July 01, 2025

Lessons Learned from Contest Prep | Courtney Ustrzycki

50 minutes

What if true progress means actively seeking failure?

Michelle MacDonald sits down with Courtney Ustrzycki—IFBB Pro athlete, posing coach, and former powerlifter—for a deep dive into the mental and physical evolution required for elite competition. Courtney shares her journey from resisting bodybuilding to becoming a professional, all while navigating mindset shifts, vulnerability, and the messy realities of growth. They explore how discipline trumps motivation, why balance isn’t always the answer, and what it means to push past self-imposed limits.

WHAT TO LISTEN FOR

0:32 Redefining failure in the gym as a goal for growth

17:35 “Growth is messy—and the gym is the one place where failure should be your goal.”

32:27 Train to true failure to unlock real progress

41:08 Overcoming jealousy and self-doubt on the pro stage

"Growth is messy—and the gym is the one place where failure should be your goal."

GUEST: COURTNEY USTRZYCKI

I’m a passionate and dynamic leader in the bodybuilding world, specializing in posing and competition prep within the NPC Federation. My journey started in the world of powerlifting, where I first built my foundation as both an athlete and a coach for lifestyle clients. In 2019, I made the leap into bodybuilding—a transformation that reshaped not only my physique but also my mindset and approach to life. This evolution drove me to become the coach I am today, bringing a blend of real-world experience, research-backed strategies, and genuine, relatable insights to every athlete I work with.

CONNECT WITH MICHELLE

Website | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook

Michelle MacDonald is the creator of the FITNESS MODEL BLUEPRINT™ and host of the Stronger By Design™ podcast. Known globally for her transformation programs, Michelle empowers women to redefine aging through evidence-based strength training, nutrition, and mindset practices. Since 2012, she has coached thousands of women online, leveraging her expertise as a Physique Champion and ISSA Strength and Conditioning Specialist. She co-founded Tulum Strength Club and established The Wonder Women (TWW), inspiring countless transformations including her mother, Joan MacDonald (Train With Joan™). Michelle continues to lead the charge in women's fitness, launching the Stronger by Design™ fitness app in fall 2024.

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