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In this episode, we are answering our most asked questions from listeners and our social media audience! We discuss our favorite gym outfits, guilty pleasures, and favorite prep condiments and seasonings as well as answering you questions about booty growth and share our top tips for building glute muscles. We’ll cover the factors you should consider when determining the length of an improvement season, how to interpret judges feedback and the steps to earning an IFBB Pro Card.
We hope you enjoyed this episode and we would LOVE it if you would rate, subscribe, and leave us reviews on how much this podcast has helped you 💕 We’d love to hear from you about future topics you would like us to discuss so please leave us a comment or reach out to us with your questions and suggestions!
2024 NPC Universe LIVESTREAM Friday, July 5, 2024 → https://www.fitximagery.com/uls
Products mentioned in this episode
Mandy and Gillian’s Fave Crop Tops from Amazon →https://amzn.to/4ezsVFA
Other fave cute workout clothes from Amazon → https://amzn.to/4eDAzyJ
About Momshell Method Fitness:
We hope you enjoyed this episode and we would LOVE it if you would rate, subscribe, and leave us reviews on how much this podcast has helped you 💕 We’d love to hear from you about future topics you would like us to discuss so please leave us a comment or reach out to us with your questions and suggestions!
2024 NPC Universe LIVESTREAM Friday, July 5, 2024 → https://www.fitximagery.com/uls
Products mentioned in this episode
Mandy and Gillian’s Fave Crop Tops from Amazon →https://amzn.to/4ezsVFA
Other fave cute workout clothes from Amazon → https://amzn.to/4eDAzyJ
About Momshell Method Fitness:
Ready to embark on your fitness journey? We would love to help you reach any fitness goal from losing the baby weight to crushing your competition goals!
Follow this link to schedule a discovery call with one of our team members and learn how Momshell Method Fitness can provide you with the tools you need to be successful with customized nutrition and training plans for busy moms → http://bit.ly/loseweightgetsexy
Contact your hosts:
Mandy Rochon
Facebook: Mandy Rochon
Gillian Hughes, IFBB Bikini Pro
Facebook: Gillian Hughes
Mandy’s Posing Sessions
1:1 In Person (KC Posing Studio) → https://bit.ly/inpersonposingwithmandy
1:1 Virtual Posing → https://bit.ly/virtualposingwithmandy
Posing with Gillian Hughes, IFBB Bikini Pro
1:1 In Person (St Louis Posing Studio) → https://bit.ly/stlposingwithgillianifbbpro
1:1 Virtual Posing → https://bit.ly/virtualposingwithgillianifbbpro
Nuethyx Formulations Supplements →
(Use code “Momshell” to save 10% off your order)
Toxic Angelz Bikinis → https://toxicangelzbikinis.com
(Use code “GILLIAN” or code “MANDY” to save 15% off your order)
MISAJO Sports —> https://shopsiham.com/collections/workout
(Use code “GILLIAN10” to save 10% off your order)
Squeeze Me Skinny Waist Trainers → https://www.squeezmeskinny.com
(Use code “MOMSHELL” to save 10% off your order)
The Shoe Fairy competition heels → https://www.shoefairyofficial.com
(Use code “momshell” to save 15% off your order)
Labwork and Personalized Recommendations: Practitioner Depot: https://bit.ly/practitionerdepotxmomshell (Use code “momshell” to save 5% off your order)
Our Amazon storefront- fitness outfits, more supplements, beauty items and competition needs → https://amzn.to/46GL1nd
Creators and Guests
Host
What is Bikinis After Babies?
Bikinis After Babies is the one and only podcast where real moms talk about their bodybuilding contest experiences. We are sharing the inside scoop, the nitty-gritty, the hardships and the victories as we navigate the rigors of competition prep while juggling family and careers. We’ll be joined by IFBB bikini pros who share their incredible stories of managing many responsibilities as athletes while defying stereotypes as women who compete in bikinis after babies!
Whether you’re a new mom thinking about stepping on stage for the first time, or a mom looking for inspo and insight on how to manage contest prep as a busy mom, this podcast offers helpful tips and inspiring stories for moms with big goals!! Make sure to rate, subscribe, and leave us a review to let us know how much this podcast has helped you 💕
About Momshell Method Fitness:
Ready to embark on your fitness journey? We would love to help you reach any fitness goal from losing the baby weight to crushing your competition goals!
Follow this link to schedule a discovery call with one of our team members and learn how Momshell Method Fitness can provide you with the tools you need to be successful with customized nutrition and training plans for busy moms → http://bit.ly/loseweightgetsexy
Mandys Posing Sessions
1:1 In Person (KC Posing Studio) → https://bit.ly/inpersonposingwithmandy
1:1 Virtual Posing → https://bit.ly/virtualposingwithmandy
Posing with Gillian Hughes, IFBB Bikini Pro
1:1 In Person (St Louis Posing Studio) → https://bit.ly/stlposingwithgillianifbbpro
1:1 Virtual Posing → https://bit.ly/virtualposingwithgillianifbbpro
Contact your hosts:
Mandy Rochon
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mandyrochonfitness/
Facebook: Mandy Rochon
Gillian Hughes, IFBB Bikini Pro
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gillianhughes_momshell/
Facebook: Gillian Hughes
Momshell Method Fitness Supplements → https://www.momshell-method-fitness.myshopify.com
(Use code “BAB” to save 15% off your order)
Toxic Angelz Bikinis → https://toxicangelzbikinis.com
(Use code “GILLIAN” or code “MANDY” to save 15% off your order)
Squeeze Me Skinny Waist Trainers → https://www.squeezmeskinny.com
(Use code “MOMSHELL” to save 10% off your order)
The Shoe Fairy competition heels → https://www.shoefairyofficial.com
(Use code “momshell” to save 15% off your order)
Labwork and Personalized Recommendations: Practitioner Depot: https://bit.ly/practitionerdepotxmomshell (Use code “momshell” to save 5% off your order)
Our Amazon storefront- fitness outfits, more supplements, beauty items and competition needs → https://amzn.to/3zySJ4C
Mandy (00:00)
Hello everyone and welcome to another fantastic episode of Bikinis After Babies. Of course, I am one of your hosts, Mandi Rashad, here with your other beautiful blonde host, Gillian Hughes. How are you doing, Jillian?
