Where Were We?

After 18 years in corporate change management and competing professionally while working full time, I've spent a lot of time thinking about what it actually takes to perform, not just in sport, but in life. In this episode I'm sharing something I've been quietly building: EPOQ, a performance operating system for senior corporate professionals who are done blaming their discipline and ready to look at their conditions instead.We talk about why the usual fitness and wellness approaches fail executives, what corporate wellness programs are actually getting wrong, and why the goal was never the transformation, it's designing the conditions where transformation becomes inevitable.If any of this resonates, the best place to start is the free five-minute diagnostic in the link below.Diagnostic — diagnostic.epoq.fit Instagram — @epoq.coEmail for B2B enquiries — [email protected]

In this episode, we dive into the art of giving fewer fucks as we age. We explore how our attitudes toward caring about appearances, social norms, or demanding situations, have evolved over time. From dealing with rude customer service to protecting our energy, we reveal why giving fewer fucks isn't laziness but a strategic form of self-preservation. Discover how embracing our "old man" phase has freed us from the exhausting need to please everyone.We've learned to prioritise mental health, use cold showers to regain control, and cut down on lifestyle expenses. This episode offers a fresh perspective on embracing freedom and authenticity, perfect for anyone eager to level up their confidence and focus on what truly matters.

In this episode, we dive into the chaos of Ella's home renovation and how it’s taught her to maintain her sanity through small, consistent habits. From managing unexpected pet disasters to dealing with renovation delays, we share how embracing a “good enough” mentality has helped us stay on track with our fitness and nutrition. Tune in to discover how you can keep your routines alive, even when life feels out of control.

In this episode, we discuss how most gym gains happen when you ditch ego lifting and focus on proper technique. If you're guilty of lifting too heavy, rushing reps, or using momentum to cheat through sets, this episode is your wake-up call. We break down how ego-driven lifts sabotage long-term progress and risk your joints for short-term bragging rights. Discover the importance of warm-up sets, proper control, and realistic strength expectations - essentials for sustained gains and injury prevention. With honesty, humor, and expert advice, we empower you to lift smarter, stay injury-free, and build confidence from solid foundations. Stop proving and start improving.

In this episode, we dive into the gap between self-awareness and real change. We explore why just knowing your habits isn't enough and share personal stories about overcoming challenges like smoking and bulimia. We discuss how true transformation requires more than insight - it needs action, support, and sometimes a pivotal moment to push us forward. If you're tired of being stuck in the cycle of knowing but not doing, join us as we uncover how to turn awareness into meaningful progress. Let's move beyond just recognising our patterns and start making real changes together.

Most of us fall for the perfect Instagram glow-up - but what’s real and what’s just for the camera? In this candid, no-holds-barred conversation, we expose the truths behind social media body illusions, the chaos of changing apps, and the exhausting pursuit of perfection. If you're tired of feeling inadequate or chasing after images that aren’t realistic, this episode is your wake-up call.We break down how influencers and competitors subtly curate their images with lighting, angles, and filters — and why comparing yourself to that highlight reel is a fast track to frustration. 

In this episode, we discuss the complexities of Australia Day, exploring how it might be dividing us more than uniting us. We delve into the tension between pride and historical acknowledgment, sharing personal stories and insights on how public sentiments are shifting. Whether you celebrate or question Australia Day, this conversation offers new perspectives on fostering unity and understanding in a fractured society.

Join us as we recount our recent adventures and reflections. Ella takes you through her seven-week bucket list journey, from scuba diving in the Maldives to navigating unexpected challenges in Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, Ali shares insights from her competitive experiences in Dubai and Vegas. Together, we explore the highs and lows of travel, competition, and personal growth, setting the stage for our goals in the coming year.

Join us as we recount our recent adventures and reflections. Ella takes you through her seven-week bucket list journey, from scuba diving in the Maldives to navigating unexpected challenges in Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, Ali shares insights from her competitive experiences in Dubai and Vegas. Together, we explore the highs and lows of travel, competition, and personal growth, setting the stage for our goals in the coming year.

