The Backstage Bikini Podcast

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Our final episode of the year is live and it was a perfect opportunity to reflect on our year, to celebrate the success of the podcast and thank everyone for help make our dream a reality.


It’s been a transformative year for us both and we are incredibly grateful for the year we’ve had. The highs, the lows and everything in between.


Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.


Jade and Grace 
The Backstage Bikini Podcast x

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!

This week we had the absolute pleasure of welcoming Bikini Olympian, @allisontestu on the podcast.

Allison has been nothing but an inspiration to both Grace and Jade and we have each followed Alison’s competitive career from back when she was an amateur athlete, so to have the opportunity to sit with her and discuss her career, her recent decisions surrounding which division she felt she belonged in, was such an honour.

In this episode we discuss:

• How Allison came to be an IFBB Pro Bikini Athlete, her background and what led her to competitive bodybuilding
• Her experiences in competing for different federations and why she chose the NPC/IFBB
• Her biggest struggles since becoming a professional athlete
• Bikini vs wellness, where she belongs, considerations surrounding choices to pursue a career in wellness
• Off season vs prep, how does this differ for her?
• Posing for the bikini criteria, feedback she has received and how she manipulates her look
• Her future plans and upcoming competitive season

And so much more.

It was an incredible chat and in particular Allison’s values and passion for her health and for the sport truly shon through! We are so grateful to have spoken with her and look forward to following her career!

You can follow Allison at @allisontestu and you can also submit enquiries for posing with her via Instagram as well.

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 41 is now live on all platforms and this week we got to sit down and talk all things glam with @daniellespencer_makeup

Danielle has been a leading MUA and stylist in the bodybuilding industry for as long as Grace and I have been competing.

In this episode we cover DIY make up looks, dos and don’ts, tips, tricks and lots of recommendations to armour you with all you could possibly need to choose your stage glam. 

Danielle has a wealth of knowledge and with the limited time us ladies get to truly shine on stage, it’s so important we get the look right, so that we’re bringing the very best version of ourselves as athletes, and individuals, to stage.

You can follow Danielle at @daniellespencer_makeup and enquire all about her showday services with her too!

If you do enjoy this episode please be sure to share and tag us on social media!

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 40 is now live and we welcome Supplement Needs formulator, educator and pharmacologist @deanstm on the podcast.
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We have been dying to open up the floor for you all, to discuss the impact this sport can have on your hormonal health and fertility and we could think of no one better than Dean to throw ours, and more importantly our listeners, questions out for open discussion.
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In this episode we discuss:
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- What is meant by hormonal replacement therapy, what is it’s objective and how do the mechanics differ between male and female athletes;
- What are the impacts of competing on overall hormonal health, what can we come to expect by pushing our bodies to this extreme;
- Considerations prior to the introduction of hormone replacement; knee jerk reactions and common mistakes when it comes to introducing replacement therapies;
- The importance and role of blood work and how this can help make educated and informed decisions;
- Fertility and the impact of prolonged exposure to the sport, what considerations need to be made if having a family is a long term goal;
- Femtest, what is its role and why are we seeing a rise in administrations to female athletes;
- Performance enhancement and hormonal implications, what differs when managing an enhanced athlete’s health, vs an athlete that competes naturally;
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And so much more.
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This episode is by no means meant to be prescriptive and all decisions in relation to the introduction of any therapy or performance enhancement shouldn’t be made without consultation with a registered medical professional and with appropriate education around the topic, your coach.
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An incredibly valuable conversation and one we hope will equip our listeners with the tools to ask pertinent questions when it comes to their health in the sport.
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You can access further in depth information on www.sneducation.co.uk.
You can explore Supplement Needs female range, and all your supplementation needs at www.supplementneeds.co.uk
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Follow Dean at @deanstm 
@sn_education_
@supplement_needs

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!

Our Bikini Olympia 2023 review is now live across all platforms, and Jade and I are sitting down to unpack the aftermath and all the electrifying moments from the Super Bowl of Bodybuilding!

We're diving deep into the best physiques in the world, exploring their stage presence and the remarkable improvements showcased by the athletes.

Also celebrating our 2023 Olympia Champ, Jennifer Dorie, who clinched the prestigious title for the second time!

Our honest thoughts on each athlete, coupled with our personal favourite looks and standout moments.

As always, our opinions are unfiltered and entirely our own.

Whether you're a seasoned competitor or simply a fan of watching the best of the best within the sport, this episode is a must watch.

Tune in, relive the triumphs, and join the discussion.

Did the athletes exceed expectations, or did some bring unexpected surprises?

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 we welcome @rachelvsymons to predict this years Bikini Olympia placings!

It was an honour to have Rachel host this podcast with us. She follows the division avidly and has been a die hard listener and supporter of the podcast ever since it launched, so it was a pleasure to share the mic with her this week.

