Confessions of a Bikini Pro Podcast

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.

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.

Make sure to subscribe, rate, and review this podcast if you love it as much as we do so we can continue spreading the message to people worldwide! And be sure to follow @celestial_fit on instagram too for behind the scenes, sneak peeks, and more! Tag her and the guests in your posts and stories loving on the podcasts too!

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ANNA FALTOVA; Let the Judges be the Judges, In Depth Coach Research, IFBB Elite to NPC, Desire over Discomfort

2/3/2023

Today I speak with IFBB Pro Anna Faltova, an online coach and posing coach, who started competing in 2016 in IFBB Elite. She rode horses and did show jumping for 15 years and then transitioned to gym, fitness. She switched to an NPC in 2022, where she placed first in every competition, and earned her Pro card at her third attempt. She is now getting ready for her Pro debut in 2023. Anna is also one of three IFBB Pros from Czechoslovakia!

Anna and I talk a lot about mindset and transitioning from doubt to belief. Anna tells her about her extensive search for a coach and how seriously she took this decision! We go deep about perspective shifts and how to stay focused on your goals. You don’t want to miss this interview!

TOPICS COVERED
-prep mindset
-training in prep
-importance of a stage presentation
-her posing coach
-taking a beak from stage
-finding the right coach
-posing to win
-switching federations

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 ANNA:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annafaltova/
Youtube: https://youtube.com/c/AnnaFaltova
Website: annalfaltova.cz

TIME STAMPS
1:00 special announcement
3:53 introduction
9:58 letting what will be will be
12:45 deciding she had more to give in the sport
19:01 transition from doubt to belief
24:45 starting to work with a coach
33:20 switching from IFBB Elite to NPC/IFBB Pro league
38:01 changes from prep to improvement season
43:01 mental approach to improvement season
55:15 evolving in posing and being a posing coach
59:33 finding bodybuilding and future goals
66:15 room for improvement
73:30 how bodybuilding has changed her life
79:54 advice for competitors

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Podcast Party Recap with Confessions from Attendees, Specials from Sponsors, Random Announcements, & BIG Thank YOUs!!

1/29/2023

A reflection on the podcast party this past weekend with thank yous, reading of people's confessions, a recap, and random announcements :O
HUGE Thank you to Sponsors:
Posing by A & Jewelry by A: use code Confession for 15% off your jewelry purchase. Visit: https://linktr.ee/PosingbyA Competition prep & Lifestyle coaching company
Team Fflex: https://www.instagram.com/teamfflex/
Photographer & Videographer, Studio G: https://linktr.ee/studi0_g thank you to all who showed up, did giveaways and raffles, supported the set up and filling of the event, and to all the pros who attended.

hear their episodes here:
http://www.celestial.fit/confessions-of-a-bikini-pro-podcast/category/brittany-carbullido
http://www.celestial.fit/confessions-of-a-bikini-pro-podcast/category/brittany-gillespie
http://www.celestial.fit/confessions-of-a-bikini-pro-podcast/category/holly-larson
http://www.celestial.fit/confessions-of-a-bikini-pro-podcast/category/huong-mai
http://www.celestial.fit/confessions-of-a-bikini-pro-podcast/category/janean-priest
http://www.celestial.fit/confessions-of-a-bikini-pro-podcast/category/kasie-rodriguez
http://www.celestial.fit/confessions-of-a-bikini-pro-podcast/category/laura-mooreshay
http://www.celestial.fit/confessions-of-a-bikini-pro-podcast/category/milene-lingiardi
http://www.celestial.fit/confessions-of-a-bikini-pro-podcast/category/shonte-turner

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

1/27/2023

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

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SOPHIA BERNARD; BTS of Lawyer Life, Potential through Doubt, Loose To-Dos, Free to Pursue

1/20/2023

Today I speak with Haitian IFBB Pro Sophia Bernard, a transportation litigation/ regulatory lawyer, an avid blogger, traveler, and former NCAA Division 2 track athlete. She started competing in 2019, in the NGA. In November of 2020, she did her first NPC show at The Klash where I placed 1st in Novice and 3rd in open. After taking some time to grow, she returned to the National circuit. She finally earned her Pro card at 2022 North Americans where she took first place. Sophia shares how not realizing her full potential in track lead her to compete, where she had the opportunity to fully go for it and not hold herself back. As an athlete and a lawyer, Sophia uses many of the same skills and lessons to be successful in both.

