Today I speak with IFBB Bikini Pro Dr. Jessica Wilson, a returning guest who was actually on the 7th episode! Since then, Jessica won the tittle of 2023 Ms Bikini Olympia Masters. She is 42 years old and works as a lifestyle and posing coach, and is also a doctor of veterinary medicine. Jessica and I go deep on this conversation, so get ready!

TOPICS COVERED

-identity outside of competing

-finding your “It” factor

-opening up in her faith

-being free of labels

-health aspects of bodybuilding

-handling burnout

-letting loose

-living in the moment

-recover like a Pro

-too much emphasis on the end result

-taking time off to grow

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 JESSICA:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessfitvet/

TIME STAMPS

1:00 introduction

8:50 her relationship with Christ

21:20 idolizing the “best” version

31:02 How do you know you love it?

39:10 vanity versus health

43:50 evolving to progress

52:00 going with the flow

1:05:32 being able to pivot

1:12:16 continuing to learn

1:19:45 ins and outs of Masters Olympia

1:22:03 living like a Pro

1:33:15 changing your strategy

1:55:19 self-sabotage

2:05:20 advice for balancing life

2:09:45 relationship with her husband

2:19:30 learning to accept criticism

2:25:40 don’t take your body for granted

2:30:00 when to have kids

2:36:04 advice for competitors

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Today I speak with IFBB Bikini Pro Brittany Shulman, a wife, mother, and former gymnast who works in finance. She started lifting after leaving gymnastics and two friends introduced her to bodybuilding. She competed in her first show in 2017 and then took a couple years off to get married and have a baby. She tried to return to the stage in 202, but got derailed by COVID. She then found Paul Revelia and first year competing with him in 2022 and earned her pro card at Ben Weider Naturals. She returned in 2023 and won, qualifying her to the 2024 Olympia.

She will soon be launching her coaching business soon, mostly focusing on transformation/lifestyle clients!

TOPICS COVERED

-balance of working mom and competing

-deciding to return to the stage

-getting of birth control

-qualifying for the Olympia

-prepping as a family

-prioritizing communication

-postpartum fitness

-navigating mom guilt

-hobbies outside of bodybuilding

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 BRITT:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brittshuls_ifbbpro/

TIME STAMPS

1:00 introduction

5:20 journey to Pro card

16:23 feedback from turning Pro

24:05 planning for the Olympia

30:25 approaching prep with gratitude

33:48 setting an example for her daughter

37:10 Prep as a family decision

44:06 relationship with her husband

51:40 deciding to become a coach

56:30 body after baby

61:29 navigating mom guilt

64:07 practicing Muay Thai

76:05 getting bodywork done

79:55 advice for competitors

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Today I speak with IFBB Bikini Pro Melanie Albino, a 40-year-old natural competitor, who is a wife & mom, and an Elite coach for Team Elite Physique. She has been a prep coach since 2016 and a personal trainer for almost 20 years! Melanie first competed in 2012 and won her Pro card in 2019 after competing in 7 national shows. She has been self-coached since her second show.

TOPICS COVERED

-progression of bikini

-competing as a natural athlete

-balancing family with competing

-being self-coached

-long road to Pro

-words we use around food

-managing an autoimmune disease

-dealing with social media

-working as a coach

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 MEALNIE:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fit_by_melanie/

TIME STAMPS

1:00 introduction

5:00 bodybuilding as a lifestyle

9:57 impact of bodybuilding on her family

19:55 having an autoimmune disease

25:30 showing your body it’s safe

32:38 having a husband who is also fit

38:01 tips for dealing with unsupportive family

43:51 competing and social media

57:18 working with Team Elite Physique

61:32 being self-coached

73:19 natural IFBB shows

77:15 choosing to stay natural

84:25 advice for competitors

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Today I speak with IFBB Bikini Pro Laura Postor, a mom of 3 and owner of four businesses. She first competed in 2021 where she earned second in open at the Night of Champions. At only her 5th show ever, she earned her Pro Card at USAs in 2023. She is a Certified doula and focuses on working with parents who have experienced sexual trauma. She is also a recovered heroin addict and has been clean for 11 years.

TOPICS COVERED

-inspiring women to “have it all”

-being a gym owner

-running multiple businesses

-the best you can do is the best you can do

-addiction recovery

-cutting the anchor

-quick road to Pro

-confidence on stage

-balancing life as a mom

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 LAURA:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurapostor/

Big Iron gym: https://www.instagram.com/bigirongym/

TIME STAMPS

1:00 introduction

3:38 posing advice and tips

5:54 inspiring women to “have it all”

10:00 being a business owner

14:01 being a doula, having capacity for compassion

23:50 life of a busy mom

28:25 advice for new moms

33:25 outlook on motherhood

35:01 addiction recovery

39:24 overcoming childhood trauma

48:10 acknowledging she needed help

53:30 going pro at her first national show

56:20 working with Adam Bonilla

58:19 feedback after Pro card win

62:35 most important stage advice

71:09 advice for competitors

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE FOOD RELATIONSHIP COACHING SERIES

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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

Today I speak with IFBB Bikini Pro Sam McDonough, from Kansas City, MO, currently living in Sacramento. She recently earned her BA in Psychology plans to eventually be a Marriage and Family Counselor. Currently, she is a coach at a couple gyms and a Posing Coach for Bikini and Wellness athletes. She has been competing since 2017, first in the NANBF. At her first NPC show in 2020, she started in Wellness and Bikini. She earned her Pro Card at the 2024 Arnold Amateur and is now in a long improvement season!

TOPICS COVERED

-eating disorders

-stage presence and showcasing the physique

-pursuing marriage and family counseling

-being in the queer community

-going through sexual assault

-being a presentation coach

-common posing mistakes

-looking like you belong

-training intensity & junk volume

-falling in love with the sport

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 SAM:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andthats_showbiz_baby_ifbbpro/

Posing: https://www.instagram.com/360posing/

TIME STAMPS

1:00 introduction

5:58 how her mentality has changed

11:52 competing while in school

15:22 pursuing marriage and family counseling

20:40 working with the queer community

26:00 exploring her identity

32:43 the desire to help others

36:43 plans for the future

38:09 going through a traumatic experience

46:40 being a presentation coach

51:32 working on feedback

60:25 posing for the Pro league

67:29 taking time away from stage

71:25 wellness & bikini

78:35 don’t complain about competing

79:40 overcoming body image issues

84:00 my “last” competition

91:20 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

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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

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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

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LEARN MORE AND APPLY FOR MY 5 WEEK FOOD RELATIONSHIP HEALING & DISCOVERY COACHING PROGRAM

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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