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I'm back! I have missed you guys.

In this episode we get into the knitty gritty of female health in bodybuilding and in particular we discuss the correlation between gut health and hormone dysfunction. I welcome founders of Balance and Body Diagnostics, Simone Maman and Angelica Lazic, who collectively have decades of experience in competitive and professional bodybuilding, functional health practice, functional diagnostics, nutrition and blood chemistry analysis. These ladies are powerhouses and combined, are pushing the diagnostic and functional health space forward in leaps and bounds.

In this episode we discuss:

- How Balance and Body Diagnostics came to be; their respective backgrounds and motives for creating a space for athletes to access a wide range of diagnostic labs to help better support performance and improve functional health;
- Gut health basics, common misconceptions and personal experiences which poor gut health;
- Implications of gut health in a prep and off season setting, how mistreatment of gut symptoms can cause further complications and mask the real bump in the road;
- Symptoms in prep, can they be overlooked and why;
- Correlation between gut health and hormone dysregulation, reversing symptoms and making your way back to better health;
- Importance of alternative testing, is blood work enough;
- Long term implications when it comes to misdiagnosis and mismanagement of your health;

and so much more.

We will be launching a brand new series so stay tuned for more in depth discussions, particularly in recognizing and raising common symptoms with your general practitioner. We want to armour every athlete with the information and tools to take autonomy over their health whilst competing at their very best.

EXCLUSIVE GIVEAWAY
Simone and Angelica have offered an exclusive competition for The Backstage Bikini Podcast audience to draw a free HTMR (Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis) for free!!! Winner will be announced on 19th March 2025 so stay tuned.

Enter by following the link below:

https://www.balanceandbodydiagnostics.ca/giveaway

Post-show struggles like fatigue, weight rebound, stalled progress, bloating, mood swings, or hormonal chaos? Even if you’re following the “perfect” plan, your body might not be responding—because minerals run the show.

The HTMA (Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis) isn’t just about testing for deficiencies. It’s about finding the right balance of minerals that control your metabolism, stress response, thyroid, digestion, hormones, and recovery.

Why does this matter?
Your minerals don’t work in isolation. It’s the ratios between them that determine how well your body functions.

Calcium to Potassium impacts metabolism and thyroid function
Sodium to Magnesium influences stress resilience and recovery
Calcium to Phosphorus affects energy and nervous system function
Zinc to Copper regulates hormones, immunity, and mood
Sodium to Potassium plays a key role in adrenal function and hydration
After contest prep, these ratios are often thrown off. The HTMA helps identify exactly where your body needs support, so we can optimize recovery, fix metabolic dysfunction, and get you back to feeling strong, lean, and energized.

Follow:  @BalanceandBodyDiagnostics on Youtube for their own independent podcast

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.

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This is a throwback episode which has been sat in the archives that we wanted to share.

12 months ago we were kindly invited to present at the Rock It Seminar in Manchester, UK.

This episode is a recording of the full presentation Grace and Jade delivered on the day.

We cover everything from our personal journeys, optimizing your experience as a bikini athlete, body dysmorphia, managing post show and so much more.

We hope you enjoy this little bonus episode, live only on audio platforms.

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.

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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.