Today's Bikini Diaries podcast guest is talking with us all the way from New Zealand! Mariska Roetz tells us a very delicate story of how she had to overcome a tragic sickness. Her body would reject food due to her restricting for so many years. After nearly losing her life, she found the sport of bodybuilding and is now living a very fulfilled and passionate life. She opens up and shares with us her experiences traveling abroad and working with two-time Miss Bikini Olympia, Angelica Teixeira. This is a good one!!

Here's what you'll hear:

[5:30] - Bikini Hack

[17:00] - Dealing with sickness at a young age

[23:30] - Relationships with family

[28:00] - Mariska's family's reaction to competing

[33:30] - Trying to get a sponsorship

[39:30] - Competing in the USA

[46:00] - Advice for traveling out of the country to compete

[51:00] - Working with two-time Miss Bikini Olympia, Angelica Teixeira

[55:00] - Comparing coaching styles

[59:30] - Goals moving forward

[1:01:30] - Dear Diary

Find Mariska on IG @mariskaroetz_ifbbpro

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If you've ever thought you couldn't do this sport because you have too much going on, today's guest will make you think again! Ana Lozano is a single mother to a 3 year old, as well as a business owner and IFBB Bikini Professional. If she can be successful in the sport, I know you can too! She says that this was never her plan, this is God's plan, and she is here to spread His message. I LOVE her story and I know that you will too!

Here's what you'll hear:

[5:30] - Bikini Hack

[15:00] - The body of Ana's dreams

[18:30] - Trusting her coach

[19:30] - Moving away from home

[23:00] - Balancing it all

[27:30] - Handling judgments & setbacks

[33:30] - How the lifestyle affects Ana's daughter

[35:30] - Fighting for the pro card

[38:00] - Ana's pro critiques

[42:30] - Who Ana's working with

[45:00] - Lymphatic drainage massages

[47:30] - Goals moving forward

[51:30] - Dear Diary

Find Ana on IG @analozanofit

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I think most of us in the bodybuilding industry have battled with balancing a fulfilling social life and bikini prep—especially in our early to mid-20s when most of the people around us are not spending every waking moment in the gym, grocery store, or kitchen. When Kasey turned 21, before getting her pro card, she took time off from the sport just to live a little. And this journey taught her A LOT about the kind of people she wanted to be around.

She cherishes the same thing that many of us cherish, but Kasey says it much more eloquently: she wants to be surrounded by people who are chasing long-term goals...not this Saturday night's best party location.

On this episode, we walk through Kasey's journey to obtaining her pro card. From her struggles with her relationship with food, to what it's like dating another competitor, and most recently living through her father's death shortly after earning her pro card. Join us today to hear her inspiring story!

Here's what you'll hear:

[6:00] – Bikini Hack

[12:00] – Upbringing, background, and early lifestyle

[14:30] – How did competing come about?

[16:00] – Early coaches tips that helped Kasey get started on her journey

[18:00] – Best tips from Kasey (as a hard gainer) to put on muscle

[20:30] – What drives Kasey to keep competing?

[21:30] – Journey to getting her pro card  

[24:30] – Taking a full year off from competing, life lessons learned during that time.

[28:00] – Challenges overcoming emotional eating and temptation

[33:00] – Dating another competitor

[39:30] – Competition hacks and money saving hacks

[42:30] – Improvements to work on this year

[46:30] – Pet peeves about the sport

[50:00] – Short and long term goals

[53:00] – Dear Diary…..

Find Kasey on IG @kasey_ifbbpro

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Todays special guest carries a full time job working in nuclear medicine alongside competing as an IFBB bikini professional and coaching other athletes. Lauren Huddleston has been competing for 9 years and has been a professional for 4+ years and was self coached until achieving her pro card. Lauren's journey has another unique aspect as competing was originally a bucket list item that was supposed to be one and done. It's very apparent that Laurens determination to exceed the goals she sets for herself has taken her far in her career and today she shares with us her mindset and drive behind her success. I am very excited about this episode as Lauren is one of the few athletes I know of who was self taught and coached for much of her career which today, is almost unheard of.

