Celeste Rains-Turk; Celestial_Fit International and Building More than Just a Body
  • Home
  • Confessions of a Bikini Pro Podcast
  • Blog
  • Free Workshop to Overcome Mindless Eating
  • Free Competitor Card Deck
  • Free Food Relationship Program
  • FREE POST-SHOW BLUES COACHING SERIES
  • Food Relationship Healing & Discovery 1:1 Coaching Program
  • Testimonials
  • Work with Me
  • On Demand Mindset Coaching for Competitors
  • Live Events
  • Interviews / Features
  • Speaking
  • Social Media
    • Instagram
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • Pinterest
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
  • Feedback
  • Contact
  • Links
Picture

​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 AVERAGE GYM GOER THAT EVEN THE MOST ELITE PROFESSIONALS FACE HARDSHIPS, HEALTH PROBLEMS, MENTAL OBSTACLES, AND OTHER ADVERSITIES.

ALL SHOW NOTES, LINKS, AND INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND ON THIS PAGE, JUST SEARCH THE ATHLETE YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO 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!

MAKE SURE TO RATE, REVIEW, AND SUBSCRIBE SO YOU NEVER MISS AN EPISODE!

Listen / Subscribe on iTunes
Listen / Subscribe on Spotify
RECEIVE
ON-DEMAND MINDSET COACHING
​FOR THE SEASON YOU ARE IN
APPAREL AVAILABLE NOW
​click here to get yours!
Become a Patron to Support the
​Production of the Show

ALEJANDRA BALLESTEROS; Inner Champion, One Point Away, Heavy Lifting, and Fate

7/17/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
In this episode, Celeste has the pleasure of speaking with Alejandra Ballesteros, an IFBB Bikini pro who won her pro card at North Americans in 2018, who has overcome many adversities and hardships in her life to get to where she is today.

Besides being an IFBB Pro coached by Ryan Hinton, Alejandra is also an in-person & online trainer for both lifestyle and competition clients. As always, Celeste kicks off the episode by asking Alejandra if she has a special routine or ritual she runs through right before her heel hits the stage.

Alejandra shares her perspective on channeling her inner performer and the energy she brings and exudes when she hits the stage. From there, Celeste asks Alejandra to share, in her own words, her life’s mission.

Alejandra dives into how exactly she wants to use her platform as an IFBB Pro to help inspire others to prioritize health and discover and channel their inner champion. She then goes on to explain how she represents and embodies an inner champion on a day to day basis and the significance that role has in her own life. 


Next, Celeste asks Alejandra to share her experiences with being bullied and how she used that as a motivator in the gym. The two briefly touch on the importance of self efficacy and how it translates to self confidence both in bodybuilding and life. Then, Celeste goes back to Alejandra’s experiences with bullying and asks Alejandra if it ever caused her to struggle with body image.

Alejandra shares many details about the bad habits she developed when she first wanted to get in shape, yet she really started to educate herself once she found the weight room and the gym. She also shares that along with the physical and mental changes fitness became more of a safe haven and representation of commitment instead of solely being something for her physical body.

Celeste then asks Alejandra if she feels she would have the success she has today in both competing and her career had it not been for her humble beginnings. Celeste asks Alejandra to elaborate more on her commitment to growth when it came to her career in fitness and Alejandra shares how her original job as a front desk worker at the gym evolved into pursuing a career in personal training.

She explains how the first few opportunities came her way before she felt fully ready to explore the world of personal training, yet after her experiences and relationships she built at the 6th Street Gold’s Gym, while still in college, she finally decided to open the door the next time that opportunity came knocking.

Alejandra shares the struggles she faced while pursuing personal training, something she found she had a passion for, while studying government at University of Texas. She talks about the depression she fell into while learning how to manage her conflicting feelings on her educational path.

After hearing more about her beginnings in the professional side of fitness, Celeste asks Alejandra what inspired her to make the decision to compete. Alejandra then goes on to tell listeners about how she met her current hair stylist who encouraged her to compete and reach out to a local trainer on Instagram, Lauren Flodquist, who through winning a giveaway, ended up becoming Ale’s mentor and role model.

Through the mentorship she met coach and Texas bodybuilding legend Dave Shockterly and worked with him up to her first competition where she competed in both figure and bikini. After competing for the first time she fell in love with the finesse of bikini, deciding that would be the division she pursued.