It's been a year and with quite a bit of travel happening in these last few months for us both, we're wrapping up Where Were We a little earlier this year.Thank you for sticking with us and listening to us sh*t talk for another year and we're excited to be back in 2026 with lots to share.Hope you all have a fantastic end to the year and you can always get in touch with us on Instagram @wherewerewe.podcast. If there's anything you'd like us to chat about in the new year also please let us know :)

This one got everyone by surprise, including Ali. Was not on the 2025 bingo card to compete but here we are competing this weekend at the FMG Dubai show.Hear all about her prep, how it came about and how it's going.

After what was an absolutely EPIC first FMG World Championships show, we discuss the top 3 in the pro categories and chat about the weekend and the events that occurred throughout.

Join us as we chat about Ella's whirlwind FMG competition season in Thailand and New Zealand. From the intense prep to the thrill of stepping on stage, we share the ups and downs, the amazing support from prep buddies, and what it really takes to compete at this level. Not only that, but hear about the incredible results Ella's clients got in New Zealand.Whether you're into fitness or just curious about the behind-the-scenes action, this episode is packed with insights and stories from the heart of the competing world. 

We're taking a break from fitness once again in this episode and diving into our latest binge-watching adventures. We share our thoughts on the shows that have captured our attention in case you're looking for some recommendations or just love a good TV chat, tune in for a fun and casual conversation. Oh and let us know if you have anything that is a must-see. We're always looking.

In this episode we take you on a journey through our favourite travel experiences and share our personal stories and insights on exploring new cultures, the excitement of scuba diving, and finding hidden gems off the beaten path. Between us we've covered quite a bit of the globe but there are still some places we really want to visit. If you've got any you highly recommend then please let us know so we can add it to our list.

In this episode, we're chatting about our fitness journeys and what we wish we knew when we started. We're sharing our insights and lessons learned. We also discuss the value of having the right coach and how early education in nutrition and resistance training can make a world of difference. Whether you're just starting out or a seasoned competitor, there's something here for everyone. Join us for an honest conversation about growth, learning, and the power of starting early!

Join us in this episode as we dive into what could possibly go wrong on show day in bodybuilding comps - from unexpected makeup disasters to the chaos of travel plans, we're giving you a behind-the-scenes look at what really goes on. We've got some practical tips on how to handle anything that might go wrong. It's all about staying positive and having a laugh, even when things don't go as planned. Tune in for some candid stories and a good dose of humour!

We're so excited to bring you this episode and it's been in the making for a little while. Our special guest, Petrina Barber, shares her inspiring journey as a cancer survivor and fitness competitor. She discusses the challenges she faced during her cancer treatment, the impact of her diagnosis on her life, and how fitness became a crucial part of her recovery. Petrina opens up about living with a stoma, the daily realities and adaptations she has to make, and the importance of mindset and personal accountability. She emphasises the significance of nutrition and how it has evolved for her, as well as her experiences with training and competing post-cancer. Throughout the conversation, Petrina highlights the value of community support and offers advice for others facing similar health challenges, encouraging them to find their own paths to resilience and empowerment.You can find Petrina, this incredible and inspirational woman on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/petrinabarber

Ali has gone back to the dark side for work - so we're discussing the return to corporate life and everything that comes with it and needs to be considered to get all the things done and still work towards achieving your health and fitness goals.

We reflect on a very busy month that was April - discussing travel, FMG Gold Coast and Dallas, the similarities and differences between shows as well as some of the cultural differences that are so stark.Ella also shares the shows she's prepping for and it's exciting times!!

In this episode we discuss our experiences with owning dogs and dog sitting, including the challenges and joys of caring for different breeds. It's a little different from us but we have a huge love for dogs and spend a lot of our time with them so we wanted to mix it up and chat about them, their behaviour, training, and nutrition, boundaries, proper care at home and whilst away.