Gillian (00:15)
I'm good. Thank you everybody for tuning in. It's lovely to see you Mandy, even though I got to see you in person this past weekend. And I'm excited about today's episode and just to share sort of a recap of what's been going on since we took last week off because I was traveling. And so we're back with a banger.
Mandy (00:34)
Mm -hmm.
Yes, it was so great to be able to see you this weekend. That restaurant was absolutely fantastic. I know, I swear you
Gillian (00:42)
I know. Do I know how to pick them or what? I really do. I love that place.
Mandy (00:51)
Jillian wanted to go to this restaurant whenever she came back from universe in So what universe was in New Jersey, New York and you flew back Saturday morning And so we went out to dinner Saturday night because I was in st Louis over the week for 4th of July weekend visiting family So Jillian sent me this restaurant, which what was it's called Geo's Geo's Italian Geo. Oh my god. I looked at the menu and I was like, oh I could pick like five things 500 things from here. So
Gillian (01:09)
It's called GEO. Yeah. -huh.
Yeah, it's so
And I have really just like this whole prep, like not really gone out to eat much, like in prior preps, like maybe taking more of like a flexible dieting approach, like, and going out to eat more, but just like we have been so busy this year with my husband's, you know, new career change and like all these things going on and just tons going. We just like have not been out to eat. And so it was, it's hard for me to choose sometimes cause I'm like, it really don't know. There's all these new places, but this is a place that we've gone to several times and it's so good and everything on the menu was amazing. So.
Mandy (01:21)
And then it was.
Gillian (01:50)
I am still thinking about it. So good.
Mandy (01:51)
I feel like it's so nice to, yeah, it's so nice to have those reliable places. Cause even like when you're deep in prep, it's nice to be able to have your food. Like we always talk about, know, have our food ready, reliable, easy to grab, easy to do. We're so busy running around all the time. So picking a place can be kind of difficult and having a place that you know, like here in Kansas city, it's Bristol. Like I know if I go to Bristol seafood, like.
Gillian (02:00)
Yeah.
we have that here. Yeah.
Mandy (02:15)
Yeah, I love them. They're so reliable and they're so good. So it's like, it's nice to have that. So you knew you were gonna get a good meal.
Gillian (02:20)
Yeah, I'm sort of the type of person like I just like I don't need to like try a bunch of different places because I would hate for like my one cheat mail to
suck. And that was kind of why I waited because we did think about staying in New York an extra day, but I was like, I mean, if we go home, I know exactly where I'll eat. Like I know, you know, I've got a short window of time to like enjoy some extra calories. Like there's nothing worse than going to like a restaurant and there's like just nothing that kind of scratches the itch. And you're just feeling like really like not satisfied. So it was like just amazing and just fun to hang out with you. I felt like we were on a date and then our husbands were on another date, like without us because like,
Mandy (02:30)
Yeah.
Yeah.
It was, so it was, well that and I didn't realize it until that morning but that was Erin's first time meeting you. I don't know why, I just was like, my gosh. So yeah, it was our husband's first time meeting and then I met Brian before last year for like our Christmas party. But no, it was, they had like their own little date and we had our date and it was super fun.
Gillian (02:59)
We were talking so much.
Yeah, yeah.
Yeah.
I know. It was so good. my gosh. I did have like wicked heartburn the next day though, just cause that was like a lot of like, just like it was rich. Like I don't really, I couldn't really eat much, you know, as much as I wanted to. was like, I'm stuffed. but yeah, it was, it was amazing. I've been dreaming about it pretty much ever since because we went right back into prep the next day. So we're in the trenches again, but that's okay.
Mandy (03:30)
Mm -hmm. It was...
It was.
Yeah. So, yeah, it's always okay. It's always, the grind is always, you get like that nice treat and you're like, but you're so ready for like to get right back at it. So let's talk about it. Let's talk about the big show, which I do want to say I just saw your reel from Gilco.
Gillian (03:51)
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Mandy (04:06)
My gosh, that is stunning. Like that's absolutely stunning. I honestly, like I saw that on Instagram and I was like, holy shit, Jillian.
Gillian (04:15)
It was, it's really cool footage that we got from, that show. Like, I mean, even when I opened it, I was like, is that me? Like, and I, I always, I will say, I like, I'm, this is something we've thought about doing a whole episode about. It's like social media because it is my bum. It's my body and I am a mother and I have children and you know, three of my five kids are on Instagram and a lot of their friends and stuff. And I'm like, it's my butt. Do I put it on Instagram? But I'm like, you know what? One day I'm going to be like 90.
Mandy (04:31)
Mm -hmm. Yeah.
Gillian (04:45)
old and I'm gonna be like look at how good I looked when I was in my 40s and also like I'm in my 40s right so I was like screw it I'm posting it and but yeah I mean just like I mean everybody was was there as far as like all of the photographers and it was just it was such I've done the show before and I I love the venue and I love I love everything about it it was it was just as magical you know what probably a little more magical this year because of all of the amazing people that I
that had listened to the podcast and followed my journey a little bit. yeah, it was a lot of fun. It really was. So.
Mandy (05:24)
Awesome, I bet. So let's talk about it though. So right after you were a DC show, you had a few weeks before going right into universe. So can you explain a few things that you did differently compared to the DC show to going into this show?
Gillian (05:32)
Yeah.
Yeah, so, feedback in DC was, just like, fuller glutes and, know, we had talked about kind of post, DC, like, you know, feeling like I had flattened out a little bit and that was like a night show. Like we didn't go on stage until like almost six o 'clock. so it, the whole thing was, was different. And like my season openers have always. Like I haven't come out with a bang and it's not like, it's not like, a hundred percent, like I am aiming for that to be, you know, my top conditioning, but it just sometimes takes
Mandy (05:59)
Mm -hmm.
Gillian (06:10)
a show in a peak week to kind of get.
that extra level of conditioning. then also like when you're at home by yourself, taking progress photos, like you're like, my God, I never looked better. Like I look amazing. I'm going to win, you know, and then you get on stage next to other people. And then you're like, okay, here's where I need to like make some improvements. So, that was really the purpose of that show. Like warm up to me didn't mean it wasn't important. It was a really important show. And I was able to like take my photos and everything in and see what I needed to work on. So posing was a big thing, keeping my glutes really high. and,
Mandy (06:23)
Mm -hmm.
