Confessions of a Bikini Pro

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MIGNON WILLIAMS Apr 29, 2022

Show notes

Today I speak with IFBB Pro Mignon Williams, who is a native of New Orleans, LA and currently lives in Atlanta, GA. Mignon is a finance professional and entrepreneur as the owner of Untaxed Confidential, a full service tax and accounting firm where she educates clients on ways to save money in taxes and make smart financial decisions for the future. She is a FitBody Fusion Athlete coached by Jamie DeBernard and earned her Pro Card in 2019 at the North American Championships snagging not only her pro card but also the Overall title. She made her Pro debut a week later at the Arizona Wings of strength placing top 15 among 11 Olympians. She came back in 2020 at the Chicago Pro placing 3rd and took a long and much need break from the stage to become a mother to a beautiful baby boy August Langston Humphrey. When she's not in tax season, she is coaching other bikini athletes on posing, presentation and stage polish.

Mignon has so much to share on how to STOP comparing your progress from one show/year to another because you are growing in this sport. You don't want to miss this interview!

Topics covered include:

-Her tax business, Untaxed Confidential

-Posing and show day glam

-Being a Black Girl with an eating disorder

-Motherhood and fit pregnancy

-Breastfeeding and bodybuilding

-Being intentional and present in your relationships during prep

-Working out with intensity and intention

-Taking your OFFSZN seriously.

-Self Care during prep

-Turning 40!!

-Running a business as a mom as a bikini pro

-The right way to wear a wig

-Conquering the stage with posing, poise, polish and presentation

-Showing up each day as a PROFESSIONAL in every aspect of your life

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 MIGNON:

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

TIME STAMPS

1:00 introduction

4:23 influences for stage presence as a dancer

7:40 preparing taxes as a Pro bodybuilder

14:20 show planning tips

20:01 being a professional before you're actually a Pro

23:00 advice for stage presence

25:41 show day glam

35:50 lessons learned over the years and different coaches

47:10 the show that haunts her

49:10 switching coaches and turning pro

58:50 pre-show routine and recovery

66:50 comparison trap with yourself

70:43 struggling with an eating disorder

73:25 pregnancy and postpartum journey

91:00 advice for competitors

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LAURA TARBELL Apr 22, 2022

Show notes

Today I speak with IFBB Pro Laura Tarbell who did her first prep in the spring of 2007 for seven short weeks and won my bikini pro card with the WNSO. Six weeks later, she placed third at the Pro World Championships. She immediately loved competing because it felt like the perfect combination of the two things she loved most growing up, sports and stage performance. She played basketball and studied to be a music teacher in college, but felt like she was called to be a coach. She continued to compete until 2009 when she started my family.

Eight years later, she decided I wanted to go after an IFBB Pro card, just to prove to herself that with 4 kids and at the age of 40, she could do it. In 2020 she made it happen and her next goal is to win a masters Pro show.

She now coaches for Nutrition Dynamic doing both competition prep and functional nutrition. She focuses on helping bikini athletes optimize their competition prep in order to look their best on stage and then transition into post show with long term health in mind.

Laura gives us invaluable information. You don't want to miss this interview! 23:20

Topics covered include:

-having 2 sets of twins

-macros versus meal plans

-prepping with a family

-knowing your body on a functional level

-comparison versus inspiration

-coaching basketball

-keeping in "treats" during prep

-testing as a tool

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/laura.tarbell.ifbbpro/

TIME STAMPS

1:00 introduction

5:06 inspiration to compete and competing in multiple leagues

10:20 using pilates for recovery and deciding to train for bodybuilding

11:50 lessons from different federations and coaching competitions

13:44 having 2 sets of twins and IVF

19:00 prepping and raising a family

28:30 nutrition changes from prep to improvement season

40:48 goals moving forward

43:00 actions to support growth

47:05 testing after adding in different supplements

50:28 when not to compete and why a functional approach is best

55:00 how your cycle can affect performance

61:50 tips from tracking macros

66:50 training to optimize your workouts

72:50 feedback from judges

77:25 advice for competitors

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LAURA STALINKEVICIUTE Apr 15, 2022

Show notes

Today, I speak with Lithuanian IFBB Pro Laura Stalinkeviciute, a fitness coach who works with women online, design training programs, meal plans. She shares her own journey, workouts, and tips on Instagram in hopes to inspire and help more girls along the way. She used to compete in IFBB Elite, but in 2021 switched to NPC and won her pro card at her first show! She has her own Fitness Clothing brand, DEERFORCE, where she sells activewear and glute bands. She loves traveling and meeting like-minded people.

