Today I celebrate six years of the Confessions of a Bikini Pro Podcast! Sometime I feel like it’s been longer and sometimes I feel like it was just yesterday! So much of my life has changed over the past six years, but the one constant has been the podcast. Join me today as I look back on the past guests, lessons learned, and what the future holds!

TOPICS COVERED

-6 lessons learned

-6 mental health tips

-6 goals for the podcast

-6 reflections

CONNECT WITH CELESTE:

Website: http://www.celestial.fit

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

All Links: http://www.celestial.fit/links.html

TIME STAMPS

1:00 introduction

3:30 podcasting as a passion project

5:45 lessons learned

14:13 mental health tips

20:40 goals for the podcast

28:40 reflections on the podcast

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Today I speak with IFBB Bikini Pro Amanda Lam, from Hong Kong. She and her partner Isaac, are the first Chinese IFBB pro couple. She is the director of PUMP Personal Training Gym in Hong Kong and is also a transformation and Prep Coach. She is also an occupational therapist with 2 years working experience in the psychiatric department working with adolescents with autism, depression, and eating disorders. Amanda is currently studying functional medicine and integrative nutrition. She earned her Pro card in Hong Kong 2020 and has since placed second call outs at the 2023 San Antonio Pro and first call outs in Korea Pro and Japan Pro.

TOPICS COVERED

-growing trend of bodybuilding in Asia

-relationships in bodybuilding

-working on feedback & building glutes

-balancing all aspects of life

-from occupational therapy to coaching

-taking a break from bodybuilding

-having a heathy pregnancy & postpartum

-stress management 

-pursuing your passion

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 AMANDA:

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

TIME STAMPS

1:00 introduction

4:27 competing in Asia versus USA

8:30 how her family views bodybuilding

14:10 having an IFBB Pro boyfriend

19:05 working towards the Olympia

26:00 balancing bodybuilding and her career

29:43 being a prep coach

30:59 leaving her hospital job to coach

36:44 taking time to start a family

43:50 studying functional medicine

48:30 lessons from bodybuilding

51:31 goals outside of competing

55:20 Amanda’s approach to prep

60:38 advice for competitors

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Today I speak with IFBB Bikini Pro Pamela John, a certified personal trainer, strength coach, and nutrition coach, who started competing in 2012 and earned her Pro card at Masters Nationals in 2015 and has competed over 50 times! After the birth of my last daughter in 2000, her body went haywire which eventually led to a diagnosis of Graves disease. Along the way, she discovered that no matter where we are in life, most of us desire to be better than we are right now. Her specialty is helping women restore their bodies through proper mindset, improved nutrition, movement and hormonal balance and as a result they look and feel even better than they ever thought possible!

TOPICS COVERED

-overcoming adversity

-holding commitments to yourself

-becoming disciplined

-Her recipe book- “Fit and Healthy Her”

-being a long time smoker

-fighting Graves disease

-dealing with grief 

-coping through prep

-advocating for your health

-having a growth mindset

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 PAMELA:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pamela.fit.for.life/

Website: www.pamelajohnfitness.com

TIME STAMPS

1:00 introduction

3:57 changes since reclaiming her health

7:05 explaining Graves disease

14:35 finding gratitude in the journey

18:00 having complicated pregnancies

21:20 her love for her mother

25:19 how grief affects us

33:40 understanding pre-grieving

41:36 overcoming challenges

44:44 finding a love for fitness

47:30 be your own health advocate

48:30 changing habits

51:00 being married over 30 years

56:40 things to master before competing

1:01 milestones in competing

1:02:30 changes in bikini division

77:13 competing for reasons other than physique

78:24 creating a recipe book

84:39 advice for competitors 

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Today I speak with IFBB Bikini Pro Christina Sanggor, a 27 years old who was born & raised in Houston, Texas. She started working out at age 19 while in college for her education degree. She decided to go back to pursue her passion of exercise science and will be graduating this spring. Christina works as a personal trainer and is a caretaker for her mother and grandmother. 

She first competed in wellness in 2022, but switched to bikini in 2023. She switched coaches in August and went on to take overall in both novice and open bikini divisions at Battle of Texas in December. One week later, she took first in her class and earned her Pro card at NPC Nationals. Outside of the gym, she is a foodie and loves attending EDM music festivals.

TOPICS COVERED

-Mental aspect of bodybuilding

-personal growth over the years

-self awareness

-past coaching protocol compared to current 

-future goals or aspirations  

-other hobbies such as raving

-practicing self-love

-patience with building muscle

-raves and EDM festivals

-goals to start her own company

-willingness to change

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 CHRISTINA:

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

TIME STAMPS

1:00 introduction

5:09 starting in wellness

13:25 finding fitness in college

16:38 switching coaches

20:30 being a foodie and a competitor

25:30 changing your mindset

33:00 loving your body in all seasons

46:05 feedback and long improvement season

52:35 keys to success as an amateur

54:02 experience earned her Pro card

59:25 enjoying raves and EDM festival

66:10 growth in her relationship

69:25 going back to school

73:40 willingness to change plans

77:40 being a caretaker

82:50 advice for competitors

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Today I speak with IFBB Bikini Pro Tianna Pistone, who started bodybuilding at age 16 years and did her first show at 17 years old. She earned her Pro card USA’s in 2023 when she was just 22. As a young teenager, she struggled with underrating, always wanting to be the thinnest girl. She was inspired to start bodybuilding by her father, a former bodybuilder.

