In today’s episode, I chat with IFBB Pro Jessica McLaughlin, an active duty officer in the U.S. Air Force and former NFL Cheerleader for the New York Jets. During the 2024 season, Jessica claimed three overall NPC titles and placed 5th at the 2024 Ben Weider Natural Pro Qualifier before earning her IFBB Pro card at the 2025 North Americans.

Jessica shares her journey as a natural competitor, how her faith influences her approach to bodybuilding, and the lessons she’s learned about discipline, patience, and perspective both on and off the stage. We also talk about her transition from cheerleading to bodybuilding, balancing military life with prep, and how she keeps her priorities aligned with her values.

TOPICS COVERED

-Being a natural competitor

-Competing as a Christian

-Nailing your reverse

-Overcoming instant gratification

-The importance of early posing practice

-Using a dance background to enhance presentation

-Keeping perspective on what’s truly hard

CONNECT WITH CELESTE:

Website: http://www.celestial.fit

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

All Links: http://www.celestial.fit/links.html

CONNECT WITH JESSICA: 

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

TIME STAMPS

1:00 introduction

5:00 competing as a Christian

10:17 perspective on bikini division

13:18 focus for off season

20:57 growing from 2021 to 2024

24:56 advocating for staying natural 

31:18 the pressure to keep up

37:31 lessons from bodybuilding 

40:17 red hair on stage & posing

51:33 getting comfortable in heels

61:29 being an NFL cheerleader

66:08 joining the air force

72:54 balancing the military and bodybuilding

86:55 advice for competitors

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In today’s episode, I chat with IFBB Pro Sophie Edwards, who began her journey in 2023 competing in Wellness before switching to Bikini in her second show. After facing last callouts at NPC Nationals, Sophie committed to a long off season, came back stronger in June 2025 to win the overall, and just two weeks later earned her Pro card with a class win at USAs.

TOPICS COVERED

-The road to Pro 

-Switched coaches during prep

-Having a support system

-Being driven

-Giving back to the sport

-Changes in the divisions

-Traveling on prep

CONNECT WITH CELESTE:

Website: http://www.celestial.fit

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

All Links: http://www.celestial.fit/links.html

CONNECT WITH SOPHIE: 

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

TIME STAMPS

1:00 introduction

2:49 Pro in two years

4:53 life before competing

8:54 wellness to bikini

11:35 being a coach and hosting posing clinics

15:34 transition from self-coached to having a coach

21:10 bouncing back after tough placing

24:30 going through a break up in prep

29:00 changing coaches

32:05 feelings of winning

36:37 leaning on your support system

40:40 becoming a coach

43:18 advice for competitors

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Find the episodes for each of the following 2025 Olympia Athletes at www.celestial.fit/podcast OR by searching their name and 'Confessions of a Bikini Pro' on google or your favorite streaming platform :)

Iulia Baba (Romania) Jordan Brannon (USA) Lauralie Chapados (Canada) Ashley Kaltwasser (USA) Adair Libbrecht (Canada) Vania Auguste (USA) Kerry Sexton (United Kingdom) Lawna Dunbar (USA) Ndeye Ndour (USA) Chantal Hill (Spain) Jessica Wilson (USA) Maria Acosta (USA) Ariana Brothers (USA) Aimee Delgado (USA) Ashlyn Little (USA) Yurika Noda (USA) Tara Grier (USA) Tianna Weymouth (USA) Ally Vatthauer (USA) Lauren Kralovec (USA) Brittany Gillespie (USA) Savannah Watchman (USA) Kerryne Henich (USA) Jourdanne Lee (Canada)

In this special Q&A episode, I’m answering the questions you submitted after my season wrapped up. I share my honest reflections on competing, future plans, and the lessons I’ve learned through bodybuilding and beyond.