Gillian (06:43)
and then just coming in a little bit tighter. And so we did that and, you know, a bit of a push like right away. And then I was kind of smooth sailing into the show. Felt really good. got to New York on Tuesday. The show was on Friday. and it was like my first experience having my coach like there, like I've had other coaches and had them at shows, but James had coached me like basically through the phone when I was in DC and then he was in there, he was in New York. so I got to pose with a few other athletes on the team and then we had a big group.
Mandy (07:07)
Yeah.
Gillian (07:13)
posing session and got to spend time with my posing coach. She was there doing some like final last details. And I think that gave me a lot of confidence to just kind of feeling like they thought I was ready and you know, they got, laid eyes on me and everything. So, so that felt really good. And, we had our check -ins were Thursday and I saw a few people that I was wearing the podcast t -shirt. So, and I did that on purpose cause I wanted to like people to recognize me because I think people don't realize I'm so short and,
Mandy (07:35)
I saw.
Gillian (07:43)
And because I could see people kind of like backstage, like like, that Jillian? Because I'm like sitting in this little chair, right? But so I wore it on purpose. so a few people did say, I love your podcast. I was like, thank you. Really? Thank you. So that was really fun. And, know, just lots of camaraderie and everybody was really sweet. then show day was great. I didn't even have like an absurd hair and makeup time. Like it was like six, like nothing crazy. And so I had my hair and makeup done by Team V with V, the makeup artist, and she was there. And
Mandy (07:44)
your kid size.
Mm -hmm.
Gillian (08:14)
all of her girls and she was already booked like I couldn't get on her schedule but she's amazing gave me a big hug and it was just so good to see her and the energy in the room is amazing and I loved my hair and makeup I loved how my whole look came together
So yeah, so we went into prejudging and you know, you get so nervous and at the last minute we heard Sandy wasn't there. Sandy, I don't want people to say Sandy isn't Judge Universe. She was at Universe two years ago when I did it. I like have a photo of her like in front of me on stage. and she was supposed to be at this show, but she had a water main break in her house, I think something like that. And so she wasn't able to make the trip. which is okay. Like, Tyler is a wonderful judge and Adela is a wonderful judge
Mandy (08:36)
Yeah.
Mm -hmm.
Gillian (08:59)
course, but Sandy specifically gave me some feedback at my last show and I was excited to like see if she like recognized me and like acknowledge that I had made progress, even though she sees like thousands of women all the time. There's probably no way that she would remember me, but still you in your head, you think, okay, well I was asked to improve. She is. Yeah, she really is. So, so yeah, so I was like, that's, that's okay. That's fine. It doesn't matter. And then when they started lining us up, I saw, the, the girl who
Mandy (09:08)
Sure.
She's really good at remembering people though. Yeah,
Gillian (09:29)
won the 40 bikini in DC and won the master's overall was in my class. And I wasn't like, I wasn't like disappointed, but I was like, I know she's so good. Like she's damn near untouchable. Like she is. And, um, Koa, we're talking about you. I love you girl. Um, cause we've been chatting, we've been chatting on Instagram and, um, and she is, and so just the total package, you know? And so I was like, Oh no. And then when I
Mandy (09:36)
yeah.
Gillian (09:59)
to look around I was like this is this is not about just a pro card like how cool is it that I'm even here there's 17 girls in my class I will just be happy to get first call out 17 girls like was it 17 or 18 was it was it was 17 it was 17 yeah 17 girls and 40
Mandy (10:16)
I think it was, you were 17.
Gillian (10:21)
like so many. so, you know, and I'm, and I could see girls that I had seen, you know, in prior years that had done well. And I was like, just Jillian, just get out there and just do what you do. Have fun, leave it in the judge's hands. You know, you don't, it's not over if you don't win your pro card. So, so went out there, nailed the posing routine, which I got to tell you, and everybody probably feels the same way when you get that individual routine done. It, just feels like a huge sigh of relief.
Like we, you know, we did it initially, did group. Yes, we did group comparisons. was a group of nine and then a group of eight. And so we did that run around backstage and then individual comparisons. And there was 17 of us. So that kind of gave me time to like, my, like my breathing under control and you know, nailed the routine, which felt good. Um, and then they lined us up and it was two big, huge, long lines. And I'm like,
Mandy (10:53)
It's like I did it.
Gillian (11:16)
please just let me be in first call out. And I was the second number they called. So that was really exciting. And then I was moved to the third place spot. And I knew, like, you kind of don't know where you are on stage, but I knew where the box was and I started in it and moved over a spot. So I was like, I don't know, am I second or am third or am fourth? I'm in first call out, it's all I know. And so.
Mandy (11:39)
And sometimes they do move you around because they want to, they just like look at like people next to each other and sometimes they might move you again. So even though you feel like you're in second or third, you could be in fifth or sixth or you could be in like the spot where fifth and sixth are, but really your second, third. Like sometimes they'll do that. And I, it's like, it can throw you off cause you're like, okay, well I don't, you know, I kind of feel defeated in that millisecond moment, but it's like, you can't feel that way. Cause you don't really know. It's not.
Gillian (11:44)
Yeah.
Yeah.
And it's not final. Yeah, like the way the scoring works, like, you know, the head judge doesn't score, they throw out the high and the low, and then you're left with, you know, everybody else. So I was like, that looks like where I am, but also I think it was like an even number. I think there was eight girls. So then it was kind of like, you know, the two girls were splitting center, first and second, and I wasn't splitting with either of them. So.
Mandy (12:13)
Mm -hmm.
Gillian (12:28)
And I knew Koa was going to win because she brought it and she's just got an incredible package and she was flawless. So I get off stage and all of us in First Call are jumping up and down like, yeah, we got First Call out. So cool, right? Everybody's so happy for everybody. And then I go backstage and grab my stuff and I can see my husband peeking through the curtain. He's so scared I'm going to be upset. He's like,
Mandy (12:45)
Yeah.