Here's what you'll hear:

[5:00] - Bikini Hack

[20:00] - Athletic background

[21:10] - Checking off a bucket list item

[26:00] - Competition prep resources

[29:00] - Self coaching

[33:20] - Personal strategy

[37:50] - Putting herself in a caloric deficit

[42:40] - Years to getting pro card

[48:40] - Advice to seasoned amateurs

[50:15] - Deciding to work with a coach

[54:50] - Self coached vs coached differences

[1:00:25] - Offseason improvement

[1:04:25] - Tips for a streamlined look

[1:07:30] - Goals for this year

Find Lauren on IG @theworkoutdiva

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Today's super special guest is a surgical assistant, IFBB bikini professional, and posing coach! In this episode she shares with us how much competing has truly changed her life. Ever struggle with depression and feeling like there's no way out? Just wait! She reveals to us about this deep, dark depression she fell into, and how after finding help, she was able to come back to the sport thriving! I know you are going to LOVE listening to Cassandra Murphy's journey and her story and that this will truly inspire you as well!

Here's what you'll hear:

[5:30] - Bikini Hack

[17:00] - How Cassie grew up

[20:30] - Getting used to being the center of attention

[23:30] - Using visualization

[25:00] - What attracted Cassie to the sport

[27:30] - Getting interested in going pro

[30:00] - Pro card strategy

[35:30] - Lifestyle changes

[40:30] - What happened in 2019

[49:30] - Complications with surgery

[52:00] - Deep-rooted insecurity

[54:00] - A mental breakdown

[1:02:00] - Tweaks for glute fullness

[1:04:00] - DIYing it

[1:06:00] - Cassie's posing business

[1:08:00] - Goals moving forward

[1:11:00] - Dear Diary

Follow Cassandra on IG @cassieifbbpro

----->Head HERE for your FREEBIES, coupon codes, and other links! https://vibe-athletics.mykajabi.com/links

Overcoming life threatening health challenges to become her own version of Wonder Woman with Lesley Billups

If you're wondering what Wonder Woman looks like, it's Lesley Billups! Her all-in personality has helped her successfully compete for over 6 years, maintain a full time job, and start and run 2 small businesses. But that same all-in personality is also what helped her recognize the need for ALL the balance...work-life, work-prep, prep-life, biz-life, alllllll of it!

And on top of that, she suffered from an extreme health challenge after having an asthma attack that left her with 2 collapsed lungs and in a coma for days. Her mental fortitude is so apparent in this episode and I can't wait for you to be inspired by her message!

Here's what you'll hear:

[6:00] - Bikini Hack

[13:00] - Athletic history growing up

[18:30] - How did you find balance with prep and completing?

[21:00] - How did you know your balance was off and needed to make significant changes? How did you balance being selfish and being determined?

[23:00] - What about your group of friends confirms that you have found the right tribe?

[25:00] - Balancing working full time and competing?

[27:30] - Journey to getting a pro card and some medical challenges she had to overcome.

[33:00] - Details of Lesley’s coma and medical challenges that took her out of competing for over a year

[45:00] - How did this experience impact you when you got back into competing?

[46:30] - What has it been like starting your first pro season?

[49:30] - Specifics to improve upon this year before getting to the stage?

[51:30] - Inspiration behind her clothing line?

[53:30] - Core message and style of clothing brand?

[54:30] - Information about Lesley’s podcast.

[56:30] - Competing and business goals moving forward this year?

[58:30] - What does Lesley consider herself a professional manifestor?

[1:00:30] - Dear Diary….

[1:01:30] - Advice to those striving to be future professionals?

Find Lesley on IG @l_bellabikini @dimensional_athletica

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Imagine being told by countless judges to not change a thing! That's life for today's Bikini Diaries podcast guest, Jimi Marley. She is coming in HOT this year as she recently earned her Olympia qualification. Today she is going to share the good, the bad, and the ugly of how she grew up. She wasn't always this confident and most definitely was not always in shape either. With the support of the people in her life paired with a dream that never died, her dream is now her reality. Keep your handkerchief nearby because this beauty lets all the feels flow as she discovers how much hard work really does pay off and that she really did accomplish so much.

