Hello everyone and welcome to bikinis after babies I am one of your hosts Mandy
Rashawn and today is an absolutely special episode because I have the honor to
introduce our other host my prep bestie and one of the most inspiring role models
to women I know IFBB bikini pro Gillian Hughes Gillian is the owner and CEO of mom
shell method fitness a wife and a mother and stepmother of five kiddos in the
Gillian has been competing guys for 19 years.
She has devoted her life to helping others through coaching women.
Rather they are stepping on stage or struggling to lose weight.
She shares her journey and expertise in the field of nutrition, fitness and all
things competing.
This last weekend I had the honor like many of you listening to watch Gillian
become an IFBB pro at Masters National in Pittsburgh.
She is showing the world that women can achieve anything they put their minds to.
So I wanna welcome my best friend and co -host, IFBB Bikini Pro, Bikini Dino,
Gillian Hughes.
I know you weren't expecting that, so I had to prepare you.
Hi everyone.
Thank you so much.
my gosh.
I'm like bawling.
That's...
You guys, surprised Gillian with that.
She had no idea.
So I told her right before I hit the start button that she can't talk for a minute.
So...
my gosh, well, if you're watching, can see that I'm an absolute mess.
If you're listening, thank you for listening in.
I'm crying, but I'm going to be okay.
I was like not, I said I wasn't going to cry and they actually haven't had a big
cry yet.
I felt like it was coming the other day, but I just have been on like a such a, you
know, just a crazy like high since this all happened.
But like that was crazy to hear you announce me as.
my name and then IFBB Pro afterwards.
Like it's like, has not sunk in at all.
Like I just, I don't know if it ever will.
I don't know.
It's something that I wanted for...
such a dream of yours for so long.
And just being able to watch you, like I had my laptop in my lap in my car.
I had my laptop with me all day.
So for you guys listening, I happened to be at the Ozarks.
I was doing stuff with family and knowing that Gillian was competing Saturday, I had
the live stream on my laptop and just watching and waiting and waiting.
And as soon as it was her class and to watch you, not only you got
top five call out and then when watching you move to the center and watching you
split center, I just got goosebumps.
I'm like, you got it.
Like you did it.
I knew at pre, like I'm getting goosebumps just talking about it, but like I was just
like holding back tears.
Cause like when they moved to the two girls next to you around, I could tell
them like, they know she won.
They're trying to figure out who's coming in second or third.
And I'm like, I just, I'm like, you did it.
You fucking did it.
You did.
my god, it's just crazy.
I will like that's there's nothing that will top that.
I mean, it's like and I feel terrible saying I said that in front of Brady and
he was like, hey, and I'm like, but it's so different.
Like being a mother and like obviously welcoming a child into the world is like
the most incredible experience.
This is like in a completely different other category of of highs.
And even my husband said like, he's like, can't think of anything as an adult like
that I would be that like that driven to do or like that excited
And he's like, but we were all like, like really hoping and praying and like we all
cried when you got it.
Like it was just, I don't know, there's just nothing that's really ever gonna top
it, you know?
So.
I don't know.
It was worth it.
telling you.
I remember so and I've said this to several people that there's many times
when you think, I just want to get off the step mill.
Or I don't want to finish.
I don't do a fourth set of Bulgarian split squats.
Or I don't want to go up on my weight on this next exercise.
Or I want to eat this.
Or I'm just going to have an extra rice cake or whatever it might be.
And then I would hear.
that announcer say and knew IFBB Pro Gillian Hughes and I would be like, bitch,
get it together because I knew I would never hear those words if I gave up or if
I cut corners.
And so when you actually hear it, like.
I mean, you saw my reaction on stage.
mean, I didn't even know what to do.
I wasn't, well, and then I wasn't like, I wasn't thinking about my posture or
anything, you know?
I just like, kind of let it all go.
I'm glad I didn't like lose my like shit on stage.
You know, I was crying on stage, but I wasn't like, whoo!
You know, like boo -hooing or anything, but.
God love the second place girl knows how to give us a good side hug in the photo
because I really hardly twisted my waist and then she put her hand around my waist
and I was like, okay.
So yeah, it was just like the most incredible moment and the whole weekend
was like incredible.