Although falling in love with competing after her first show, Alejandra found herself in a tough financial situation yet at the same time yearned for the stage and to continue progressing. Feeling lost and unsure of where to go, she reached out to her friend, Lauren, her former mentor, and Lauren encouraged Alejandra to reach out to a few different coaches.

Alejandra then got in touch with Team Legacy coach, Ryan Hinton, and she was immediately impressed with how invested Ryan was in helping her grow not only as an athlete physically but also mentally. Celeste asks Alejandra about the positive influence that Ryan had on her mentality and how that contributed to her success on her journey stepping on various national stages and ultimately earning her pro card. Next, Alejandra shares her experiences at her first national show and what it was like to meet JM Manion and Angelica Teixeira.

After her first national show she felt she had good momentum and following her gut, signed up for her second national show. Unfortunately, Alejandra didn’t realize the financial and mental toll doing back to back shows would have, and found herself stuck between sticking to social commitments she’d made with her boyfriend, or going all out to pursue her dream of becoming a pro. She decided that she felt the need to fearlessly chase her dream yet ended up losing her job while being only 10 days out from her second national show.

Alejandra takes listeners through what exactly happened at USAs and the lessons and takeaways she gained from that experience. Bouncing back from taking 3rd place at USAs and losing her job a week and a half before her show, Alejandra shares how she regained a job at Lifetime Fitness. From there, she recounts her journey to and experiences at North Americans, her third national show, and what obstacles she had to overcome to get there.

Alejandra shares the advice she received from head judge Sandy Williamson after her second national show and what she did to bring the physique the judges were looking for at North Americans. While reminiscing on the experience at North Americans, Alejandra shares some advice that she received from both JM Manion and Angelica Teixeira and Celeste asks that if, in retrospect, she understands why JM and Angelica encouraged her to do that specific show. 


Next, the conversation transitions into Alejandra’s plans and focus as a new pro. Celeste asks Alejandra about the feedback she received after winning her pro card and what her plans are for her pro debut.

Celeste and Alejandra talk strategy, opening the floor for Alejandra to share how she approaches an improvement season and if she continues to work with her coach during that time. From there, Celeste and Alejandra discuss the topic of heavy lifting and Celeste asks Alejandra how incorporating that into her training has helped attribute to her success on stage.

Alejandra then shares insight on how she maintains her focus on heavy lifting while in prep and she tells listeners her favorite exercises for glutes, hamstrings, and shoulders. The conversation shifts into the benefits of experimenting with other forms of training and how to implement those into ones training to grow in the ways they hope. For example, the girls discuss what benefits come from seeking training advice from a power lifter to maximize gains in their biggest lifts thus seeing the necessary growth and improvement they desire for the stage. 


After talking training, Alejandra opens up about some regrets she does have during her journey through her national shows yet she also shares the valuable lessons she learned from her experiences. She shares that winning her pro card was not what she expected and shares what she felt was the true prize. As always, concluding the episode Celeste asks Alejandra to give her best advice for first time competitors as well as the girls on their road to pro. 

CONNECT WITH ALEJANDRA:
https://www.instagram.com/alejandra.ifbbpro/

CONNECT WITH CELESTE: 
https://www.instagram.com/celestial_fit/
WWW.CELESTIAL.FIT
​

EPISODE TIME STAMPS:
[2:40] Alejandra shares her pre-stage ritual.

[6:30] Celeste asks Alejandra to share what she feels is her life’s mission.

[8:00] Celeste has Alejandra explain the concept of an “inner champion,” and what that looks like to Alejandra on a day to day basis.

[8:52] Alejandra talks about how she channeled bullying she experienced as a motivator in the gym.

[12:25] Celeste asks Alejandra if she’s ever struggled with body image.

[16:50] Celeste asks Alejandra to expand on how she found fitness as more a safe haven & representation of commitment as opposed to just something for her body. 

[18:30] Celeste asks Alejandra if she thought she would end up where she is today in terms of success in competing and her career while coming from such humble beginnings.

[20:30] Alejandra explains how working at the front desk evolved into her pursuing a job as a personal trainer.

[25:00] Ale shares her beginnings in personal training career while still being a student at University of Texas.

