The Secret Life of a Bikini Competitor

This week’s episode is with the unreadily inspirational Daniella Murphy, who is a WBFF Fitness (soon to be IFBB!) competitor and personal trainer from Wollongong.Dani has been through a lot in her life and her story is one of survival and determination.  I am eternally grateful to Dani for sharing it with me (and you!) - it was incredibly inspiring to listen to and I will be surprised if anyone doesn’t feel inspired to go out and conquer their goals after this.TW: This episode touches on themes of domestic violence, sexual abuse and suicide so if you’re not in a place to listen to this now, please save it for another time 💕In this episode, Dani and I cover:⁠Prepping throughout COVID in 2020 and finally hitting the stage for the first time in 2021 Journaling and manifesting her way to a top 10 placing!Dani’s post show binging experience and concerns over developing disordered eating patternsWhat she’s doing differently the second time aroundPosing struggles!Childhood trauma and building a survivor mentality - Dani’s incredible journeyFinding bodybuilding as part of the healing and growth journeyFalling in love with discipline and structureIf you want to heal… you need to dealDoing everything with intention Feeling seen in other people’s journeysAdvice for first time competitorsAnd SOOO much more!⁠If you want to follow Dani’s journey and find out more about her personal training services you can do so at https://www.instagram.com/fitness_with_dani/ If you love the episode don’t forget to share to your stories and tag us both in so we can see and share too!⁠⁠Until next time…⁠⁠Love you!⁠R x#SLBC

This week’s episode was with the lovely Holly Ouwehand who is an NZIFBB Wellness competitor.I’ve been meaning to catch up with Holly for a while now and it was awesome to get a little insight into her journey and super competitive mindset!In this episode, Holly and I cover:⁠Holly’s prep 8 weeks out from her first Wellness compHow she manages prepping while being a flight attendantDoing photoshoots in prepMoving from bikini to wellness which suits her body betterDeciding to prep for WBFF with one week’s notice after her first comp with IFBB!COVID getting in the way of 2020 competing plans How Holly got into bodybuilding her background as a competitive swimming and netballerPutting on 30kg when on a student exchange to the USWhen we ‘noticed’ we’d gained weightWhy Holly loves competingHolly’s time management tipsAnd SOOO much more!⁠If you want to follow Holly's journey you can do so at https://www.instagram.com/hollyshaus/ If you love the episode don’t forget to share to your stories and tag us both in so we can see and share too!⁠Until next time…⁠Love you!⁠R x#SLBC

This week’s episode was with the legend that is Brooke Hoskin who is an ICN Bikini competitor from NSW.I’ve followed Brooke’s competing journey for a while so it was really awesome to sit down and get to know her! It was amazing hearing how she went from ‘never competing again’ to ‘never slowing down!’ She’s truly found her place in the sport and I’m so bloody excited/happy for her.Plus she’s just a hilarious legend!In this episode, Brooke and I cover:⁠Brooke’s recent comp wins and Nationals appearanceBack to back shows and applying judges feedbackAre you ready or even cut out for competing?How Brooke went from ‘never competing again’ to winning to coming 2nd at NationalsBlowing our after her first show and how she pulled herself out of a dark placeHow Brooke fits it all in (spoiler: it involves 3am wake ups)PCOS diagnoses + hormone managementNot being ready for her first show and the impact that had Being called ‘fat’ in her previous sport, which led her into fitnessBrooke’s competing plansAll about The I’m Sorry, What? PodcastAnd SOOO much more!⁠If you want to follow Brooke’s journey you can do so at @brookehoskin and check out her podcast at @theimsorrywhatpodcast If you love the episode don’t forget to share to your stories and tag us both in so we can see and share too!⁠⁠Until next time…⁠Love you!⁠R x#SLBC

This week’s episode was the wonderful Sarah Collier, an IFBBNZ Bikini competitor from, you guessed it, New Zealand!Sarah and I have been Insta friends for over a year now and I was honoured to be one of the only people who knew she was prepping for her first ever comp last year! That’s right, she prepped in secret! Now the cat is out of the bag and she’s also prepping for her second show, I couldn’t wait to chat to her about her experience.In this episode, Sarah and I cover:⁠Why Sarah chose to prep in secret for her first show and all the challenges and benefits that came with itDealing with other people’s negative opinionsShould you post your prep on social mediaStage nervesIncorporating social exercise and different training focusses post show How her 2nd prep is going now she’s ‘out’ as a competitor and the differences this time aroundOvercoming binge eating and how she prevented it post showMindful vs. mindless eating and activitiesTechniques for mindful eatingDangers of ‘scarcity’ mindsetSarah’s ‘Queen of Cheat Meals’ Instagram and the importance of making food an enjoyable experienceAnd SOOO much more!⁠If you want to follow Sarah’s journey you can do so at https://www.instagram.com/sarahcollierpt/ and of course drool over her foodie page at https://www.instagram.com/queenofcheatmeals/ ⁠If you love the episode don’t forget to share to your stories and tag us both in so we can see and share too!⁠Until next time…⁠⁠Love you!⁠R x#SLBC

PICTURE THIS: you’ve decided to do a bodybuilding show. You’ve got a coach. You’ve nailed the diet. You’re training like a beast. Social life? Don’t know her. You’re kicking goals… but then you realise – shit… I’m about to be a onstage in a very small, very sparkly, barely there bikini… how the hell do I get started!?Well, fear not my friends. Because Claire Williamson, owner and designer of GlamFit Bikinis is here to save the day.In this episode, Claire and I literally cover off EVERYTHING you need to know how about to pick and design your bikini, including:⁠How GlamFit came to be + Claire’s journeyWhere to look for inspirationWhen you should plan and buy your bikiniHow to choose the right colour (for you and your federation)What to consider when choosing a cutBest tops for natural and enhanced boobsHow to design couture bikinis and themewearHow much will it all cost me?How to accessorise to perfection (shoes, jewellery etc)Caring for your bikini and show day tipsAnd SOOO much more!⁠There were also a heap of listener Q&As peppered throughout so if you asked a question on my stories the other week - we most likely answered it!!If you want to check out GlamFit Bikinis you can do so at @glamfitbikinis and https://glamfitbikinis.com/If you love the episode don’t forget to share to your stories and tag us both in so we can see and share too!⁠Until next time…⁠⁠Love you!⁠R x

This week’s episode is with the wonderful Sharnie Cocks who is an ICN Fitness Pro and now IFBB Bikini athlete. Sharnie is such a beautiful soul and we had a great chat about how our limiting beliefs can hold us back and it’s so great to hear about Sharnie was able to work through hers to truly step into her power! As always, we cover off all things competing, including:⁠Reminiscing about going into lockdown over a year ago!How Sharnie got into competing and trainingThe impact of what we internalise when we’re youngerPulling herself out of binge eating and purging behavioursHow educating herself on food, macros and energy balance helped with thisImportance of putting your body into a good position to prepCompeting in untested federations as a natural competitorChoosing a federation and categoryUnexpected pro cards and dealing with imposter syndromeNot prepping unless you’re 100% inHow Sharnie manages scoliosisSlip ups on stageAnd SOOO much more!⁠⁠If you want to follow Sharnie to learn more about her coaching services you can do so at @sharnie_louise_If you love the episode don’t forget to share to your stories and tag us both in so we can see and share too!⁠Until next time…⁠Love you!⁠R x