Like it just was magical.
This whole season has been really magical.
yeah.
It has like you have really grinded it out, but let's so let's talk about this
last weekend and your peak week So first thing so this was your third show of the
season, you know, you did DC you did universe and How can you compare your peak
week from those other peak weeks?
So i'm gonna I want to ask you a few questions for our listeners because like
you did compete so close to each other Or so many shows close
and just tweaking a few things here and there.
Cause at DC, you might have to remind me, but you came in third, third or fourth in
DC.
And
and 35 and then I was fourth and 40 and then fifth and open.
And that was my show, that was the opener for the season.
Like it was my
-hmm.
Yeah, and so you took all those like the feedback the little tweaks and then going
into this show Yeah, what?
I had four weeks in between that show and Universe.
And I really had more changes to make really for that month.
There was lot of posing errors and I really had to come a little more
conditioned.
And so I brought an improved package to Universe, but I really had only two weeks
between Universe and Masters Nationals.
And I know a lot of girls that came out of Universe were gonna push to the end of the
summer and do North Americans, which would be the next opportunity to get a Masters
Pro Card, but I don't have
that luxury because we leave in like six days for our year family vacation and we
go to a cabin and like and I can eat healthy and work out but I cannot be on a
prep that close to a show on a vacation like that it's just too it's too hard and
also
I don't want to.
Like it is our family vacation, you know, my daughter's birthday.
I was really like, I've got to push for Masters Nationals.
And then if it doesn't happen, my plan was I'll turn I turn 45 next August.
So I was just going to wait until North Americans and then do North Americans in
2025.
So that was kind of like, I'm like, OK, if I can pull this off, wonderful.
But if not, I have a another.
So I had two weeks to bring in what they wanted was like tighter glutes, it was it
turns out it was really a skin issue.
But I noticed in reflecting on the girls in my class, they all had very conditioned
hamstrings and like this like little like groove under their butts.
Kind like where the V tape not V taper.
you know the tie -ins yeah so I was like okay I've got to really focus on that and
see if I can just like even if I can just get a little bit leaner and then just keep
my glutes really full so I enlisted the help of Kristen Johnson who is not on
Instagram and I wish she was because I would totally give her credit for this top
secret tip that she gave me but she's a figure pro from my gym and won her pro
card in 2022 I was actually on the plane from Pittsburgh coming
And I didn't have my pro card and she got it that weekend and she was like an aisle
one and I was like way back in the plane like I Didn't get it again.
You know like all sad or whatever so anyways so we've been buddies and and she
gave me some great training tips things that helped her because that was her
feedback as well and she was able to really bring in Fuller glutes in just two
weeks, and I was like I'm gonna try everything I can so So it was very
helpful.
It's actually if you're listening and you follow me on Instagram the workout is on
my Instagram I'm not a gatekeeper like I give my secrets away
because I know it doesn't matter.
Well, you shared it in your story too.
Yeah, yeah and that whole the whole sequence is right on my Instagram because
hey it helped me and if it'll help you Great like because it was when you're
older, you know You do have and when you're older and you've lost weight you
sometimes get loose skin on your stomach But people don't think about loose skin on
your backside and then as you go into a peak week if your glutes are not full You
know, we start to our muscles are depleted and we can kind of flatten out then we
have skin back there We just do and I think it's not an
thing necessarily, it's worse as you get older, but if I can keep my glutes full
then I don't have that issue.
It's a posing thing too, I had to be really careful with my like turns from
front to back and how I walk and whatnot, but enlisting the help of Kristen and
doing this little band sequence and I mean they're like industrial strength bands,
like these are not little booty bands, these things are like they're from like
elite.
on Amazon, like just random ones.
well they are on Amazon so I will also link I'll link the workout and the bands
blow you'll have to remind me because I'm so I always forget that but they're like
industrial strength thick bands like they're really intense so but it worked
and I did it backstage to like it's just good morning squats lunges and
You're on the spot now.
Yeah, but anyways it worked and I did it backstage too.
so yeah, so I don't know if that answers your question.
How was my peak week?