Gillian (12:56)
You know, he knows I'm coming out soon. Like, she upset? Is she like, you know, because I, I went there to, know, to try to win and get my pro card, but I was, I'm okay. Like, and I called you first and I told you that I'm okay. Like, I'm not sad. Like, you know, when you look at the competition, I mean, and I think the B class had like 22 girls,
Mandy (12:58)
Mm -hmm.
to win.
Gillian (13:15)
Every class was so big. Everybody looked competitive. you know, Koa and I, when we were talking the other day, just like, you know, thinking about the people that didn't get first call out, that had won shows and like that had done well here before. you know, I can't be sad about third place when there's people who didn't even get a medal. Right. So, you know, it just put it all into perspective. And obviously my goal was to to win and get my pro card. But, you know, being close doesn't really suck. So.
And yeah, so finals was fast. Like, prejudging was hours. Like, I mean, I was done and back in my room probably like by noon or one maybe. But like all of the open competitors.
Mandy (13:54)
Prejudging was so long. Yeah, cause you, so, yeah, I watched your, I watched the live feed from start to you. And then once you were done, I like, I had to go, but I think it started at like nine. And so it started at 10 and you guys are an hour ahead. And I watched it up until 1130, like our time. So, or 11 our time, and then you were done. So it'd been like noonish.
Gillian (14:15)
Yeah. Yeah, it was like 12, 12, 30. And it went on the rest of the afternoon. Finals was supposed to start at 5 p .m. and they were still doing prejudging. So I got all ready to go down at five and I was like, I'm not going down. And wellness was first. But then at finals, ended up starting, I think they ended up starting the show at six, like an hour later, the judges just took a quick break. And then we didn't do any routines at finals. They just pulled out the top five and then they put.
Mandy (14:32)
hahaha
Gillian (14:43)
everybody else on the stage and they all just stepped forward when they said their name and then exited the stage. And then we just, they announced us, we wave, we did front pose and wave and then wait on the side. And then, you know, we got our placings and I got third, which I was really happy with. And then, you know, after the show, Tyler was backstage and there wasn't a huge lineup. So like all of us from team Atlas like went and talked to him and I got some really good
feedback, which was really helpful, just, you know, tighter glutes. But he said, he said to me, said, you've definitely improved. And he said, thank you. So that meant a lot because because I think so, too. But you always hope like you improved enough that they notice it. Right. So, yeah. So just overall, like it was an incredible experience. Like I'm so and it was smooth. Everything about it. Tan was perfect. Hair was perfect.
Mandy (15:21)
So he remembered you. Yeah.
Gillian (15:42)
everything like nothing weird happened with my body, like nothing happened weird with the flight. Like everything was like really, really smooth. So overall, like just an amazing experience and, and, and yeah, I got some great like photos and video from Gilco. So definitely if you're doing a national show and he's there, spend the money, honestly spend the money because you're never going to get, so nice. Yeah.
Mandy (15:49)
Really smooth.
Pay for it. He's a really nice guy too, cause he was at Clash. He's a really nice guy. He's super sweet.
Gillian (16:12)
And like they have a, you know, like, like drones going around and stuff. It's very high tech. mean, and, and quick. mean, I competed Friday and I got everything back already. Like I've done photo shoots where I don't get pictures for like four months. Like I got everything back already. So, so yeah, so overall, you know, just have a lot of thoughts about my next move and, you
Mandy (16:16)
Mm -hmm
right?
Gillian (16:39)
goals and trying to get my head in a place where, well, my head's in a good place. I think I'm just getting tired of the thought of all of it because there was a long stretch between DC and universe. Yeah, yeah. And I think as much as the training and the diet can be exhausting, think it's just, there's not a minute of each day that I'm not thinking about this.
Mandy (16:50)
Yeah, it's mentally a lot.
Yeah.
Gillian (17:07)
And that's, but when you're passionate about something, like I'm sure, you know, anybody that's working towards something that's really important and feels the same way, like of course I'm present with my, my family and my friends and all that stuff, but like, this is something that is, you know, each day I'm getting one day closer, you know, I'm competing again next, next Saturday at masters nationals. And, and I think that part of it, I'm ready for a little bit of a break from of just kind of like, you know, thinking about executing all of this all over again.
It's a tall order to get everything to come together perfectly and to feel good and not, mean, we're human beings, like we can make mistakes, like our bodies can, you know, just get tired. And so it's that part is kind of like, I'm ready just for like, be able to breathe and, you know, but then sad to think about it being done.
Mandy (17:53)
It is, and when we, yeah. And it's hard to explain to people. Like it's hard to explain to family because it's not that you're complaining. It's not that you're like, I'm just really like mentally tired. But people will think it's complaining. And like it was, it's interesting because like a really great way to explain it is like I was at the gym this morning talking to one of our, one of my like gym buddies and she, I've competed alongside her. She's a figure competitor. And I was talking
you still prep your food. It's nothing to do with eating the food. It's nothing to do with the gym time. It's this mental load that, it's the constant thinking about it. So like last night, I watched a movie with my husband and we're sitting there and we're like, oh, well, you know, it's only 8 .30 and now like, I'm not thinking about, oh, do I need to pose? Do I need to stretch? And it's not that it's a burden. I love it. Like I love doing it, but I don't have to prioritize that right now. So instead we went for a bike ride.
Gillian (18:26)
Yeah... No.
Mandy (18:48)
And it's like, I actually have like energy and the mental, like, you know, kind of nothing really going on. Like, let's go on a bike ride. It's just different. Did I still prep all my food? Did I still go to the gym? Did I still do all my workouts? Did everything, you know, it's, it's hard to explain that to people. It's a, it's a mental wear and tear over time. When you go into a lifestyle and an off season, it gets that mental wear and tear is less. It's not that the work you're putting in is less. It's the mental
Gillian (19:03)
Yeah.
Mandy (19:17)
processes less, so you have more energy. Does that make sense? I don't know. I was like deep in thought last night about this.
Gillian (19:19)
Yeah.