This week’s episode is with the incredible Courtney McConnell who is a WBFF Bikini athlete and online nutrition and training coach from the gorgeous Gold Coast!I absolutely love following Courtney on social media - not only does she put out super helpful macro friendly recipes and guidance all the time, but I really admire her style of training. She is one strong woman and we had a good chat on this episode about much we love compound lifting!In this episode we spoke about:⁠Finding fitness after coming back from a Contiki tourLearning to track macros before macro tracking was popular!Why Courtney waited until after 21st to competeTrying different federationsBest show momentsLearning the hard way to take a break between showsTrying out powerlifting compsWhy being strong is THE BEST!Should you squat and deadlift as a bikini competitor…?Courtney’s passion for helping others develop confidenceTips for building confidence and overcoming shynessCourtney’s competing plansAnd SOOO much more!⁠If you want to follow Courtney to learn more about her coaching services you can do so at @projectme_coaching and follow her journey to stage in October you can do so at @courtney_healthandfitness If you love the episode don’t forget to share to your stories and tag us both in so we can see and share too!⁠⁠Until next time…⁠Love you!⁠R x#SLBC

This week’s episode is with the amazing Jess Johnson - the newest Australian IFBB Bikini Pro!!We had originally slated this interview for the week after her state qualifier show, but decided to postponed until after nationals… and we’re so glad we did! Not only did she turn pro at Nationals, but straight away got to go up against some of Australia best pro athletes on minutes later, taking out 3rd place!!It was awesome to hear about all her experiences competing over six years, especially her epic come back to win her IFBB Pro card following a bit of a burnout after a year of back to back shows.In this episode we spoke about:⁠Her experience turning pro in March!How she got started competingJess’s collection of pro cards (IFBB, ANB, WNBF, INBA, AWNBS)Tips for competing overseas and interstateHow Jess managed prepping in the Air ForceTips for managing FOMO when competingHow to still socialise while in prepRebounding and burning out from a year of back to back shows Overcoming binge eating & understanding our ‘trigger’ foodsThe challenge of ‘decision fatigue’ Jess’ competing plans now as a PRO!And SOOO much more!⁠If you want to follow Jess to learn more about her coaching services and follow her journey to stage in November you can do so at @jessjohnsonfitnessIf you love the episode don’t forget to share to your stories and tag us both in so we can see and share too!⁠Until next time…⁠Love you!⁠R x

This week’s episode is with the amazing Jess Leech who I’ve known for a while now through the Melbourne competing circuit!Jess has been competing for a few years now and what I love about her journey is she’s tried a few different federations to see what both fits her body in its different stages but also to experience the different vibes.The main theme for our chat today however was to discuss Jess’ experience of grieving while prepping having lost her dear mum Sue when she was just just 8 weeks out from show.  Having lost my dad to cancer shortly after my last show too, Jess and I had spoken before about how we felt it was important to open up dialogue around our own grief to help others experiencing something similar. We do talk at length about the loss of our parents and experiences with loss and grief so if you’re not in a a space to listen to this right now maybe save it for another time. Otherwise, we hope it helps you feel less alone in your grief.In this episode we spoke about:⁠How Jess got started competingCompeting secretly interstate for her first showBringing friends on the journey and how to talk about prepTrying different federations The experience of three back to back showsImportance of competing with no expectationsLoosing her mum 8 weeks out from her last showHow Jess got through it and why she decided to finish her prepRemembering Sue, her funny quirks and how proud she was of Jess and her competingOur experiences with grief and how we manage itJess’s competing plans and how she makes her bikinis!And SOOO much more!⁠If you want to follow Jess to learn more about her coaching services and follow her journey to stage in July you can do so at @jessleech_If you love the episode don’t forget to share to your stories and tag us both in so we can see and share too!⁠⁠Until next time…⁠Love you!⁠R x

This week’s episode is with the incredible Tamara Meyer who is a WBFF Bikini Pro and online coach from Sydney. I absolutely LOVED chatting with Tamara this week - she has an incredibly inspiring story and is just so down to earth and genuine. We also share the same passion for mental health and the benefits of therapy, so prep your ears for plenty of us just chatting about how great therapy is haha. But also prep your ears for a really awesome, chilled out chat.In this episode we spoke about:⁠Tamara’s business goals for the year ahead and how she navigated 2020Having a theme or a mantra for a year or a goalTamara’s challenging childhood, including homelessness and a father struggling with a gambling addictionOvercoming a sleeping pill and antidepressants addiction and finding fitness Learning from bad preps and learning from failureBeing diagnosed with Complex PTSD 6 weeks before turning proAdvice for how to show up when ‘motivation’ is low / how to manage your ‘off days’Why therapy is GREAT!!!Her top tips for eating out in and out of prep; how to track and mentally manageTamara’s competing plans and goals for the year headAnd SOOO much more!⁠If you want to follow Tamara to learn more about her coaching services and follow her journey to stage in October you can do so at https://www.instagram.com/tamarameyerfitness/ If you love the episode don’t forget to share to your stories and tag us both in so we can see and share too!⁠Until next time…⁠Love you!⁠R x#SLBC 

Hey legends,Just me and a microphone today talking all things weight gain!In my listener Q&A the other week I received a very important question about how I feel about gaining weight to gain muscle and have been asked often about how to mentally deal with putting on weight. Gaining weight is a necessary (and awesome!) part of the whole bodybuilding process and should not be feared! So, I thought I’d spend a bit of time going into it on its very own dedicated podcast.In this episode I cover off:Why it’s important we talk about this phase of the bodybuilding journey moreHow and why I moved into a place of acceptance of my weight gainThe good the bad and the ugly of gaining weightMy top tips on how to manage your gaining phase The tips especially have been really instrumental in helping my manage my improvement season so I hope you find them helpful too!The blog post I mentioned can be found here: https://thesecretlifeofabikinicompetitor.com/blog/2019/3/24/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-of-bulking Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode and if you love the show feel free to leave a 5* review and/or share to your Instagram stories and tag me so I can see!You can find me and the show on Instagram @secretlifeofabikinicompetitor and @robynzimmy  As always, my DMs are open for you to slide on into with questions any time. Until next time…Love you,R x#SLBC

This week’s episode is with the amazing Belinda Croxford, who is a WBFF Figure Pro, online coach from Melbourne and owner/director of Bodies By Bel.Belinda’s work ethic and growth mindset is second to none - I love watching her progress and how hard she grinds towards her goals. There’s lots to learn in this episode!In this episode we spoke about:⁠How Belinda managed having her first international pro show cancelled due to COVID and what she took out of the experienceBel’s epic work ethic and ‘relentless’ mindsetHow Bel started competing and overview of her competing historyOvercoming anorexia with the help of bodybuildingLearning from each prep - what not to do and what worksHow can competitors empower themselves and get the best out their prepIt’s OK to pull out of a comp if you’re not ready!What it likes getting as lean as figure competitors have toCan you have balance as a high level athleteHow to involve your non-competing friends in prepHow to smash your goalsEating to grow and dealing with weight gain mentallyImportance of gut health and being more aware of what we put in our bodiesMisconceptions of prosBelinda’s competing goals and plansAnd SOOO much more!⁠If you want to follow Belinda learn more about her and  at her coaching service you can do so at https://www.instagram.com/belindaamarie___/ ⁠If you love the episode don’t forget to share to your stories and tag us both in so we can see and share too!⁠Until next time…⁠⁠Love you!⁠R x

Hey legends,This week’s episode is with the wonderful Dani Antonellos, who is a WBFF Bikini Pro, co-host of the Level Up Podcast, Dr. of Osteopathy and on a mission to teach people that movement is medicine - for both the mind and body.I absolutely LOVED this episode - it was really cool to dig into some really important topics around injury management and prevention as well as correct training protocols - including warm up and activation to help YOU get the most out of your training! Selfishly, I basically got to quiz her for an hour on my own injuries! Dani is one smart cookie and I was so grateful she shared her knowledge and expertise with me! Dani is also running a series of workshops round the country over the next few months around everyone’s favourite muscle group to train - the glutes! So if you’re interested in knowing more don’t forget to check out the links below to do so!In this episode we spoke about:⁠Why Dani and Sharelle started the Level Up PodcastLife as a pro after winner her card at her last showImportance of taking time of between showsHow to ensure longevity in this sportWhy Dani is so passionate about spreading her ‘movement is medicine’ message and what it meansWhy digital/tele health is such a powerful toolHow often should competitors see allied health professionals (physio/osteos etc.)Why identify an injury isn’t as simple as pointing to the bit that hurts!How bad movement patterns cause injuriesWhat Dani’’s seminars; Beyond the hipthrust are all aboutThe fundamentals of glute training - how to properly and effectively train your glutesHow Dani manages a workout if she isn’t feeling itHer top tip for new competitorsAnd SOOO much more!⁠If you want to follow Dani learn more about her and  at her work you can do so at https://www.instagram.com/daniantonellos/ and her work with Andrew Lock at https://www.instagram.com/united.health.education/Don't forge to also listen to the amazing https://www.instagram.com/levelup_podcast_/ which you can find on all major streaming platforms!If you love the episode don’t forget to share to your stories and tag us both in so we can see and share too!⁠Until next time…⁠⁠Love you!⁠R x