Yeah, it was like the same, but I will say that I was Monday and Tuesday I was in I
was kind of in a little bit of a dark place like really low energy really like
losing faith and that it was gonna happen and you know just and tired.
I flew out Wednesday.
Thursday.
But I was just, it's been a long road and the stakes are so high on the pro card
push.
Everybody wants it and it's just so intense.
And it's, you know, like there's going to be like a thousand people there who all
want the same thing.
Have I done enough?
Like, is it going to be my turn this time?
And just, you know, also being, getting myself ready for either outcome, because,
you know, two years ago when I lost my pro card, and I say that because what had
happened was they, we went on stage and I was in the center and then we turned to
the back, we turned to the front.
kept moving this girl and every time we turned, they'd move her closer to me.
And at the final.
turn they swapped me into second place and put her in first place.
So I thought about that moment you know every day for last two years and so the
pressure of like what if I stumble a little bit and something jiggles or I
don't turn in my front way I turn too much in my front pose and I don't show my
physique like just I was putting a lot of pressure on myself so Pequick was rough
mentally and then just feeling like you know tired like it was time for a break
but you
also trying to muster up the strength to get through the week too.
So it was a little bit rough, but once I got there and felt the energy and right
away on my connecting flight, I met Tanith who is a listener of our show and we just
chatted like the whole flight really, were like seats apart, we talking, we ended up
taking an Uber together.
that like, mm -hmm, yeah.
listening like thank you so much for listening.
It means so much to both of us.
And I love meeting people in person that listen and it like it's just always so
great.
it was so great and like so, just talking to her and you know, she's so bubbly and
so sweet and so that was like just a really good start to the weekend, you
know?
So then it was all good vibes after that, so yeah, back to Pittsburgh, you know?
Yeah.
Awesome.
Well, so after, so then you stepped on stage on Saturday.
And so at prejudging, when you got moved in to close to the center and they moved
the two girls around and you got off stage, how did you feel?
Well, I will say that you kind of lose sight of where you are and I didn't know
how many people were in that call out So I knew that I got moved To Center but based
on kind of where I started in the call out I was like am I am I in this box by
myself?
Is there someone like are we splitting it?
Are there six people in this call?
Are there five?
I really didn't know but I was held holding holding that spot and then they
were moving the girls next to me and rotating a few people around and I was
like well
Maybe I'm meet, know third.
I don't really know I really didn't know but I will say I don't know if I've
admitted this to too many people but I felt like universe was a fluke and and I
think that's just me being hard on myself, but I was like, you know, I think I think
I'm up there but I'm I you know, my first place second, you know, because I got
third and so Even just getting in that first call it when I'm lined up and I'm
looking behind me.
my
so good.
my god everybody's so tiny.
Everybody looks so amazing.
I'm like and you know what else too there was just me and Sarah.
Sarah hi.
She's by listening to she heard I was the only blonde in the class and I was like
yeah yep and she's so sweet so great and so I was like my god.
looks like me, you know?
And so I was like, whatever, it's fine, it's gonna be okay.
But essentially, what I'm saying is everybody was so beautiful and so good,
and that's national.
So I always go, you know what, if I get in that first call out, that's amazing.
So that's initially how I felt.
And then once I got backstage and I picked up my phone and James was texting me and
he's like, it is a very good sign that you stayed where you were and they were
other girls around he's like I think you got it I think you got it and I'm like my
my
like that I started crying, know, and then Brady, my son comes running out from the
audience and he's like, my God, mom, my God, I think you got it, I you got it.
But a little backstory is that his dad, my children's father was there competing as
well and had gotten second place on Thursday.
And I was like, I could be second place, buddy.
Like it might not be first.
Like I'm literally splitting center.
So, you know, it might not be me.
He said, no, mom, you're the best.
I think you have, you always say that.
So I kind of like, I just didn't want to like go to finals, get second and have him
be like upset.
So I said to him, you know, like, I'm gonna be okay.
If today is not the day, it's just not supposed to be the day, you know?
And so.
Like you never stop being a mom, like worried about their feelings and what they
may think.
you know, and I'll be okay.
Like, it isn't the end of the world.
So, you know, even though I would be disappointed, you know, I also want to
show him like, well, what's that gonna, I'm not gonna stop.