Yeah, just the, I think the pressure, no, that you, you're spot on. That's exactly it. Like it feels like pressure kind of, kind of, but it also, nobody really gives a shit. Like it's not like, you know, the, the, the fate of the world is relying on my, on this outcome. But you know, at this point I've invested so much time into this and I'm so close and everything's important, you know, water intake, rest, recovery, stretch, pose.
pack to fly again. This is my third flying trip to a show and just details and executing all of that and then showing up and bringing your best. It is pretty miraculous. When you think about the girl who won that show, she's the best out of 500 girls and then all the girls that didn't even qualify. it's like, while this is something that anybody can participate in, as you
moving forward and your goals move to the next goal. Like, you your first goal is like, just get out there and do it one time. Then your goal is to qualify for nationals. Then your goal is to go to nationals and your goal is to get a pro card. Like the stakes just keep rising and the pressure can really like get to people. And I think that's probably where people do start to wig out and you know, either they're, and I feel like I have so much support. So I think years ago, I probably did get more in my head and
you know, maybe have more tendencies to overeat and stuff. But now I'm surrounded by like all of these amazing people I've connected with. have you and you know, like just so many people that I can, I can talk to about the way that I'm feeling and that, it doesn't feel crazy. Cause if I was the only one competing and I'm trying to get my neighbors to understand, you know, that I'm worried about my ham, glute tie in and you know, all these things, they're like, why does it even matter? Like, so, so yeah, I think just, just to kind of
Mandy (21:15)
Right.
Gillian (21:18)
You know, just take a breather from thinking about that so much. And yeah, I mean, I'm still going to be at the gym like the next day and I'm still going to eat all the same foods, just more of it. just, you know, but then I'm sad to, I'm sad to think about it being done too, because, you know, you wake up and take photos and you're like, wow, like so cool. Like watching your body change, like even how much my body's changed since Sunday, cause Sunday morning, like I felt really swollen, but I looked
Mandy (21:27)
Mm -hmm.
Gillian (21:48)
I was jacked, you know, cause I'm real little. And so I was so bubbly from all the sodium and everything. And just to see my body change from Sunday to today, which is Wednesday, like it's like, this is really neat. Like it's really cool, but you know, I don't know. I'm sad that, but you can't keep going forever. I, and I really can't like masters nationals is July 20th. And then we leave for our family vacation, July 28th. So, and I, as much as I'll again,
Mandy (21:53)
Mm -hmm
Mm -mm.
Gillian (22:15)
be able to stay on my reverse and go to the gym and stuff while I'm there, it's not gonna be the time to be grinding out the last bit of this prep to be able to get on stage at the end of August at North American. So it is the end of the road for me this season in two weeks. So less than two weeks now, week and a half. So yeah, we're gonna throw the kitchen sink at it and see what happens, but it's gonna be different judges, it's gonna be different girls.
Mandy (22:35)
It's still close.
Is Tyler gonna be there? I know Sandy's gonna be
Gillian (22:47)
Yeah, yeah, they like, usually they judge all these together. But yeah, she'll be there and.
Mandy (22:53)
So do you think that you're gonna do relative, since the universe show, like your peak week, your show, everything was really, really smooth, do you think that, or your plan, I should say, is going to be similar to going into this show?
Gillian (23:11)
Yeah, yeah, I don't think it's smart to like change too many things. so, and that's the other thing you've got to be real careful you don't overthink and overanalyze because you're ready or you're not. And some of these little like tricks and stuff that people like try to throw in there at the last minute, sometimes like will make you look worse. So I'm not gonna do anything dramatically different with my peak week, but for this week, like just trying to like maybe drop a couple of pounds because
Mandy (23:19)
Mm -hmm.
Gillian (23:39)
of me being in the A class and you the girls are really itty -bitty like and I'm really small but there are girls in my class that are four foot eight four foot nine you know and so they're naturally that their hips are really tiny so just come in a little bit tighter you can always be tighter but then especially when I saw like my body in high def in slow motion high def nonetheless
Mandy (23:58)
Yeah, he slowed it down. That was so, it seriously is so cool. I'm sitting here just watching you like move in slow -mo.
Gillian (24:01)
Isn't that crazy? Like, I'm just, it's cool
When I opened it, I was like this. Like, I'm like, okay, okay, it's good. It's good. It's so I know it's the former fat girl in me. Like I think just because I battled my weight for so long and you know, I have had, you know, just quite a journey with my body. Like I'm still just kind of like, look, okay. mean, girl, you got third, but yes, you've looked fine. Like stop freaking out. But you know, still you're kind of like you pick yourself apart. And then I think
Mandy (24:13)
It's weird how we're like that too.
my god.
The pine
Gillian (24:37)
I think that's what's hard too is like, you know, you, take the feedback and you're like, well, I wasn't good enough, but then you're like, well, yeah, like you should be really happy about that placing, you know, and, and I know that, you
Mandy (24:50)
You know, it's so it, you know, with this sport, though, I don't I was just thinking about that the good enough like in this sport, we were never good enough. And that's OK. That's the that's the part of it, because even when you're first, like you're good enough to win a show. But now you have to be better to win
a national show and better to win a pro show. Like you're never actually good enough. And it's interesting to think that because in our like, in the regular world, that's terrible. That's absolutely terrible. It's insulting or offensive. But in this world, it's like, no, it's feedback. It's criticism. Like in a good way, it's like critiquing you. And you're like, how can I be better? And what's neat is we take that into our normal life. It's like, okay, well, how can we be better in business? Yeah, I'm good enough for this moment, but how can I be better? And that's
Gillian (25:10)
Yeah.
Yeah. yeah. Yeah.
Mandy (25:37)
something great that people take away from this sport. So I was just thinking that when you said, know, it's. Mm hmm.
Gillian (25:41)
You have to remove the emotion. Remember when Amber was on and that was something that she said, like, you have to remove the emotion from the feedback, which is really hard because as a woman, like our looks and all those things are things that we can be quite sensitive about. And so you're basically like, how did I look? And then you're going to have somebody tell you the things that are wrong with you.
Mandy (25:48)
Yeah.
Mm -hmm.
Gillian (26:05)
That's what we signed up for. Like there's nothing wrong with that. That is literally the sport. It's body, your body is on display, right? Like you're not judged on how many hours you spent doing the things that you do and all the adverse you had to overcome and all the kids you had to take care of and all the shit that went on in your life before you, none of that matters. This is all they have to go off of and that's what we signed up for. So I think it does take a really strong person to not be like, take that feedback and feel
Mandy (26:11)
Yep, it's a physique sport.
or how much you weigh.
