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Confessions of a Bikini Pro

Confessions of a Bikini Pro

Written by: Celeste Rains-Turk
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The Confessions of a Bikini Pro Podcast is the only place where IFBB Bikini Pros share their struggles, strategies, stories, insights, and advice in a real, raw, and vulnerable setting. Host, Celeste Rains-Turk, dives into the parts of these professionals' lives that aren't always openly discussed in the public eye or on social media (You know, the stuff we tend to wonder about the most). The goal of this podcast is to educate, inspire, and remind other competitors, athletes, or the average gym goer that even the most elite professionals face hardships, health problems, mental obstacles, and other adversities. There are a wide range of topics discussed including, but DEFINITELY NOT limited to; post show rebound, health complications, eating disorders, mental illnesses, winning mindset, dealing with losses, judges feedback, approaches to the stage, life outside of competing, money, relationships, philosophy, pursuing passions, and SO MUCH MORE! All show notes, links, and information can be found on www.celestial.fit/podcast Make sure to SUBSCRIBE, RATE, AND REVIEW THIS PODCAST if you LOVE it as much as we do so we can continue spreading the message to people worldwide! And be sure to follow https://www.instagram.com/celestial_fit/ too so you never miss an episode! Exercise & Fitness Fitness, Diet & Nutrition Hygiene & Healthy Living Psychology Psychology & Mental Health
Episodes
  • KASSIE ENRIQUEZ- Fit Model Pro

    KASSIE ENRIQUEZ- Fit Model Pro
    Oct 16 2026
    Today's guest is Kassie Enriquez, IFBB Fit Model Pro, online fitness coach, former in-person trainer, and someone who has been involved in competitive sports from a young age She grew up playing soccer and doing gymnastics before finding the gym at 16, eventually becoming an in-person trainer at 20 and later transitioning into online coaching with Team Fitbliss. Her bodybuilding journey started in 2022 when she stepped onstage for the first time at Wasatch Warrior, winning her Novice class and taking second in Open in the bikini division. She followed that with her first national experience at USA's, which she describes as a humbling experience that only made her want to work harder But In 2024, while preparing for a competition, this competitor was diagnosed with her second blood clot, which ultimately led to a diagnosis of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. She underwent surgery to have her first rib removed and was unable to train for several months. Two weeks before competing in 2025 at Cydney Gillon's Peach Classic she decided to give Fit Model a shot despite thinking she was going to do bikini She won her Open class, took runner-up overall, went to Jr. Nationals, won her class—and earned the Pro Card she'd been dreaming about proving that it was a great change for her. She's since completed her first Pro season, taking every piece of feedback, refining her physique and posing, and ultimately ending the season with her best look and best placing at the Gold's Gym Classic where she received a top 5 placing. WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/h3_SgWyfFKQ Competitive Experience and Preparation Rituals Celeste interviewed Kassie Enriquez about her competitive experience and preparation rituals. Kassie described her approach of "locking in" before competing and shifting from nerves to excitement, noting that more stage experience this year helped her refine her physique, posing, and overall performance. Kassie attributed her growth to practicing more frequently and using her own experiences to better coach her athletes in the fit model division. Fit Model vs Bikini Division Celeste and Kassie discussed the balance between attaining an attainable physique and promoting growth in the fit model division compared to bikini. Kassie shared her experience transitioning from bikini to fit model, noting that the fit model division allows for more achievable improvements without the same level of discomfort required in bikini. They acknowledged that while fit model may not require the same extreme leanness as bikini, it still demands significant effort and muscle development, with Kassie citing examples like Courtney King to illustrate the division's difficulty. Fitness Division Transition Discussion Kassie explained her decision to transition from the bikini division to fit model, citing her genetic physique that better suited fit model competition and the feedback she received about her muscle mass. She described the mental challenge of switching divisions after being committed to bikini, but found the transition validating as it allowed her to compete at a higher level while maintaining her natural physique. Celeste acknowledged the difficulty of admitting challenges while experiencing success, noting that many competitors face similar decisions about transitioning between divisions. Model Competition Switch Decision Kassie explained her decision to switch from bikini to fit model competition at the last minute, citing feedback from her team and her own assessment that she wasn't muscular enough for national bikini competition. She described her experience at USAs as humbling, noting she was smaller than competitors and placed in the last call-outs, which led her to take a couple of years off to intentionally build more muscle before returning to competition. Bodybuilding Journey and Transition Kassie discussed her journey into bodybuilding, starting as a college student who began competing during her final year while working as a personal trainer. She described how her first prep with coach Carrie Hennessy introduced her to the intensive nature of the sport, and how she later transitioned from client to coach with FitBliss. Kassie explained how she managed competing while getting married and moving across country by taking strategic time away from the stage, emphasizing that the sport can be integrated into life rather than taking over it completely. Blood Clot Recovery and Coaching Kassie discussed experiencing a second blood clot in 2024 during a bodybuilding prep, which required surgery to remove her first right rib due to thoracic outlet syndrome. The condition caused her to miss her competition that year, but she recovered within 6-8 months and returned to training with precautions. Kassie explained how she used the setback as an opportunity to focus more on coaching and exploring her new city, maintaining a positive mindset while continuing to prepare for future competitions. Athlete Timeline and ...
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • JAMIE ARICK

