The Backstage Bikini Podcast

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In this episode we welcome Mandy Nugent, owner of Black Ice Bikinis. 

Having almost a decade's experience in creating bespoke bikinis for athletes competing at amateur and professional levels in the sport, we couldn't wait to pick her brains about curating the perfect stage.

In this episode we cover:

- Mandy's experience in the sport and the creation of Black Ice Bikinis;
- The development of the stage look; what's changed and how has the design and presentation in the bikini class evolved over the years;
- Getting your look right; colours, fits, considerations depending on the federation you chose to compete with, cross-federation tips and tricks when it comes to picking your suit;
- Suit do's and don'ts; tips for budget management, second hand and rental suits and what to look out for if you are opting against a custom made suit;
- Bikini care and how to prepare for an emergency;

...and so much more!

If you are heading into your first season as a competitive athlete, or if you are looking to perfect your stage look, this one is worth a listen.

Black Ice Bikinis are running a once a year sale between 15th November - 15th December, where you can save £75 off your custom bikini suit. Head to their website or drop the team a message and don't forget to let them know you listened to the podcast!

https://blackicebikinis.com

Keep up with Black Ice Bikinis and all of their incredible athletes on socials @blackicebikinis and @blackicealpha if you're looking for some custom made trunks.

Make sure you keep up with the podcast on social media for previews and details about upcoming guest speakers.

Instagram: @thebackstagebikinipodcast
Host: @jadeleahegarty

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Youtube and Amazon Music.

Got some feedback? Drop us a message!

Episode 60: this one is an emotional one and one we didn’t foresee.

We wanted to share an important update with you all.  An update we only felt was fair to share not only for the community we have around us both, but to recognise the journey, the growth and the transformation we have experienced over the two years we have committed to this platform. Grace has dedicated her all to the vision we had for this podcast and we wanted to celebrate everything she has contributed and everything she has to look forward to now. 

This is not the end, but a beautiful beginning for everyone involved. 

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you 🤍

Make sure you keep up with the podcast on social media for previews and details about upcoming guest speakers.

Instagram: @thebackstagebikinipodcast
Host: @jadeleahegarty

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Youtube and Amazon Music.

Got some feedback? Drop us a message!

In this episode Jade takes on solo podcast to discuss our top Bikini Olympia predictions for this years Olympia. 

With Maureen and Jen now out of the Olympia, which is incredibly sad to see, we wanted to breakdown our thoughts in relation to what the top 5 placings may look like. 

We want to hear your predictions! Let us know your views, whether you agree or disagree with the thoughts, and let us know who your Miss Bikini Olympia 2024 champion is ahead of this weekend?

As always these are our thoughts and views only and we have nothing but admiration for the ladies stepping on stage representing the standard of Bikini this year. We celebrate you all.

Make sure you keep up with the podcast on social media for previews and details about upcoming guest speakers.

Instagram: @thebackstagebikinipodcast
Host: @jadeleahegarty

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Youtube and Amazon Music.

Got some feedback? Drop us a message!

Episode 58 is live and we welcome UK IFBB Bikini Pro and Posing Coach, Leonie West to the mic. Leonie is someone we have followed for some time and her time and experience in the sport offered a unique perspective we couldn’t wait to get into.

Leonie turned pro, not once but twice in two respective masters classes and as an older athlete, we wanted to hear her insight and experience having had the opportunity to observe the sport through her own career. She is also extremely transparent and grounded, both in relation to her own experience and how she views the sport and it was incredibly refreshing to hear her speak about her own journey. 

In this episode we discuss:

- Leonie’s introduction to competitive bodybuilding and what motivated her to remain in the sport for such a long time;
- Her experiences being coached vs self coaching; what obstacles does she face if any in both settings and what she has learned;
- Competing as a masters athlete; considerations in relation to achieving her own version of the bikini criteria, hormonal factors, training and muscle maturity and more;
- The importance of considering the future; what decisions Leonie has made relating to her own competitive journey and why they were important to ensure a long lasting career and long term health;
- Turning pro; how her vision of herself and competing has changed and what pressures, if any she feels she faces now compared to her amateur career;
- Future plans;

And so much more! 

Leonie competes for the sheer love of improving herself, every single time she steps on stage and this was an incredible conversation full of wisdom which will do nothing but add value to the bikini space!

You can follow Leonie on IG @leonie_west_ifbbpro and enquire to pose with her via @theposingroom . Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled for her upcoming project too!

Make sure you keep up with the podcast on social media for previews and details about upcoming guest speakers.

Instagram: @thebackstagebikinipodcast
Host: @jadeleahegarty

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Youtube and Amazon Music.

Got some feedback? Drop us a message!

For Episode 57 we’re back with our UK’s own, Europa Pro Results and Review.