Gillian (26:35)
really bad about it. And then, you know, of course there's millions of photos taken of you. Like there's some photos in the reel that like Gilco also sent like 25 photos and some of them my tummy's not sucked in. I'm in transition and my glutes dropped and whatever. And I'm like, okay, that's a, that's a little shot of a camera. It doesn't mean, you know, I mean, who doesn't have a photo that, you know, isn't the most flattering angle, right? But, and the judges are seeing you in
Mandy (26:58)
Yeah.
Gillian (27:01)
in your front post, but yeah, they see it all. see every transition. You know, they're obviously not freezing on you in transition, but so yeah, a lot of that can really make noise in your head. So I think that's kind of what the first couple of days back were like for me, just kind of sorting through some of that and being like, get over it and then, you know, move forward and, and not go too far with the feedback and try to come in like, you know, a stick. did that years ago. had three weeks in between universe and masters nationals.
Mandy (27:07)
Mm -hmm.
Gillian (27:27)
a couple years ago and I mean, I ran my body into the ground and I showed up with like very skinny stick legs and you know, and I landed up getting second that year. So it was not the worst thing, but I also didn't feel great. You know, I didn't feel confident. didn't enjoy it. I was ready to be done. You don't feel that way this time. Like I'm actually sad thinking about it being done because I've had so much fun, but I also know
Mandy (27:42)
Yeah.
Gillian (27:54)
with our podcast and then with all of our clients competing and other things that now I have time to do other things. So that opens the door for other opportunities in the industry that aren't just competing. So I'm excited about those possibilities. And then it just depends what happens at Masters Nationals, what my next steps are. There's two different paths, very, very different paths as far as what that looks like. So we'll just see. Obviously the goal would be.
to win and get my pro card. But you know, I'm also prepared for the girl who got second to show up and bring it, which who doesn't? Everybody brings it. Like nobody's gonna show up and like have eaten a bunch of Cheetos every day for the next two weeks. Everybody's gonna bring their best. So.
Mandy (28:37)
But you don't know. That's what's crazy is you don't, God, you don't know. Sometimes, like you said, it gets in people's heads. not that girl that came, I don't know, obviously, the show scenario, but just in general. The girl that came in second or the girl that won overall. I've seen it so much being an expediter. I've seen girls that have taken large shows, won an overall in large shows and now doesn't even place in their open classes.
Gillian (28:43)
You don't know. I know.
Mandy (29:07)
crazy what you can do with time that you're given. Like you can either push yourself and challenge yourself and get yourself to the next show, or you can sabotage yourself and just mentally be like, it's okay to have a bite of Cheetos and then a bag of Cheetos and a bag of cookies and this and that, and then you're just blown. like why spend thousands of dollars going to a pro qualifying show?
Gillian (29:29)
Yeah.
I feel like, I don't know, guess I feel like at this, at this level, I don't know that anybody really, anybody who's competing so hard for the win. don't think that those things happen. mean, of course we're all human beings, but I think like, you know, I think the stakes are pretty high and it's a huge investment of time and money. so, you know, I think the only thing that I'll say what's interesting about this sport and we've seen it at the pro level,
Mandy (29:46)
Mm -hmm
Gillian (30:03)
You can have two girls like on one Saturday compete and the next week the placing looks like this and they look exactly the same. And then the judges will be different. The other competitors will be different. And nothing's different, but it's just that day they were one and two, the next week they were two and one because when it's so close, it's like tiny, tiny little things, right? So, and it is a sport of like subjectivity. So,
Mandy (30:28)
Mm -hmm.
Gillian (30:33)
the panel that is looking at you, you know, they're just looking at you based on kind of what, the way they judge. So, yeah, nothing is guaranteed and, you know, I feel good about it. And I'm also like, I'm aware there's people which are gonna be showing up that I haven't competed against this year. Also the age splits are different. So there's 40 to 45, 45 to 50. But I would say most people do more than one class. I feel like I'm the only person who just does one.
I just can't be bothered. Yes.
Mandy (31:02)
But it is really spread out. Like it is super spread out. Kinda like you were talking about how it's just like different. But everybody is different. So, I mean, some people wanna do that and have like try to get as best as they can. Yeah.
Gillian (31:11)
It's just a lot for me. also think what would hurt me is, you if I go out in 40 and I do my comparison round and then I get to do my routine. And then when I go out in 35, I've already done my routine. I just had the comparison round to get noticed. And as the ages tend to go down, the classes get bigger and bigger. So I'm just kind of like, didn't, wouldn't get to do my routine again to show them what I've got.
and they have to try to go off of like what they saw two hours before. it's just, and it's a lot. I just throw everything into that one class. It's really, really important. And, you know, so I don't do the other classes, but I have seen where girls have done, you know, the 45, the 40, you know, the 35, all A classes. So, but then I've also seen where people stayed out of the 40, just at the 45. So, so I don't, and I don't know what everyone's age is because we're 40 to 49 at universe. So I don't know, but also, you know,
I want everybody to have a great experience and bring it and I want to bring my best and I want everyone to bring their best and then the best of the best wins, right? So yeah, I don't know. I'm just, just gotta get there. I leave next Thursday, so I have like eight more days here before we just turn around and do it again. Like I literally just put everything in the washer and dryer and then put it all back in my suitcase. Like all the sheets and the tanning clothes and I just kept everything packed.
Mandy (32:30)
It goes by so fast.
Mm -hmm.
Gillian (32:38)
Yeah. It is, I think.
Mandy (32:39)
It's so exciting. So, so few questions that I think would be very helpful for some people listening. Rather, you know, we're already what, halfway through the year, so a lot of shows have already been going on. There's a lot of women that are qualified now to go to a pro -qualifying show, and they're either new to going to a pro -qualifying show stage, or they're, you know, thinking about going. So what is one thing that you think is so important
getting ready to go to a bigger stage.
Gillian (33:11)
Well, I
Mandy (33:12)
If you can name like one thing, I'm gonna challenge you. What do you think's the most important thing?
Gillian (33:18)
presentation.
