In this episode of the "Self Selecting" podcast, I had the honor of sitting down with Allison Testu, a top-tier bikini pro whose name has been on my vision board since I got back into competing in 2020. In this conversation, Allison and I talk about the evolution of her physique, navigating the expectations of the bikini division, and the emotional and strategic challenges that come with chasing the “perfect” look on stage. From dealing with too much muscularity to rebalancing her proportions for the judges, Allison shares the behind-the-scenes details of what it truly takes to adapt and stay competitive at the highest level.

We dive into posing, training, body composition, PED usage, and the judgment disparities across countries and judges. Allison also opens up about her personal motivations, struggles with feedback, and the emotional ties to her competitive journey. Whether you're a competitor or a fan of the sport, this is an unmissable episode filled with raw insights, hard truths, and elite-level dedication.

Timestamps:

- [00:00 – 02:00] – Allison’s competition legacy and vision board inspiration

- [02:00 – 04:25] – Her transformation from intuitive eating to stepping on stage

- [04:25 – 06:16] – The Arnold look and why it remains Allison’s personal favorite

- [06:16 – 08:02] – Judges' feedback: “Too much everything” and recalibrating

- [08:02 – 10:47] – Misconceptions about physique standards via social media

- [10:47 – 12:09] – From Ohio to Pittsburgh to New York: Competing after critique

- [12:09 – 14:15] – Considering and rejecting the transition to wellness

- [14:15 – 16:29] – The toll of pushing muscularity and reversing back to bikini

- [16:29 – 18:39] – Glute training specificity and manipulating proportions

- [18:39 – 21:17] – Reducing leg and hip mass for the ideal bikini aesthetic

- [21:17 – 23:50] – Reprogramming training to bring up glutes and downsize other areas

- [23:50 – 26:16] – The emotional and physical toll of year-round precision

- [26:16 – 29:37] – Struggles with maintaining peak look across multiple shows

- [29:37 – 33:42] – PEDs, post-show muscle retention, and smart enhancement strategies

- [33:42 – 36:39] – The importance of timely recovery, strict structure, and off-season habits

- [36:39 – 40:45] – Europe vs. US judging, Tyler’s feedback, and maintaining feedback focus

- [40:45 – 45:23] – Femininity, feedback growth, and why Allison keeps pushing forward

Links & Resources:

Follow Allison on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allisontestu/?hl=en

Pose With Allison: https://calendly.com/allisontestu

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