Confessions of a Bikini Pro

Today I speak with IFBB Bikini Pro Jasmine Gonzalez, a United States Marine who served 6 year active duty. In 2017, she earned her Pro card in last year of service transitioning from military to bikini pro. She qualified for her first Olympia in 2019, placing 9th. Between 2022 and 2023, she took a year a way from the stage to focus on her mental health. She qualified for the 2024 Olympia after winning the Atlanta Pro, and finally achieved redemption after winning third in the world at the 2024 Olympia! Jazzy is a competition prep and lifestyle coach, along with owning her own coaching business. 

TOPICS COVERED

-her rise to the top and the drastic fall back 

-mental health decline in 2021 to 2023 

-going for redemption

-perseverance and the will to never give up 

-breaking generational curses

-biggest difference in prep coaching experiences

-importance of having a clear, concise vision and approach to competing 

-macros vs meal plan on prep

-training intensity and how it changed over her career

-show selection strategy 

-what she wishes she knew when she started competing

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 JAZZY:

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

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@jazzyfreshifbbpro?si=h5MqOOA5lT8xtX2j

Posing scheduler: https://posewithjazzscheduling.as.me/

TIME STAMPS

1:00 introduction

4:01 her career, so far

10:15 overcoming childhood and generational trauma

15:00 deciding to join the Marines after high school

19:08 prepping while in the military and going Pro

28:21 getting serious about bodybuilding

30:15 getting redemption and building self-belief

36:14 What she wishes she knew at the beginning 

38:17 her approach as a coach

42:34 Train the Trainer course

47:01 tools for mental health

56:33 how her approach has changed over time

61:02 what the Olympia placing has changed for her

65:36 advice for competitors 

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Today I speak with IFBB Bikini Pro Maria Acosta, who just placed 7th at the 2024 Ms. Bikini Olympia at her debut! She is from Venezuela, where she started her bodybuilding journey 12 years ago, before coming to the USA to follow her dreams. She earned her Pro card at 2021 North Americans and now with 29 shows under her belt, she has accomplished so much as an athlete and a coach!

TOPICS COVERED

-mindset

-don’t compare yourself

-overcoming bulimia and anorexia

-shifting your mindset

-fixing your relationship with food

-controlling nerves 

-changing training objectives

-dealing with pressure

-7th place at the Olympia

-being a fan of the sport

-avoiding comparison

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 MARIA:

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

TIME STAMPS

1:00 introduction

3:38 her relationship with God

11:15 changes for success

15:06 focusing on your food relationship

21:43 worrying about being flat

25:09 differences between prep and improvement season

30:00 balancing mind and body

40:33 first callouts at the Olympia

46:55 feelings after first Olympia

54:01 helping clients avoid comparison

58:50 the love of bodybuilding

64:12 goals for the future

70:00 coming from Venezuela

73:23 advice for competitors

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Today I speak with IFBB Bikini Pro Carly Lamberts who has been competing since 2019 and has competed in 210 shows. She earned her Pro card in 2024 at NPC Universe. Outside of competing, she is a wife to another bodybuilder and dog mom to two corgis. She works full time in sales for Red Bull Distribution and as a posing coach. She shares how bodybuilding impacted the trajectory of her life, from trying to shrink herself to be happy to building her dream body and finding confidence, leaving a toxic relationship and finding her forever person!

TOPICS COVERED

-journey to pro

-the decision to switch coaches

-fighting to get diagnosed

-living with Superior Canal Dehiscence Syndrome

-Pro card to cranial surgery

-recovery post surgery and the importance of not taking movement for granted

-importance of posing and starting early

-core control and flexibility for posing

-finding your confidence for stage

-mental health and 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 CARLY:

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

TIME STAMPS

1:00 introduction

6:10 practicing to be on stage

9:28 overlooked keys to posing

15:03 her journey to Pro

23:46 changed between 2021 and 2024 season

28:22 switching coaches mid-season

36:52 Superior Canal Dehiscence Syndrome

45:57 approaching post-show with surgery on the schedule

50:30 recovering from cranial surgery

53:35 not taking fitness for granted

58:24 returning to fitness after surgery

65:05 continuing to progress

78:11 working towards the future

80:30 advice for competitors

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For today’s episode, I wanted to do something a little different! In honor of the 2024 Olympia that took place last weekend, I am sharing my interview with our new Ms. Bikini Olympia, Lauralie Chapados. This interview took place after her second place win at the 2018 Olympia, after she crushed her 2018 season. When this episode was recorded she was prepping for the Arnold Classic and next heads to the Arnold Australia.