The very last qualifier for this years @mrolympia was hosted here in the UK, giving one final bikini athlete the opportunity to get their ticket to Vegas this year.

We also welcomed Tyler Mannion to the UK for the first time, giving each athlete the opportunity to collect invaluable feedback ahead of this year’s Olympia. 

In this episode we shine a light on the stand out physiques in the NPC European amateur show, as well as discussing the top 5 placings in the pro show. We provide our own views about the results and why we think athletes placed where they did.

As always, these are our opinions only. We do not purport to be, nor are we, IFBB judges and our opinions are not shared to contend or question judges decisions and feedback, only to celebrate and discuss the criteria and the standard that is being set by these incredible athletes. 

Make sure you tune in, and let us know your thoughts about the show. What did you think of the placings? Did it meet your expectations? Let us know! 

Nothing but admiration for these athletes, they bring an incredible show and set a fantastic standard for the sport. Huge congratulations to your Europa Pro Bikini Champion @adakaczmarekifbbpro 🏆 and our athletes from the UK and Ireland, who represented us beautifully. You did us proud!

Make sure you keep up with the podcast on social media for previews and details about upcoming guest speakers.

Instagram: @thebackstagebikinipodcast
Host: @jadeleahegarty

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Youtube and Amazon Music.

Got some feedback? Drop us a message!

EP 56 Battle Up Productions Texas Pro Results and Review is now live on all platforms.

One of the biggest shows in the IFBB Pro calendar and one of the few left awarding invites to this years @mrolympiallc so it was always set to deliver.

A busy Bikini lineup with former Miss Olympia @isapecini amongst many other Olympian athletes, this was always going to be a masterclass. 

As always, we talk through the placings and athletes individually and provide our own views about the results and why we think athletes placed where they did. Huge shout out to @marniefit and @jakewatts_amp delivering a simply stunning representation for the UK, on a huge US stage. We are so proud of you both.

As always, these are our opinions only. We do not purport to be, nor are we, IFBB judges and our opinions are not shared to contend or question judges decisions and feedback, only to celebrate and discuss the criteria and the standard that is being set by these incredible athletes. 

Make sure you tune in, and let us know your thoughts about the show. What did you think of the placings? Did it meet your expectations? Let us know! 

Nothing but admiration for these athletes, they bring an incredible show and set a fantastic standard for the sport. Huge congratulations to your Texas Pro champ @isapecini and @teamatlasmtl on delivering yet another sensational athlete!

Make sure you keep up with the podcast on social media for previews and details about upcoming guest speakers.

Instagram: @thebackstagebikinipodcast
Host: @jadeleahegarty

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Youtube and Amazon Music.

Got some feedback? Drop us a message!

EP 55 is now live and we had the honour of welcoming IFBB Bikini Pro and Olympian, Ariana Brothers on the podcast.

Ariana returned to stage 3 years after her pro card win and blew us all out of the water. Her dedication to improving her physique in that time was evident the minute she stepped on stage but it was a pleasure to get to talk to her about her motives for taking the time away from stage and to discuss all of the other things that contributed to making her the athlete she is today.

In this episode we cover:

- How Ariana was introduced to the stage, her rapid success and how this impacted her;
- Her mindset entering the sport vs now, what has changed if anything? 
- Taking an extensive off season, her motives, how she feels this shaped her career and how she stayed connected to the sport during this time;
- Managing her internal dialogue at Pro level; pressures and stresses she faces now, how she approaches each show in terms of expectation and how that feeds into her experience on the whole;
- Feedback from the Pittsburgh Pro, her choices relating to competing later in the year and what lessons she has learned; 
- Treating each prep individually; any differences she observed between her prep this year and the prep following her time away from stage;
- Struggles, set backs and mindset challenges, her experience in life and how that impacts her ability to manage her mindset at this level;
- Her upcoming shows, strategies for bringing her best Olympia look this year; and
- Key take aways and advice she would give to aspiring professional athletes…

And so much more.

This was an amazing conversation which really shon a light on the internal resilience Ariana has mastered to make space for fulfilment and true enjoyment of her career, even when the pressure increases with her success. 

Not one to miss.

You can follow Ariana on YouTube and on Instagram @ari_ifbbpro

Make sure you keep up with the podcast on social media for previews and details about upcoming guest speakers.

Instagram: @thebackstagebikinipodcast
Host: @jadeleahegarty

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Youtube and Amazon Music.

Got some feedback? Drop us a message!

We sat down for a 1-2-1 solocast this week to discuss our views on managing external feedback and body image both in season and off season. 