TOPICS COVERED

-Considering what I may regret

-My decision to retire

-Working with coach Adam

-Positive lessons from bodybuilding

-Growth of the bikini division

CONNECT WITH CELESTE:

Website: http://www.celestial.fit

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

All Links: http://www.celestial.fit/links.html

CONNECT WITH : 

Instagram: 

TIME STAMPS

1:00 introduction

1:25 deciding when to have kids

5:57 considering Fit Model

9:22 changing mentality with competing 

15:36 importance of routine

17:44 changing perspectives

21:44 favorite thing I learned about myself

23:14 growing in faith

25:55 something I would have changed

29:33 regrets about not earning a pro card 

33:21 staying in the industry

33:31 growing my family

35:49 favorite show day memories

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In this episode, I sit down with IFBB Pro Maja Dahmke, a 24-year-old natural competitor from Germany, who turned Pro in her first season! With a background in gymnastics and years of consistent gym training, she only started her bodybuilding journey one year ago. Outside of competing, she holds a bachelor’s in business psychology and is currently doing her Master’s in Management & Entrepreneurship, working part-time in a corporate job. Maja loves to travel, has studied abroad in San Diego, and will spend the next month’s living in Lisbon. After this time, she will probably starting to prep for her Pro debut next year.

TOPICS COVERED

-Family support

-Pro Card win + post-show blues

-Imposter syndrome

-Thoughts about turning Pro in the first season

-Early off-season struggles

-Life changes through bodybuilding & FOMO

-Main takeaways from my first season

CONNECT WITH CELESTE:

Website: http://www.celestial.fit

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

All Links: http://www.celestial.fit/links.html

CONNECT WITH MAJA: 

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

TIME STAMPS

1:00 introduction

5:27 going Pro in her first year

8:45 life before competing 

11:00 traveling to USA to compete

22:27 thoughts on turning pro quickly

27:40 doing what works for you

33:19 goals for her career

35:04 staying natural

36:40 education & studying abroad

44:32 feedback for improvement season

49:34 apply lessons learned

55:32 choosing a division

57:55  advice for competitors

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In this episode, I sit down with IFBB Pro Emmy Schwartz, a fitness and lifestyle coach, wife, fur mom, and the recent Ms USA. She started competing in 2017 as a form of therapy from a sever eating disorder and never looked back. She credits the sport to saving her life. She place 5th in her Pro debut at the 2025 Tahoe Pro.

TOPICS COVERED

-hospitalized with an eating disorder

-overcoming mental health struggles

-keep showing up

-taking a few years off

-using your platform

-triggers and how to handle them

CONNECT WITH CELESTE:

Website: http://www.celestial.fit

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

All Links: http://www.celestial.fit/links.html

CONNECT WITH MARISSA: 

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

TikTok: @emmyk_ifbbpro

Website: emmykfit.com 

TIME STAMPS

1:00 introduction

3:27 making a quick Pro debut

13:17 missing her Pro card multiple times

18:15 returning to the stage

23:00 working towards feedback

33:04 setting boundaries

35:00 rediscovering yourself

43:24 having gratitude

46:20 lessons from “not yet”

48:17 overcoming an eating disorder

58:29 bodybuilding & eating disorders

67:28 life outside of competing

74:15 loving the process

83:48 advice for competitors

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In this episode, I sit down with IFBB Pro Marissa McGee, who discovered bodybuilding after her boyfriend (now husband) randomly signed up for a show in 2021. What started as curiosity quickly became passion, and after coaching herself for her first year, Marissa began working with coach Matt Greggo. In 2025, she earned her Pro card at Universe, taking first place. Alongside her bodybuilding journey, Marissa works full time as a service rep in healthcare while building a coaching business with her husband.

Marissa’s story is one of dedication, balance, and building confidence both on and off the stage.

TOPICS COVERED

-How Marissa found bodybuilding and what hooked her

-The importance of taking prep day by day

-Learning to trust your coach

-Training and lifting with a spouse

-Navigating body image and growth seasons

-The support of having family at shows

CONNECT WITH CELESTE:

Website: http://www.celestial.fit

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

All Links: http://www.celestial.fit/links.html

CONNECT WITH MARISSA: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/m.mini_fit/

Coaching: https://www.instagram.com/jackedrabbitcoaching/

TIME STAMPS

1:00 introduction

4:18 journey to pro

11:45 improving between shows

17:44 offseason growth

25:00 balancing prep and off season

34:15 celebrate your process

36:55 deciding to work with a coach

43:30 competing at national shows

47:20 balancing conditioning and muscle

50:05 changes in bikini & gaining confidence

56:25 planning a Pro debut

59:46 having a coaching business

68:29 raising rabbits

75:30 advice for competitors

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In this episode, I chat with IFBB Pro Bree Wilson, who found bodybuilding in 2022 after meeting her now-husband, Jordan. Bree competed for the first time in 2023, where she won the overall in her debut show and, just six weeks later, stepped on stage at the Toronto Pro Supershow. That same year, she earned her Pro card at the Vancouver Pro Qualifier—after only six months of competing.