You cannot show up at a higher level show, whether it's a regional show that is just known to be prestigious. There's so many, so I hate to even rattle off names, because I don't want to leave anybody out. for example, Clash and the NorCal, DC, these big regional shows where you get
you know, like top talent, like going there, like bring your, bring the best, the, the posing on point suit on point makeup on point, like your presentation is such a huge piece of your score. So I think that that is a really important thing that needs to like, you need to pay attention to like going out on a national stage and you know, not knowing your poses and you know, your hair isn't done. Like those are just like, those are just mistakes that like you
you don't want to make. And that's really, really important. so I don't know that is kind of what you, what you were asking, but I think those are important details, but I think that just comes with like experience and then also having an experienced coach that can like make sure that you do look polished because, cause it's to stand out on the national stage, you have to have the right amount of conditioning. Like that's what gets you into first call outs, like having the right amount of conditioning,
What will keep you out of first call outs is those things that I mentioned, you know, bad tan. Yeah, like bad posing, you know, doing goofy stuff that they don't want to see, like crossing your suit at the neck or wearing like orange bracelets. Like that's just not, you know, they don't want, they don't want to see that. They want to see, you know, that level. So those are just things to consider if you're moving from like smaller show to
Mandy (34:52)
presentation conditioning.
Gillian (35:14)
know a bigger stage or a national stage that presentation piece and honestly I'm not saying you have to like drop a million dollars on it like we're so fortunate and that all of this stuff is like online we have perfect examples of what to do just look at any pro show and be like okay that's the bracelet okay this is I'm gonna have my hair done okay this is how I'm gonna pose like you definitely want to hire a posing coach but you could probably if you spend the time you know and watch all the videos and rehearse until your feet fall off you could really pick all this stuff up on your own but
That stuff is really, really important. Yeah, there is.
Mandy (35:44)
There's so much information out there. Like to get, especially now, like it's not like, and we're not talking about going on social media and like comparing yourself to like photos on social media. We're talking about like go to npcnewsonline .com, go on YouTube and see like the posing videos, go look at, you know, Miss Olympia, go look at, you know, the last show that was like a big show, like DC Clash, like different shows like that. Go look at huge shows and see
Gillian (35:55)
No.
Mandy (36:12)
Okay, what are they doing? And like, what do I need to do? And it's like that. It's like, hey, you book your hair and makeup and you say, want my hair and makeup to look like this. There you go. These are the jewelry pieces. I'm gonna order those stories. Like don't try to do something off the wall because you think that it's going to look good. At the end of the day, it's not what you think looks good. It's what the judges are gonna think looks good and what's winning that year.
Gillian (36:38)
Right. Yeah, I think that's well. And if you think too, at these pro shows or the pro qualifiers, like they're selecting like pros to represent the IFBB. Right. So, you know, while it's great to stand out, like you don't want to stand out for the wrong reasons. And, you know, you just, you know, you know what the standard is. It's not a secret. So I think, yeah, I think pouring time into your presentation is really important. Obviously, you have to have, you know,
Mandy (36:55)
Mm -hmm.
Gillian (37:08)
shape and the condition and the muscularity all that stuff that's you know part of the division but I definitely see people that you know just don't think that's as important and it and it really is like the the beauty piece of it and it is in all the women's divisions in figure in women's physique and wellness like you know that is that's the girly part of it so you know and it's it's quite nice to have your hair and makeup done like it
Mandy (37:19)
Mm -hmm.
Gillian (37:32)
You know, I did my own for DC and having mine done for, universe was just like, I didn't expend any energy. Just sat there. It was like so wonderful. And they did such a great job. Like I didn't even have to touch it up. Yeah. It
Mandy (37:32)
It is.
Well, and you know, yeah, you know they're going to do a great job because you've done them before. You've used them before and you've seen their work. So like that's also what's really nice is you use like a reputable like company to be able to do that. So it is it is well at your D. So yeah, rinse and go again. No, I was just going to. I was going to say at your DC show, what what do you think?
Gillian (37:53)
Yeah. Yeah. So yeah, we just rinse. What? Yeah. Rinse and repeat. Yep.
Mandy (38:10)
I feel like I already know the answer to this though. I don't know. I feel like the answer is obvious. I was gonna say, what do you think's the most memorable moment? And I wanna say it was probably when you got the second number called for a top five. But is that the answer? What do you, was that the?
Gillian (38:24)
Yeah, yeah, think it, yeah, definitely like, because I think I was in my head a bit after DC because I was like, well, I just got fourth. So like, should I even go to nationals? Like I even had like a call with James and I was like, should I even bother? Like maybe I need more time. And he's like, what are you talking about? That's crazy. And I'm like, well, I mean, but looking at it, DC had one 40 class. was all different heights. And there was a lot of things that, that
was able to perfect, feel like I didn't bring my best to DC. I felt like I brought my best to universe, but I feel like I'm going to bring even better in two weeks because of the things that, you know, I've, I've analyzed from universe. So yeah, definitely getting in, like getting called for first call at nationals, like there's just nothing like it. Like nobody can say that sucks. That's just an amazing, it's confirmation of like, okay, like I am, I belong like up here, you know,
Mandy (39:08)
Mm -hmm.
Gillian (39:23)
So, that was a really cool feeling. And I don't even think it sucked. I looked at the video and I'm not smiling. And I think it's just because I'm battling. Like, I'm not smiling in the first call out. I wasn't, and Brian was like, I noticed you weren't smiling. I think I was just so serious. I wasn't upset at all. you know, because I also know...
Mandy (39:24)
Yeah.
I thought you were a smiley.
Mm. Mm -hmm.
Gillian (39:48)
how the scoring's going and I don't really know where I am on stage. Oh, it's like a matter of like literally 90 seconds anyways. You don't have a lot of time to think about anything, but you are really like, look at me, look at me. Like you really are trying to make sure. And I'm also looking over at my coach who's sitting, you know, in the audience, making sure that I'm, you know, hitting my poses. Cause he was able to give me cues, like a little sign language. And so there's a lot going on. Um, but I wasn't even upset because again, I was just so happy.
Mandy (39:53)
Mm -hmm
Mm -hmm.
