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 patterns * What she’s doing differently the second time around * Posing struggles! * Childhood trauma and building a survivor mentality - Dani’s incredible journey * Finding bodybuilding as part of the healing and growth journey * Falling in love with discipline and structure * If you want to heal… you need to deal * Doing everything with intention * Feeling seen in other people’s journeys * Advice for first time competitors And 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/ [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 comp * How she manages prepping while being a flight attendant * Doing photoshoots in prep * Moving from bikini to wellness which suits her body better * Deciding 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 netballer * Putting on 30kg when on a student exchange to the US * When we ‘noticed’ we’d gained weight * Why Holly loves competing * Holly’s time management tips And SOOO much more!⁠ If you want to follow Holly's journey you can do so at https://www.instagram.com/hollyshaus/ [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 appearance * Back to back shows and applying judges feedback * Are you ready or even cut out for competing? * How Brooke went from ‘never competing again’ to winning to coming 2nd at Nationals * Blowing our after her first show and how she pulled herself out of a dark place * How Brooke fits it all in (spoiler: it involves 3am wake ups) * PCOS diagnoses + hormone management * Not being ready for her first show and the impact that had * Being called ‘fat’ in her previous sport, which led her into fitness * Brooke’s competing plans * All about The I’m Sorry, What? Podcast And SOOO much more!⁠ If you want to follow Brooke’s journey you can do so at @brookehoskin [https://www.instagram.com/brookehoskin/] and check out her podcast at @theimsorrywhatpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/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 it * Dealing with other people’s negative opinions * Should you post your prep on social media * Stage nerves * Incorporating 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 around * Overcoming binge eating and how she prevented it post show * Mindful vs. mindless eating and activities * Techniques for mindful eating * Dangers of ‘scarcity’ mindset * Sarah’s ‘Queen of Cheat Meals’ Instagram and the importance of making food an enjoyable experience And SOOO much more!⁠ If you want to follow Sarah’s journey you can do so at https://www.instagram.com/sarahcollierpt/ [https://www.instagram.com/sarahcollierpt/] and of course drool over her foodie page at https://www.instagram.com/queenofcheatmeals/ [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 journey * Where to look for inspiration * When you should plan and buy your bikini * How to choose the right colour (for you and your federation) * What to consider when choosing a cut * Best tops for natural and enhanced boobs * How to design couture bikinis and themewear * How much will it all cost me? * How to accessorise to perfection (shoes, jewellery etc) * Caring for your bikini and show day tips And 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 [https://www.instagram.com/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