TOPICS COVERED

-struggles as an amateur with finances 

-working to earn a living

-pressures of coaching herself

-turning Pro in Canada

-competing at a young age

-mindset heading into competition

-game plan is for the future

-pursuing her dream as being an elite athlete

-working on feedback 

-having faith in her dreams

-being an ambassador for the sport

-posing tips

-approach to building muscle

-mental challenges and rituals

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 LAURALIE:

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

TIME STAMPS

1:00 introduction

8:03 feedback from the Olympia

11:33 working on her confidence

15:30 coaching herself to working with a coach

21:10 goals for the future 

27:47 starting competing at a young age

39:52 taking a leap of faith

48:50 doing what you love

54:00 posing tips

60:35 advice for competitors 

64:45 turning Pro in Canada

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Today I speak with IFBB Bikini Pro AJ Myles, a 25-year-old full Canadian Pro who has been a full time online coach since 2021. She began competing in 2018, and has competed in 6 shows and earned her Pro card at the 2024 Toronto Pro Qualifier. AJ is an advocate of defining your own balance in bodybuilding in order to stoke your passion and foster longevity in the sport.

TOPICS COVERED

-overcoming anxiety

-abusive relationships

-living life & finding your own balance

-doing what makes you happy

-starting a Masters program

-how far will you go?

-red flags in relationships

-continuing to improve in life

-concern versus responsibility

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 AJ:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ajmyles.fit/

TIME STAMPS

1:00 introduction

8:08 unexpected things on stage

13:45 creating your own balance

25:10 life outside of bodybuilding

29:55 should be versus want to be 

38:30 deciding to prep

46:21 the desire to go Pro

55:18 overcoming anxiety and abusive relationship

68:15 valuing yourself

75:15 learning overtime

77:35 coping with anxiety

88:45 taking things personally

95:05 speak your mind

97:00 skin care

104:37 advice for competitors

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Today I speak with IFBB Bikini Pro Selina Stansbury, a nurse practitioner who found fitness over 6 years ago. She competed in her first show in November of 2019 and earned her Pro card at her 6th national show at 2024 Universe. Since then, she has done two Pro shows in 2024. She runs her own business as a health and fitness coach, supporting lifestyle and competition transformations. 

TOPICS COVERED

-mental health and anxiety

-posting on social media

-coaching her husband

-the real end goal

-macros versus meal plans

-being a nurse practitioner

-preventative health

-dealing with doubt

-when to change coaches

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 SELINA:

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

Youtube: MYFITNP

TIME STAMPS

1:00 introduction

3:30 your body is art

5:45 developing confidence

8:55 relationship with her husband

14:30 improvement season bodies

19:35 winning can’t be the end goal

25:35 lessons after Pro card win

30:10 macros versus meal plans

34:40 working as a nurse practitioner

44:45 journey to Pro card

50:01 knowing when to end your season

60:00 dealing with anxiety

68:05 switching coaches

74:30 advice for competitors

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Today I speak with IFBB Bikini Pro Allegra Brown, a sister, daughter, wife and a dog mama. She started competing in bikini in 2019 and has placed from the sea of 16 to 1st place at Nationals. She earned her Pro card at 2024 USAs. I love spending time with my family and my fur baby, hanging out on the lake and enjoying good vibes!

