Episode 423: Lies Coaches Tell You About Contest Prep

Is the "messy middle" actually where the magic happens? In this episode, Coach Sarah joins Fatima and Danika to discuss why lasting health and fitness rarely live in the extremes. They dive into breaking free from the all-or-nothing mindset, why balance can feel surprisingly uncomfortable, and how doing just enough to support your goals-while still fully living your life-is often the most sustainable path to success.

In this episode, our prep hosts are speaking to our MASTERS competitors!! In this special episode, Paul, Evan and Lexie break down all of the opportunities for Masters competitors to win a pro card, how it works AND how/if they coach their masters competitors differently. Topics such as recovery, training, nutrition, and MORE and how they apply to masters athletes specifically, are discussed. 

In today's episode, we get to learn all about Coach John Hansen. A very well respected bodybuilder, author, podcast host and a true example of the power of visualization. We discuss John's journey into bodybuilding and fitness, his many accomplishments as well as his epic interview opportunity with Arnold himself. This is one episode with many takeaways and inspiring moments to grab a hold of!

In this episode, our prep coaches break down some of the biggest myths and misconceptions surrounding contest prep. From the belief that you are eating TOO little to evoke fat loss or that you are doing too much cardio (or too little), they separate fact from fiction and explain what it really takes to achieve a successful prep.

In the episode we get to chat with Coach Priscilla all about her pregnancy and how things have been going so far. She discusses with us what she has been experiencing personally, the shift in her fitness routine and how she is fueling her body since finding out she was pregnant. This is her first pregnancy and she also shares with us how she is preparing for the weeks ahead. 

In this Q&A-focused episode, our prep hosts answer your offseason questions, discussing everything from how long you should stay out of prep to make REAL and noticeable progress, handling FOMO when not in prep, setting expectations for a successful improvement season, and much more. Whether you are in your offseason or in prep, this episode is for you!

In this episode Fatima and Danika are joined by Natalie Gianoglio, an Emotional Reguation Practitioner, Specialist Wellness Counselor and creator of The Anchored Self Method. Throughout this episode you will learn practical tools that will help you regulate and anchor your emotional self, draw better awareness to your emotions and learn ways YOU can personally express them productively. Natalie provides a wealth of knowledge about the nervous system and how we can better show up for this incredible part of our selves. Be prepared to take some good notes with this one! 

In this episode, our prep coaches dive into a topic they've been discussing frequently with athletes: how to know when it's the right time to make the switch from Bikini to Fit Model. As the Bikini division has evolved significantly over the past five years, many athletes who may have once been ideal Bikini competitors now align more closely with the Fit Model criteria. The coaches share how they navigate these conversations with their athletes, the factors they consider when making recommendations, and how to determine which division best suits an athlete's physique, goals, and long-term potential.

In this honest and impactful episode, our coaches discuss what happens when an athlete feels like they've "ruined" their post-show reverse diet. They dive into strategies they use with athletes, how to navigate setbacks, and practical ways to regain momentum when the reverse diet doesn't go according to plan.

Have you ever felt like everyone else is moving ahead while you're somehow falling behind? In this honest conversation, Fatima and Danika unpack the growing epidemic of feeling behind. We explore where these feelings may come from, the role comparison, social media, and societal expectations play, and how we can begin to challenge the timelines we've been taught to follow. We share where we personally feel we are behind and what we are doing to shift this mindset and use it as a tool for growth.  If you've ever questioned whether you're doing enough, achieving enough, or becoming enough, this episode is for you. You may be more on track than you think.