Well we have all the goss for you about the FMG International New Zealand show on 30 August 2025!!!An unreal episode looking under the hood of what will be FMG NZ with Jess and Grainne, the directors and organisers of what's going to be an epic show. They've truly thought of everything with an athlete first lens and you get to hear all about it in this episode.We cover the venue, backstage, sponsors, the host hotel, and things to do in the beautiful country in your down time surrounding the show.Want to get more information?  Check out the below on how:To find out more and stay in the loop follow FMG NZ on Instagram: @fmgshows_nzSign up to their email newsletter to get up to date info and first to know drops: https://form.jotform.com/250626363209051For any questions you can either: Email: [email protected], orDM the FMG NZ IG page ; or direct message Jess or Grainne FMG NZ web page: https://fmgshows.com/shows/new-zealand/

In this episode, we discuss the importance of having a will and the complexities that arise from family dynamics when dealing with estates. We share our personal experiences regarding wills, inheritance, and the challenges of navigating relationships during times of loss.Some hard hitting topics that need to be considered are covered including the need for clear communication about end-of-life wishes, custody arrangements for children, and the emotional toll that death and financial matters can take on families. 

Today we go a little rogue and just share with you some of our pet peeves with the fitness industry ranging from things PT's and Coaches do that rub us the wrong way; how people get scammed to buy into fake fixes; influencer gimmicks and the misinformation that is out there.If you've got any questions around anything you've heard or you are thinking of trying, let us know and we can try and help guide you on the right path where you don't need to waste any more time and/or money.Also share with us any fitness rants of your own ;)

We've got a bit of a fun one and a catch up for this episode, plus an apt Would You Rather? question at the end.Let us know - what would you rather do out of the choices presented?

A little late to the party for 2025, on this episode we discuss what we're aiming to achieve this year and what we are wanting to focus on incorporating into this year.We'd love to hear what your goals are for 2025 and for any you've set for yourself, how are they going and what steps have you made to achieve them?Share this with us on our podcast IG page or with our personal accounts :)Where Were We IG: @wherewewe.podcastElla IG: @ellamartynAli IG: @aliroserobinson

Welcome to 2025 and our first episode for the year. In this episode we cover tips to stay on track while away, managing training overseas, travelling with kids, how to navigate your nutrition and still indulge.Let us know if you've got any questions about this topic or if there's anything you'd love us to discuss on future episodes.Follow us on our IG: @wherewewe.podcast

Our prep series is over and we're back to our regular episodes. We thought we'd give a bit of a recap on the FMG Australia and Dubai Pro-Ams in so far as how they were run and have a bit of a catch up as it's been a minute.Please reach out if there's any topic, fitness related or not, that you'd like us to discuss or share our opinions on.Follow us on our IG: @wherewewe.podcast

Competing is a big part of our lives, we are both FMG Pros and want to share our knowledge and experience with competing, along with stories from other competitors and industry professionals to help you better understand what is involved when you embark on the journey to the stage, the good the bad and the ugly. We want to give you tools to navigate the different phases, what to expect as a first-time competitor and share with you other competitors' experiences so you can learn from them. We hope this prep series helps you with your journey to the stage. If you'd like to discuss working with Ellavate Coaching for your next prep you can book an application call here... https://calendly.com/ellamartyncoaching/comp-prep-callWEBSITE: https://www.ellavatecoaching.com.au/competition-prepWhat's covered in Episode 10 - Starting in Your 40s with Julie Maree Melvin, FMG 45+ Australian Fitness Champion ***At the time of recording this, Julie was still a couple of months out from the FMG show last weekend. She is the newly crowned FMG 45+ Australian Fitness Champion and we congratulate her on her title and phenomenal package she brought to stage.***-How Julie started competing in her 40s what made her get into competing-Having her partner as a coach-What her training and nutrition strategy looks like-Her pro debut in 2023 vs her prep for the 2024 Australian Pro-Am -The new 45+ category and her plans and goals for competingYou can find Julie on IG at: https://www.instagram.com/juliemareemelvin_fmgpro