This week’s episode is with the beautiful Latoya Caruso who I’m sure many WBFF competitors will be familiar with! Latoya had the most incredible journey in 2019 with her comp preps and it was amazing to watch her go from bikini to fitness and ultimately taking out 2nd place figure in her first year of competing! In this episode we dig into how she managed it and the things she learned along the way.She’s such a beautiful soul and certainly a competitor to keep an eye on for her next show! We spoke about:⁠Dealing with cancelled shows last year due to COVIDBikini to fitness to 2nd place figure in a yearUsing social media to fuel her competitive natureWhat drives Latoya to competeSwitching to a new coach 9 weeks outWhy its vital to be 100% open and honest with our coachesThe sacrifices she had to make to get the result of her last compHow she stays motivated when things get hardDifficulties dealing with reverse dieting snd binge eatingEmbracing growth season and dealing with weight gainingThe one thing that changed the game for Latoya’s trainingDealing with online bullies and negative commentsImportance of your support networkCrazy prep brain momentsLatoya’s competing plans and goalsHer one piece of advice for new competitors And SOOO much more!⁠If you want to follow Latoya, learn more about her journey you can do so at https://www.instagram.com/latoyacaruso_/ If you love the episode don’t forget to share to your stories and tag us both in so we can see and share too!⁠Until next time…⁠Love you!⁠R x

Naomi is an online coach, accredited sport nutritionist, certified women’s specialist personal trainer, podcast host and ‘attempted’ YouTuber (her words not mine, haha!). So great to get to know this lovely gal a bit more after knowing each other through social media for so long. We both get pretty real and honest about some of the struggles of some of our preps in this episode and there are plenty of learnings/take aways for new competitors. Naomi is highly motivated through her the ups and downs of her own experiences and her ultimate goal in life is to help as many women as possible become the best version of themselves while healing their relationship with food and their bodies.We spoke about:⁠Naomi’s podcast - Let’s Be Real - and what it’s all about!Why Naomi started competingWhy competing won’t necessarily ‘fix’ your issuesWeird and unnecessary prep ‘hacks’Learning valuable lessons through prepReverse diet rollercoasters & binge eatingWhy she chose to get breast implants (and also why she later chose to remove them)Changing coaches mid-prepAn obsession with winning which led her to going against her values How and why she got into mindset work, such as gratitude, meditating and journalingWill Naomi compete again?Setting goals for competitors Her one piece of advice to her younger selfAnd SOOO much more!⁠If you want to follow Naomi, learn more about her journey and her coaching services you can do so at https://www.instagram.com/naomi_zeemckillop/ and check out her podcast at https://www.instagram.com/letsbereal.podcast/ ⁠If you love the episode don’t forget to share to your stories and tag us both in so we can see and share too!⁠Until next time…⁠⁠Love you!⁠R x

This incredible lady surely needs no introduction but incase you are not familiar with Holly, she is a WBFF Fitness pro, evidence based coach and Ms. Dietetics, Director of Team Biolayne, and co-founder of diet coaching app Carbon Diet Coach. (Among MANY other things!).Holly brings an enormous amount of expertise to this episode and we really only just scratched the surface of all her knowledge and experiences on all things training, nutrition and comp prep - one hour just isn’t enough some times! We spoke about:⁠Importance of diet breaks (physically and psychologically)Holly’s competing background and how she got into the sportFinding her federation and categoryWhy Holly is taking a break from competing (for now!) to focus on other areas of her lifeHolly’s tips for letting go of a stage physique Why you should be planning your reverseGetting a head start on your mindset before prepThe honest truths of prepSocial life sacrifices and how to still weave in time with friendsUnderstanding negative metabolic adaptationWhat is evidence based nutrition and exercise?The individuality of dietsHolly’s number one piece of advice to new competitorsAnd SOOO much more!⁠If you want to follow Holly, learn more about her journey and her coaching services you can do so at  @hollytbaxter and check out her new coaching platform you can do so at @carbondietcoach⁠If you love the episode don’t forget to share to your stories and tag us both in so we can see and share too!⁠You can find me and the podcast on Instagram @secretlifeofabikinicompetitor and @robynzimmyUntil next time…⁠Love you!⁠R x

WE ARE BACK PEOPLE! Hope you all had an amazing Christmas and New Year, despite the circumstances and were able to connect with those you love. Also I got a JAZZY new intro - do you love it?First episode back for the year and it’s a great one! This week I sat down with the wonderful Na’iyma Chew who is an IFBB Bikini Pro as well as bikini prep and mindset coach all the way from Florida, USA. She is also the owner of her own active wear line called My Affirmation Fitwear.I love Na’iyma’s outlook on pretty much everything. She has an incredible positive and generous outlook on life and a passion for this sport that shines through in everything she does. She has some great tips for truly believing in your power and also finding your purpose as a competitor, which ultimately led her to creatine the Stage Ready Blueprint.We spoke about:⁠Approaching goal setting with abundance mindsetHow Na’iyma got started in competing and her journeyDifferent types of support from different peopleFour years to turn pro and her mindset around turning proInternal validation over external validationBelieving in herself as a pro and showing up as a pro for a year before getting her cardTaking time off to build a familyAdvice for prioritising as a competitorBecoming a bikini prep and mindset coachThe importance of mindset coaching for competitorsHer Stage Ready Blueprint and how feeling lost as a competitor inspired her to create itWhy you need to understand your whyWhy Na’iyma started The Bikini Diaries Podcast And SOOO much more!⁠I also have a new final questions for 2021…. Let me know what you think!If you want to follow Na’iyma, learn more about her journey and her coaching services you can do so at https://www.instagram.com/naiymafit/ You can also check out The Bikini Diaries Podcast on Apple, Spotify and wherever you like to listen to your podcasts!If you love the episode don’t forget to share to your stories and tag us both in so we can see and share too!⁠SOOOO GOOD to be back! Until next time…⁠Love you!⁠R x

Hey legends,Just a short episode from me today. This is the final episode of the year and I just wanted to take the opportunity to say a massive thank you to listeners and guests alike, as well as leave a small pearl of wisdom as we round out the shit storm that has been 2020.Feel the fear and do it anyway is one of my favourite phrases and I wanted to dig into just why that is as well as why it’s a great mantra to have heading into 2021. Next year is going to a be a big one for SLBC. Stay tuned for plenty of announcements and, of course, AMAZING guests in the new year.But for now, wishing you all the best for the holidays. I hope you manage to connect with your loved ones and just relax after what has been one hell of a ride (to say the least).Stay safe!Love you,R x#SLBC