Outside of competing, I graduated college with a bachelors of science, majoring in homeland security, and is now in the Austin PD academy. She plans on making her Pro debut in 2025 or 2026. Tianna also offers posing coaching. 

TOPICS COVERED

-eating disorder recovery 

-finding bodybuilding 

-DIY show day

-taking time away from the stage

-life outside of bodybuilding 

-benefits of intuitive eating

-setting your mind to your goals

-muscle maturity and time to build

-division crossover

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 TIANNA:

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

Posing: https://www.instagram.com/tiraeflows/

TIME STAMPS

1:00 introduction

6:27 how posing practice transforms you

17:25 taking a long improvement season

24:55 goals outside of bodybuilding

28:34 transitioning to different styles of eating

36:49 bodybuilding saved her life

44:41 shifting her mindset

49:00 feeling a responsibly on social media

52:15 her dad’s experience bodybuilding

60:00 wanting to be a police officer

62:25 discipline to follow your dreams

67:02 deciding to study homeland security

70:00 life is too short to say no 

82:49 Feedback from USAs

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Today I speak with IFBB Bikini Pro Janine Herrera, a single mother to 3 amazing girls aged 10, 8, and 4. She is also an AGACNP-BC with a focus and passion for functional medicine. She has spent the better part of her life serving others, but was in need of purpose unique and personal to her, and she has found that in bodybuilding.  In addition to being a high school sprinter and cross-country athlete, Janine also danced ballet for 21 years.

She started  bodybuilding in March 2021, and competed in 2 shows before earning 2 IFBB pro cards at the 2021 North Americans. She most recently earned second place at the 2023 Masters Olympia Bikini! Along with Jodie Unger and Ashlyn Little, she is a co-founder of Team Alpha Aesthetics.

TOPICS COVERED

-being a Masters athlete

-staying healthy and balanced

-empowering mothers

-competing at Masters Olympia

-serving others

-focusing on the future

-leaning on her faith

-coaching relationships

-in it to win it

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 JANINE:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ja9fit/

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

TIME STAMPS

1:00 introduction

8:53 Masters success & Masters Olympia

13:15 having a passion to pursue

17:15 managing her time as a single mom

22:20 staying focused and not stressing

28:30 asking for help

33:17 overcoming obstacles

37:22 focusing on being present

43:50 working with clients with ICU nurse experience

49:18 coaching philosophies

55:48 habits for success

60:00 building community with women

65:33 you’re never too old

70:14 should you hide your age?

76:55 being fuller and tighter

79:10 bikini competitors are athletes

84:30 future masters Olympia

91:20 advice for competitors

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Today I speak with IFBB Bikini Pro Sammy Jo, an online health and fitness coach & posing coach. She started competing in 2022 and earned her Pro card one year later in 2023 at NPC Universe. She has a degree in business administration and quit my 9-5 in sales job back in 2022 to pursue competing and coaching. She is also a suit stylist with Toxic Angelz Bikinis and co-host of Bikini Things Podcast.  

TOPICS COVERED

-struggles post show

-food obsession during prep

-the reward through the process

-personal growth through competing

-leaving a friend group

-working towards goals

-understanding your feedback

-following your intuition

-talking about taboo topics

-being your own boss

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/itssammyjo_/

Website: itssammyjo.com

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SjXoXo

TIME STAMPS

1:00 introduction

3:40 what she wish she knew before competing

9:15 competing for longevity

17:02 dancers, competing, and body image

20:08 views of competing  

29:14 moving and changing your life

33:00 becoming a step-mom

40:40 competing and building a family

44:07 goals for the Olympia

51:30 the cost of competing

55:18 leaving her 9-5 job

60:00 being demonetizing YouTube

72:45 building confidence

77:40 managing her work flow

85:00 acknowledging your accomplishments

87:33 suit design with Toxic Angelz

99:40 advice for competitors

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Today I speak with IFBB Bikini Pro Carrie Hennessy, a wife and girl mom to a 18 months old and 13 year old plus a dog mom. She loves true crime podcasts, being outdoors and anything adventurous. She loves connection, laughing and advocating for women. One of her favorite quotes is “ If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” She entered the bodybuilding world after leaving an abusive marriage and finding the courage to choose herself. Fitness took her from feeling powerless and defeated to empowered and strong. She is a Coach at Fitbliss Fitness.

Her first NPC show was in March 2015, and later that year, competed at North Americans.  She earned her Pro card at USA’s in 2018 after placing 1st. She last competed in 2021 and is returning to the Pro stage this year!