Laura shares why it's important to work with a coach even if you are a coach and how she has learned through trial and error over the years. She really wants to help other believe in themselves. You don't want to miss this interview!

Topics covered include:

-believing in yourself

-difference between IFBB Elite and NPC

-building more muscle to be competitive

-difference between improvement season and prep

-judging progress

-having a post show goal

-mindset in the gym

-changing the plan

-differences between a cheat meal and reread meal

-learning new types of posing

-traveling and competing

-hosting a podcast

-having a clothing line

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/stalinkeviciute/

Coaching IG: https://www.instagram.com/lauras_coaching/

DEERFORCE IG: https://www.instagram.com/deerforce_/

DEERFORCE Website: https://www.deerforcecollection.com/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKlE7rCkdHW8ZKae5G9Okpw

TIME STAMPS

1:00 introductions

3:30 believing in yourself

4:50 difference between IFBB Elite and NPC

7:40 learning about IFBB Pro league

12:23 working towards improvements

13:33 improvement season versus prep

15:05 monitoring progress

19:05 biggest diet mistakes

22:10 training splits and intention

26:15 changing the plan when things don't work

28:30 education to change approaches

30:20 differences between a cheat meal and reread meal

36:20 goals and timelines

40:20 advice for traveling as a competitor

45:37 endeavors outside of bodybuilding

47:50 how competing has impacting other areas go her life

52:10 starting her own clothing brand

56:53 advice for competitors

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FOR OTHER FREE RESOURCES, LIVE EVENTS, AND WAYS TO WORK WITH CELESTE CLICK HERE

LOUISA BURKE Apr 08, 2022

Show notes

Today, I speak with IFBB Pro Louisa Burke. She was born and raised in Munich, Germany where she received a degree in Interaction design. She moved to the US 5 years ago to be with her now husband. She started her fitness Instagram to share her journey and inspire others while she was waiting on her work permit. She now works full time as Product designer for LinkedIn and works on her fitness on the side. She fell in love with bodybuilding in 2020 where she also did her first Bikini competition. Since then, she did 4 more shows until she turned pro in July 2021.

Louisa shares her story of finding fitness and how the turned into a passion for inspiring others. Gratitude is an important part of her journey and that leads her to want to pay it forward. We heard about her long-term long distance relationship and what it took for her to be able to move from Germany to the US.

She shares so many lessons she has learned along the way. You don't want to miss this conversation!

Topics covered include:

-handling stage nerves

-focusing on gratitude

-choosing the right coach

-eating to grow

-workout out through COVID

-making improvements to turn Pro

-feeling too small

-working on mindset

-building habits to build success

-working for LinkedIn

-long distance relationships

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 LOUISA:

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

TIME STAMPS

1:00 introductions

4:50 show day ritual for gratitude

9:08 working with Adam from Team Elite Physique and coaching journey

26:05 worrying about family and moving up at Nationals

35:00 working on mindset

40:17 habits that contribute to success

45:15 wearing many hats and working for Linked In

48:00 setting boundaries with social media

54:13 Moving from Germany to the US and long distance relationship

70:22 cultural differences between US and Germany

77:20 visiting Germany and futures plans for competing

83:15 advice for competitors

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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

ELENOA MCCABE Apr 01, 2022

Show notes

Today, I speak with IFBB Pro Elenoa McCabe who goes by Noa. By day she is a data steward for a large agricultural company, but her true passion lies in competing and being part of the fitness industry! She currently lives in Colorado where she loves to hike, ski, and go on road trips with her boyfriend and their puppers. She also has a fitness podcast called The Gym-ish Pod and she is an online coach! She started competing in 2017 and turned Pro at 2021 at the NPC National Championships. She knew she wanted to be a Pro after her first show and decided to take almost 2 years off to improve her physique.

Elenoa talks about knowing when you're ready to compete and the importance of optimizing everything to win. She speaks to the importance of taking your time to choose the right coach and talking to current and previous competitors about their experience with the coach. Having open communication with your coach is such an important part of being a competitor and Elenoa shares an important story as to why!

Elenoa has such a positive outlook about bodybuilding and competing. You don't want to miss this episode!