TOPICS COVERED

-importance of feedback

-being comfortable in the uncomfortable

-reversing into shows

-training with intensity and slowing things down

-working on recovery

-setting boundaries

-finding the right coach and keeping open communication

-mental health matters

-finding the right coach

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 ALLEGRA:

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

TIME STAMPS

1:00 introduction

3:25 making her Pro debut right after turning Pro

9:25 goals after turning Pro

13:00 changing training intensity 

19:05 approaching balance in improvement season

23:23 setting expectations

31:35 making the most out of show weekend

38:30 lessons learned on the road to Pro

47:00 finding the right coach

54:53 dealing with moments of doubt

65:00 finding your why

67:55 advice for competitors

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Today I speak with IFBB Bikini Pro Gillian Hughes, owner of Momshell Method Fitness who has been competing since 2005 and was one of the first athletes to compete nationally in the NPC when they introduced the bikini division in 2009. After a few short breaks to have her children and go thorough some life changes, she earned her Pro card at 2024 Master’s Nationals at the age of 43. She also has a podcast with her best friend and fellow Momshell coach Mandy called "Bikinis After Babies”.

TOPICS COVERED

-feeling "worthy" of earning pro status

-going through a divorce 

-competing while pregnant 

-mindset for Pro

-Bikinis after Babies podcast

-being a Masters athlete

-finding balance in fitness

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 GILLIAN:

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

TIME STAMPS

1:00 introduction

3:25 bodybuilding now versus 19 years ago

9:50 taking time off to have children

15:11 going through a divorce

21:22 lessons as a single mom

27:13 finding her self-worth

30:00 two weeks between shows

38:35 competing as a mom & masters athlete

43:35 common concerns from her clients

49:22 impact of bodybuilding on her kids

55:35 joining two families

60:32 what’s next

66:50 advice for competitors

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Today I speak with IFBB Bikini Pro Joanna Bolt, a lifelong athlete and full time registered nurse at UT Southwestern in Dallas working with a surgeon in the head & neck cancer clinic. Joanna began competing in 1992 but took many years off before she started competing in Figure in 2005. She won her Pro card in a natural federation in 2010 before taking another hiatus until 2023. She won her IFBB Pro card at 2024 Universe in the over 60 age group. She lives with her best friend, who also happens to be her sister, and has a supportive boyfriend, Scott, as well as a chihuahua mix who is a handful.

TOPICS COVERED

-her history in fitness

-changes in the past 30 years 

-competing at 60

-working as a personal trainer

-disordered eating

-having a strong faith

-community in bodybuilding

-being a Masters competitor

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 JOANNA:

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

TIME STAMPS

1:00 introduction

9:29 getting into body building in the 90’s

12:30 coming back after surgery

26:30 overcoming disordered eating

30:39 normalizing bodybuilding

33:36 changing views on fitness

41:05 taking long hiatuses from bodybuilding

45:29 a week in the life

48:15 relationship with her boyfriend

56:30 views on age and competing in Masters

64:10 focuses for the future

67:45 advice for competitors

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Today I speak with IFBB Bikini Pro Sharla Peterson who went from bikini division to women’s bodybuilding division by accident. A lifetime fitness guru from teaching aerobics at age 16 to Reebok National Aerobics championship at age 19. She has 5 kids from ages 27 to 12. At age 51, she decided to start competing in bikini and finally do what she always wanted to do but never had the courage or discipline. She placed first at Arnold Amateur and first at Wheelchair Nationals where I earned her pro card.

TOPICS COVERED

-more women in the wheelchair division

-finding her calm

-explaining her accident

-focusing on what you CAN do

-asking for help

-faith through recovery

-gym safety

-making progress over time

-guest posing at the Olympia

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 SHARLA:

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

TIME STAMPS

1:00 introduction

7:47 going through a spinal cord injury

19:30 after the accident

24:15 adjusting her environment 

31:20 doing the best you can mentality

34:35 the roll of her faith

42:00 more women in wheelchair bodybuilding

43:20 paying attention to perimenopause & hormones

45:00 prioritizing gym safety

50:29 her relationship with her husband

53:25 dealing with low points

55:52 discovering wheelchair bodybuilding

66:38 feedback after Pro card

72:33 goals for the future

76:33 advice for competitors

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE FOOD RELATIONSHIP COACHING SERIES

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