KELLY POTEET

Today's guest is Kelly Poteet an IFBB Bikini Pro, high school English teacher of 29 years, a wife of 26 years, and a proud mom of two grown children. She started competing in 2023 and a month into her competition journey she placed top 5 at her first national show. After years of competing at the national level, this athlete earned her pro card at the 2025 North American Championships when she placed 1st in her 45 and up class. In 2026, she stepped onto the professional stage, winning Masters 50+ classes at the Indy Supershow, Chicago Pro, and Tampa Pro. Now, she has her sights set on qualifying for the Masters Olympia. But behind those placings is a much deeper story involving family, faith, grief, confidence, and learning to properly fuel and care for her body after years of undereating. She's also preparing to take her passion for fitness into a new chapter, launching her own coaching business for lifestyle and competition clients. Today, we're talking about what it means to keep growing, challenge the stories we've told ourselves about our bodies, and pursue something meaningful at any stage of life. Teacher's Journey to Bikini Pro Celeste interviewed Kelly Poteet, a 29-year high school English teacher who became an IFBB bikini pro and earned her pro card at the 2025 North American Championships. Kelly discussed her pre-stage rituals, revealing she experiences significant nervousness despite her successful competition history, including top 5 placement at her first national show and winning Masters 15 Up classes at multiple pro events. She explained that while she can mentally prepare and perform well once on stage, she still struggles with the performance aspect, attributing this to her 30-year career in education where she was always modestly dressed in front of students. Diet Culture and Body Image Celeste and Kelly discussed Kelly's experiences with body image and diet culture growing up in the 1990s. Kelly shared how media messaging around appearance affected her self-perception, particularly regarding cellulite, and described how her college experience led to weight gain due to unhealthy habits like eating fast food and drinking alcohol. The conversation touched on how diet culture in the 90s focused on fat-free products as healthy options, and ended with Celeste asking about Kelly's eating habits during college, though the question was left incomplete in the transcript. Nutrition Journey and Parenting Approach Kelly discussed her experience with under-eating for about 15 years after graduating college, where she consumed around 1,200 calories daily without realizing it was insufficient. She explained that in 2018, at age 47 with children aged 17 and 15, she began focusing on building muscle and proper nutrition, hiring someone to teach her about macros. Kelly shared that she raised her children to have a positive body image, never discussing diets around them and allowing them to make their own food choices while maintaining a healthy home environment. Body Positivity and Fitness Journey Kelly shared her experiences raising children with body positivity and self-acceptance, including how she avoided judgmental behavior and provided healthy food options while allowing her children to make their own choices. She discussed how bodybuilding transformed her physically at age 47 by eliminating cellulite and improving her confidence, leading to positive feedback from judges about her lean hamstrings. Kelly emphasized the importance of keeping promises to oneself and following through with commitments, particularly in maintaining a fitness routine while balancing family and work responsibilities. Bodybuilding as Grief Coping Mechanism Kelly discussed how bodybuilding has helped her cope with the loss of her father, who died in a stunt piloting accident. She explained that her father was a "larger than life" person who encouraged risk-taking and living boldly, which inspired her to pursue bodybuilding competitions as a way to honor his memory and live with "no fear." Kelly described how the structured routine of bodybuilding provides grounding and helps her process difficult emotions during her workouts. Bodybuilding Journey After Loss Kelly discussed her decision to pursue bodybuilding as a way to honor her late father, who she wishes she could have said goodbye to. She revealed that she kept her first bodybuilding show a secret from everyone except her immediate family, as she was afraid she might not be able to complete it. Kelly explained that while she initially approached fitness with short-term goals, the competitive nature of bodybuilding became addictive after she placed at her first show and was encouraged to compete at nationals. Balancing Fitness Competition Pressure Kelly and Celeste discussed the pressure and expectations associated with competitive fitness, particularly at the professional level. Celeste shared her personal experience of reducing pressure after losing her mother and becoming more involved in mental health counseling, which helped her realize the importance of enjoying the sport rather than just competing. They agreed that maintaining balance in fitness competitions is possible with the right coach and open communication about personal boundaries and priorities. Fitness Program Communication Challenges Kelly discussed her experience with a fitness program, describing the challenges she faced including difficult workout schedules, learning to follow a structured eating plan, and dealing with late nights at the gym. She emphasized the importance of communication with her coach, noting how personal factors like grief could affect her progress and how important it was to share all relevant information with her coach. Celeste agreed about the value of open communication with coaches, sharing her own example about how revealing her salt intake habits helped her coach better understand her situation. Salt and Athletic Performance Discussion Kelly and Celeste discussed their experiences with salt consumption and its impact on athletic performance. Kelly shared how she developed a strong preference for salt and the challenges of balancing support from her husband during competition preparation. They also talked about their respective relationships and how their partners have been supportive, particularly during competitive seasons. Fitness Journey and Competition Plans Kelly discussed how her children have been supportive of her fitness journey, particularly her son who encouraged her to continue pursuing her pro card after achieving second place wins. She explained that her teaching schedule has limited her competition to summer shows, but she plans to compete again in November on her birthday. When asked about what she brings to the stage now that she couldn't in her 20s or 30s, Kelly reflected on developing greater self-belief and learning to listen to her inner voice that tells her she can achieve her goals and inspire others. Performance Anxiety Management Strategies Kelly shared her experience of performing in her first pro show, describing how she became physically ill with anxiety the night before due to pressure and travel requirements. She explained how this experience helped her understand that her body physically reacts to stress, and she's learning to manage these reactions better. Celeste offered to share information about polyvagal exercises that could help Kelly feel more grounded during performances. Kelly's Bodybuilding and Coaching Plans Celeste and Kelly discussed Kelly's journey in bodybuilding, including her recent wins and her motivation to qualify for the Olympia to inspire women of all ages. Kelly shared her plans to retire from teaching in 2028 and potentially start her coaching business in 2027, emphasizing the challenge of balancing both roles. They also briefly touched on the importance of confidence and self-discovery in personal growth. Educational Consequences and Teacher Support Kelly and Celeste discussed the importance of implementing consequences in both homes and schools to help children learn and succeed. Kelly expressed concern about the current educational system's lack of support for teachers and discipline for students, which may deter new teachers from entering the profession. They also talked about the benefits of clear consequences and rewards in education, sharing personal experiences of being disciplined as students. The conversation concluded with Kelly sharing advice for aspiring competitors and information on how to connect with her on Instagram. CONNECT WITH KELLY: INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/kcpoteetfit_ifbbpro/ CONNECT WITH CELESTE: Website:http://www.celestial.fit Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/celestial_fit/ All Links:http://www.celestial.fit/links.html