This week’s guest is the wonderful Celeste Rains-Turk who you may recognise as the host of Confessions of a Bikini Pro podcast.As well as being an NPC bikini competitor, Celeste is a mindset mentor specialising in helping people make peace with food, their body and their goals and is the author of the number one best selling self help book ‘Believe Your Way to Badass.’ Combining her passion for the sport, her experiences with disordered eating plus her qualifications and passion for psychology, personal development, mindfulness, Celeste works closely with competitors to help them develop healthier relationships with food. In this episode, we dig into a bit more about what that entails, some tips and tricks and we answer a LOAD of listener questions too. Competitors of ALL levels will get so much out of this episode!We spoke about:⁠Her current prepWhy she started her podcastCeleste’s competing historyTaking a long time off between shows to build her body and repair her mindsetGetting her period backBattling with how we identify and speak to our selvesHow and why Celeste got into the work that she does helping people repair their relationship with food and their bodiesCommon struggles for competitors (change, post show, food focus)Differences in pros/amateurs, age differencesWriting a best selling book - ‘Believe Your Way to Badass’Listener Q&As!! How do I stop binging post show/shoot? What protocol to implement post show to not fall into the binge/restrict cycle How do you break from the all or nothing mentality? How to find the line between reversing and getting your life back? How to improve body image & self love/acceptance, while always working to change your body? Common mistakes you see athletes make post show Tips to manage the festive season (especially while in prep) And SOOO much more!⁠If you want to follow Celeste, learn more about her journey and her food relationship coaching services you can do so at https://www.instagram.com/celestial_fit/ and http://www.celestial.fit. You can check out her podcast on Apple, Spotify and wherever you like to listen to your podcasts!If you love the episode don’t forget to share to your stories and tag us both in so we can see and share too!⁠Until next time…⁠Love you!⁠R x

This week’s guest is the awesome Nadine Dekleva who is an ICN competitor from Melbourne who took out Rookie of the Year at her first show earlier this year!Nadine has completely turned her life around after escaping the binge drinking culture so prevalent in her rural town. She admits he’s lost a few friends along the way in her pursuit for a healthy and happy lifestyle and that its been hard when people don’t understand, but she’s found something she’s so passionate about.She’s such an awesome persona and it was amazing to get to know her a little bit after following her journey on social media! (Please note: This episode touches on the topic of suicide.)We spoke about:Nadine’s awesome result at her first ever showPrepping through the Australian bushfires and COVIDReversing during COVIDHow her and her partner worked together to release food control post compDealing family and friends when they don’t understandOutgrowing unhealthy patterns and friendship groupsNadine’s past life of partying, binge drinking and eating takeawayA suicide attempt that led to her turning her life aroundStarting by making small changes and falling in love with trainingNadine’s advice for other people starting out with health and fitnessGetting ready for prep and enjoying the processLearning from first prep and why next time will be betterThe things people don’t tell you about prep (the bad and the ugly!)Nadine’s next competing goals/plansOn the road becoming a PT and online coach!And SOOO much more!If you want to follow Nadine, learn more about her journey and her online coaching services when she launches them you can do so at https://www.instagram.com/nadine.is.fit To follow me and the podcast on socials you can do so at:https://www.instagram.com/secretlifeofabikinicompetitor https://www.instagram.com/robynzimmyhttps://www.facebook.com/secretlifeofabikinicompetitor If you love the episode don’t forget to share to your stories and tag us both in so we can see and share too!Until next time…Love you!R x

This week’s guest is a VERY very dear friend of mine. Lisa and I met at CrossFit about six (?) years ago and even though she moved back to the states a few years ago we’ve thankfully stayed in touch! However, I never really knew much about her competing journey until now! We had such a laugh recording this and I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.If you want to listen to two friends giggle and shoot the shit then this is the episode for YOU! Stick around until the end for a little surprise and extra lol ;)We spoke about:Lisa’s list of (sometime peculiar) previous sporting interestsThe things we wish we knew when we were youngerImportance of moving your body in a way that makes you happySome random travelling storiesHow and why Lisa started competingResearching before picking a coachTips on prepping during the festive periodWhat Lisa’s preps look likeStruggling with releasing control in reverseRepairing relationships with foodWhy Lisa (probably) won’t compete again and why it’s OK if you don’t want to tooWhat Lisa loved about competing and the bodybuilding processShould you get breast implants as a competitor?And SOOO much more!If you want to follow Lisa and learn more about her journey… you can’t! She doesn’t have most social media but feel free to send out some good vibes and/or pigeon post to her.To follow me and the podcast on socials you can do so at:https://www.instagram.com/secretlifeofabikinicompetitor https://www.instagram.com/robynzimmyhttps://www.facebook.com/secretlifeofabikinicompetitor If you love the episode don’t forget to share to your stories and tag us both in so we can see and share too!Until next time…Love you!R x

This week’s guest was the beautiful Gabbi Nockles who is an ICN Fitness Pro & now IFBB bikini athlete from Melbourne. I love it when I get to 'meet' people I have been following on social media for ages and Gabbi was no exception. Such a smart and wonderful human it was a pleasure getting to know her and her story a little bit more.We spoke about: Studying NaturopathyRemedying her PCOSHer background in competitive dancing and cheerleadingA bad break up which led her to finding a passion in fitness Being empowered through trainingSpending six years building her physique before comeptingNew pressures as a proTransitioning to IFBBTaking a break from competing to start a familyCoaching her self to stage - processes and challengesAdvice for anyone wanting to prep themselvesAdvice on how to get the most out your prepEnjoying the process and the challengeWhat you need to know when you start competingAnd SOOO much more!If you want to follow Gabbi and learn more about her coaching services you can do at http://instagram.com/glutes_by_gab/ To follow me and the podcast on socials you can do so at:https://www.instagram.com/secretlifeofabikinicompetitor https://www.instagram.com/robynzimmyIf you love the episode don’t forget to share to your stories and tag us both in so we can see and share too!Until next time…Stay safe, love you!R x

This week’s guest was the amazing Anjuli Mack! Anjuli is so so fun to chat to. Not only did we bond over a shared love of food, but it was awesome to hear her journey and evolution through her four shows! We could have honestly chatted for hours! We covered soooo much ground I definitely feel a Pt. 2 will be on the horizon!We spoke about:Setting intentions before workoutsStaying focussed in off seasonBeing a foodie and sweet tooth and still staying on trackDealing with ‘food slip ups’How Anjuli got into competing after a chance encounter with a very well known competitor!Blowing out after her first showThe danger of prep related food obsession post showConsistent inconsistencyAnjuli 1.0 through to 4.0The difference between each prepYou can’t control who turns up on the dayDealing with the outcome of each compEnjoying the process!!Evaluating an learning prep to prepRecovering her menstrual cycle after a weight loss phaseImportance of eating to growAnd SOOO much more!If you want to follow Anjuli and learn more about her coaching services you can do at the links below:https://www.youtube.com/c/AnjuliMackhttps://www.anjulimack.com​https://www.instagram.com/anjuli_mack/https://www.instagram.com/anjuli_fitforlife/To follow me and the podcast on socials you can do so at:https://www.instagram.com/secretlifeofabikinicompetitor https://www.instagram.com/robynzimmyIf you love the episode don’t forget to share to your stories and tag us both in so we can see and share too!Until next time…Stay safe, love you!R x

This week’s guest was the amazing and hilarious Alana Coomer who is an AWNBS Fitness Pro and online coach from Brisbane, Australia.Actually had the biggest lol chatting with Alana - I think 10% of this podcast is just the sound of me laughing. I also learned a whole heap and love Alana’s outlook on competing. I can’t wait for you to listen.We chatted about:Helping her clients prep through COVIDLeaving a ‘safe’ full time job for a fitness careerCommitting to competing after coming back from travellingPrepping herself the first time around thanks to bodybuilding.com and a 12 week prep!Winning her pro cardTravelling overseas for a compHow to prep food for a flightAccepting placings and the subjectiveness of the sportReverse dieting 101 - what to expect!What needs to be communicated and understood before competingWhat to look for in a coach and the power of ‘why’Importance of becoming comfortable with the uncomfortableOvercoming anxiety and depressionCompeting is not a solution to mental health issues but it will give you helpful toolsManaging diet and training around our menstrual cyclePros and cons of diet foodsHer Spondylolisthesis diagnosis and how she works around itCompeting plansAnd so much more!You can find out a bit more about Alana’s coaching at http://instagram.com/absbyalana/ and follow her on her personal page here http://instagram.com/alanafayy/ If you love the episode don’t forget to share to your stories and tag us both in so we can see and share too! Until next time…Stay safe, love you!R x