"I can. I will. I am able. I deserve.” is the mantra that has pushed her through some of her most difficult challenges and they continue to push her today.

TOPICS COVERED
-Balancing work
-relationships and prep
-imposter syndrome and not giving up
-competing as a collegiate track athlete
-competing in different federations
-the impact her grandmother had
-law school and working as a lawyer
-recognizing your short comings

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 SOPHIA:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sophiafitlawyer/

TIME STAMPS
1:00 introduction
4:25 dealing with imposter syndrome
7:26 deciding to compete
14:25 shifting to self-belief
18:59 losing her grandmother during prep
23:10 making friends in the industry
30:01 changes made competing at the national level
33:43 parallel themes as an athlete and as a lawyer
38:30 activities outside of bodybuilding
43:10 prep versus improvement season
50:56 working as a lawyer
58:50 the value of using a to-do list
63:25 the joys of being a lawyer
70:43 competing in pagenats
79:50 advice for competitors

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BRITTANY CARBULLIDO; Strength in Structure, Pursuing Multiple Passions, Inspired Mom

1/13/2023

Today I speak with IFBB Pro Brittany Carbullido, a mother to a 3 year old boy, a fiancée, and a personal trainer for online lifestyle clients. She also runs a home staging business and is a Real Estate Broker in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. She started her competition journey in the middle of the pandemic while working from home. She was inspired by her mom who is also a bikini competitor! She earned her Pro Card at Universe in 2022 with an overall win, at only her 4th show ever! She wants to provide advice and courage to many women, that you can DO all the things!

Brittany has such an inspiring story and positive attitude. She is here to inspire each of us to be our best!

Topics covered include:
-being confident on stage
-being a mom as an IFBB pro competitor
-creating balance in all areas of your life
-having a mom as a competitor
-prepping during COVID
-managing different aspects of life
-succeeding in real estate
-avoiding burnout
-shifting mindset to feeling deserving

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/brittchristine_ifbbpro/

TIME STAMPS
1:00 introduction
3:30 having a mom as a competitor
9:30 beginnings in bodybuilding
12:27 prepping now versus at the beginning
15:25 habits to support a busy life
20:01 working and advancing in real estate
28:01 feeling inadequate
33:28 removing self-imposed limits
40:20 experiencing breakthroughs
47:00 making improvements from show to show
52:55 things to have in order before prepping
57:45 current competition goals
61:43 bringing confidence to the stage
66:50 advice for competitors
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IULIA BABA; International Competitor in the USA, Pre Prep Season, Message to Romanians

1/6/2023

Today I speak with IFBB Pro Iulia Baba, the first Romania IFBB Bikini Pro. She began her journey in 2019, after following WBFF and IFBB on social media. She has been involved in fitness for years and is a Certified Trainer in Europe. She won her Pro card at 2021 North Americans where she won her class and was runner up in the Overall. She then competed in her Pro debut at the Powerhouse Classic where she was 8th, and has since competed in 5 more Pro shows! She now does posing and consultation coaching for NPC and other Bikini federations.

Iulia talks about her experiences making friends and building relationships through bodybuilding and how being a part of a team has enriched her experience. We hear about Julia’s childhood and growing up in Romania and how eating in a small village is different than eating in the USA.

Iuila and I had a great conversation. You don’t want to miss this interview!