Competing is a big part of our lives, we are both FMG Pros and want to share our knowledge and experience with competing, along with stories from other competitors and industry professionals to help you better understand what is involved when you embark on the journey to the stage, the good the bad and the ugly. We want to give you tools to navigate the different phases, what to expect as a first-time competitor and share with you other competitors' experiences so you can learn from them. We hope this prep series helps you with your journey to the stage. If you'd like to discuss working with Ellavate Coaching for your next prep you can book an application call here... https://calendly.com/ellamartyncoaching/comp-prep-callWEBSITE: https://www.ellavatecoaching.com.au/competition-prepWhat's covered in Episode 9 - Prep Changed My Life with Alicia Ridley, Ellavate Client-How prep has changed Alicia's life - from working a 9-5 to going out on her own- Losing relationships but gaining others- The mindset she has adapted and grown to navigate so much change- How she built good foundations in her "off-season" that has made the prep an easy processYou can find Alicia on IG: https://www.instagram.com/aliciaridley/Shook Studio: https://www.instagram.com/shookstudio.au/

Competing is a big part of our lives, we are both FMG Pros and want to share our knowledge and experience with competing, along with stories from other competitors and industry professionals to help you better understand what is involved when you embark on the journey to the stage, the good the bad and the ugly. We want to give you tools to navigate the different phases, what to expect as a first-time competitor and share with you other competitors' experiences so you can learn from them. We hope this prep series helps you with your journey to the stage. If you'd like to discuss working with Ellavate Coaching for your next prep you can book an application call here... https://calendly.com/ellamartyncoaching/comp-prep-callWEBSITE: https://www.ellavatecoaching.com.au/competition-prepWhat's covered in Episode 8 - Post Comp Reverse Vs. Recovery Diet- Post show phase is when you look to get out of the diet and get your body/hormones/ appetite/ BMR all back to base line- The 2 types of diets post show are the reverse diet and the recovery diet- What the differences are between the two- How to avoid a post show blow out- Get your support crew in your corner to assist with this processJoin the Ellavate Post-Show Phase Webinar: https://www.ellavatecoaching.com.au/post-comp-webinar

Competing is a big part of our lives, we are both FMG Pros and want to share our knowledge and experience with competing, along with stories from other competitors and industry professionals to help you better understand what is involved when you embark on the journey to the stage, the good the bad and the ugly. We want to give you tools to navigate the different phases, what to expect as a first-time competitor and share with you other competitors' experiences so you can learn from them. We hope this prep series helps you with your journey to the stage. If you'd like to discuss working with Ellavate Coaching for your next prep you can book an application call here... https://calendly.com/ellamartyncoaching/comp-prep-callWEBSITE: https://www.ellavatecoaching.com.au/competition-prepWhat's covered in Episode 7 - The Not So Glamorous Side of Competing - Low energy, loss of sex drive, loss of menstrual cycle- How hard it is to keep digging when food is low- The food focus and weight obsession- Your insatiable appettite post show - Post comp blues and how to direct focus to other goals

Competing is a big part of our lives, we are both FMG Pros and want to share our knowledge and experience with competing, along with stories from other competitors and industry professionals to help you better understand what is involved when you embark on the journey to the stage, the good the bad and the ugly. We want to give you tools to navigate the different phases, what to expect as a first-time competitor and share with you other competitors' experiences so you can learn from them. We hope this prep series helps you with your journey to the stage. If you'd like to discuss working with Ellavate Coaching for your next prep you can book an application call here... https://calendly.com/ellamartyncoaching/comp-prep-callWEBSITE: https://www.ellavatecoaching.com.au/competition-prepWhat's covered in Episode 6 - Competing Overseas with Taylor Atkins, FMG Fitness Pro-Thinking of competing overseas -  Taylor shares her recent experience competing in Dallas- The first FMG international show & how it compared to the Aus shows- Flying, Comp Prep & Peak Week - what to do with your meals, compression garments, managing fluid retentionFollow Taylor on Instagram: @_taylor_atkins

Competing is a big part of our lives, we are both FMG Pros and want to share our knowledge and experience with competing, along with stories from other competitors and industry professionals to help you better understand what is involved when you embark on the journey to the stage, the good the bad and the ugly. We want to give you tools to navigate the different phases, what to expect as a first-time competitor and share with you other competitors' experiences so you can learn from them. We hope this prep series helps you with your journey to the stage. If you'd like to discuss working with Ellavate Coaching for your next prep you can book an application call here... https://calendly.com/ellamartyncoaching/comp-prep-callWEBSITE: https://www.ellavatecoaching.com.au/competition-prepWhat's covered in Episode 5 - Peak Week & Show Day - What to Expect-What to expect peak week and show day-Benefits of running a mock peak week -Peak week do's and don't -Sodium and water loading -What to pack on show day