Since then, Bree has been guided by Jamie D. Bernard and has had an impressive streak of second-place finishes. But her story goes far beyond stage success. Having played soccer for over a decade and worked as a personal trainer since age 19, Bree has dedicated her life to athletics and coaching. Along the way, she and her husband opened their own coaching business, and she has overcome an eating disorder, battled low self-esteem, and rebuilt her confidence. Now, she feels she has finally discovered who she was meant to be.

TOPICS COVERED

-Overcoming eating disorders

-Finding confidence after past struggles

-Changing coaches and mindsets

-Building sustainability in the sport

-Posing tips for competitors

-Lessons in self-discovery through bodybuilding

CONNECT WITH CELESTE:

Website: http://www.celestial.fit

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

All Links: http://www.celestial.fit/links.html

CONNECT WITH BREE: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breewilson.ifbbpro/

https://www.instagram.com/team_pro.fit/

https://www.instagram.com/herposingshowcase/

TIME STAMPS

1:00 introduction

4:50 becoming a personal trainer

9:05 dating & marrying a competitor

10:20 overcoming an eating disorder

15:17 guilt over going Pro quickly

18:15 feedback from judges

28:13 from meal plans to macros

32:59 changing mindset around prep

43:38 improving from previous challenges

55:13 advice for someone with low confidence

60:00 her relationship with her husband

64:35 goals for the future

66:29 advice for competitors

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In this episode, I chat with IFBB Pro Felicia Botelho, who began competing in 2015 and earned her Pro card at the 2025 Universe in the Masters 35+ division. Outside of bodybuilding, Felicia works full time as a medical assistant at a dermatology office, enjoys life with her boyfriend and puppy, and is working towards her personal training certification.

Felicia opens up about her experiences with eating disorders and mental illness, the role faith has played in her journey, and the emotional side of competing. She shares valuable lessons learned from the sport and how she maintains balance between bodybuilding and everyday life.

TOPICS COVERED

-Overcoming eating disorders and mental illness

-How faith shapes her perspective

-Emotional challenges of competing

-Key lessons from the stage

-Life and goals outside of bodybuilding

CONNECT WITH CELESTE:

Website: http://www.celestial.fit

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

All Links: http://www.celestial.fit/links.html

CONNECT WITH :

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miss.botelho_ifbbpro/

TIME STAMPS

1:00 introduction

4:20 working towards your Pro card

8:01 balancing life and bodybuilding

11:10 having a strong faith

13:25 lessons from competing 

16:11 having a step-son

20:26 purpose outside of the sport

24:09 prep versus improvement season

26:02 working with P3 coaching

29:45 bikini criteria & competing

36:28 a day in the life

41:20 skin care advice

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If you’re getting ready to step on stage, this episode is for you. After 16 shows over 10 years, I’ve learned plenty of lessons—many the hard way—that can save you time, stress, and unnecessary headaches on show day.

I’m sharing practical tips to help you feel prepared and confident, from what to pack in your suitcase to how to avoid tanning disasters, plus why you might want to dress up a Reese’s Cup for the perfect pump.

Whether this is your first competition or your next, you’ll walk away with actionable advice you can use right away.

TOPICS COVERED

-Lessons from years of competing

-How to think about other competitors

-Being kind and realistic with yourself

-Packing essentials (including the umbrella tip you’ll thank me for)

-Hair, tanning, and pump-up strategies

CONNECT WITH CELESTE:

Website: http://www.celestial.fit

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

All Links: http://www.celestial.fit/links.html

TIME STAMPS

1:00 introduction

2:52 stage lessons from 16 shows

6:05 hair mistakes

8:35 extras for show day

13:35 tanning tips

17:00 pumping up

20:02 going to the bathroom

23:40 how to pack for show day

26:45 appreciate your time on stage

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