Like, I'm not gonna be done competing.
You know, I'll say that isn't how his dad handled it.
So, you know, I wanted to make sure I handled it in the best way, not being fake
and not, I'm not trying to not be authentic or.
Mm -hmm.
fake around my child like I want to be on but and that is truly how I felt so so
yeah but then I called you and you were like you've got to look at the video
you've got to look at it because you want I'm like stop I might not girl I've been
here so many times before and I didn't I did not want to look
Like I totally understand like because I knew like you said, I knew that Brett
didn't like win.
And so I knew where your mind was and I knew Brady was there.
But like watching the live stream, like you, as long as you're a seasoned person,
like I could tell what they were doing.
Like as soon as they moved you to center and they compared you and the other two
girls, like your conditioning was just there.
Like everything was there.
You checked every box.
And then when they moved those two girls, I'm like, Gillian won.
They're trying to figure out who's coming in second or third next to her and like
and moving next to the other girls and they know they already know that you're in
first and so they don't need you to move anymore and it's interesting because and I
and I say that because I watched you know a few other people compete at national at
the my bracelet stuck on my blanket I watched a few other girls and it's the
judges this is why it's very important to understand that like just because you're
in the center
fighting for middle, that doesn't mean you're gonna get first because there were
girls that were in the same spot you were that didn't win.
And it's because when the judges move you around, when they score you, you might
have one judge wanna look at another girl on a different end, they may move you and
they don't even care what the placing, they're just trying to compare and they
could already know who, like it's just after being at so many shows and seeing
the pattern for so many years, like I knew what was happening and I'm
She did it.
And I knew if you would see the footage, you would understand too, but it's like, I
know, I know, but I was just like so.
and then anything can happen and I just didn't want I honestly I just wanted to
stay in a really good headspace and You know I still I still I knew I was in
contention so I would have to keep it tight for the overall So I still worked on
posing through the day and I still kept my diet like Spot -on and I checked him with
James every he has us check in like every two hours on show day And I was just calm
and excited and I will say I
think that finals were starting at 5 not 6 so it was just like that extra hour which
was probably hardest for my husband because he was at home he couldn't make it
on this trip and he was just dying to find out and he couldn't even he's so busy in
his job that he couldn't even watch the live stream but Brady was like updating
him so so it's just a long a long day but I felt I felt pretty good Friday
I was like, you know, this is really the best I've ever looked.
I felt like I was nailing my posing and you know, I just felt really calm and you
know, my belly was happy.
You know, I've had a couple shows where like I've had like some like not like
stomach issues, but like maybe I didn't sleep great or like I had a little bit of
bloat or something just from nerves and I really felt super calm and prepared and
yeah, so but yeah, when I got off stage, I mean, I was like, my God, like.
that really just happened and I didn't again I didn't watch any of the videos or
look at any of the pictures and the pictures started coming up on NPC news
online I looked at my own but I didn't look at Shia I didn't look at I think I
forget the girl's name the girl that was in third place she wasn't at Universe but
she's amazing and then Sarah you know she's she always brings it so so yeah so
so yeah that was that was the morning show and yeah then we know what happened
obviously
you got to finals and they were going, what did it, so before they said, and our
new IFBB Pro, when they announced who second was, I always find that pause
interesting because you know, but you have to wait for them to say it.
How did you feel in that moment?
Cause that millisecond is really like an eternity for
Well, first of all, I want to say before this, when they pulled us out, they pull
you out backstage and set you aside if you're top five, I was really, really
excited and I was hanging out behind this curtain and the 45 overall was going on
and Gwen.
I met in DC, she's the one that came out to me at tanning, was like, are you
Gillian?
I listened to your podcast.
So we have like chatted so much through this prep these last six weeks.
We met in DC and then we were there together at Universe.
She won the 45 overall.
So I was so happy.
Like I was just like, my, like I was trying not to cry because I was so excited
for her.
And she's like this at me, like, yeah, you know, like we were, couldn't talk because
we were so far away.
So anyway, so then when I went on, I was like, I still had that sort of in my mind.
I'm like, I gotta, gotta go up here now.
And, and it went fast.
Like they're calling fifth, they're calling fourth.