Competing is a big part of our lives, we are both FMG Pros and want to share our knowledge and experience with competing, along with stories from other competitors and industry professionals to help you better understand what is involved when you embark on the journey to the stage, the good the bad and the ugly. We want to give you tools to navigate the different phases, what to expect as a first-time competitor and share with you other competitors' experiences so you can learn from them. We hope this prep series helps you with your journey to the stage. If you'd like to discuss working with Ellavate Coaching for your next prep you can book an application call here... https://calendly.com/ellamartyncoaching/comp-prep-callWEBSITE: https://www.ellavatecoaching.com.au/competition-prepWhat's covered in Episode 4 - Posing Tips to Bring Your Best to Stage with Marijana Ryding, FMG Posing CoachDifferent Phases of Prep-The changes posing has gone through in the last 10yrs from no posing coaches in Sydney to a thriving industry-The most underrated and overrated poses-Advice for first time competiors-When you shoud start posing practice-How to best teach a beginnerAPS website: https://australianposingschool.com.au/Marijana's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/posingbymarijana?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Competing is a big part of our lives, we are both FMG Pros and want to share our knowledge and experience with competing, along with stories from other competitors and industry professionals to help you better understand what is involved when you embark on the journey to the stage, the good the bad and the ugly. We want to give you tools to navigate the different phases, what to expect as a first-time competitor and share with you other competitors' experiences so you can learn from them. We hope this prep series helps you with your journey to the stage. If you'd like to discuss working with Ellavate Coaching for your next prep you can book an application call here... https://calendly.com/ellamartyncoaching/comp-prep-callWEBSITE: https://www.ellavatecoaching.com.au/competition-prepWhat's covered in Episode 3 - Different Phases of Prep-The 3 different phases of prep-How long you should spend in each phase-How much weight to gain in a build phase?-How long you should diet for a show if you have less than 10kg to lose-Do you need to track your diet in every phase

Competing is a big part of our lives, we are both FMG Pros and want to share our knowledge and experience with competing, along with stories from other competitors and industry professionals to help you better understand what is involved when you embark on the journey to the stage, the good the bad and the ugly. We want to give you tools to navigate the different phases, what to expect as a first-time competitor and share with you other competitors' experiences so you can learn from them. We hope this prep series helps you with your journey to the stage. If you'd like to discuss working with Ellavate Coaching for your next prep you can book an application call here... https://calendly.com/ellamartyncoaching/comp-prep-callWEBSITE: https://www.ellavatecoaching.com.au/competition-prepWhat's covered in Episode 2 - How to Save 1000's in Prep with The Comp Closet's Sarah Moore - Sarah Moore - FMG Bikini Pro and owner of the comp closest share her tips on saving $1000's in your prep- How Sarah has budgeted $20k for 2 shows plus a holiday- Where to find pre-loved affordable bikini's- Free Comp Prep Cost Planner download - https://lead-capture-947921.zapier.app/contact-usFind The Comp Closet:Web: https://thecompcloset.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecompcloset?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Competing is a big part of our lives, we are both FMG Pros and want to share our knowledge and experience with competing, along with stories from other competitors and industry professionals to help you better understand what is involved when you embark on the journey to the stage, the good the bad and the ugly. We want to give you tools to navigate the different phases, what to expect as a first-time competitor and share with you other competitors' experiences so you can learn from them. We hope this prep series helps you with your journey to the stage. If you'd like to discuss working with Ellavate Coaching for your next prep you can book an application call here... https://calendly.com/ellamartyncoaching/comp-prep-call WEBSITE: https://www.ellavatecoaching.com.au/competition-prepWhat's covered in episode 1 - First Time Competitors - What You Need to Know- The good and the bad... go into a prep with your eyes wide open- Managing expectations- We talk about posing and why its harder than the dieting- How to choose a coach- Why you shouldnt buy new clothes in prep- Thing to consider with work, family, friends- Celebrate the small wins and staying in your own lane- Limit creativity in your diet as your calories get low- An experience you won't forget and that you'll learn so much about yourself from

In this episode we discuss some of the struggles we're facing at the moment and share things we're doing to overcome them. It's a heavier episode than usual but we don't feel we're alone so really hoping we can help some listeners who might be going through or exposed to the same sorts of things at the moment.

