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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ARIELLE ANN; Love in Loss, Respect the Journey, Second Callouts to Pro Card

5/19/2023

Today I speak with IFBB Pro Arielle Ann Johnson, a momma of two amazing children and the first IFBB Bikini Pro from North Dakota. Growing up doing pageants and collegiate gymnastics and cheerleader, Arielle is no stranger to the stage. She first competed in 2019 and went on to compete in her first National show where she got second callouts. After taking time off, she came back in 2021 and experienced the loss of her boyfriend, Ty. After a short break, she then returned to the National circuit and eventually won her Pro Card at 2022 Nationals.

Arielle has faced a lot of challenges but bodybuilding has provided her a space to prioritize her mental health. She is so open and honest about her journey and struggles. You don’t want to miss this episode!

TOPICS COVERED
-advocating for mental health
-routine helping through trauma
-dealing with the loss of her boyfriend
-supporting other going through loss
-never settle
-being present and living in the moment
-being kind to yourself
-communicating with your coach
-family relationships
-motherhood and competing

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 ARIELLE ANN:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arielleann_ifbbpro/
TikTok: @arielleanns

TIME STAMPS
1:00 introduction
2:05 love and the loss of her boyfriend
6:40 finding strength through bodybuilding
10:18 changing plans after loss
14:40 grieving and motherhood
17:06 meeting her boyfriend on TikTok
21:40 new visions for the future
25:49 making the most of your relationships
28:15 what it means to settle
33:24 getting into competing
36:28 changing her approach to motherhood
37:54 letting go of the shreds
39:40 lessons learning in going Pro
43:50 setting a timeline
46:15 inspirations
49:38 a day in the life
52:01 family support and relationships
55:01 the desire to turn Pro
57:35 advice for competitors

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ANA SALLES; Brazil to USA, Motherhood & Fitness, Making it Work

2/17/2023

Today I speak with IFBB Pro An Salles, a mom, wife, personal trainer with a masters degree in Political Science. She moved from Brazil to the US in 2011 and earned her certification in Sports Nutritionist and Personal Trainer through NASM. She started coaching athletes for competitions before she stepped on stage myself. She and her husband work together doing online and in person coaching. With her busy life, she never prioritized a show for herself, but finally did one in May 2022 where she won overall. In July 2022, she won first place in both Open class and Masters over 35 at Universe.

Ana shares how she and her husband live the bodybuilding lifestyle and support each other in their athletic endeavors. They are raising their daughter to live a healthy lifestyle as well!

TOPICS COVERED
-Being a mom and setting an example
-keeping a physique all year round
-being from a former dancer
-returning to fitness postpartum adjusting to motherhood
-time management
-working on posing
-finding a way to make it 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 ANA:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anasallesfitness/
Website: www.bodyarchitectsusa.com

TIME STAMPS
1:00 special announcement
4:40 moving to the USA
6:00 getting into bodybuilding
10:31 living the bodybuilding lifestyle
14:10 having a daughter and going through pregnancy
17:45 adjusting to motherhood
20:15 taking time to build a Pro physique
24:55 building glutes but not legs
31:50 changing perspectives as a coach
33:40 overcoming obstacles as a mom and competition
37:25 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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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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SHAUNTA MILLER; Master's vs Open, Living Now, Night Shifts, Time for Nationals

12/2/2022

Today I speak with IFBB Pro Shaunta Miller who started competing in 2017 at the San Francisco championships where she placed 4th. She competed at regional shows for 3 years before stepping on a national stage in 2020. She recently earned her Pro card as a Masters competitor at the NPC Teen/Collegiate/Masters Nationals in 2022. She’s a NASM certified personal trainer and also works in radiology. Shaunta talks about competing both in Masters and in Open, and how her physique suits each division. We hear what it’s like to compete and train as a 45-year-old and how that changes her training.

Shaunta tells us about how her family, especially her children, support her in competitor and how their support has empowered her. She also tells us the lessons her children have learned from bodybuilding.

Shaunta is so generous in sharing about her life and experiences. You don’t want to miss this interview!