    JAMIE ARICK
    Sep 25 2026
    Today's guest is Jamie Arick, IFBB Bikini Pro, mom, wife, businesswoman, and someone whose life has taken her through some pretty unexpected chapters. She has a bachelor's degree in Business Management and 15 years of experience in sales and sales leadership, but she sees her most important roles as the ones she holds at home—as a mom to her 14-year-old son, Connor, and her 6-year-old stepdaughter, Oaklynn, and as a wife. She grew up playing volleyball and has always had an athletic side, but her bodybuilding journey didn't begin until 2023 when she stepped onstage for the first time at the Dexter Jackson Classic. Since then, she's experienced wins, setbacks, an offseason, a wedding, changes in coaching, motherhood, and the challenge of balancing a career and family with the demands of bodybuilding. And this year, after winning her Masters class and overall at the Nevada State, she headed to Masters Nationals in Pittsburgh after being one placing away from her pro card at universe and took it home in Pittsburgh . But there's a lot more to Jamie's story than bodybuilding. She's been open about navigating divorce as a young woman, being a single mom, aspects of her childhood, as well as more recently being diagnosed with depression. Quick recap This was a podcast interview between Celeste and Jamie Eric, an IFBB Bikini Pro who recently won her pro card at Master's Nationals in Pittsburgh after placing one spot away from her pro card at Universe. Jamie shared her journey from a single mother in her 20s to becoming a competitive bodybuilder, discussing how her athletic background in volleyball helped transition her mindset to competing. She explained how bodybuilding transformed her relationship with food and nutrition, moving from casual drinking and eating to a structured approach that improved her overall health. Jamie also discussed the impact on her family, particularly her husband who provides extensive support during competitions, and how her parents' initial skepticism about her chosen sport eventually turned into support after she achieved her goals. They discussed Jamie's journey from her childhood growing up in a Baptist preacher household to becoming a professional bodybuilder. Jamie shared how her parents' divorce and addiction issues didn't derail her successful career in sales and bodybuilding, explaining that both parents were intelligent and influential in positive ways despite the challenging circumstances. They discussed her brief marriage at 21 and subsequent divorce by 24, which she attributed to immaturity rather than her family background affecting her marriage outlook. Jamie described her role as a stepmom to her husband's 18-month-old daughter and later his 8-9 year old son, finding the transition seamless due to her previous experience with the younger child. The conversation covered Jamie's recent diagnosis of depression and how medication has significantly improved her mental health, leading her to publicly share her experience to help others recognize similar symptoms. They discussed her viral Instagram story about leaving a job due to her employer's wife being uncomfortable with her fitness content, where Jamie refused to make her account private, ultimately leading to her resignation. Jamie detailed her bodybuilding career progression, including her decision to leave her previous coach and join Fit Body Fusion, working with coach Drew for her pro preparation. She described her recent pro card win at Masters Nats after coming second at Universe, explaining how she used a "what if" mindset to convince herself to compete again despite her disappointment. The interview concluded with Jamie's current training focusing on glute development and her goals for pro competition, including potentially competing at the Tampa Pro show, while maintaining her active sponsorships with Global Formulas, Toxic Angels Bikinis, and Rogers Rice. Stage Preparation and Performance Routine Celeste interviewed Jamie Eric about her stage preparation routine. Jamie shared that her husband texts her encouraging messages before her shows, reminding her to think of performing as if it's just for him, which helps with her stage nerves. Jamie explained that her husband handles all aspects of her DIY protein routine and show logistics, reflecting his entrepreneurial mindset of striving to be the best at whatever endeavor they pursue. Evolution of Success Definition Jamie explained that her definition of success has evolved to focus on being able to share knowledge and learnings with others, particularly after achieving her pro card. She described how a specific Instagram post of figure competitor Lauren Calderoni inspired her decision to start competing in 2022, leading her to call her then-boyfriend (now husband) about pursuing the goal. The conversation ended with Celeste sharing her own experience playing volleyball as a setter. Volleyball to Bodybuilding Transition Insights Jamie discussed their ...
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    1 hr and 31 mins
  • Bipolar Disorder & Mental Health Advocacy- A feature episode with Fit model Pro Andria Brown