Topics covered include:
-dealing with a language barrier
-making friends through bodybuilding
-meal plan versus macros
-judges’ feedback
-growing up in Romania
-enjoying the process
-healthy weight gain
-being a posing coach

CONNECT WITH CELESTE:
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/celestial_fit/
All Links: http://www.celestial.fit/links.html
Pro Tan Code: CELESTE
CONNECT WITH IULIA:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iulia_baba/

TIME STAMPS
1:00 introduction
3:22 getting into bodybuilding
11:20 deciding to compete at the national level
21:19 implementing feedback between shows
28:17 growing up in Romania
35:02 timing of prep and improvement season
39:20 meeting her husband
47:20 lessons from bodybuilding
53:00 being a posing coach
58:11 goals as a competitor
61:15 advice for competitors
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GINA SWITZENY; Move on From Failure, Partner's Sacrifice, Habits of Consistency

12/30/2022

Today I speak with IFBB Pro Gina Switzeny a lifelong athlete who started lifting after graduating university. She struggled with her weight in high school and university due to never having proper guidance on health and nutrition. In 2008, she started working with a nutritionist who taught her about meal planning and macros. In 2011, she entered a fitness model contest where she saw Bikini athletes who were competing that day. From that moment on, she knew that was what she wanted to look like. She competed in her first show in 2012 and competed consistently for the next 10 years. Finally in 2022, she won her Pro Card at the IFBB Natural Pro Qualifier after winning the Overall Masters Bikini 35+. She is a virtual personal trainer and nutrition coach. Gina wants to help the general population find a way to prioritize their health and fitness.

Gina says, “There were so many highs and lows, but I was determined and stuck to it, and thus was able to continue to improve and finally win. To me it's been about the journey and falling in love with the process of improving yourself over time. Too many people think of health and fitness as an all or nothing pursuit, but to me that is the wrong mindset. It's about choosing to do better everyday, which little by little brings you closer to your goals.”

Topics covered include:
-compete as a lifestyle.
-body image issues for competitors
-loving the process
-moving on from failure
-having support from her husband
-staying close to stage weight
-improving every day
-goals for the Pro stage

CONNECT WITH CELESTE:
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CONNECT WITH GINA:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bananasplitsquats/
Facebook - BananaSplitSquats
YouTube - BananaSplitSquats
Website - www.bananasplitsquats.com

TIME STAMPS
1:00 introduction
4:35 life before bodybuilding
10:30 loving the process
12:37 lessons learned in bodybuilding
23:50 previous athletic activity
26:05 support from her husband
33:42 body image struggles
40:48 improving and staying consistent
44:10 changes between improvement season and prep
48:47 improving relationship with food
62:12 being a coach and trainer
66:18 advice for competitors
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KASIE RODRIGUEZ; Financial Commitment, Pressure to Win, Using Heart Rate, Natural Growth

12/23/2022

Today I speak with IFBB Pro Kasie Rodriguez, a 35-years-old wife and mother of two children. She has called Yuma, AZ for the past 15 years ago. She started competing in 2019 and has competed in 14 shows total,10 of which were National shows. She won two Pro Cards at the 2022 North Americans, where she placed 1st in Open & Masters 35+ overall bikini champion. Kasie is an online coach for lifestyle and bikini competitors, and also offers posing sessions.

Kasie tells us about the changes in her stage presentation from her first National show to now competing as a Pro, and the building phase that was necessary to build the upper body she needed. She wanted to turn Pro as a natural athlete and prove that it could be done.

Kasie shows so much determination throughout her journey and is so open about her process. You don’t want to miss this interview!

