The Stage Code – Episode 11: Grief, Growth & Finding Purpose Through Fitness

Welcome back to The Stage Code Podcast! In Episode 11, we dive into a more raw and emotional conversation, sharing personal experiences with grief, loss, and how fitness can become a powerful tool for healing and growth.

This episode leans into a deeper discussion around loss, navigating grief, and how quickly life can change. We open up about personal experiences with losing a parent, the impact it has on identity and direction, and the unhealthy coping mechanisms that can follow.

We also explore:

• How the gym became a turning point for mental health
• The role of routine, structure, and movement in healing
• Moving from self-destruction to self-improvement
• Why “movement is medicine” isn’t just a cliché
• Using fitness as a tool for purpose, clarity, and growth

Whether you’re going through a tough time, feeling stuck, or just looking for a mindset shift, this episode is a reminder that even in the hardest seasons, positive change is possible.

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses grief, cancer, and loss.

🎧 Tune in for an honest, heartfelt conversation – and a reminder to keep moving forward.

🎧 New episodes weekly
📲 Follow us on Instagram: @thestagecode

Welcome back to The Stage Code. 🖤

Welcome to Episode 9 of The Stage Code

We made it to episode 10 (!!) and we’re chatting all things prep reality — the physical and mental side of not feeling ready for stage.

This week we cover:

• The reality of prep during events like Easter (yes… watching everyone eat chocolate 🥲)
• Highs & lows from the week (family time, no internet struggles, and Easter Show plans)
• What it actually means to not be “stage ready”
• How coaches assess readiness (and why honesty matters)
• The difference between physically vs mentally not being ready
• When to push through vs when to reassess your prep
• Why you will never feel ready — and why that’s normal
• Adjusting expectations, categories, or timelines
• The importance of trusting your coach and the process

This episode is honest, reflective, and a reminder that bodybuilding is so much more than just getting lean — it’s about discipline, self-awareness, and understanding what being ready actually means.

🎧 New episodes weekly
📲 Follow us on Instagram: @thestagecode

Welcome back to The Stage Code. 🖤

Welcome to Episode 9 of The Stage Code — where we get real about prep updates, life chaos, and the question every competitor needs to ask: why are you actually doing this? 🎙️🖤

We kick things off with our highs and lows — from half marathon milestones and holiday chaos, to period struggles, no internet, and navigating the reality of prep fatigue starting to creep in.

Then we dive into a big one: your “why” behind competing. Because when prep gets hard (and it will), the reason you started is the thing that either carries you through… or makes you question everything.

In this episode, we chat about:

• Real prep updates — weight drops, fatigue, and the mental shift as weeks tick down
• The importance of structure, routine, and proving to yourself what you’re capable of
• How your “why” evolves from your first show to future seasons
• The wrong reasons to compete — fat loss, social media, external validation
• Why prep won’t fix your relationship with food (and what actually will)
• The difference between doing it for the stage vs doing it for the growth

This episode is honest, reflective, and a reminder that bodybuilding is so much more than just getting lean — it’s about discipline, self-awareness, and understanding what truly drives you.

🎧 New episodes weekly
📲 Follow us on Instagram: @thestagecode

Welcome back to The Stage Code. 🖤

Welcome to Episode 8 of The Stage Code — where we talk about the reality that not every prep ends on stage… and why that’s okay. 🎙️🖤

We kick things off with our usual highs and lows — from engagements and weddings to moving chaos and a little dip in prep motivation — before diving into a powerful and honest conversation about having to pull out of a prep.

In this episode, we cover:

• What it’s like when prep isn’t going to plan (and motivation starts to dip early)
• The pressure of committing to a show — and feeling like you can’t back out
• Bec’s experience with a serious injury that forced her to stop prep
• Ignoring early warning signs and pushing through pain (and why it’s not worth it)
• The mental shift from “pushing through” to actually putting your health first
• Navigating recovery, identity, and staying disciplined without a stage goal

We also talk about the emotional side of not making it to stage — the disappointment, the relief, and the fear of what others might think — and why pulling out doesn’t make you a failure, it just means it’s not the right time.

Whether you’re in prep, thinking about competing, or dealing with a setback, this episode is a reminder that your health always comes first — and the stage will always be there.

🎧 New episodes weekly
📲 Follow us on Instagram: @thestagecode

Welcome back to The Stage Code. 🖤

Welcome to Episode 7 of The Stage Code — where we dive into one of the most underrated (and most neglected) parts of competing… posing. 🎙️✨

We kick things off with our weekly highs — weddings, prep-friendly finds, photoshoots, anniversaries, and moving chaos — before getting into a topic we’re both very passionate about: why posing can make or break your results on stage.

In this episode, we chat about:

• Why posing is just as important as your physique (and can be the difference between first and last)
• Common mistakes competitors make — from under-practicing to relying on YouTube
• The importance of posing endurance, confidence, and muscle memory
• Why starting early will make your prep so much easier
• The role of a posing coach (and why not having one is a huge red flag)
• Real experiences of how poor posing — not physique — can cost you placings

We also share practical tips to improve your posing now, from practicing when you’re tired, to recording yourself, understanding federation differences, and actually learning how to present your physique — not someone else’s.

If you’re competing (or thinking about it), this episode is your reminder that the best physique doesn’t always win — the best presentation does.