Topics covered include:

-feeling disappointment without letting it overtake you

-normalizing long improvement seasons

-being prepared to compete

-choosing the right coach

-dealing with self-sabotage

-communicating with your coach

-the feeling of reaching your goals

-acting like a pro to become a pro

-balancing life with prep

-gaining tools through therapy

-posing every day

-the importance of body work

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 ELENOA:

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

Gym-ish Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-gym-ish-podcast/id1549134251

TIME STAMPS

1:00 introductions

5:47 taking a long improvement season

10:10 knowing when to end an improvement season

13:33 choosing the right coach

18:38 dealing with self-sabotage

28:28 moving past a prep binge

32:10 feeling of winning her Pro card

34:40 lesson learned in pursuit of a pro card

38:33 setting boundaries and expectations in relationships

42:39 maintaining passions while working towards goals

50:40 setting post-show intentions

55:05 working on posing and getting bodywork

61:24 changing training styles

70:20 balancing 9-5 job and online coaching

75:15 the Gym-ish Podcast

81:14 goals and feedback

85:48 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

ERIN MAHON Mar 25, 2022

Show notes

Today, I speak with IFBB Pro Erin Mahon, a 22 year-old athlete and posing coach who starting competing in 2019 and turned Pro in 20201 at Junior Nationals. She talks about being a shy and reserved persons and she competes for herself and not necessarily to broadcast her competing journey. We hear about Erin'a past experience as a soccer athlete and the knee injuries she dealt with. Even with her injuries and deciding to leave soccer, she knew there was something more out there for her. She decided to train through her injuries which led her to bodybuilding!

Erin shares how moving to Florida has totally changed her bodybuilding. She has learned to train with proper form and intensity, which has been the biggest game changer in her development.

Erin is so honest and open about her journey. You don't want to miss this interview!

Topics covered include:

-dealing with social media

-the impact bodybuilding has had on her life

-her journey to the stage

-transitioning from soccer to bodybuilding

-deciding to use enhancements

-not focusing on the scale

-training heavy

-changing mindset about food

-learning what works for you

-working as a posing 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 ERIN:

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

TIME STAMPS

1:00 introductions

7:13 inspiration to compete

15:00 having family support

19:20 deciding to use enhancements

27:25 recomping your body and training heavy

31:40 deciding to move to Florida

35:30 how her training has changed

42:30 changing her relationship with food

53:40 choosing the right coach

59:37 coffee and sugar free sweeteners

65:30 working as a coach and posing coach

72:58 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

CORY HAGEMAN Mar 18, 2022

Show notes

Today, I speak with IFBB Pro Cory Hageman. She's 26 years old and lives in Los Angeles. She's been competing in bodybuilding since 2015 and won the overall at JR USA's in 2020, where she turned pro. She's competed in 3 pro shows and got 2nd place at her pro debut at the Mile High in Denver in 2021. She worked as a photographer and videographer before starting a career in nursing. Cory is a coach for competitors as well as lifestyle clients and also offer posing coaching!

We hear how Cory worked on her look after turning Pro and what she did to improve her conditioning. Cory also talks about working with different coaches and ultimately deciding to prep herself.

Cory shares valuable lessons that every competitor needs to hear. You don't want to miss this interview!

Topics covered include:

-Working on improvements as a Pro

-Mindset when working with a coach

-Going to extremes

-Dealing with injuries

-Deciding to prep yourself

-Adapting and evolving over time

-Competing in different leagues

-Dealing with body image

-Goals for bodybuilding

-Comping with food focus

-Feelings of failure

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 CORY:

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

TIME STAMPS

1:00 introductions

5:49 winning her Pro card and working on improvements

8:00 switching coaches

18:00 extreme preps

23:18 better ways to prep and prepping herself

31:00 being open to change

42:15 deciding not to compete

43:45 healing her relationship with food and her body

49:08 deciding to prep through injury

54:37 typical split for workouts

60:52 changes to physique after changing training intensity

64:15 goals in bodybuilding

69:00 changes to posing

73:45 knowing when it's time to adjust

84:55 things she would change in previous preps

98:15 advice for competitors

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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

DAKINI SELLAMUTHU Mar 11, 2022

Show notes

Today, I speak with IFBB Pro Dakini Sellamuthu, a 23 years old psychology major currently living in India. She has been bodybuilding for 3 years and I just won her pro card in December 2021 at the Arnold Amateur. She talks about how bodybuilding has helped her build self-confidence and why struggling with post show blues taught her so much about her body. Dakini tells us about her struggles in her improvement season and what she did to overcome her bingeing tendencies.

