In this week’s episode, Celeste has the pleasure of speaking with IFBB Pro Francesca Lauren. This bikini bombshell and Olympian competitor is a mother of two who started competing in 2011 and made her pro debut in 2013. Her last show was in 2018 after making the decision to hang up her heels to focus on her family. She now works as a personal trainer and online coach based in Oregon while teleworking from home.

To begin, Francesca explains the importance of body language in sports and how confidence is key when preforming on stage. She reflects on her decade-long journey in bodybuilding and how her friend inspired her to compete. Francesca enrolled in a bodybuilding show two weeks prior to the show date and her placement only fueled her fire to continue. Her first national show in 2012 crushed her confidence but was pushed to compete in another national show where she was awarded her pro card. Celeste asks Francesca her reasons for hanging up her heels. Francesca explains that she wants to expand her family with her loving husband. She does hunger for prep and a gym routine but is thankful that her body has time to recover and carry a child. Francesca explains the pressure of staying prep ready and being confident with more body fat. She states that having an online presence makes her feel constantly critiqued. Francesca likes to “get fluffy” after a show but this would often lead to comparison amongst other competitors. She had to reframe her mindset and be grateful for her accomplishments.  She warns other competitors that prepping for a show shouldn’t feel like a chore and to step back if it no longer becomes a “passion project.” Celeste and Francesca discuss getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. Francesca states she was self-coached for four years and admits she would have went progressed faster if she had a coach. Francesca was constantly chasing the stage as an amateur and hungry for a top 5 placement, even if she wasn’t ready. She states that several micro-goals helped her maneuver to a bigger goal. Francesca discusses her daily home routine. She is currently homeschooling her children and trains clients in the afternoon. She is fortunate to be working from home to keep an eye on her children and take care of house chores. Celeste asks Francesca how she was able to find love after a long custody battle and during competition prep. She states competing is a selfish sport and how easy it is to forget about the needs of other people. Francesca admits that it was difficult in the beginning of her relationship with her husband. She states that her husband may not have liked it, but he understood her drive and they made a deal about settling down to start a family once she was ready. Finally, Francesca gives advice to new beginners in the sport and competitors trying for pro. She enforces lifestyle habits and being in a healthy mindset before starting prep. Francesca is an OG bikini competitor who continues to inspire and motivate the future generation of Pros. This is a listen you do not want to miss! 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 FRANCESCA: instagram: https://www.instagram.com/francescalauren/ TIME STAMPS: [1:01] Francesca details her stage ritual. [4:25] Francesca discusses her decade experience in bodybuilding and the journey it took to become an IFBB Pro. [12:37] Francesca explains why she decided to hang up her heels. [17:34] Francesca talks about how the fitness industry/social media has affected her self-confidence, when to step back, and how to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. [ 34:49] Celeste and Francesca discuss the addiction of chasing the pro card [41:15 ] Getting back into a healthy fitness routine [47:14 ] Francesca details her daily routine [50:20 ] Discusses having a relationship during competition [57:11] Francesca’s final thoughts about being an IFBB Pro [58:43] Francesca gives her advice on amateur competitors. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE FOOD RELATIONSHIP COACHING SERIES CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE POST SHOW BLUES COACHING SERIES LEARN MORE AND APPLY FOR MY 5 WEEK FOOD RELATIONSHIP HEALING & DISCOVERY COACHING PROGRAM FOR OTHER FREE RESOURCES, LIVE EVENTS, AND WAYS TO WORK WITH CELESTE CLICK HERE