This week’s guest is the fabulous Jessica Mahoney who is an ICN Bikini (and fitness and sports!) model and psychiatric nurse from Melbourne.I first heard Jess chatting to Jasmine on the Not Just a Bikini Girl Podcast and found the juxtaposition of her job and her passion fascinating. Not just how she balances them both but also the positives of having the two side by side also! I’m sure you’re going to find it fascinating too!Other stuff we chatted about includes:The positives of the last seven months of lockdownInventive and creative lockdown training methods How she got into competingA 3 week prep for her first show!Enjoying the full process a 2nd time aroundHer favourite competing momentThe prep house!Prepping with, and being coached by her partnerTips for staying on track on holidayWorking as a psychiatric nurse in an eating disorder clinicThe challenges of balancing that job and preppingBeing comfortable having uncomfortable conversationsDisordered eating in competitors and hiding our strugglesHow to manage reverse diets and importance of c lear communicationImportance of consistent good habits over timeFavourite things about competingAdvice for first timers!And so much more!If you love the episode don’t forget to share to your stories and tag http://instagram.com/jessmahoneyy_/ it so we can see and share too!Until next time…Stay safe, love you!R x

This week’s guest is the awesome Sharelle Grant who is a WBFF Bikini pro, women’s fitness coach and co-host of the Level Up Podcast.I have been following Sharelle for a few years on social media now and just love how authentic and informative she is on social media – so I known for a long time that I had to chat to her on the show!Sharelle is intensely passionate about women’s health and this shines through in everything she posts on social, her work with her clients and the topics we discussed here. I learned a heap and I know you will too!We chatted about:COVID ruining competing plans (as is the theme for 2020)Bikini to wellnessSharelle’s competing journey and turning proFinding her federationMistakes along the way - training/nutritionCan you compete for the experience?Why she became a women’s fitness coachSeeing the gap between health & fitnessImportance of hormonal health and understanding our menstrual cycleYour period is your 5th vital sign and the importance of tracking  and training around itIntentional weight gain and how to manage it mentallyBalancing demanding work/shift workThe importance of sleeeeep and sleep hygiene Why Sharelle is #morethanfitspo and the importance of being authentic on social mediaWhy you should listen to The Level Up Podcast with Sharelle and Dani!And so much more!If you love the episode don’t forget to share to your stories and tag https://www.instagram.com/sharellegrant/ it so we can see and share too!I also highly recommend checking out Sharelle’s podcast with Dani Antonellos https://www.instagram.com/levelup_podcast_/ Until next time…Stay safe, love you!R x

It’s been a few shows between passion speeches but ya girl is back with a good one.Because 2020 has been, well, 2020, my internet company decided last week that now, during a pandemic induced lockdown, was a great time to do works on our service. So, I had to cancel three AMAZING interviews I had lined up (seriously, you guys will love!). Instead, you just got me! Lucky you 😉So, this topic! I’m pretty passionate about the concept of identity so it was fun to dig into it a little bit here on the subject of the things we tell ourselves on a daily basis.In this episode I talk about- The self limiting beliefs and narratives we tell ourselves- How our propensity to pursue goals and succeed is entwined in our identity- How we can help flip the script on our negative thought patterns- Why the phrase “I AM” can be so powerful but so limitingI referent one of my all time favourite books called Atomic Habits by James Clear and I highly recommend a read. If you love the episode don’t forget to share to your stories and tag https://www.instagram.com/secretlifeofabikinicompetitor/ and https://www.instagram.com/robynzimmy  in it so I can see and share too!Until next time…Stay safe, love you!R x

Hey legends,Another epic episode for you today guys and gals! Loved chatting to Taylor this week. I’ve seen her name on Instagram so much recently as she has fast become THE go to coach for vacuums and Hypopressives. It was great to dig into her winning mindset, her journey and her goals as well as learn a little but more about the ins and outs of vacuums and Hypopressives.We covered:Dealing with Melbourne lockdownPrepping during lockdown but then show being cancelledWhen the scales don’t changeImportance of taking an off season before prepAccepting weight gain as part of the processWhat a 4400cal diet looks likeWhat we’ve both learned from bad packages Importance of self belief and visualisation10x-ing your goalsWhen you heart isn’t in a prepTurning a negative result into a positive and using it as motivationFainting on the morning of her last show, but still killing it anyway!How she got started coaching vacuums and HypopressivesThe differences between vacuums and hypopressives and benefits of bothTaylors top tips and mishaps when practicing bothShould you be “training abs?”Advice for girls wanting to get into competingPosing in your offseasonDoing the 1%ersThe hunt for the pro card!And so much more!I can’t wait to watching her hunt down that pro card!If you want to follow Taylor, learn more about her coaching services and download her ebook you can do so at https://www.instagram.com/ttaylormadison/ If you love the episode don’t forget to share to your stories and tag us in it so we can see!Until next time…Stay safe, love you!R x

Hello legends! In this week’s episode I spoke to the incredible Sofia Toumbas. Sofia has been competing since 2014 in a range of federations, taking out Miss Universe 2018 and most recently placing 4th in WBFF Fitness last year!We had such a great chat about all things mental gains and I just love the way Sof’s mind works – she’s so inquisitive and her passion for learning and educating others is super cool. We needed our HARD in this episode and it was awesome!We chatted about:- How she’s been managing lockdown in Melbourne- Her work as an exercise science teach- Why a love for educating people made her move on from PT- Her competing journey and passion for mental gains- Dealing with self doubt- Taking four years off between first & second show- Growing up with anxiety- Dealing with failure and mental road blocks- Competing with 24 hours notice- Flying to Singapore and becoming Ms Universe ’18!- Assessing our behaviours and understanding our minds- Importance of having a coach to provide objective and impartial advice- The importance of blood tests- What to ask for when going for blood tests- Do we really need supplements?- Realising the implications of prep on our body & reproductive systems- Why every comp is a new learning experience- Sofia’s tips on how to get in tune with our bodies (spoiler: tracking!)And so much more!If you want to follow Sofia you can do so at  http://instagram.com/sofiatoumbas/ and get some of those epic brain gains we talked about over at https://www.instagram.com/thenutritionathlete/ If you love the episode don’t forget to share to your stories and tag us in it so we can see!And if you really love the show, feel free to leave a review on Apple Podcasts!Until next time…Stay safe, love you!R x

Hello legends! In this week’s episode I spoke to the awesome Lauren Killey and loved every second!I always love when I get to speak to someone whose journey I’ve followed for a long time and this was no exception. We covered so much in this podcast and there are some SUPER juicy takeaways for you guys in here as Lauren shared a HEAP of things she’s learned from all the ups and downs of her seven years of competing.We chatted about:First day as a business owner! Launching Beyond Fit and her goals for the businessLauren’s competing history and journey to pro!Finding bodybuilding through actingLearning her potential through her first competitionCarb up mishaps!Improving the prep process by understanding itSwitching to WBFFDealing with her first competition without placingVisualisation ahead of turning proRealising her physique had progressed beyond bikiniDealing with being accused of taking PEDsBuilding muscle as a womanAll or nothing mindset & “what would an athlete do”How to manage a blow outHaving balance in your offseasonLearning to love our bodies by accepting that we have control over how they lookCompeting goals and plans coming up!And SOOO much more!If you want to follow Lauren you can do so at https://www.instagram.com/laurenkilleywbffpro/ and check out her coaching services at https://www.instagram.com/beyondfitness/ If you love the episode don’t forget to share to your stories and tag us in it so we can see!Until next time…Stay safe, love you!R x