And then when they called third, I was like, my,
You because I had thought I bet you I'm third you just based on luck, you know And
then when they called the next number I forgot my number so until she stepped
forward and started walking away.
I was like, My god, like it's me and yeah, do used to to stand there and wait and I'm
just like I first I want this and I like don't touch your face and then I'm like
I'm crying do I wipe away a tear I'm like, my god, like
Yeah, and then they say it and it's just like, it's even cooler in real life.
Like I have jumped about that moment so many times and it's just even cooler.
And I'm just looking at the judges like, thank you, thank you.
Sandy wasn't sitting down there at finals.
She was backstage giving everybody feedback.
She's so wonderful, but I didn't get an opportunity to thank her, but like, you
know, they made my dreams come true.
I like wanted to jump down there and kiss them all because I was so freaking happy.
But yeah, and then they let you take the picture, you know.
yourself and I picked the trophy I don't know why I did that I don't know I just
didn't really I don't have anything planned I was just like and my son jumped
up and he was screaming and and he was sitting with some some of Tana's family
members so they had all you know knew me too so they were just cheering it was so
cool like man this is really really friggin cool but then yeah and that so
then cool this is even cooler I don't know the expeditors name but really handsome
man I don't know his name
He's probably not listening, but anyways, I'll figure it out.
I gotta know these people's names one day, right?
But when I was walking off stage, he said, welcome to the league.
I was like, Can you say that again?
That's cool.
That like sounds like the league.
Like that sounds so cool.
But then they put you off into like a corner for the overall.
And then I knew I had to do it, but I like kind of forgot how to do it.
And I was like, like, you know what?
I'm like, I need, I need water.
Like I can't call.
I can't talk to anybody.
Like I couldn't, you know, end my phone.
Well, I was blowing you up, but I'm like, she has to, that's right, she has to,
yeah.
I'm like, I can't even imagine her phone right now and how she feels.
It's almost like I was like, I was so happy for you, but I was like worried
happy, because I'm like, she has to be losing her mind, I have to be there for
her.
Like, I was blowing your phone up knowing that you can't look at your phone, but I
was like, my God, what is she, wins the overall, this is insane.
I was just so happy.
it.
And I was telling Ashiko, who's my teammate, and she was in the overall too.
She won her 40 class and she won her 35 class.
She got two pro guards.
And we were both laughing because we didn't do the best in the overall.
First of all,
has to be so hard.
It is hard because you just like had this incredible moment and then you got to like
battle it out and it's like, I got to pose now.
Like not that you forget how to pose, but I was on the end because they put you in
off of that like height order.
So A, B, C, D, F, G, H, that's eight classes.
So they put you all out on stage and they got little short me on the very, very end.
And so I had to angle my front pose to the judges, obviously, because I'm on the
side.
And then from the back pose, so I'm angled with my booty kind of you know, facing
them, but the line is like straight and then I'm turned to the side.
From there, they said, walk to the back.
And I'm like, I don't really figured out how to turn out of this to walk straight.
And then the line was like, like right here.
I'm like, it was like three steps.
I'm like, man, I did not nail that.
That looked just really stupid.
So, and then, you from there, then you turn a face front.
I got moved in.
I don't exactly know where.
I mean, doesn't, they don't tell you how you did in the overall, but I don't want
to say I didn't try, because I totally tried, but it wasn't like when I went out
there prejudging in the morning when I was like, come on, you know, like
Mm -hmm
like I just was like in a really silly mood so and Ashiko said it was the same
thing for her she was just like that was my worst walk ever like it's just you know
it was just crazy so I'm just I'm like I already won I don't need anything else you
know so but yeah I guess I wish I had another chance to do that and maybe do a
little bit better but but the girl who won was you know incredible I think she was
the H -class winner
very deserving, very, yeah, she was real tall.
So yeah, didn't, but that's okay, I mean, didn't feel like, you know,
would have been nice but I didn't need to like have that to finish the experience.
And then when I got backstage, everybody was kind of lined up talking to Sandy and
when I'm walking through, I've got the card in my hand and I'm wiping tears off
my face and people are clapping and hugging me and I'm just like, my God, you
know, and I feel bad for people who like didn't do as well as they wanted.