[26:10] Ale shares how she fell into a depression while struggling to find her true passion while studying & working full time.

[29:10] Celeste asks Alejandra what made her finally decide to compete.

[33:00] Ale talks about how her mentor ship opportunity was the sign she needed to finally pursue bodybuilding.

[40:30] Ale shares how she found her coach, Ryan Hinton, and how she came to be one of his athletes on Team Legacy.

[43:15] Celeste asks Ale about how her coach Ryan helps her grow mentally.

[44:00] Ale explains how after meeting her coach in person, she knew her and Ryan were meant to work together.

[46:10] Alejandra shares how her experiences with such positive influence from her coach impacted her journey through the various national shows while on her road to pro.

[54:00] Alejandra discusses the unexpected toll and consequences competing took on her personal and professional life while chasing her competition dreams.

[59:30] Alejandra shares how she bounced back from losing her job being only 10 days out from her next national show.

[63:30] Ale shares what she learned from her experience at USAs, coming up short of her pro card taking 3rd.

[69:00] Ale shares what she overcame and her experience at North Americans in Pittsburgh.

[73:15] Celeste asks Ale that, if in retrospect, she understands why Angelica and JM Manion told her to compete at North Americans when she had met them at her first national show.

[74:50] Celeste asks about the feedback Alejandra received from North Americans and her plans for stepping on stage for her pro debut.

[76:15] Alejandra shares if she has continued to work with her coach during this time given all the uncertainty with shows.

[77:28] Celeste asks how Alejandra’s strategy of incorporating heavy lifting has attributed to her success on stage.

[79:05] Alejandra shares insight to her strategy of maintaining her heavy lifts during prep.

[80:00] Alejandra answers the fun question of what her favorite exercises are for hamstrings, glutes, and shoulders.

[84:00] Celeste and Alejandra discuss the importance of seeking out training advice or strategies from others, for example powerlifters, to optimize strength gains and progressive overload in the gym.

[87:02] Alejandra shares a regret she has from her decisions yet the important lessons she learned from those experiences.

[89:40] Alejandra gives her best advice for first time competitors and for girls on their road to pro.


0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    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. Host, Celeste Rains-Turk, dives into the parts of these professionals' lives that aren't always openly discussed in the public eye or on social media

    ​(You know, the stuff we tend to wonder about the most).

    The goal of this podcast is to educate, inspire, and remind other competitors, athletes, or the average gym goer that even the most elite professionals face hardships, health problems, mental obstacles, and other adversities.

    There are a wide range of topics discussed including, but DEFINITELY NOT limited to; post show rebound, health complications, eating disorders, mental illnesses, winning mindset, dealing with losses, judges feedback, approaches to the stage, life outside of competing, money, relationships, philosophy, pursuing passions, and SO MUCH MORE!

    All show notes, links, and information can be found on www.celestial.fit/podcast

    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 so you never miss an episode!

    Listen on iTunes!
    Listen on Spotify!
    Support the Podcast by Becoming a Patron!
    BECOME A MEMBER OF THE
    ​ON-DEMAND ​MINDSET
    COACHING PLATFORM
    ​​FOR COMPETITORS