This is a topic that has been raised by our listeners time and time again and we wanted to take the opportunity to discuss the things we have encountered, learned and implemented when it comes to receiving negative or discerning feedback and acknowledge how these scenarios might impact you as a person, an athlete and how you view your body and yourself.

I’m this episode we discuss:

- Body image both in a prep setting and off season and how that can impact you as an athlete and a person in day to day life;
- Managing body image in normal settings;
- Sexualisation and managing feedback around physique development;
- Managing external feedback in relation to diet choices in different settings;
- Having compassion and an understanding that what we do isn’t “normal”;
- Socially imposed expectations of the female body and what challenges that can impose when it comes to physique development;
- Centring your communication from a place of passion rather than defence when it comes to being challenged about your decision to compete;

And so much more.

We really exposed much of our experiences in this podcast and it’s a topic that has shaped both of our journeys when it comes to competing and managing day to day life. 

We truly hope the insight and advice will help you navigate your own exposure to similar situations and limit the impact of any negativity whether that be from an internal or external source.

Make sure you keep up with the podcast on social media for previews and details about upcoming guest speakers.

Instagram: @thebackstagebikinipodcast
Host: @jadeleahegarty

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Youtube and Amazon Music.

Got some feedback? Drop us a message!

Episode 53 is now live and we had the pleasure of taking a deep dive into female health in bodybuilding with @mads.raw 

This one was in the pipeline for a while and we are excited to share this episode with you all. It’s a topic we have been dying to dig into and one that we feel is incredibly pertinent when it comes to considering whether you wish to compete as a female. 

Mads has an outstanding amount of knowledge when it comes to female health and we could think of no one better suited to discuss it! 

In this episode we cover

- Mad’s background, how she got into bodybuilding/ coaching and where her passion for helping females with their health come from;

- Biggest red flags with female heath to be considerate of when it comes to managing your health as a competitive athlete;  

- Importance of blood work, why you should not only be collecting this data but the importance of being able to investigate the results and causation fully;

- Common issues she has encountered when it comes to female health both with athletes in prep and in off season;

- PEDs and replacement therapies; the difference and how these can affect female health when implemented; 

- The use of contraception, how this affects female athletes health, progress and fertility;

- FemTest, uses and effects. Why and when should it be deployed;

- PCOS; likely symptoms and impacts, how has long term use of the pill/ PED usage potentially impacted these athletes and how best to combat these issues, supplementation etc?

And so much more.

Please note, this episode is by no means intended to be prescriptive. Prior to making any decisions relating to health supplementation, replacement therapies or any other form of treatment, you should consult with a registered medical professional.

This is to highlight the need for awareness of your own health whilst participating in the sport and we hope you take as much from it as we did.

Make sure you keep up with the podcast on social media for previews and details about upcoming guest speakers.

Instagram: @thebackstagebikinipodcast
Host: @jadeleahegarty

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Youtube and Amazon Music.

Got some feedback? Drop us a message!

Episode 52 is now live on all platforms and we’ve had yet another pinch me moment, welcoming @jamidebernard, IFBB Pro and founder of @fitbodyfusion to the podcast. 

This was an honour simply put.

Jami has decades of experience derived from her own competitive accolades and in coaching athletes from entry level, through to the worlds very best Olympia athletes. Naturally we couldn’t wait to speak to her about her contributions to the sport, her expertise and her coaching practices, which have formed the pillars of one of the leading  coaching companies in the world today. 

In this episode we cover:-

• Jami’s introduction to the sport, her own competitive history and success and how that lead to the development of her coaching career;
• The evolution of the sport; inclusivity, pros and cons of the sport development and what challenges that brings;
• Specificities of coaching a bikini athlete, training and diet considerations, the importance of ensuring these are moulded to the individual athlete and how that has afforded her athletes success;
• Athlete mindset, variables to consider. The differences, if any, she has encountered managing athlete mindset at different levels of the sport;
• Fostering a strong coach/client relationship; how she feels this impacts her athletes both individually and as a team and how that influences longevity in the sport;
• Feedback management; where the value truly lies in receiving feedback and how she applies that with her athletes;
• Do’s and don’s in relation to protecting your competitive experience;

And so much more.

Jami’s energy, enthusiasm and passion for this sport is infectious and something that really shon through in the way she spoke not only about her own experience in the sport but also in how she contributes to the community she has created with her athletes and the @fitbodyfusion team.

Not one to miss!!!

Make sure you keep up with us on social media for previews and details about upcoming guest speakers.

Instagram: @thebackstagebikinipodcast
Hosts: @gracemannion_ | @jadeleahegarty

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Youtube and Amazon Music.

Make sure you keep up with the podcast on social media for previews and details about upcoming guest speakers.

Instagram: @thebackstagebikinipodcast
Host: @jadeleahegarty

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Youtube and Amazon Music.