conditioned to withstand temptation, push past plateaus, and rise above doubts and difficulties, competitors will not be able to stay fully committed to their training. Developing a strong mental fortitude is key to staying laser-focused on our goals during their most challenging moments. 

In this episode, Sherrie sits with Sourav Chowdhary. Sourav showed dedication and mental strength by continuing his bodybuilding journey despite facing unforeseen circumstances and loss. He motivated himself by dedicating his training and competition to his deceased brother-in-law.

Listen in as Sherrie and Sourav discuss how commitment can help one overcome setbacks, the importance of keeping clear of your purpose, the benefits of resisting the temptation to cheat during prep, how to stay focused and calm during competition, and the one thing that is more important than receiving awards. 

Connect with Sherrie: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherrie.massiakapach 

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mindbodysoul_hypnothetapist 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherrie-kapach-b5bb26243 

Email: [email protected] 

Episode Highlights:

01:36 A Worthy Journey 

03:19 From Overweight to Confident

06:42 Eat Clean

09:00 Keep Your Purpose at the Forefront

“Do it for yourself, not for somebody else… especially if you want to stay committed to it.” —Julie

Making a comeback after injury is a challenging but rewarding journey. Through grit and determination, the injured athlete can work step-by-step to recover strengths and skills, starting small with simple movements and building up endurance, flexibility, and power over time. And as the body is reconditioned, we can overcome even serious injuries to find new heights of ability.

After a devastating motorcycle accident left her with a broken foot and doubts about her future in bodybuilding, Julie was determined to make an incredible comeback. Against all odds, she pushed through grueling physical therapy and bouts of pain to get back in the gym. Though the injury lingered and certain exercises grew difficult, her passion for fitness and competing drove her to continue chasing her dreams of stepping on stage. 

In this episode, Julie shares her inspiring story of perseverance as she overcame the challenges of recovery and qualifying for another show— proving that true dedication can help one prevail over any obstacle in the pursuit of their passions. Sherrie and Julie also discuss why slow and steady weight loss is better than dropping weight too quickly, why competing should be done for intrinsic motivation, why having a strong support system is important for staying motivated, and why good communication is important when coaching athletes. 

Connect with Sherrie: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherrie.massiakapach 

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mindbodysoul_hypnothetapist 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherrie-kapach-b5bb26243 

Email: [email protected] 

Episode Highlights:

01:43 Entering Competition After Injury 

03:29 Prepping Based on Your Body Composition 

05:00 Set Fitness Goals for You 

06:59 The Importance of Coaches

“Part of me is to set an example and tell them that there are people out there with PKU on stage.” —Aiden Young

Every athlete faces challenges on their journey, but few overcome obstacles as formidable as their own genetics. 

Aiden Young was born with phenylketonuria (PKU), a rare disorder preventing his body from breaking down protein— an essential macronutrient for building muscle mass. Yet through creativity, perseverance, and a refusal to accept limitations, Aiden has shattered expectations by pursuing competitive bodybuilding. Now in his fifth show after just a year and a half of training, Aiden proves that health conditions are not destiny by rewriting what is possible through adaptive training methods. 

Tune in to hear Aiden's incredible story of pushing past brain fog, diet restrictions, mindset shifting, adapting his training to make it work for his condition, supporting others, and inspiring through sharing his journey. 

Connect with Sherrie: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherrie.massiakapach 

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mindbodysoul_hypnothetapist 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherrie-kapach-b5bb26243 

Email: [email protected] 

Episode Highlights:

01:42 Plagued by a Genetic Disorder

03:24 Managing PKU and Limitations

05:10 Overcoming Injuries and Trauma

06:39 Feeling “Bouncy” with Anticipation

“Becoming a mom is hard, especially when your little ones want you and only you. Don't be hard on yourself. Take your time.” —Margarita Vailas

For many busy mothers, the challenge of balancing career, family responsibilities, and personal health goals can seem insurmountable. Between shuttling kids to activities, long workdays, and endless household tasks, finding even an hour for exercise often falls by the wayside. However, with a growth mindset and support system in place, women can successfully weave fitness into their lives despite full plates.  

In this episode, we are joined by Margarita Vailas. As a mother of two balancing a career in film, Margarita knows the challenges of prepping for a competition. But Margarita proves it's possible with grit and a positive mindset.

Hop in as Margarita offers insightful perspectives on balancing fitness goals with family responsibilities, the mental and physical challenges of competing, the importance of support systems, managing expectations, why patience is crucial achieving gradual progress, and making health and wellness as a priority.  

Connect with Sherrie: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherrie.massiakapach 

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mindbodysoul_hypnothetapist 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherrie-kapach-b5bb26243 

Email: [email protected] 

Episode Highlights:

01:54 Balancing Responsibilities and Fitness Goals

03:49 Mental and Physical Preparation for Competitions 

06:00 The Role of Patience

07:57 The Struggle with Feeling Ready