Topics covered include:
-potential growth of the masters pro division
-being competitive as a master in the open division
-working with Shawn Hektor-Lewis to improve confidence on stage
-having support from your family
-having a daughter who is a Type I diabetic
-building relationships through bodybuilding
-being in the Air Force
-dealing with loss
-planning a Pro debut
-working night shifts and as a trainer
-transitioning from running to lifting

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 SHAUNTA:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fit_twynn1_ifbbpro/

TIME STAMPS
1:00 introduction
5:20 becoming a Pro as a Masters athlete
13:06 being a mom and a competitor
18:45 lessons learned as a competitor
22:05 what you need to know before competing
28:53 how she’s changed through bodybuilding
34:14 values to live life by and dealing with loss
42:05 going though improvement season and loss
46:19 deciding to compete at the National level
55:44 working night shifts
62:28 life changes after marriage
66:20 transitioning from running to lifting
70:30 advice for competitors

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ALLIE MARTENS; Surviving Domestic Violence, Unplanned Prep Pregnancy, Good Addiction, Gym Community

11/11/2022

Today I speak with IFBB Pro Allie Martens, a 28-year-old single mother and survivor of domestic violence. She started competing in 2016 and has done 8 shows total. She turned Pro in 2022 at USAs. Allie talks about how her life was when she first starting competing compared to now. She was in an abusive marriage when she first started her bodybuilding journey and has had many ups and downs during her efforts to prep. She has since made a promise to herself to fulfill her dreams and has never been so determined! As some one who loves the grind of bodybuilding, Allie is ready to put in the time it will take to grow and make it to the Olympia stage.

Allie talks about shifting emotions through prep and improvement season, something all competitors can relate to! We also hear about her previous abusive marriage and her struggles with alcohol. Allie is so raw and open about her story!

Topics covered include:
-visions of turning Pro
-loving the grind
-shifting goals going into improvement season
-life as a single mom and working two jobs
-surviving domestic violence
-having an unplanned pregnancy
-no “ideal prep”
-body changes after pregnancy
-loving your gym community

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 ALLIE:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ifbbpro_alexandra/

TIME STAMPS
1:00 introduction
4:45 emotions going into Pro debut
9:25 goals for improvement season
12:27 deciding to leave an abusive marriage and get sober
25:00 bad relationship after her divorce and getting pregnant
26:35 finding out she was pregnant before her first national show
33:45 getting back to working out after a c-section and hernia surgery
37:22 showing up for goals even when things are tough
38:55 excitement for the Pro stage and dealing with doubts
40:00 body changes after pregnancy
51:00 being inspired by her Dad and gym community
56:40 working on judges’ feedback
64:50 managing her schedule
70:10 advice for those in abusive situations
70:43 advice for competitiors

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KRISTIN WRIGHT; Appreciate Failure, Mental Waste, Dietitian's View, 'Always On'

10/7/2022

Today I speak with IFBB Pro Kristin Wright. She earned her BS in Dietetics from an ACEND accredited program. She coached people online to reach their fitness goals while learning how to have a healthy relationship with food. She has a long history of learning the hard way and feels it’s her duty to share what she's learned with others. She is also the mom of two, wild boys! She spent 4 years in the US Coast Guard and had been competing since 2016. She earned her Pro card at 2019 NPC National Championships.

We talk about the importance of not seeing other competitors, or women as a whole, as competition. Comparing yourself to others is caging yourself in. The freeing of that cage is what she hopes to can inspire!

Kristin and I go deep in this episode. You don’t want to miss it!

Topics covered include:
-changes after having a baby
-juggling competing and motherhood
-avoiding the comparison trap
-failure is the mother of success
-learning to rest and recover
-choosing foods in prep and improvement season
-the REAL prep feels
-reducing stress
-being in it for the long run
-studying dietetics
-relationship changes

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 KRISTIN:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinwright_ifbbpro/

TIME STAMPS
1:00 introduction
2:53 getting into bodybuilding
7:19 struggles with identity as a mom
11:50 overcoming comparison and other mental drains
16:30 learning from failure
20:20 prioritizing rest and balance
25:40 choosing foods to use in macros
30:00 prep feels less talked about
35:40 approach to training
43:40 eating choices and lifestyle versus prep
55:34 experience in dietetics and coaching
62:45 evolution into current self
71:20 walking away from relationships
79:50 advice for competitors

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KAREN WALL; Want to Win, Choosing Happiness, Limitless Goals

8/12/2022

Today I speak with IFBB Pro Karen Wall. She’s 42 years old and currently live in Victoria, BC, Canada with her partner in everything, Andrew Kersten. Who is also a bodybuilder, coach and business owner! She started competing in 2019 and turned Pro in 2021 at the Natural Canada Pro Qualifier. She then placed 4th in her Pro debut at the Toronto Pro Supershow in December 2021 and has since won two Masters Pro shows! She was a Graphic Designer/Art Director for 20 years and made the switch to full time bodybuilding athlete, coach and business owner last year. She is mom to her 18 year old daughter Dakoda. Karen is a big believer in choosing light and love in life over fear and darkness, and takes this attitude as she works towards qualifying for the Olympia stage.