I'm like, I wanted to hug all of them.
and then I could see my son like out in the hallway.
So I didn't even grab my rover and I just ran and gave him a big hug and got tan all
over his shirt and he was,
I don't think he cared.
No, he was pretty emotional.
was pretty cool.
It was awesome having him there.
I wish my whole family could have been there, but competing is a long journey.
It's an expensive sport.
Tickets are expensive.
Travel's expensive.
And it just didn't make sense for everybody to be there, because it could
have been my day or it could have not been my day.
We didn't really know, right?
But yeah, so coolest, coolest friggin' day of my life, I swear.
It was so awesome.
that of course segues into the next question, which you love your segues.
But what did you do after the show?
So what was the very first?
Obviously you ran and saw Brady and hugged him and everything.
So what did you do the night?
What did you do your pro night?
at the show until it ended because we decided, me and Ashiko decided to take
really good photos on stage because out in the lobby they had like the big backdrop.
lighting was kind of weird and there was a lot of people around and you we wanted to
get those really good photos for our coach and for ourselves as well so we waited
until the show was over and then they let you go up on stage and take pictures so we
did that and so that was that was kind of late and then just you know talking to
people like people that I've competed with before in the past that knew me or that
I've met at national shows and you know congratulating them and giving them hugs
so it took like the show I know my program like I think 630 and I didn't get to my
room
to like nine.
you know, and I talked to Bill Sibelia who was one of the head judges.
And I got some feedback, so that was good.
I didn't get to see Sandy.
yeah, so, well I said to him, said, do you remember me?
And he's like, it's okay.
But I did DC.
He goes, I do remember you.
And I said, you told me you wanted me to have tighter glutes.
And I was like, how did I do?
And he's like, wow, you did a great job.
You really pulled it off.
He's like, now, don't touch the front.
Don't put on, you don't need to do anything crazy.
Don't put on any more muscle, you're good.
He said, just add some density to your glutes.
That's kind of what we talked about with like the skin.
You know, I've got, I have the shape for sure, but my glutes are so long that when
I'm, you know, not posed, they're actually kind of flat.
So I need to fill out my medial glute.
Like when I have my back pose, like my glutes are giant, but I'm not a bubble
butt girl.
Like I just don't have, that's not how they are shaped.
So I want to really like build that density, which I wanted to do anyways.
But you know, that was great feedback, you know, and he said my posing was good and
loved the suit and everything.
So yeah, that was, you you want to deliver and you want them to say, you know, you
are worthy of pro status and so yeah, that was really, it was cool to talk to him and
yeah, it's just, and honestly, I feel like they do treat you a little bit
differently, you know, like when you're a pro, it's like, I don't know, like, you
know, when you're an amateur and you're...
work that goes into it.
Like, there really is.
I don't care if I meet somebody that is a pro and they carry their pro status, you
know, and they got their pro card like five years ago.
doesn't, 10 years ago, it's like the work that goes into it, in any division really,
know, whether you're a figure, wellness, bikini, even in the men's categories, I
know bodybuilders take ages and ages to get their pro card.
And it's like,
You have this respect for it because you didn't just show up one day looking
conditioned one day and got a pro status one day.
And now you have like this elite status one day.
Like you had to do it multiple times and multiple and like qualifications and
criteria.
And there's, you know, there's things you have to do and it might take you years and
years to do and you get it.
So there is like a prestige that follows it.
That's why I always love the NPC IFBB because of
for sure.
I mean, I think when you're getting your feedback as an amateur, you feel kind of
defeated, like sort of like, okay, I didn't get it this time.
Like, what do I need to work on?
And it's just cool to have gotten pro status and then to be like, now my
feedback's for when I do a pro show.
And it's just a different vibe in having those conversations with judges.
you know, and just, I don't know, it's wild.
you know, I don't know.
I don't know what to say other than just like, you know, I not, I mean, it's still,
not everything's not even gonna change in my life.
Like, I'm, you know, a lot of things are still gonna be the same, but just cool to
be like, I'm 43 and I've been competing for 19 years and.
finally achieve my goal.