Gillian (40:15)
to be in that first call out. Cause it had again, two years since I've been to a national show and I'm looking around and everybody looks good. And I'm just like, okay, like this, this feels really good. So no, I did not reach my goal, but in a lot of ways I, I, I reached several other goals and you know, and I'd said to you the night before, like it's, this is, this is bigger than a pro card. This whole thing, you know, it, can't just be about that because then everything that I've endured over the last like,
Mandy (40:32)
Yeah.
Mm -hmm
Gillian (40:43)
you nine months since I started prepping, like all that would just be like, I don't want to feel like it's for nothing because I didn't like reach that goal, right? But yeah, I mean, I'll get there one day.
Mandy (40:57)
Well, and I feel like you touched on this massive longevity in the sport, because like you are bikini dinosaur. But it's not just because you're you're you're longevity in the sport isn't just because you're a competitor. And I talked to a lot of girls who are like, I, I see that you do all this stuff and I want to do it. And it's like, I feel like when you are in this community and you realize like how great of people there are in this community, you want to
more. And you just take these little pieces like, so then you start figuring out like, yeah, I'm a competitor. I'm an athlete. Yes, I want a pro card. Like I'm going to work my ass off to get that pro card. And, over the course of that progression, as you like go into other avenues of this sport and the community of bodybuilding, rather, you're a coach, a podcast host, a vendor of a supplement company, a fitness model, a broadcaster, whatever it is, like you start kind of going into these little niches, you learn, you're like, this is just as it's
Big goal, but it's a small piece of like this puzzle that like is a part is you like your life and that's it's there's so much other stuff It's like bigger than it, you know and it's and that's what me I feel like helps us be in the sport for a length of time because you're right like Staying in the condition to be you know on stage. It's not realistic I I had a girl message me I think like a week or so ago as I've been like reversing and going into my like, you know lifestyle improvement season
Gillian (42:02)
Yeah.
Yeah.
Mandy (42:27)
It's about cardio, but it was just about like how much cardio we do when we're kind of getting into like peak week and going into peak week and getting stage lean and it's like keeping that leanness and that lower percentage of body fat like we're not like our bodies don't Want to do that and for us to make our bodies do that shit's gonna go wrong like over time It may not happen over a day or a week But shit's gonna start happening to you like whether it's sleep whether it's your brain whether it's your body recovery Our bodies don't want to be in that massive
Deficit and to be out of it, but still be in the sport There's so much you can do while you're growing lean muscle tissue while you're learning your craft, right? You're practicing posing, you know all this stuff and it's just the fact that you have done that and you're you know, like you said the night before you're like This is so much bigger than it is like, you know, it just validates you belong there like you're you know
Gillian (43:15)
Yeah.
Well, I think like, thank you. I appreciate that. I think what like can make it hard is like, if you look at every sport, they have an off season. Like the NFL doesn't have games all year. The NBA, the MLB, right? They have off seasons. Bodybuilding happens to start in the beginning of year and go till the end of the year. It doesn't mean we need to be in it the entire year.
Mandy (43:34)
Mm -hmm.
Gillian (43:45)
Right? So you just have to treat it like you're sort of like you're an athlete, you're in your in season, you're in your off season. Every sport has an off season. It's just that everyone's off season is going to be different timing. Right. So if you treat it that way, then, you know, the sense of FOMO or feeling like, you know, you're not in it because you're not on stage. Well, you can't be on every stage. You can't be at every show. And and it's not about that. You know, you have to like have a lifestyle
Mandy (43:56)
Mm -hmm.
Gillian (44:11)
this is just a piece of it. Like, okay, I train and this is the way I eat and this is how I do all, this is how I live my life. And then like, I do these things like, know, a couple of times a year or every two years or whatever it might be. So I think that that's what some people kind of like lose sight of that off seasons are necessary in every sport, you know? So, yeah, deep thoughts.
Mandy (44:32)
Yeah, that's true. I can't believe you're gonna... I know, I'm getting deep. That is a good comparison though, because I never really thought about that. I really haven't. So I am...
Gillian (44:39)
I know.
Yeah, I know that was a good, that was a really good one for like my brain being quite a mosh right
Mandy (44:49)
You know, I will say, I will say your, your brain fog, you know, has been like absent. Like you have been really sharp. There we go. You have been really sharp. You have been not as like, I don't know. What, what'd you do? Okay. No, I'm talking about for the podcast.
Gillian (45:02)
Well, you don't live with me. If you lived here, you might feel differently. Oh yeah, yeah. Well, it's a good time. I'm real fresh midday, but catch me like after about 4 p .m. and it's like, uh, I just walk into rooms and I'm like, what did I come in here
So, but, but yeah, that was a lovely little catch up. hope that everybody found some value in that for those who I haven't already talked to. was telling Mandy at the beginning of episode, I'm like, do we even need to do this episode? I feel like I've already talked about this so much, but, but no, I appreciate everybody's support and just interest in all of this. And I hope that we kept you company while you were doing your cardio or driving your kids all over the place or cleaning or whatever it is that you do when you listen to podcasts. I always have something.
Mandy (45:26)
It's good.
Mm -hmm.
Mm -hmm.
Gillian (45:54)
on like if I'm cooking I'm listening to something or watching something I'm driving or whatever so I hope we hope you enjoyed this little keep you company
Mandy (45:59)
Mm
Yeah, and if you guys have any questions that we didn't touch on in this episode always, know, DM Gillian She'll be more than happy to answer any questions you have, especially going into a bigger stage, bigger show. If it's your first time, you're nervous. If you have any questions, of course, like ask us, you know, leave us a comment, ask her personally, you know, we're always here for your journey. And, you know, we look forward to... Dad.
Gillian (46:13)
Yeah.
Yeah. And if you're going to be in Pittsburgh, a good luck, my amazing fellow bikini bombshells. And, I just wish you all good luck. And then for the rest of the audience that's on their journey or prepping for shows coming up, you got this. And I can't wait to hear everybody does. So just sending lots of love. Cause I'm so grateful for how many people have supported me. I just feel just, you know, it blows my mind and I feel just.
Mandy (46:47)
Yeah.
Gillian (46:55)
loved it and it's
Mandy (46:55)
Don't cry, don't get emotional. Alright guys, alright guys, thanks for listening. Until next time, bye.
Gillian (47:00)
Hey
Bye.