    Archives

    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018

    Categories

    All
    100 EPISODES!
    2019 IN REVIEW
    2019 OLYMPIA SPECIAL
    ABBY BALL
    ADAM ATKINSON
    ADAM BONILLA
    ALEJANDRA BALLESTEROS
    ALESSIA FACCHIN
    ALEXA BERG
    ALEXANDRIA ROSS
    ALYSSA BLESSING
    AMBER J CALLAHAN
    AMY LANDRY
    ANGELA WHITE
    ANGELINE JEANSON
    ANH VU
    ANNABEL DASILVA
    ANNETTE MOUNTFORD
    ANNIVERSARIES!
    ANYA NICHOLSON
    ARNOLD 2020 MASHUP
    ASHLEY PARKER
    ASHLYN BROWN
    BARBARA KRIS LUDWIG
    BEATRIZ BISCAIA
    BISHOP GREEN
    BREENA MARTINEZ
    BRITTANY HAMILTON
    CALYSTA UPPERMAN
    CAMILE PERIAT
    CANDICE HENRICKS
    CAROLINE OFENSTEIN
    CASEY SAMSEL
    CELESTE SHAFFER
    CHANTEL HALL
    CHARINA BAKER
    CHELAN NOUR
    CHYANNE JACOMINI
    COACH SERIES
    COACH'S WEEK
    COPING THROUGH COVID-19 GROUP EPISODE
    DARAH DIAZ
    DARAJA HILL
    DENBY COGERT
    DES SCOGGINS
    DR. BRITTNEY DAYNE
    DR. JESSICA WILSON
    DYLAN BAIR
    EBONEY CHIPMAN
    ELIZABETH YISRAEL
    ELODIE PURAYE
    ELYSA WESSBAUM PRO TAN!
    EMILY PARRIS
    ERIKA SHERWOOD
    GERI BERGER
    GINA SCAFOGLIO
    GLAM GIRL BIKINI
    HANA DEVORE
    HANNAH FRITZ
    HANNAH RANFRANZ
    HARRIET DAVIS
    HEATHER MCALLISTER
    HGP Elite
    INDIA PAULINO
    INGRID ROMERO & JOE DISCUILLO
    JACKY GOMEZ
    JAMI DEBERNARD
    JENNIFER DORIE
    JENNIFER ROBERTS
    JENNIFER ST PETER
    JENN SCOTT
    JESSICA DOLIAS
    JESSICA LYNN
    JESSICA PEREZ-BEEBE
    JESSIE PALMER
    JIMI MARLEY
    JODI RILEY
    JODY ANDREWS
    JORDAN WONDERGEM
    JOURDANNE LEE
    JUDITH DICKER
    JULI LOPEZ
    KASEY WILSON
    KASHA RUSCH
    KATE ABATE
    KATIE KERNER
    KATIE KOPFLE
    KAYLIE FOUNTAIN
    KERRIN PHILLIPS
    KERRYNE HENICH
    KIM SERMENO
    KRISTEN MARKOWSKI
    LACY GREEN
    LAURALIE CHAPADOS
    LAUREN ADAMS
    LAUREN DANNENMILLER
    LAURIN CONLIN
    LEXUS REDMOND
    LIANA GIANNAMORE
    MAEGHAN EGLI
    MAIA GORDON
    MANUELLA KELBAUGH
    MARIE ACOSTA RIOS
    MARISA WOO
    MAYA ASTABIE
    MIA SANCHEZ
    MICHELLE HURST
    MINISODES
    MORGAN LINDSEY
    MOTHER'S DAY SERIES
    NATALIE MATTHEWS
    NICOLE ENGMAN
    NICOLE FERRIER
    NOORA MAHONEN
    PAUL REVELIA
    PHOEBE HAGAN
    REIJUANA HARLEY
    RENEE HARSHEY
    RETURN GUESTS
    RILEY WORTH
    ROBYN MAHER
    ROXANNE HUFF
    RYAN HINTON
    SARAH COBEAN
    SARAH DEVORE
    SARAH GAYDEN
    SARAH LAW
    SHANAE DICICCO
    SHAWN HEKTOR-LEWIS
    SHAYLA HUBBARD
    SHELBY BRUSSELBACK
    SHELBY PIERCE
    SHENESE CASE
    SHONTE TURNER
    SKYLAR LANIER
    STEFANIE ANTORCHA
    STEPHANIE SEQUIERA
    SUZANNE FARGO
    TAMARA HADDAD
    TARA GRIER
    TAWNA EUBANKS
    TEAM ATLAS
    TIANNA WESSELMANN
    TIFFANY JENSEN
    VALERIE LUSVARDI
    YESHAIRA RIVERA ROBLES

    RSS Feed

Privacy Policy
Disclaimer
  • Home
  • Confessions of a Bikini Pro Podcast
  • Blog
  • Free Workshop to Overcome Mindless Eating
  • Free Competitor Card Deck
  • Free Food Relationship Program
  • FREE POST-SHOW BLUES COACHING SERIES
  • Food Relationship Healing & Discovery 1:1 Coaching Program
  • Testimonials
  • Work with Me
  • On Demand Mindset Coaching for Competitors
  • Live Events
  • Interviews / Features
  • Speaking
  • Social Media
    • Instagram
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • Pinterest
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
  • Feedback
  • Contact
  • Links