And you know was talking to someone yesterday just about all of that time
spent in the NPC and how valuable it is.
you know, the best part obviously being all the incredible people that I've met at
all the shows.
But all of the knowledge of every show I did, every prep, all those experiences,
that time on stage, being compared to other athletes, know, traveling the
country and being judged by different judges and being on different stages and
all that experience, like...
I wouldn't have gotten that if I had gotten my pro card right away.
Like if I had only done, if I was a two show pro, I wouldn't have all that
experience.
If you're listening to this and you are thinking you want to give up, don't.
Just keep going and just take it all in because you're always going to get so much
out of it if you allow it.
If you don't get salty about not getting the policing that you feel like you should
have gotten because you worked so hard.
But that experience and all of that, you have to take everything from that.
And it has done so much for my life in so many wonderful
again not only just in the friendships but just how much as a person I've grown and
and how much I believe in myself because I overcame a lot on that journey too, you
know?
So just enjoy it.
Like it's not going anywhere and you can get a pro card at 70 years old if you want
to, you know?
And that would have been me if I get it, kept going.
But just enjoy it, enjoy it where you are and take it for what it is and gain those
experiences and don't stop, you know?
So.
it's always a beautiful experience.
I'm trying not to cry, stop it.
So like you said before, your family has followed you through this whole journey.
mean, kids have been with you every step of the way, so has Brian.
And so when you got home Sunday, morning, afternoon, I think you got home, how was
getting home?
How was seeing everybody?
How did it feel?
Well, Brady and I, when we got home, we got the pro card out of the suitcase and
the trophy, because I wanted to walk in with it.
And yeah, was just, it was so cool.
Like, my youngest daughter came running up to me and she was so excited.
And she hugged me and she touched the trophy and, know, let's go find a spot for
it, you know?
And then Brian was, he was pretty emotional too.
But yeah, everybody was so proud.
mean, all the kids just thought this was so neat that, you know, I officially did
it and they've always, you know, been really supportive of my journey.
Like nobody's doing that stupid that you do that.
Like, why don't kids just eat?
You know, like my whole family has been super supportive.
But I didn't say this, but after the show, one of the things that Brady and I did was
we took photos in the hallway of our hotel because so the story is if you're a WWE
fan, which I don't know if you are,
I mean, I am because Brady is and so, you I love going to WWE events when they come
into St.
Louis and Brady watches every Monday and every Friday.
It's a huge family.
His goal is to be a professional wrestler.
Like, and that's been his goal since he was little and he has those wrestlers
lined up in his room and he didn't give a shit if anybody thinks it's weird.
He loves it and he's going for it.
And honestly, he's a type of kid.
He probably will because he's so determined.
and stop where I'm at, do get that from?
But you know, he's just incredible.
So anyways, there's a character, Cody Rhodes, and there was this whole storyline
that went on all year last year about, I have to finish the story, which was him
getting to WrestleMania, winning WrestleMania.
And so Brady got this Cody Rhodes shirt and it says American Nightmare on
And he's like, I want you to take this to every show and I want you to think about
finishing the story.
So I've been taking this shirt with me to DC, took it to the universe, and then I
brought it with me to Masters Nationals.
And so when I won, put the shirt on because I finished the story.
And then we took pictures with the pro card and the trophy in the hallway.
And so we're in the hallway.
And this is like, again, it's like nine o 'clock.
And doesn't Kim Odo come walking down the hallway?
And I'm like, my god, that's Kimoto.
We gotta get our shit together.
We're taking these pictures.
got this goofy t -shirt on him.
Brady's laying on the floor or whatever.
he's got a New Yorker.
He's like, congratulations.
I'm like, you know I'm never gonna get this day ever again.
So I'm taking all the pictures.
I'm doing all the things.
He's like, you enjoy it.
You enjoy every minute of it.
And you put that card in your suitcase and you get home.
You frame it.
I'm like, I'm going to.
So it was just really cool.
Then he shook my hand and said, congratulations.
So it was just like, it was super
But yeah, we got that little photo shoot in before we went to dinner.
um, but yeah, and then yesterday we ate and Celebrated and I think like the the
coolest feeling ever.
It took me a minute to figure out what it was but for like three years like I've
been trying obviously training competing for 19 years, but Coming close to a pro
card really for the first time
2021 was a game changer and I got third at Masters Nationals.