TOPICS COVERED

-leaving an abusive marriage

-choosing a partner

-learning from mistakes

-friendships in bodybuilding

-adapting your routine

-taking a break from stage

-embracing the lifestyle

-competing for the right reasons

-setting boundaries

-starting a family

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 Carrie:

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

TIME STAMPS

1:00 introduction

5:25 leaving an abusive marriage

10:01 finding love

16:23 learning to trust yourself

21:18 changing views of herself

24:34 finding bodybuilding and coaching

28:03 finding empowerment

31:01 competing & motherhood

39:30 changes made to go Pro

44:52 living the lifestyle

52:00 controlling the narrative around your body

1:06:13 maintaining life while in prep

1:12:10 pregnancy and postpartum

1:17:20 prep changes after having a baby

1:20:00 decoding to grow her family

1:26:24 navigating client comparison

1:33:50 advice for competitors

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Today I speak with IFBB Bikini Pro Jessica Dexter, an online lifestyle/ bikini competition prep coach, who also offers posing coaching. She has been competing for four years and earned her Pro card at 2021 North Americans after coaching her self. Her bodybuilding journey has been her saving grace and she wants to encourage other women to have the strength to take care of themselves mentally and physically despite life's obstacles!

TOPICS COVERED

-mental health

-maintaining healthy relationships/dating as a competitor

-client/coach relationships

-being self-coached 

-learning from your mistakes

-committing to improvement season

-meeting clients where they’re at

-confidence on stage

-posing year round

-it takes a village

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/jess_ifbbpro/

TIME STAMPS

1:00 introduction

3:48 lessons learned through bodybuilding

8:19 placing second at a pro show

11:40 committed to improvement season

17:01 life before bodybuilding

21:20 advice for prepping yourself

26:20 collaborating with her coach

30:40 non-negotiables for coaching yourself

33:14 developing posing routines

39:35 goals for competing

43:20 going through a divorce

46:34 dating as a bodybuilder 

49:30 it takes a village

55:24 advice for competitors

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Today I speak with IFBB Bikini Pro Maddy Michielssen, the CEO of Mpowered Fitness, who earned her Pro card at 2023 Nationals with the Overall win. She grew up a Ballet dancer with the Orlando Ballet before quitting at the age of 15 and took up weight training & wakeboarding. After a major accident, she put wakeboarding to bed and got into college at the University of Florida. She began training clients then, but also battled with her own eating disorder. After moving home and graduating, Maddy was put on a SLEW of medications, each with side effects, which lead her to I began on the journey to studying nursing as well as functional medicine. At that same time, she hired a bodybuilding coach and competed in her first show, knowing the feedback would be to gain weight. 

Fast forward 4 years and she was healthy, thriving, and growing her own functional prep/lifestyle coaching business, FREE from medications and with a CLEAN bill of health. Maddy now uses her knowledge to empower, inspire, and cultivate healing and growth in other women -- whether they want to compete, get off of medication, or reconcile their relationship with food. 

TOPICS COVERED

-her journey to self-love

-leveraging bodybuilding to heal

-posing/lifestyle/contest prep coaching

-having a family of bodybuilders/wellness advocates

-trusting yourself

-moving past the scale

-shifting mindset of bodybuilding

-being gracious

-dating as a competitor

-female competition

-gut issues

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 MADDY:

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

TikTok: Madsmichiefitness

Youtube: madsmichiefitness

TIME STAMPS

1:00 introduction

7:30 getting into wakeboarding

10:30 healing eating disorder through bodybuilding

20:01 different approaches to tracking

30:05 positive reinforcement for negative actions

34:20 losing & finding your identity

46:35 beneficial habits

47:53 isolating in prep & dating

57:00 female competition

1:18:10 eating disorders and control

1:28:40 starting her business

1:34:35 how she works with clients

1:40:41 the biggest things people miss

1:47:17 changes in her last prep

1:51:20 advice for competitors

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Today I speak with IFBB Bikini Pro Amanda Rivas, an actor, writer, filmmaker, comedian, and dog enthusiast. She is the writer & creator of EX Weeks Out - a film about bodybuilding and the strongest muscle of them all - the heart. Amanda competed in the NPC for nearly a decade with placings including everything from dead last to overall. Staying committed, consistent, and never giving up, she finally won her Pro car at Masters USAs in 2023.

Amanda is so open about her story and what led her to become the woman she is today. You don’t want to miss this interview!

TOPICS COVERED

-staying the course

-making yourself proud

-believing that your day is coming

-God’s plan

-learning through acting

-‘Ex Weeks Out’ Film

-no guarantees

-choose a path you’re comfortable with

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 AMANDA:

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

Film: www.exweeksout.com

TIME STAMPS

1:00 introduction

5:30 keep going through No’s

12:15 experiences in childhood

16:12 God’s purpose

20:45 acting, filmmaking, and performing 

23:20 ‘Ex Weeks Out’ Film

32:00 bodybuilding in media

39:40 favorite champions

43:00 Amanda’s plan

48:15 having doubts

54:10 long road to Pro

1:01:30 successful offseason

1:06:45 deciding to go enhanced

1:18:01 getting in the zone

1:20:35 Amanda’s husband

1:27:00 planning Pro debut

1:29:55 advice for competitors

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