🎧 New episodes weekly
📲 Follow us on Instagram: @thestagecode

Welcome back to The Stage Code. 🖤

Welcome to Episode 6 of The Stage Code — where we talk about the things no one really warns you about in bodybuilding prep… and after the stage lights turn off. 🎙️

This week we kick things off with a prep update — 17 weeks out, progress drops on the scale, sticking to routines, and why consistent meal timing can make prep feel surprisingly manageable in the early stages.

Then we dive into the real side of competing — the parts people don’t always talk about when they decide to step on stage.

In this episode we chat about:

• The social sacrifices and guilt of missing events during prep
• Why bodybuilding can feel surprisingly lonely and isolating
• Fatigue, low energy, and how hard it can be to keep up with daily life
• Body dysmorphia and the constant comparison trap during prep
• Pressure and expectations — from yourself and from others

We also dive into post-show reality, including:

• Rapid weight gain, food focus, and the loss of control many competitors feel
• Reverse dieting vs recovery dieting
• Body image struggles after stage lean conditioning
• The emotional rollercoaster of returning to a healthy body weight

This episode is honest, raw, and a reminder that bodybuilding is so much more than just getting lean for stage — it’s a mental, physical, and emotional journey that most people never see.

🎧 New episodes weekly
📲 Follow us on Instagram: @thestagecode

Welcome back to The Stage Code.

Welcome to Episode 5 of The Stage Code — where we get real about one of the biggest questions competitors have: can your relationship survive prep? 💭

This week we start with our usual highs and lows (including moving house stress, a rogue dog poo problem), before diving into a very honest conversation about navigating bodybuilding prep while in a relationship.

In this episode we chat about:

• The sacrifices both competitors and their partners make during prep
• Mood swings, exhaustion, and why you might lose your personality for a while
• The reality of low libido, hormones, and body dysmorphia during prep
• Communicating with your partner so they understand what’s happening
• Prep-friendly dates that help keep your relationship strong
• Why having a supportive partner can make a huge difference in your prep experience

Prep can be challenging not just physically, but emotionally — and it can impact the people closest to you. We share our own experiences navigating relationships through prep and the lessons we’ve learned along the way.

Whether you’re a competitor, thinking about stepping on stage, or supporting someone who is, this episode gives you an honest look at the relationship side of bodybuilding.

🎧 New episodes weekly
📲 Follow us on Instagram: @thestagecode

Welcome back to The Stage Code.

Welcome to Episode 3 of The Stage Code — the one where we talk about the side of bodybuilding no one really warns you about… the cost. 💸

In this episode, Bec and Paris pull back the curtain on what it actually takes to step on stage, financially and practically. From bikinis and heels to coaching, posing, hair, tan, travel, and all the tiny extras that add up — we’re giving you the real numbers, no sugar-coating, no gatekeeping.

We chat through:

• Why competing is more than just “a bikini and a coach”
• How costs differ between federations like IFBB and ICN
• The expenses people don’t think about until they’re deep in prep
• Where you can save money (and where you absolutely shouldn’t cut corners)
• Why planning and saving early can make or break your prep experience
• The emotional side of investing so much into a sport you love

We also share personal stories — from first-season budgeting mistakes to DIY bikini hacks, last-minute travel realities, and learning that the biggest stress you don’t want during prep… is money.

If you’re thinking about competing, currently in prep, or just curious about what goes into stepping on stage, this episode is your honest guide to the investment behind the glam.

🎧 New episodes weekly 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @thestagecode

Welcome back to The Stage Code.

Welcome to Episode 4 of The Stage Code — where we get real about prep updates, plateaus, and what it’s actually like to take bodybuilding international. 🌍

This week kicks off with a full prep check-in: the scale not moving, navigating those frustrating “trust the process” moments, and why progress isn’t always linear (especially when hormones, stress, and timing come into play).

Then we dive into Bec’s experience competing overseas with IFBB — from the whirlwind decision to book a solo trip, to managing long-haul travel mid-prep, figuring out food logistics in another country, and learning very quickly that competing internationally is a whole different ball game.

In this episode we cover:

• Flying long-haul while dieting — meal timing, customs, and things you might not think of when travelling internationally.
• Differences in show structure, judging, and competitor calibre overseas vs Australia
• The unexpected costs, logistical curveballs, and lessons learned doing a show solo
• Why competing internationally is equal parts stressful, rewarding, and unforgettable

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to compete abroad, this episode is packed with honest insight and lived experience.

🎧 New episodes weekly 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @thestagecode

Welcome back to The Stage Code.

Welcome to Episode 2 of The Stage Code — where prep gets real, routines get tested, and the chaos definitely hasn’t disappeared. 🖤

Now that we’ve (mostly) figured out how to press record, Bec and Paris settle into the rhythm of weekly check-ins, sharing the highs, the challenges, and the behind-the-scenes realities of bodybuilding that don’t make it to Instagram.

In this episode, we chat about:

• The mental side of prep and why discipline gets harder when life is busy
• Learning to celebrate the small wins that keep you moving forward
• Our experience attending a posing workshop and why it’s a game-changer for competitors
• The truth about bodybuilding being an individual sport — without doing it alone
• Our first seasons on stage, navigating nerves, expectations, and figuring things out as beginners

This conversation is honest, relatable, and a reminder that no one starts this sport feeling fully prepared. Whether you’re in prep, considering stepping on stage, or just love hearing the real side of bodybuilding, this episode brings you into the journey with us.

🎧 New episodes weekly 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @thestagecode

Welcome back to The Stage Code.