25 EPISODES! WOW! How awesome! What better way to celebrate the milestone than an interview with the AMAZING Donna Atkins. Donna has been in the competing industry for over 17 years as a competitor (figure, fitness and bikini!), MC, judge, posing coach, tan technician and a total pillar of the Victorian bodybuilding community.She is sunshine in human form and cares so deeply about the community and the competitors she meets and works with. I’m lucky enough to call Donna both my posing coach and friend and loved finding out a little bit more about her competing journey and how the industry has evolved over the years. We chatted about:FaceTime photoshootsHow she got into competing 17 years agoHer first experience with a comp prepWhat bodybuilding in Australia looked like before social mediaLearning to pose from a VHS video + old muscle magazinesThe competitor community back thenHow diets have changedHow social media changed the sportCompeting in fitness, figure and bikiniTravelling interstate for nationals Figure routinesTaking a 7 year break from competing, but still being involved in the industryHow she fits in being a posing coach, tanner and working a full time job int he midst of competing seasonsThe importance of community and networks within the sport, especially if you’re newDifficult prep experiencesTanning tips and mishaps!Donna’s competing plans And more!If you want to follow Donna you can do so at https://www.instagram.com/donnaatkins_theposingcoach/ - if you ask nicely she might just share some of those YouTube videos ;) If you love the episode don’t forget to share to your stories and tag us in it so we can see!Until next time…Stay safe, love you!R x

I love recording episodes when they just feel like a super chilled out chat with a friend –  and this episode was exactly that! Sure we had some things we planned to talk about but we really just let the conversation organically flow and the result was diving into some really important issues  regarding body image in offseason, motivation and priorities that I don’t believe are unique to the two of us!I’m confident you guys are gonna get heaps from this!Among many things we covered: How she’s going after having comps cancelledStaying motivated and taking a break during lockdownComparing ourselves to other peopleComparison on social media vs. appreciationSwitching out of being so physique focused during prep when in off seasonStopping body checks during off seasonStruggling with reverse diets - even as a proShould always become a priority to get better at reverse dietingHow expensive competing isDifference between WBFF and other federationsSwitching from bikini to fitnessFavourite training stylesUnderstanding our natural body shapes and accepting body fatBeing patient with body changesAccepting that goals and priorities can changeJudging criteria for WBFFWhat she wish she knew before competingAnd more!If you want to follow Kayla you can do so at http://instagram.com/kaaylahughes/If you love the episode don’t forget to share to your stories and tag us in it so we can see!Until next time…Stay safe, love you!R x

Super excited to share this week’s episode with you all! I met the incredible Liv on her first ever photoshoot (I was the very lucky stylist!) the day after she took out thirds in bikini open tall at the Arnolds!I just love how this sport has connected me with some any amazing women. Liv is just one of the sweetest and most inspiring humans I've met in this journey and I am very grateful to have been able to provide a space for Liv to share her incredible story. In this episode we talk about:How we met!Competing at the Arnolds and all the uncertaintyHer incredible results at her first ever showsReversing and dealing with personal issues through COVIDUsing her reverse as a time of self discovery and assessmentA netball injury that sparked an eating disorderHow she got started in the gymSlow recovery through nutritional education Starting to play around with strength training and bodybuildingExperience with powerlifting and strongwomanLearning how much food she could actually eat through prep Benefits of a flexible approach to dieting Moving away from a scarcity mentalityOpinion on bodybuilding & eating disordersBeing empowered through weightliftingEpic training methodsWhy prep is a privilegeLiv’s competing plans and feedback on her physiqueWhat she wished she knew before she started competingAnd more!If you want to follow Liv you can do so at https://www.instagram.com/liv.strelein.physiotherapy/If you love the episode don’t forget to share to your stories and tag us in it so we can see!Until next time…Stay safe, love you!R x#SLBC

This week, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Tyarra Nelson who is an IFBB Bikini & ICN Fitness competitor, dietitian, online health, fitness, nutrition and physique coach and co-host of the awesome Bodybuilding Dietitians Podcast.It was great to learn a little more about Tyarra’s competing background and then spend a good chunk of time chatting through some listener Q&As that we received ahead of the show. It was so awesome to sit down and pick Tyarra’s amazing brain on some really interesting topics and I hope you guys get as much out of this as I did! I will 100% be having Tyarra back on the show sometime in the near future so keep those questions handy!In this episode we cover:- Why she started the Bodybuilding Dietitians podcast- Tyarra’s sporting background and how she got into bodybuilding- Her surf lifesaving experience- Moving from track sports to weightlifting- Feeling empowered through weightlifting- Taking three years to build up to her first comp- Coaching herself to stage- Competing for the experience AND having a winning mindset- Loving the prep process- Taking full advantage of competing seasons and experimenting with federations- Her work as a physique coach- Listener Q1: How to work out maintenance calories after a cut (+tracking weight trends)- Listener Q2: Can you ruin your metabolism with a bad prep?- Listener Q3: What food do you recommend pre/post workout and is food timing important?- Listener Q4: Advice for gut issues or bloating?- Listener Q5: Macros or meal plan?If you want to follow Tyarra you can do so https://www.instagram.com/tyarranelson/ and if you want to listen in to her podcast head to https://www.instagram.com/thebodybuildingdietitians/ or search on Apple Podcasts and Spotify! Both Instagram pages have a TONNE of valuable health and fitness information on too.Until next time, love you!R x

I FINALLY got the chance to sit down with the amazing Taliha Paige, who is a WBFF Fitness competitor and owner of TPaige Apparel. I make no secret of the fact that I think Taliha is a total legend and was so pumped to chat to her about her competing journey, some of the things she has learned along the way and get a bit more insight into her awesome mindset.I cant wait for COVID to be over so the two of us can tear up a mosh pit or ten if I’m honest!In this episode we cover:- Iso/lockdown mindsets and focusing on the now- Being consumed by the media/social media and distancing ourselves to cope- Taliha’s comp being cancelled (again!)- What would comps during COVID look like?- Advice for competitors with shows cancelled- Taliha’s competing history and why she hasn’t stepped on stage in 3 years- Being both mentally and physically ready before committing to a prep- Getting your calories in a good place before prep- Learning to train properly- Managing spondylosis and figuring out ways to train without pain- Training mistakes over the years- Gym anxiety and training without ego- How Taliha stays motivated- Finding your ‘why’ and knowing your purpose- Setting up T Paige Apparel - her why, goals and building an authentic brand- Being a creative a putting your ideas out there- Listener questions - advice on finding finding sponsors- Listener question - what does Taliha value most in her training& a hell of a lot more!If listening to this doesn’t make you motivated I don’t know what will!You can follow Taliha at http://instagram.com/talihapaige/ and check out TPaige Apparel at http://instagram.com/tpaige.shop/If you love this episode don’t forget to share to your stories and tag us in it so we can both see and give you a shout out!Love you,R x#SLBC

Can you believe we are already at episode 20! Thank you SO MUCH to everyone has been listening and giving feedback so far. You're all awesome!This week’s episode is with the wonderful Bridgitte Vogt, who is an ICN Sports & Fitness Model Pro and ICN judge from Melbourne. It’s clear that Bridgitte absolutely loves this sport – it’s so great to see her passion coming through in how much she loves seeing other competitors succeed and enjoy their stage experience. We need more of this in the sport please! In this episode we cover off:Prepping and training in stage four isoDiving into her six years of competing and turning proHow she found the sport and fell in love with itBinge eating post showWhy she chooses to compete in a natural federationPlaying the long game Realising it takes a long time to develop a physiqueGetting into competing a little bit ‘later’ (we’re 30 not 70 lol)The importance of focusing on what you can controlNew boobs and RIP to all the boobs lost in prepBecoming an ICN judgeHow to stand out on stageChoosing a bikini and bikini mishaps!What the judges are really looking for and how they place peopleTanning experiences and funny mishapsFinding a good coach and sticking with themYou can follow Bridgitte at http://instagram.com/bridgittevogt/ If you loved the episode, don’t forget to share to your stories so we can see and give you a shout out!Thanks for tuning in you legends.Love you,R x#SLBC

