Today I speak with IFBB Pro Yurika Shigemoto, a posing coach and a full time registered nurse at an acute care hospital. She started competing in 2015 and then took time off to complete nursing school. She returned to the stage in 2018 at the Hawaii Pro/NPC Pacific Islands where she won the Overall. In 2020, she competed at North Americans where she won her class and her Pro Card! She has since competed in 7 pro shows including the 2022 Olympia! As a former dancer and cheerleader, she loves performing on stage and is always excited to step on stage!   As a posing coach, Yurika shares her best habits and tips for stretching to improve posing. Yurika wants to encourage people that you can work full time and still be a successful athlete.      TOPICS COVERED -changed how she preps -doing back to back shows -work and prep balance -being a foodie & competitor -stretching & posing tips -working as a nurse -qualifying for the Olympia -focusing on sleep and recovery -changing mindset to change your body   CONNECT WITH CELESTE: Website: http://www.celestial.fit Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/celestial_fit/ All Links: http://www.celestial.fit/links.html   CONNECT WITH YURIKA: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yurika_ifbbpro/ Youtube: https://youtube.com/@yurikashigemotoifbbbikinip6427   TIME STAMPS 1:00 introduction 6:00 evolving approach to prep 9:59 being a foodie and struggling post show 14:40 sharing habits & posing 22:49 becoming a nurse 26:45 managing work and bodybuilding 31:15 changes in most recent prep 39:40 earning an Olympia qualification 45:30 goals for the Olympia and advice for competitors    CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE FOOD RELATIONSHIP COACHING SERIES   CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE POST SHOW BLUES COACHING SERIES   LEARN MORE AND APPLY FOR MY 5 WEEK FOOD RELATIONSHIP HEALING & DISCOVERY COACHING PROGRAM   FOR OTHER FREE RESOURCES, LIVE EVENTS, AND WAYS TO WORK WITH CELESTE CLICK HERE

YURIKA SHIGEMOTO; First Olympia Prep, More is Not More, No Standard Prep

The Confessions of a Bikini Pro Podcast is the only place where IFBB bikini pros share their struggles, strategies, stories, insights, and advice in a real, raw, and vulnerable setting.
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​The goal of this podcast is to educate, inspire, and remind other competitors, athletes, or the every day gym goer that even the most elite professionals face hardships, health problems, mental obstacles, and other adversities.

All show notes, time stamps, links, and information can be found on this page, just search the athlete you want to listen to in the alphabetized categories section or keep scrolling. 

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Fitness

Health & Fitness

Mental Health

Today I speak with IFBB Bikini Pro Marina Marks, born and raised in San Antonio TX, who is married and has two children. She started lifting in 2015 but her competition journey began after the birth of my son in 2019 where she competed 10 months postpartum and took the Open Bikini Overall. Shortly after, she left for basic training and starting a whole new chapter in the US Army as a physical therapy tech. She is currently serving as an Active Duty Sergeant and station at Fort Sam Houston. She earned her Pro Card in December at 2023 Nationals.   As a dancer, she struggled with an eating disorder as a teen and works hard to love herself.    TOPICS COVERED -overcoming an eating disorder -healing her marriage -starting your competition journey -competing postpartum -when and why to change coaches -competing as a mom -competing in the military -married couples who both compete -family members who may not be supportive -why not me?     CONNECT WITH CELESTE: Website: http://www.celestial.fit Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/celestial_fit/ All Links: http://www.celestial.fit/links.html CONNECT WITH MARINA: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marina_sauce/   TIME STAMPS 1:00 introduction 4:10 competing and motherhood 14:45 prepping with two kids 18:20 healing her marriage 26:50 the roll of her faith 31:40 competing while in the military 34:30 lessons from the military 43:15 deciding to compete 49:20 setting the goal to go Pro 53:30 feedback at national shows 56:30 changing coaches 63:09 goals for competing  64:30 journey to self-love 78:16 advice fro competitors    CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE FOOD RELATIONSHIP COACHING SERIES   CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE POST SHOW BLUES COACHING SERIES   LEARN MORE AND APPLY FOR MY 5 WEEK FOOD RELATIONSHIP HEALING & DISCOVERY COACHING PROGRAM   FOR OTHER FREE RESOURCES, LIVE EVENTS, AND WAYS TO WORK WITH CELESTE CLICK HERE

MARINA MARKS; Healing a Marriage, Hunting the Good Stuff, Participate in Life, Is this Ship Steering me?