    Bipolar Disorder & Mental Health Advocacy- A feature episode with Fit model Pro Andria Brown
    Sep 11 2026
    This podcast episode featured Celeste and Andria discussing Andria's recent mental health crisis and hospitalization due to a manic episode related to her bipolar disorder. Andria shared how she experienced symptoms including insomnia, rapid speech, and loss of control, but was initially dismissed by healthcare providers who told her she wasn't "crazy enough" for a bipolar diagnosis. After seven days of escalating symptoms, she was hospitalized where she received proper treatment and was prescribed mood stabilizers, which she described as life-changing. Celeste, who has bipolar disorder type 2, provided professional insights about diagnosis processes, medication management, and the importance of advocating for oneself in mental health treatment. They discussed how bipolar disorder can present with both manic and depressive episodes, the challenges of managing medication while bodybuilding, and the stigma surrounding mental health conditions. The conversation emphasized that proper treatment and medication can significantly improve quality of life, though recovery is a ongoing journey that requires patience and self-compassion. Bipolar Disorder Diagnosis Experience Andria shared her experience with a manic episode that led to hospitalization, describing how she initially sought help from doctors who dismissed her concerns about bipolar disorder. Celeste, who has bipolar disorder herself, explained the differences between bipolar one and bipolar two, noting that Andria's experience with a full manic episode fits the diagnosis of bipolar one. Celeste also shared her own experience of how starting antidepressant medication triggered her hypomanic symptoms, which led to her bipolar diagnosis. Healthcare System Access Challenges Andria discussed feeling let down by the healthcare system when she was unable to get timely psychiatric care despite experiencing manic episodes and seeking help from doctors. She explained that while she received a psychiatric referral, she faced a 90-day wait time for appointments, which proved too late as she had already had a manic episode. Andria noted that being on a mood stabilizer has been life-changing for her, and she is now focusing on stabilizing other aspects of her life to address her mental health needs. Bipolar Disorder Experience Sharing Celeste and Andria discussed their experiences with bipolar disorder, sharing how they initially struggled to recognize and seek help for their condition due to societal misconceptions about how someone with bipolar should behave. Andria emphasized that bipolar is more common than people realize and can lead to brain damage and other serious health issues. Both women described how they had to recalibrate their motivation and approach to life after experiencing the negative effects of untreated bipolar, with Celeste noting that learning about family history helped her recognize the genetic component of the disorder and seek proper treatment. Bipolar Disorder Diagnosis Approaches Andria shared her experience of struggling with bipolar disorder from ages 18 to 23, describing how she "white knuckled" through manic episodes by telling herself she could manage the next day, but eventually needed hospitalization. Celeste discussed therapeutic approaches to diagnosis, explaining that therapists often start with the "least restrictive" diagnosis that allows for broad treatment options before narrowing down specific conditions. Celeste emphasized that diagnoses should focus on treatment rather than identity, noting that the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) criteria can sometimes prioritize statistics over individual symptoms and experiences. Mental Health Advocacy Discussion Celeste and Andria discussed the importance of advocating for oneself in mental health care, emphasizing that diagnoses can take time and encouraging individuals to persist in seeking appropriate treatment. Andria shared her personal experience with PTSD and depression, highlighting how she initially attributed symptoms to her existing diagnoses without seeking help from a psychiatrist. Both speakers stressed the value of seeking higher-level care, getting second opinions, and recognizing when additional support is needed, with Celeste noting that there is no shame in struggling with mental health challenges in today's demanding world. Bodybuilding Lifestyle and Mental Health Celeste and Andria discussed the importance of evaluating the sustainability of a bodybuilding lifestyle and addressing mental health challenges, including the impact of diagnoses and medication. Andria emphasized the value of seeking support, being vulnerable, and considering second opinions when dealing with health professionals. Celeste shared her experience with medication and its side effects, highlighting the need for careful monitoring and open communication with healthcare providers. Mental Health in Bodybuilding Celeste and Andria discussed the challenges of managing mental health ...
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    51 mins
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