We hear how Dakini has worked to have open communication with her coach and how she has taken the shame out of her actions. She tells how she lives for herself and meets her own expectations. She also says that turning Pro didn't change her as a person.

Dakini has such a relatable story and shares valuable information. You don't want to miss this interview!

Topics covered include:

-dealing with stress and low confidence

-living in prep versus improvement season

-the importance of sustainability

-the popularity of bodybuilding in India

-choosing to take an off season and recover

-dealing with mental illness

-helping others through psychology

-meditation and journaling as self-care

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 DAKINI:

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

TIME STAMPS

[1:00] introductions

[5:25] dealing with binging

[12:50] communicating needs with your coach

[17:45] struggling with comparison

[20:00] choosing not to prep

[25:45] lessons learned from bodybuilding

[35:00] deciding to study psychology

[39:55] ways to support her mental health

[45:14] the desire to compete

[49:40] insights from prep

[59:00] 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

SAMMY HOULE Mar 04, 2022

Show notes

Today, I speak with IFBB Sammy Houle, a NASM certified personal trainer, who received her Bachelor of Science in Ath letic Training with a focus on injury prevention and rehabilitation. She was born and raised in Wisconsin and is currently living in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She is a Full-Time Fit Body Fusion Online Coach, where she works with competition, lifestyle, and transformation clients. She turned pro in 2020 at USAs after competing in 4 other national shows. She made her Pro debut at the 2021 Sacramento Pro.

She talks about the differences between competing as a Pro versus as an amateur and how she handled those changes. Sammy tells us about different experiences with prep and improvement seasons and how she uses macros to foster a healthy relationship with food. We also hear about Sammy's coaching philosophy and strategies she uses to helps her clients be successful and stay healthy!

Sammy's journey to the Pro stage is full of valuable lessons. You won't want to miss this interview!

Topics covered include:

-differences between competing as a Pro versus amateur

-the importance of having community

-accountability in the improvement season

-macros versus meal plans

-coaching philosophy

-deciding to become a coach

-working with Fit Body Fusion

-communicating with you coach

-the importance of bloodwork

-taking rest days seriously

-why posing is so important

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 SAMMY:

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

Coaching: https://www.fitbodyfusion.com/ (REQUEST Samantha Houle for coaching)

TIME STAMPS

[1:00] introductions

[3:20] prepping for a pro shoe versus prepping for an NPC show

[8:13] differences between prep and improvement season

[11:20] macros versus meal plans

[15:50] Sammy's approach to coaching and using macros

[21:11] how her experiences have influenced her coaching style

[23:55] becoming a coach for Fit Body Fusion

[30:20] how life changed after becoming a coach full time

[33:00] things to consider when choosing a coach

[36:30] making friends in the industry

[40:50] health in the improvement season

[47:03] Sammy's competing journey and using feedback

[50:40] nailing your posing

[55:00] training focuses

[61:45] 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

TONI GADDIS Feb 25, 2022

Show notes

Today, I speak with IFBB Pro Toni Gaddis, a military service member for 16 years. She has her Bachelors in Industrial and Organizational Psychology and my Masters in Juvenile Justice. Throughout her life, she has participated in various sports from volleyball to powerlifting. She was introduced to bodybuilding by her best friend and fell in love with the sport. She competed in her first national qualifying competition on May 2018 and won both overall novice and unlimited in my class. She earned her pro card at NPC Universe. Her ultimate goal is to be able to qualify for and win the Olympia. She is the owner and posing coach of Details Matter Posing and Glute Training. She wants women to know that although she came into this sport later in life than most it's about being intentional and consistent in everything you do. She believes in being the example in order to inspire others. She believes hard work, dedication, and consistency should be at the forefront of being an ambassador of this sport. You won't want to miss this interview with Toni. She is full of great information and is eager to share! Topics covered include: -following your plan -learning what you can and asking questions -taking off a year because of a military deployment -learning from judges' feedback -dealing with a fast metabolism -proper glute training -identifying patterns-posing coaching and how to practice -deciding to join the military -appreciating what you've accomplished 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 TONI: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mini_beast_toni17/ TIME STAMPS [1:00] introductions [4:40] win at NPC Universe [18:10] changing her training mindset [19:20] judges' feedback [24:00] glutes training [28:20] learning to activate your glutes [35:45] booty builder machine and different exercises [45:30] posing and practice [54:00] being a posing coach [60:00] what sets her apart as a posing coach [69:06] her experience in the military [74:00] meal prepping and scheduling [77:30] 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

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