Today I speak with IFBB Bikini Pro Cindy Van Empol-Popowich, a 55-year-old who started lifting at 17 years old after she saw her first bodybuilding event in 1989. Cindy earned her Pro card in 2019 at North Americans. She been involved in every aspect of the sport from judging to expediting, and is currently the Director of social media for the Canadian Physical Alliance. She is married to a firefighter, has two children, ages 16 and 19. My husband is a cancer survivor and she is navigating 3 auto immune diseases. They are an incredibly strong team which makes her successful in her endeavors.   TOPICS COVERED -having a supportive spouse -motherhood and bodybuilding -competing as a masters athlete -friendships in bodybuilding -finding ways to contribute -changes in the industry -getting involved in the sport -comparison tap   CONNECT WITH CELESTE: Website: http://www.celestial.fit Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/celestial_fit/ All Links: http://www.celestial.fit/links.html CONNECT WITH CINDY: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cindyvep_ifbbpro/   TIME STAMPS 1:00 introduction 9:38 having a name 18:00 her husband battling cancer  22:10 time away from the stage 28:30 finding ways to contribute 35:30 changes in Canadian bodybuilder 40:42 women in leadership 49:54 her favorites 52:19 opportunities to get involved 57:08 comparison mindset 62:13 knowing it’s okay to step away 66:37 masters versus open 75:37 coming out of the darkness 86:42 getting married quickly 95:20 advice for competitors     CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE FOOD RELATIONSHIP COACHING SERIES   CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE POST SHOW BLUES COACHING SERIES   LEARN MORE AND APPLY FOR MY 5 WEEK FOOD RELATIONSHIP HEALING & DISCOVERY COACHING PROGRAM   FOR OTHER FREE RESOURCES, LIVE EVENTS, AND WAYS TO WORK WITH CELESTE CLICK HERE

CINDY VAN EMPEL-POPOWICH; What Every Girl Needs, Golden Eras Rooted like an Oak, Stop Doing This, Should You Do Masters and Open?

Today I speak with IFBB Bikini Pro Tanya Johansen, a kidney cancer survivor and single mom of two, who lives in Utah and works as a posing coach. She earned her Pro card at Master’s USAs in 2022, where she won the overall, and made her Pro debut last year at California Night of Champions. Tanya is coached by Aimee Delgado at Fit Body Fusion and plans to begin her rookie season this summer.    TOPICS COVERED -pushing through no matter what -not delaying pro debut -kidney cancer -environment is key -age is just a number -making it work with kids -when people don't believe in you or what you're doing -favorite tips and advice for amateurs   CONNECT WITH CELESTE: Website: http://www.celestial.fit Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/celestial_fit/ All Links: http://www.celestial.fit/links.html CONNECT WITH TANYA: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tanyajobikinipro/   TIME STAMPS 1:00 introduction 3:20 who can achieve a pro card 7:23 the desire to keep pushing 13:21 building muscle tips 19:45 fostering friendships and relationships 24:30 prep is self-care 27:15 going through kidney cancer 34:55 deciding to change her life 41:20 becoming resilient 44:10 learning from chaos 48:25 coming to the road to Pro 52:00 deciding what you want 59:25 getting involved with the industry 66:50 navigating being a single mom 69:49 advice for competitors    CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE FOOD RELATIONSHIP COACHING SERIES   CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE POST SHOW BLUES COACHING SERIES   LEARN MORE AND APPLY FOR MY 5 WEEK FOOD RELATIONSHIP HEALING & DISCOVERY COACHING PROGRAM   FOR OTHER FREE RESOURCES, LIVE EVENTS, AND WAYS TO WORK WITH CELESTE CLICK HERE

TANYA JOHANSEN; Vulnerability in Friendships, No Pity Parties, Winning Strategies, There’s More in You so Go Find It