Topics covered include:
-experience of her Pro debut
-doing 10 National shows before turning Pro
-listening to judges’ feedback
-having an extended building phase
-building her upper body naturally
-dealing with food allergies
-expenses competing Nationally
-competing on the west coast
-working as an online coach
-importance of core control

CONNECT WITH CELESTE:
Website: http://www.celestial.fit
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/celestial_fit/
All Links: http://www.celestial.fit/links.html
Pro Tan Code: CELESTE
CONNECT WITH KASIE:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kasierodriguez_ifbbpro/

TIME STAMPS
1:00 introduction
6:13 Pro debut
11:20 lessons learned from National shows
22:20 improving conditioning
27:20 going into a building phase
35:00 deciding to stay natural
39:44 staying focused on the goal
42:23 the why behind the Pro card
56:18 feedback from Pro debut
70:56 goals as a Pro
74:50 working as a trainer and now online coach
80:00 stage presentation as a Pro
89:40 coaching philosophy
100:30 importance of supports and community
110:20 advice for competitors
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KATE ORARA; Relationship Work, Priorities, 14 Years of Competing & Lessons Learned

12/16/2022

Today I speak with IFBB Pro Kate Orara, a full-time Partner Development Manager for a point of sale solutions manufacturer. She is married to her high school sweetheart and is a mom of 2. She also works as the sales manager for Boss Bodies. Her first competition in bodybuilding was in 2008 in figure. Once the bikini division was created, she switch and turned pro at NPC Universe in July 2021. Before turning Pro, she competed in 10 national level shows starting in 2015 earning more last callouts than first.

Kate shares her experience as a mother and how she prioritizes her family, even as a bikini Pro and full-time professional. She talks about the times when she considered stopping competing and why she decided to keep going.

Her goal is to prove to herself as well as others that competing can enhance your life and NOT take it over. It IS possible to have balance.

Topics covered include:
-dealing with rebounds post-show
-Blinders on. Execute. Finish
-being a mom of teenagers
-balancing life with bodybuilding
-having faith in her journey
-deciding not to give up
-goals as a Pro
-staying focused in improvement season
-tips for eating out

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 KATE:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kmoonorara/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCxm3sRjVDWzLsl31WBxEJLg

TIME STAMPS
1:00 introduction
7:03 posting on social media
12:20 balancing bodybuilding with family life and work
17:28 prioritizing her marriage
25:54 working full-time
29:55 importance of faith in her journey
34:00 the importance of a social influence
36:30 thinking about giving up
41:42 lessons learned through bodybuilding
54:38 comparing past improvement seasons to current one
60:00 going through the “ugly” stage
66:01 taking responsibility for yourself
69:48 feedback after Pro debut
75:45 advice for competitors

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DANIELLE COMBS; My Spouse Isn't Into This, Really Do It, PhD & Pro Card

12/9/2022

Today I speak with IFBB Pro Danielle Combs, a 35 years old college professor with a PhD in International Business, who was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. She met my now husband while working on their PhDs at the University of Illinois. She doesn’t have an athletic background and grew up primarily studying music.

She was never really interested in competing, but started working out and eating relatively healthy to refrain from gaining too much weight while in grad school. When she moved to Florida, she and her husband started working out with a trainer at a gym owned by her current coach, Loleta Riley. She eventually competed in my first show in September 2020 and won her Pro Card ins July 2021 at NPC Universe.

She talks about her quick success in the NPC and what she did to hit the Pro stage looking her best. Danielle shares so much about her journey. You don’t want to miss this interview!

Topics covered include:
-getting into health & fitness
-managing a demanding career and competing
-being a competitive Pro and a natural athlete
-relationship with her husband
-having quick success in the NPC
-working with an in-person trainer
-loving a good happy hour
-being married to a non-competitor
-life after competing
-lessons learned through competing
-working as a professor and researcher

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 DANIELLE:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/missdjay05/
TikTok: @daniellejonescombs

TIME STAMPS
1:00 introduction
4:05 how prep has changed over time
8:06 inspiration to begin competing
14:57 becoming a better competitor
23:00 choosing to have a positive mindset
27:28 lifestyle prior to competing
31:09 being married to a non-competitor
38:18 having family support
42:35 competing as a Pro versus amateur & lessons learned
47:45 working as a professor
54:05 parallels of getting a PhD and turning Pro
61:02 dealing with feedback
63:11 career goals
65:20 advice for competitors

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