Here's what you'll hear:

[6:00] - Bikini Hack

[16:00] - Getting started

[21:00] - From 160 lbs to stepping on stage

[27:00] - Wanting to go pro

[29:30] - "You're lucky"

[34:30] - Lowest of lows

[37:30] - Support during improvement season

[39:30] - Signs of healing

[42:00] - Changes for this year

[47:00] - Getting the Olympia qualification

[51:00] - Working on self-confidence

[53:00] - How Jimi is spending her time right now

[55:00] - What changes would Jimi make?

[56:00] - Going back in time

[57:30] - Goals for the Olympia

[59:30] - Dear Diary

Find Jimi on IG @jimmar.ifbbpro

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Today we have a guest who has been in the military for 15 years. Throughout life, she has always been athletic but it was competing that really took her to the next level. While most people have trouble putting on weight, Toniesha Gaddis is the complete opposite and shares with us what she does to not only build mass, but keep it on. She also opens up to us in full detail on how she found her coach, what are great qualities a coach should have, and why she decided to stay with her coach. Be prepared to take notes because this beauty is sharing it ALL!

Here's what you'll hear:

[5:30] - Bikini Hack

[19:30] - The individual aspect of competing

[25:30] - Finding the right coach

[45:30] - Going pro quickly

[49:30] - Taking time to improve

[54:00] - Eating a lot of food

[57:30] - Growing your glutes

[1:03:00] - Toni's pro debut

[1:13:00] - The next show for Toni

[1:15:00] - Goals in the sport

[1:21:30] - Planning your season [1:25:00] - Dear Diary

Find Toniesha on IG @mini_beast_toni17

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Ever feel like you aren't cut out for this sport? Or maybe that you're not worthy of this? (... I know I have!) Today our guest opens up about her limiting beliefs rooted in childhood and how she was able to create a new reality for herself. Get ready, because we go deep! Charvass Taylor doesn't only share her journey with us, but she shares her heart. After listening to this episode, I know you will be inspired and most certainly feel like anything in your life is possible!

Here's what you'll hear:

[6:00] - Bikini Hack

[13:30] - Feelings of unworthiness

[24:30] - Knowing when to make a change

[38:30] - Changing core beliefs

[48:00] - Affirmations & Self-Talk

[53:30] - Earning her pro card

[1:02:00] - Becoming a pro so quickly

[1:08:00] - Goals for this year

[1:15:00] - Dear Diary

Find Charvass on IG @vassie03_ifbb_pro

----->Head HERE for your FREEBIES, coupon codes, and other links! https://vibe-athletics.mykajabi.com/links

Shaneeka Harmonson is the Bikini Diaries podcast's very inspirational guest of the day! She is a full time occupational therapist and posing coach. She is a woman of many talents who, after winning her pro status, won a lifetime sponsorship and full-time scholarship. She is a superstar with a very big heart who strongly believes that if she can do this than SO CAN YOU! Join our conversation to hear all about Shaneeka's switch from the OCB to the NPC, overcoming gut health issues, dealing with her height, and earning her pro card, along with some other prestigious awards. You don't wanna miss this one!

Here's what you'll hear:

[6:00] - Bikini Hack

[11:00] - How Shaneeka grew up

[12:30] - Getting into body building

[15:30] - First show experience

[18:00] - Transitioning from OCB to NPC

[22:00] - Nationals

[24:00] - Winning a sponsorship

[26:00] - Creating the perfect bikini body

[28:00] - Tools & tricks to fit the mold

[31:30] - Strategy to turning pro

[33:30] - Taking some time off

[35:30] - Getting her pro card

[39:00] - Feelings of belonging & insecurity

[43:00] - Gut health issues

[47:00] - Doing her own tan

[48:30] - Critiques

[49:30] - Goals moving forward

[51:30] - Dear Diary

Follow Shaneeka on IG @neek_fit85

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