Today I speak with IFBB Bikini Pro Phillipa Ferreira who started competing in ICN back in 2020 and turned pro in that federation in her first year of competing. She moved to IFBB last year and earned her Pro card at Nationals, where she placed first. She was the first Australian bikini athlete to win two state titles in one season, as well as the first Australian bikini athlete to turn pro in their first season and finish undefeated with 11 gold medals. Having struggled with depression for most of my adult life, Phillipa is passionate about heaving open discussions about mental health. She studies law full time, works 2 jobs, dances professionally, and wants to show people you CAN do it all!   TOPICS COVERED -bad coaching experiences -mental health -mindset sets you apart -balancing a busy life -working with a life coach & psychiatrist -having big dreams -being a professional dancer -trusting your coach -prepping while on antidepressants     CONNECT WITH CELESTE: Website: http://www.celestial.fit Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/celestial_fit/ All Links: http://www.celestial.fit/links.html CONNECT WITH PHILLIPA: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phillipa_ferreira/ TikTok: phillipa_ferreira   TIME STAMPS 1:00 introduction 5:39 heaving an undefeated streak 9:13 focusing on the process and not the outcome 19:19 focusing on the mental side 27:09 rebuilding her life 39:00 bodybuilding as an identity 53:07 possibly living in the USA 59:15 navigating a busy life 65:30 the price of competing 67:03 from dancing to competing 69:20 having a coach you trust 83:15 having a history of disordered eating 89:42 doing it for yourself 97:30 dating while in prep 100:40 creating the next physique 106:30 advice for competitors  CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE FOOD RELATIONSHIP COACHING SERIES   CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE POST SHOW BLUES COACHING SERIES   LEARN MORE AND APPLY FOR MY 5 WEEK FOOD RELATIONSHIP HEALING & DISCOVERY COACHING PROGRAM   FOR OTHER FREE RESOURCES, LIVE EVENTS, AND WAYS TO WORK WITH CELESTE CLICK HERE

PHILLIPA FERREIRA; Bodybuilding is What I Do Not Who I am, Build your Metaphorical House, Grueling & Healthy or Red Flag, Relieve Pressure

Today I speak with IFBB Bikini Pro Lisa Reid, a 32 year old newly crowned Bikini Pro from Australia who entered her first competition back in 2014 and was immediately hooked. Now, almost a decade later I has competed in 23 shows and her passion and love for the sport only continues to grow. She started in the Natural Bodybuilding federations first: winning pro status and world titles in two federations (ICN & WNBF), before working towards building a competitive physique for her NPC Debut in 2022. At the end of 2023 she traveled to America to compete at the Amateur Olympia, and then her dream became a reality when she earned her Pro card at the Caribbean Grand Prix Pro Qualifier in the Bahamas.    TOPICS COVERED -the difficulty to win a pro card in Australia -experience training & competing internationally  -background as a dancer growing up  -importance of consistency and patience -passion is one of the keys to success  -having her partner as her coach  -a strong support network  -maturing as an athlete   CONNECT WITH CELESTE: Website: http://www.celestial.fit Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/celestial_fit/ All Links: http://www.celestial.fit/links.html CONNECT WITH LISA: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisajanereid/   TIME STAMPS 1:00 introduction 5:00 competing in different federations 12:01 posing practice and different standards 14:07 earning a Pro card in Australia 16:31 competing internationally 21:31 differences in competing locally and internationally 30:40 developing over 10 years 36:53 comparison hurting your preps 41:55 personal growth 44:32 focuses outside of bodybuilding 47:55 being coached by her partner 54:37 growing muscle overtime 57:48 prep versus off season 62:32 goals for the Pro league 66:23 relating posing to dancing 69:30 advice for competitors    CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE FOOD RELATIONSHIP COACHING SERIES   CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE POST SHOW BLUES COACHING SERIES   LEARN MORE AND APPLY FOR MY 5 WEEK FOOD RELATIONSHIP HEALING & DISCOVERY COACHING PROGRAM   FOR OTHER FREE RESOURCES, LIVE EVENTS, AND WAYS TO WORK WITH CELESTE CLICK HERE

YURIKA SHIGEMOTO; First Olympia Prep, More is Not More, No Standard Prep

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