General catch up for this podcast episode. It's been a while since we had a good chat so wanted to keep this one general chick chat and sharing our life and news.

We wanted to cover the differences, pro and cons in this episode between face to face PT and Online Coaching. Our thoughts on whether having experience on the gym floor as a PT is beneficial, but also from a clients perspective as to what they can expect to receive with each.

At some point, something had to give that gave you the kick up the arse to start putting your health and fitness goals as a top priority. We discuss what some clients have shared were their catalysts for change, as well as ours and chat about why your "why" needs to be strong!Get in touch with us on instagram @wherewerewe.podcast and share yours, or if you want to discuss how you can get started and work through your why you can reach out to Ali or Ella on IG too.@aliroserobinson@ellamartyn

History was made last weekend with the first ever FMG Show held in Sydney and Ali taking home the win for Fitness 35+ and FMG Pro status. The first of many shows to come all around the world. Very exciting times ahead.We recap the show mostly from a perspective of Ali's prep and Ella's experience on the judging panel and cover what the vibe of the weekend was like as the new federation kicked off their first show.2024 WORLDWIDE DATES:Dallas: July 13 - 14Los Angeles: Sept 13  - 14Gold Coast: Oct 24 - 25Dubai: Oct 24 - 15Mexico: Nov 15 - 16Bali: Dec 6 - 7To work with Ellavate Coaching and apply for prep coaching follow this link: https://www.ellavatecoaching.com.au/COMP-PREP-APPLY

Another exciting episode this week with guest Kat Georgeou on Where Were We discussing all things nutrition and healthy hormones in women.Kat is a dietician, nutritionist and nurse and can be found on Instagram either at:@bitemenutrition@katgeorgeouKat will also be joining Ella in a free Webinar on May 3 so if you're eager to learn even more you can sign up to join at: https://www.ellavatecoaching.com.au/healthy-hormones-webinar

Special guest, Nat Burmann, on this episode where we discuss her endometriosis diagnosis, symptoms,  journey and management of condition.Learn more about endometriosis: https://endometriosisaustralia.org Find Nat on Instagtram - @nathaliaburmann

We received some questions from listeners which we've spoken about in this episode. They're mostly around client and coach red flags but also discussing when it's time to leave a coach and when a comp prep isn't going as anticipated, approaches that can be taken to handle that.

In this episode we discuss the navigating  friendships as you grow, and change; how you can try to maintain them; and how to know when it might be time to let them go.If you have any questions or want to chat to us about anything you're going through in this space please reach out to us on instagram via our podcast account @wherewerewe.podcast or please feel free to get in touch with Ella @ellamartyn or Ali @aliroserobinson.

We've got another special guest on the podcast this week - Tammy Hall. A mum of 3 that does it all and has come from low confidence to an FMG bikini pro. We talk about how she got where she is, how she manages to fit it all in and what's in the works for her next comp.You can find Tammy on: Instagram: @activeculture_pt_bikiniprowww.activeculturept.com/contact

We're joined by a special guest this episode, Becc Gwilliam, from the Australian Posing School and The Posing School, sharing with us how she made the transition from journalism to posing as a profession and turned her passion into a business as well as all the hurdles she had to leap to do so and what's involved.You can find Becc and her businesses on:Instagram: @becctheposer ; @australianposingschool ; @theposingschool ; @theposingpodcast

Welcome to 2024!We're so excited to get into this new year. In this episode we share what our goals are as well as some tips on how to help set yours.We'd love to hear what your goals are, so please share them with us vis DM on instagram @wherewerewe.podcast.