She lives by the idea that consistency is key and Motivation is fleeting. Karen has such a great mindset to share. You don’t want to miss this interview!

Topics covered include:
-owning a supplement company
-choosing happiness
-limitless goals
-wanting to win
-the role genetics play
-the importance of posing
-choosing what works for you
-living an authentic 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 KAREN:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenorlena/
Gym: https://www.instagram.com/truthgymgallery/
Supplements: https://www.instagram.com/ruthlesssportscanada/
Twitter @karenorlena

TIME STAMPS
1:00 introduction
3:15 what has contributed to consistent success
9:00 picking the right coach
12:05 explaining her “Why” and her work ethic
16:20 embracing every phase of bodybuilding
20:30 recovering from surgery and injury
24:20 stepping away from her career
27:50 meeting her partner and moving forward
35:30 her future as an athlete
37:55 advice for competitors

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HUONG MAI; SOS, A Healthy Distraction, Attitude, Is it Selfish?

7/29/2022

NATIONAL SUICIDE AND CRISIS HOTLINE NUMBER: 988

Today I speak with IFBB Pro Huong Mai, a dental hygienist and a single mom of two young kids. She recently developed an interest in bikini competition after being under Team Atlas' guidance for lifestyle coaching. She’s always used exercise as an outlet since her husband passed away 7 years ago. This is her first year as a competitor and she’s been loving this journey so far! Although, she recently earned her IFBB pro card, she still feel like an amateur trying to learn about this sport!

She hopes her followers (current and future) find inspiration her my journey as a single mom and as a bikini competitor. She wants to eventually help people reach their fitness goals. She wants people to know that whatever journey they may be in to never give up on their dreams and everyone struggles. You don’t want to miss this interview!

Topics covered include:
-“overnight” success
-losing her husband
-exploring therapy and other mental health strategies
-choosing to spread kindness
-learning the industry
-the impact of stress on your body
-planning her Pro debut
-changes in training intensity
-time management challenges
-balancing life as a single mom
-dealing with sponsorship obligations
-suicide awareness

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 HUONG:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huongmfit/

TIME STAMPS
1:00 introduction
3:50 starting her fitness journey
8:20 working on mental health
15:03 developing as a competitor
21:00 the mindset of commitment growth
27:37 struggles after her husband’s death
36:20 looking to the future
43:15 deciding to go for Pro
49:05 training with intensity
51:01 listener questions
55:00 involving her children in the bodybuilding lifestyle
59:35 sponsorship obligations
64:30 suicide awareness

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JESSICA MILLER; Grief & Loss, Raising Daughters, Period on Show Day, Post-Show Meal

7/1/2022

Today I speak with IFBB Pro Jessica Miller. Born and raised in Palm Harbor, Florida, she is a fit mom of 2 little princesses. She started competing in 2016 and earned her Pro card at the 2021 Jr. USA Championships. She loves helping people reach their health & fitness goals and aims to get to the Olympia stage one day. Jessica talks about her childhood and how her father passed away from cancer, which eventually lead her to her fitness journey and bodybuilding. We hear how Jessica manages her time and energy as a mom of two active kids. Jessica even tells us how she competed in Wellness for a little bit.

Jessica sets an example of hard work and dedication for her children and for all of us. You don’t want to miss this interview!

Topics covered include:
-being a fit mom
-going after her dreams
-juggling being a mom of 2 & competing
-remembering her father through bodybuilding
-showing how hard work and dedication pay off
-competing in wellness
-working towards physique improvements
-dealing with your period on show day
-deciding to be a coach
-sponsorhips

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/msfitmiller/

TIME STAMPS
1:00 introduction
3:00 the reason she got into fitness and dealing with loss
12:10 being a parent that competes
16:20 how her past influences how she shows up for her daughters
20:00 dealing with food as a parent and competitor
24:30 setting an example
29:30 competition history and competing in wellness
37:00 changes as a Pro
41:05 feedback from judges
47:05 celebrating post show
51:50 period on show day
56:23 DIY tanning
60:33 deciding to coach
65:20 Jessica’s sponsors
70:45 advice for competitors

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