This week’s episode is with light of my life, Habiba, who is an ICN Bikini athlete from Melbourne. She took out the Rising Star award in March this year and is currently prepping to take out the ICN shows in October/November (pro card here we come!).We covered so many great topics in this episode - Habiba is so incredibly self aware and the way she approaches bodybuilding (prep, reverse and offseason) is very inspiring. She has a very critical mind and her passion to understand it is ultimately what I believe gives her a champion mindset!Really excited to see where the next few years take this pocket rocket!In this episode we covered:How she’s going prepping right now as we head into stage 4 lockdown in VictoriaWhy prep is almost easier in lockdownBlind faith vs. trust in your coachWhy “WHY” is the most powerful word in a competitors dictionLearning to help prepare for post showHabiba’s unique mindset post show/reversingHow she got started competing & prepping over ChristmasFeelings of missing out vs. focusing on our goalsHow she got into fitness after moving from one side of the world to anotherTraining out of love for the pursuit of progressionMoving away from focussing on the scale and focusing on form gainsRecovering from anorexia by herselfUnderstanding what is happening in our minds as a first step to addressing itHonouring our feelings and allowing ourselves to FEEL to work through themHow she sets up a successful dayGet food obsessive during prepGoing for that pro card!!And so much more!!If you want to follow Habiba you can do so at https://www.instagram.com/habibaxlife/If you love it, don’t forget to share to your stories so we can see and give you a shout out!Thanks for tuning in you legends.Love you,R x#SLBC

Kirsten & I covered a topic in last week’s podcast that I’m actually really passionate about, so I decided to hop on my soap box for a hot minute. Enjoy!If you love this episode, don't forget to share to your stories and tag me so I can give you a shout out! If you're keen to hear more like this too, slide into my DMs and let me know!Love you,R x

This week’s episode is with the gorge Kirsten Aisbett who is a personal trainer and property manage from  Ballaratt, Victoria and is also an ICN Bikini & Sports competitor – soon to be WBFF bikini!What I love about this sport and community is the amount of incredible women I’ve ‘met’ on social media. Kirsten is one of them! We’ve been following each others’ journeys for more than a year now and it was soooo incredible to watch her smash the stage for the first time last year.When I started this podcast I just knew I had to speak to her! We really left no stone unturned in this chat. We covered:Dealing with COVID and training during lockdownOpening a new gym this monthHer journey into health and fitness which started four years agoBeing inspired at the Arnolds to competeLosing 40kg in total and overcoming anxiety and depressionBack to back prepsComing from a really dark place and turning her life completely around Training her mind and mindset to focus on her selfLearning about nutrition and learning to trackFocussing on herself and how some people were incredibly unsupportive of thisUsing her own journey as fuel to help other people The biggest things she has learned along the wayNot letting other people’s opinions affect herDealing with unsupportive people and criticismSwitching from exercising to training for a competitionPrep making us realise what we’re capable ofWhat she wish she knew before competingDealing a difficult reverse and how she worked through itTransitioning to WBFFTaking two years off and embracing a long offseason to growGoing for that pro card!Advice for new competitorsReally - there wasn’t anything we DIDN’T cover!If you want to follow Kirsten’s journey head to https://www.instagram.com/kirstenashlea_pt/If you love the episode, please share to your stories and tag us so we can see and give you a shout out!Hope you’re all staying safe and well (particularly you Melbourne!) and I will catch you next week!Love you,R x

This week’s amazing guest was the gorgeous Shell Skelton who is an IFBB Bikini athlete as well as a registered nurse specialising in dialysis from South Australia,Shell has competed for four years and has tried her hand at three different federations before finding her groove with IFBB so it was great to hear from her a little bit about the different federations and her experience and learnings over the years.In this episode we chatted about:Competing at the Arnolds just before COVID hitMaking tweaks in the two weeks between qualifiers vs nationalsSwitching from meal plan to macro countingLearning to meal prepPrepping with her partnerBeing irrational emotional during prepManaging shift work and prepShell’s competing journey and she got startedPicking a federationHer biggest lesson from competing for four yearsMeditating and real self care Quotes to keep ourselves motivatedPicking a coachCompeting plans/goalsPrepping during Christmas and other eventsGrowing into a showReverse dieting & going into lockdown the day after her last compPost comp pressure to look a certaintyNormalising post show physiquesImportance of having the right team behind youPLUS! I also announce my brand new Instagram Live segment - The Weekly Checkin. More details and the very first interview can be found on my IGTV - which you can find at https://www.instagram.com/secretlifeofabikinicompetitor You can follow Shell at https://www.instagram.com/shellskelton/If you love the episode don’t forget to share to your stories so we can see and thank you!Until next week!R x #SLBC

Maxine is a PCA bikini competitor from the UK, Head of English at a special needs school and also a dear old friend of mine from The University of Hull!Neither of us had a particularly sporty background and despite being in the Netball League together at Hull University, there was very little netball played (We were bloody good at drinking though).In this episode you get a little glimpse into what we were like at university, as well as hear about Maxine’s journey into competing and some of her best tips for staying organised and crushing your goals:We chatted about…Spending three drunk years together at universityFinding fitness after university and learning to love trainingExperiences with fad diets Starting weightlifting and noticing shape changeGoing from an 8 week challenge before being inspired to competeEnjoying prep and the processSmall steps and lifestyle changes vs. all inDealing with cancelled shows due to COVIDReversing during isolationManaging her job as a teacher and a long commute plus prepMaking prep fit into our livesTo pre-workout or not to pre workoutWhat keeps her motivated and on track Why we love motivational quotesThe positive impact bodybuilding has had on the rest of our livesOrganisational tips and life hacks you pick up as a competitor Prep brain momentsCompeting plans/goalsWeird food cravings in prepYou can follow Maxine’s journey at https://www.instagram.com/maxinep14589/If you loved the episode don’t forget to share to your stories and tag us so we can see!Until next time,R x

This week’s episode is with the outrageously gorgeous Kaitlyn Krause, who took out 3rd in bikini in her very first show with the WBFF last year.I followed most of Kaitlyn’s prep so it was great to hear directly from her about the experience and learn about her plans moving forward. Kaitlyn is a values orientated person and has such an admirable mindset and approach to competing. Hope you get as much out of this chat as I did!Also - if you want to compete, but you’re student or you’re on a tighter budget - this is the podcast for you!!We cover off:Being a student nurse and midwife during COVIDHer first comp prep for WBFFUndergoing a pre-prep and getting ready early for the showFocusing on rest as a priorityHer passion for understanding and appreciating the human body and how that impacted her approach to prepThe impact of prep on your bodyThe value of a strong relationship with your coach and what makes a good coachIrrational emotions when prepping How she managed her reverse dietWhy reverse dieting should NOT be a competitionChoosing to start a family over her next competing plansHer approach to training and competing timelinesImproving her relationship with food and eliminating the fearWhy we weigh ourselves everydayHOW to compete on a budget - Kaitlyn’s top tips!Such an amazing conversation - I hope you love it too!If you want to follow Kaitlin you can find her on instagram at https://www.instagram.com/kaitlynkrause_/If you loved the episode, share to your stories and tag us so we both can see!Until next week,R xx#SLBC