With 52 athletes qualifying this year, the show will certainly not disappoint. It’s an incredibly competitive line up, made up of our most beloved icons but also some new pro athletes emerging and well and truly making their mark this year qualifying to stand on the prestigious @mrolympiallc stage.

This week we talk through our predicted placings  and provide our own views about why we think there is all to play for at this years Olympia.

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

As always these are our views only and we have nothing but admiration for ladies stepping on stage, each one is worthy of being celebrated and supported no matter the opinion shared.

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!

WERE BACK! And we have the pleasure of introducing EP 37 with former bikini competitor, Nutritionist, CBT therapist and one half of @theflourishing.society Charlotte Pickstock @charlypfit.

We’re entering the latter end of the competitive year and with that comes a lot of challenges that a lot of competitors will undoubtedly face, so it was an invaluable opportunity to get Charly on to discuss not only her own experiences and the work she’s currently doing with competitors.

In this episode we cover
- Charly’s competing journey, her history in the sport and what contributed to her decision to step away from stage;
- The Flourishing Society; what motivated you to create this community and what support they provide;
- Common issues which arise for her clients and how common are these in the industry right now?
- How can an athlete separate what is “normal”, post show struggles versus those that are more chronic and may require more intensive support;
- Red flags when it comes to someone’s relationship with food and their body, steps you can take to overcome these;
- Is it possible to address issues surrounding bodybuilding and relationships and return to stage?
- Addressing your identity beyond bodybuilding; struggles people face and how to overcome them;
- Others opinions, the community and the message which is being received externally and impact that has on post show, stepping away from stage;
- Coaching and client responsibilities to manage an athletes exposure to the sport and their journey from start to finish;

And so much more.

This conversation really brought home the importance of addressing and supporting an athletes experience in the sport beyond just the physique.

We hope you loved this just as much as we did.

You can find Charly, and the Flourishing Society at: @charlypfit & @theflourishing.society

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 36 is now live and we had the sincere pleasure of chatting to 2x Miss Olympia and 4x Arnold Classic Bikini Champion, Angelica Teixeira.


Yet another surreal moment for Grace and Jade; Angelica embodies everything that a true champion and icon of the sport should, and despite stepping away from competing since her last season in 2020, she remains to many, the bikini standard!


In this episode we discuss:


-  Angelica’s background, how she got into competing, her competitive career to date and what her aspirations were when she entered the sport; 

- Bikini now vs then, what’s changed? The evolving standard and how she thinks that has impacted the accessibility of the sport;

- Setbacks and success, what were her greatest challenges along the way?

- Mindset, managing losses and how that impacted her?

- Angelica is still considered to be the standard of the bikini division; how does that make her feel and how did she manage the pressures that came with carrying that mantle?

- Becoming a mum; how did she navigate that process from an identity standpoint?
-What the future holds for her;

And so much more. 


This is probably one of the most inspiring conversations Grace and Jade have had and one that will stay with us forever. 


You can follow Angelica on Instagram: @angelicaht and all coaching enquiries can be found via @fitbodyfusion

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 today’s episode we are hosting a Sheru Classic UK Results and Review podcast and we had the pleasure of discussing the results with none other than Hannah Wares.  

This was a highly anticipated pro/AM show with amateur athletes competing for not only the pro card, but a chance to compete in a pro bikini line up the same day! 

We had some huge names from the European and UK bikini scene and we couldn’t wait to see which of the 24 beautiful athletes were going to take the ticket to the Olympia.  

Hannah has years of experience in the sport and is present at 99% of the shows hosted in the UK, constantly immersing herself in the bodybuilding space,  so we could think of no one else to hop on the podcast and share their views. 

This week we talk through the top 6 placings and athletes individually and 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 them 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!

For Episode 34, we had the pleasure of speaking to IFBB Bikini Pro Emily Olivia.
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As a lifetime natural athlete, Emily is incredibly passionate about exhausting her natural potential in this sport, which is a message we feel has been lost over recent years in the pursuit of fast success.
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In this episode Emily covers:
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- Her competing background; her experience of competing in multiple federations and finding her home in the IFBB;
- Her success leading up to her Pro win and the challenges she faced with her mindset along the way;
- Competing as a natural athlete and the importance of off season; her scale progress, different approaches, things she has learned with each approach;
- Post show experiences; food relationships, ​ learning how her body and mind responds and managing the impact of poor decisions; 
- Managing competing year on year; has that had an impact on her physiologically, how she manages her prep and time away from stage. 
- Pressures and the stigma of performance enhancement; her experiences within the sport
- Current and future competing plans in the Pro League;
- Advice for competitors who are new to the sport and contemplating their potential success as a natural athlete
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It was an incredibly important conversation to have and Emily doesn’t hold back in sharing her experiences. Her transparency and honesty is something Grace and I truly admire and we hope her passion for competing naturally, reaches those athletes that are still finding their feet in this sport, and helps athletes make educated decisions beyond this podcast.
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You can follow Emily’s career, hit up for posing and coaching at @emilyoliviaifbbpro

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.