Today I speak with IFBB Bikini Pro Cindy Van Empol-Popowich, a 55-year-old who started lifting at 17 years old after she saw her first bodybuilding event in 1989. Cindy earned her Pro card in 2019 at North Americans. She been involved in every aspect of the sport from judging to expediting, and is currently the Director of social media for the Canadian Physical Alliance. She is married to a firefighter, has two children, ages 16 and 19. My husband is a cancer survivor and she is navigating 3 auto immune diseases. They are an incredibly strong team which makes her successful in her endeavors.

TOPICS COVERED

-having a supportive spouse

-motherhood and bodybuilding

-competing as a masters athlete

-friendships in bodybuilding

-finding ways to contribute

-changes in the industry

-getting involved in the sport

-comparison tap

CONNECT WITH CELESTE:

Website: http://www.celestial.fit

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

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

CONNECT WITH CINDY:

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

TIME STAMPS

1:00 introduction

9:38 having a name

18:00 her husband battling cancer

22:10 time away from the stage

28:30 finding ways to contribute

35:30 changes in Canadian bodybuilder

40:42 women in leadership

49:54 her favorites

52:19 opportunities to get involved

57:08 comparison mindset

62:13 knowing it’s okay to step away

66:37 masters versus open

75:37 coming out of the darkness

86:42 getting married quickly

95:20 advice for competitors

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Today I speak with IFBB Bikini Pro Tanya Johansen, a kidney cancer survivor and single mom of two, who lives in Utah and works as a posing coach. She earned her Pro card at Master’s USAs in 2022, where she won the overall, and made her Pro debut last year at California Night of Champions. Tanya is coached by Aimee Delgado at Fit Body Fusion and plans to begin her rookie season this summer.

TOPICS COVERED

-pushing through no matter what

-not delaying pro debut

-kidney cancer

-environment is key

-age is just a number

-making it work with kids

-when people don't believe in you or what you're doing

-favorite tips and advice for amateurs

CONNECT WITH CELESTE:

Website: http://www.celestial.fit

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

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

CONNECT WITH TANYA:

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

TIME STAMPS

1:00 introduction

3:20 who can achieve a pro card

7:23 the desire to keep pushing

13:21 building muscle tips

19:45 fostering friendships and relationships

24:30 prep is self-care

27:15 going through kidney cancer

34:55 deciding to change her life

41:20 becoming resilient

44:10 learning from chaos

48:25 coming to the road to Pro

52:00 deciding what you want

59:25 getting involved with the industry

66:50 navigating being a single mom

69:49 advice for competitors

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE FOOD RELATIONSHIP COACHING SERIES

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE POST SHOW BLUES COACHING SERIES

LEARN MORE AND APPLY FOR MY 5 WEEK FOOD RELATIONSHIP HEALING & DISCOVERY COACHING PROGRAM

FOR OTHER FREE RESOURCES, LIVE EVENTS, AND WAYS TO WORK WITH CELESTE CLICK HERE

Today I speak with IFBB Bikini Pro Phillipa Ferreira who started competing in ICN back in 2020 and turned pro in that federation in her first year of competing. She moved to IFBB last year and earned her Pro card at Nationals, where she placed first. She was the first Australian bikini athlete to win two state titles in one season, as well as the first Australian bikini athlete to turn pro in their first season and finish undefeated with 11 gold medals. Having struggled with depression for most of my adult life, Phillipa is passionate about heaving open discussions about mental health. She studies law full time, works 2 jobs, dances professionally, and wants to show people you CAN do it all!

TOPICS COVERED

-bad coaching experiences

-mental health

-mindset sets you apart

-balancing a busy life

-working with a life coach & psychiatrist

-having big dreams

-being a professional dancer

-trusting your coach

-prepping while on antidepressants

CONNECT WITH CELESTE:

Website: http://www.celestial.fit

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

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

CONNECT WITH PHILLIPA:

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

TikTok: phillipa_ferreira

TIME STAMPS

1:00 introduction

5:39 heaving an undefeated streak

9:13 focusing on the process and not the outcome

19:19 focusing on the mental side

27:09 rebuilding her life

39:00 bodybuilding as an identity

53:07 possibly living in the USA

59:15 navigating a busy life

65:30 the price of competing

67:03 from dancing to competing

69:20 having a coach you trust

83:15 having a history of disordered eating

89:42 doing it for yourself

97:30 dating while in prep

100:40 creating the next physique

106:30 advice for competitors

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE FOOD RELATIONSHIP COACHING SERIES

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE POST SHOW BLUES COACHING SERIES

LEARN MORE AND APPLY FOR MY 5 WEEK FOOD RELATIONSHIP HEALING & DISCOVERY COACHING PROGRAM

FOR OTHER FREE RESOURCES, LIVE EVENTS, AND WAYS TO WORK WITH CELESTE CLICK HERE