This week’s podcast was a special one for me! I got the opportunity to interview my dear friend Holly Jeans, who is the host of her very own podcast – Part Time Bodybuilder.⁠⁠We left no stone unturned and covered so much ground in this episode – the summary below just doesn’t do it justice. ⁠Love the friendship Holly and I have developed over the last few months across the seas! Can't wait to meet one day in person too!⁠⁠In this episode we chat about:⁠- Her very impressive DIY home gym set up ⁠- Mentality around offseason⁠- Taking two years between shows to improve and her mindset around that⁠- Her 4000cal diet (!!!), food choices and relationships with food⁠- Meal plans vs IIFYM⁠- Holly’s journey from modelling, to CrossFit to bodybuilding⁠- Recovering back a back injury⁠- How and why our confidence has increased through competing⁠- Mastering your mindset through practice⁠- Her competing journey⁠- Binge/restrict cycle and reverse dieting⁠- Prepping for the wrong reasons⁠- The impact of stress on prepping and the body⁠- Deciding to take two years off competing⁠- Being tragically single and managing relationships/dating with prep⁠- Why more self confidence and more self love has given us a new perspective on dating⁠⁠Could have chatted to Holly all day!⁠⁠To find her and her podcast on Instagram check out http://instagram.com/parttimebodybuilder/ and https://www.instagram.com/holly.lj/Stay safe and well and I’ll catch you next week!R x#SLBC

Today’s episode is with the awesome Helena Sly who competed in her first show in 2019 after being a competitive karate athlete (black belt 2nd dan) for twelve years. It was so interesting to hear about how she transitioned from discipline to discipline and the things she learned along the way. What I LOVE about Helena, is how one of the reasons she decided to prep for a show was so she could better understand the dieting process in order to help her become a better coach.We also TOTALLY nerded out together on technique, movement patterns, and stability gains! OH and also, HABITS! My favourite ;)The things we discuss in this episode include:Her experience with her first showTransitioning from international champion karate athlete to bodybuildingBecoming a coach and prepping as a way to help her understand the dieting process moreDealing with an extremely adaptive metabolism What she’s been working on in her off seasonTraining with scoliosis and post spinal surgeryTechnique over ego Managing injuries with rehab and rehab and focus on movement patternsFilming your lifts for technique and accountabilityBeing diagnosed with ADHD last yearHelena’s epic morning routine which starts at 3.30am!Owning the morning to own the dayMy favourite topic… HABITS!Her competing plans and goalsYou can follow Helena at www.instagram.com/helena__slyDon’t forget to hit the subscribe button so you never miss an episode as well as share to your stories and tag us in it if you loved it!Stay safe,R x

My guest this week was the unbelievably inspiring Leticia Lockhart, a WBFF Bikini Diva and online coach based in Sydney. Leticia is not only an incredible athlete, coach, mentor and much more, but she also identifies as a grateful recovering addict. Her grit and strength to recover and move through such dark times has subsequently led her to develop passion for life and is on a mission to use her experiences to serve and support her clients in the best way possible.I am in love with Leticia’s mindset (and Leticia in general!) and her awareness of her mental state and I am beyond grateful that she chose to share her story with me.In this episode we cover:How she’s coping with lockdownLosing her job but launching her own business in isoHer advice if stuck in a place of anxiety right nowLeticia’s competing journey - how she found bodybuildingWhy competing is so much more than aestheticsHer recovery from drug addictionHer work teaching girls to reconnect with their bodiesWhy exercise is so powerful for moving through adversity/traumaHer views on the industry right now and the roles of comp prep coaches‘Mental fitness’ vs ‘mental health’The importance of creating a personal ‘inventory’Competing plans and goalsLoving off seasonIf you want to find out a little more about Leticia and her coaching services you can check out her instagram @leticialockhartcoachingDon't forget to share to your stories and tag us both in it if you love it and hit subscribe so you never miss an episode.Until next time legends!R x#SLBC

Hello legends! My amazing guest this week was Bec Cameron, 4 x ICN bikini champion, personal trainer and nutrition coach from Melbourne. Bec has been competing for five years now and is a comp prep coach herself, so there are PLENTY of amazing takeaways from this podcast.We covered SO much! Highlights include:Dealing with uncertainty around shows during COVID-19Recovering from adrenal fatigue and how she manages stress nowThe importance of getting blood workLearning to listen to your body and learnings prep to prepCompeting in a healthy way What to look for in a comp prep coachStarting weight training to help with her volleyballOvercoming an exercise disorder and falling in love with being strongWhat she loves about competing the mostPeak week - myths and methodsHow to be less emotionally connected to the scaleAdvice for first time competitorsTransitioning from ICN to IFBBAnd, of course, so much more!I can’t wait to see Bec’s transition from ICN into IFBB!You can follow her journey at https://www.instagram.com/bec_bfit  If you enjoyed this show, please share to your stories and tag us both in it so we can see!Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode.Until next time,R x

Today's episode is just me, myself and I! With everything going on with COVID-19, I've had quite a few conversations about if and when the shows will be on and whether or not I will be competing this year. While I can not WAIT to get back up on the stage, I have made the decision to wait until Season A 2021. However, I am currently so obsessed (in a good way!) with the journey that this has been a very easy decision to make.The reason I wanted to talk about this topic, is it hasn't always been that way. It's only really in the last six months that I've really fallen in love with the process I know it's something we all struggle with from time to time.In this episode I chat a bit more about things I've felt help me focus and love the process and hopefully this is helpful for you too! I'd like to do more solo episodes in the future (however daunting that may be!). So, if you love this episode, and want to hear more like it, slide into my DMs and let me know what topics you're keen for me to chat about.Hope you're staying safe and well!R x

In this week’s episode, I spoke to Natalie Jayne, who is WBFF’s 2019 transformation winner! She is also a personal trainer, online coach and full time mother of three!Natalie’s transformation over the last few years is nothing short of incredible. After the birth of her third child, she took matters into her own hands and started making the changes to invest in her health.She has the most positive and pragmatic outlook on life and I’m super pumped to share this episode with you all!Without giving too much away, in this episode we chat about:How Natalie is coping with COVID-19Finally launching an online coaching business in ISOHer experience gaining weight following three pregnancies Close togetherHer subsequent weightless from 130kg how she did itHaving a tummy tuck mid-prepWinning WBFF’s 2019 transformation division and heading to Worlds in the BahamasSpinning out of control and not reversing after worldsBeing open an honest with her social media followers to keep herself accountableWhy its so important to talk about the negative parts of our journeyAnd, of course, so much more!You can follow her journey at @nataliejaynefitmummyIf you enjoyed this show, please share to your stories and tag us both in it so we can see!Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode.Until next time,R x

This week, the beautiful Becc Cox, PNBA  joined me on the podcast to tell me a bit about her journey, how she went from never wanting to compete again, to bikini pro!Becc is also the owner of Australian Posing School, so we dive straight into all the things you need to know to truly show off you hard work on stage.We cover:From never wanting to compete again to bikini proThe importance of correct posing for your physiqueOwning your stage personaBalancing a demanding job with competingHow to deal with negative commentsPEDs in bodybuildingWhy Becc purposefully chose a natural federationTop tips for nailing your posingAnd more!To follow Becc you can find her and her coaching services here:https://www.instagram.com/becccx/https://www.instagram.com/australianposingschool/If you love the episode, don’t forget to share to your stories and tag us so we can see!R xx

This week’s episode is with the legend that is Emily Rolles – IFBB bikini athlete, registered nurse, creative entrepreneur and owner of Lore Media.I loved everything about this chat with Emily and genuinely could have spoken to her all day. I can’t wait for the the day lockdown is over so I can get out and about and meeting all my beautiful guests! Em, you’re up first! In this mammoth episode, we cover: Competing just before COVID lockdown How the IFBB Arnolds went ahead Being a nurse during COVID Reversing during lockdown Starting a relationship during prep Nursing and competing Being diagnosed pre-diabetic and going from 100kg to stage Getting into IFBB Prevalence of drugs in the sport Importance of a solid off season Importance of enjoying your diet Why consistency is key You can: Follow Em on Instagram at @empr._ Check out Lore Media at @loremedia._ If you loved this episode, don’t forget to share to your stories and tag us! Until next time, R x