National show I did in 2009, I mean, it was the very first year of bikini.
There was 20 bikini competitors.
I won my class.
There was only six girls.
They only gave out two pro cards.
I was like third in the overall, so I didn't get it.
That didn't feel like it was close to a pro card, but that was technically my
first national show.
I did nationals in 2018, just as sort of like a, you know, I'm in shape, let's see,
they got 10th place.
But in 2021, when I got third, that was what lit the fire.
And I thought, hmm, I can probably do this.
Like, I can get a pro card.
And I think I want to.
I think that's something I really, really want to do.
Like, I want to take this seriously.
And I really want to go after it.
And so since then, I have been so unsettled.
Even when I'm in an off season, even when I'm taking time off, I'm like, I'm working
towards that pro card every day for the last three years, thinking about posing,
thinking about building something, thinking about my waist or my hamstrings
or my glutes.
Like, you know, if a show is 400 days out, I'm thinking about it, right?
So I don't have that feeling anymore.
Like it's gone because I did it.
So it's awesome.
And it's not bad.
Like it's a good thing.
It's like...
Okay, like, and because Brian would always be like, what's the one thing that you
want?
You know, like a Christmas, my birthday, whatever.
I'm like, a pro card.
I literally have everything else I want.
I just want a pro card.
I drive my dream Jeep.
you know, I have an awesome husband.
I have a business that I'm crazy passionate about.
I awesome friends.
You know, I literally have everything that I could've ever wanted and the only thing
that I couldn't get was this pro card.
And so now I'm just like, I don't know.
Like.
Really, this is it?
I'm not gonna die tomorrow, am I?
You know, it's just crazy.
man, I'm so glad our listeners love me for me and let me be myself because that was a
really nutty thing to say.
yeah.
That is like the whole, that is why this podcast is this podcast is because we
don't edit it, we don't try to cut anything out or like try not to be
somebody we're not.
It's just, no, this is who we are.
This is, know, you got Bikini Dinosaur and right.
It's just, it is what it is.
Like that's the best part.
You know what?
Yeah.
Just, I'm just like, I'm just so happy for you.
Obviously I knew we were going to do this today and I just am like, don't cry.
Don't like, don't cry.
Like we have been doing this podcast now.
It will be a year soon.
And which that blows my mind that we'll be doing this for a year in November.
And it's like, you know, I was thinking about this.
I was thinking about, you know, the, the pros that we've had on and all these great
women and you always ask
You're so great at asking questions and you always ask them what it felt like when
they got their pro card.
And I knew that we were gonna do this today and I'm like, and they always say,
you'll get it, Gillian, or someday it will be your turn.
You know, it's always something very kind.
And I knew today when we were gonna do this, I'm like, I get to ask Gillian, how
does it feel now?
It did happen to you.
yeah, it's surreal
got it and you got like that feeling and you always ask all these other women and
now it's you you got to experience it and it
think like this podcast is a part of that success because not only spending time
talking to these women and hearing their incredible journeys of things they've
overcome and and you know them sharing their experience of what it was like to
get a pro card like it was planting that seed of like that one day it could happen
for me.
but the support that we've gotten through our competitions that we've done this year
from our listeners and just being able to share.
I was like, if nobody listens to it, at least I get to just pour my guts out every
week and talk about everything that's going on through this whole journey.
But it's been so, yeah, it's so special that I got to share it in this way because
people do YouTube series and they hire videographers and they have so much work
to do that.
And I'm like, I just got to jump on
every week and talk to you guys and then have people like write me and be like I
love that episode and like I didn't think about putting you know peanut butter on my
chicken and rice or whatever it is like I'm like it's so awesome that I yeah
It's so good, I know.
But yeah, I'm forever grateful and I'm just so lucky to have this place to do
this.
And it was so cool when you started bringing up the idea of doing this,
because this was your idea.
At first I was like, I don't have time for that, I don't know about that.
Can I do it every week?
I don't know if I can do it every week.
And which we have, which is awesome too.
But I thought, if next year is my pro card year.
I'll get to kind of, you know, have it all unfold.
Like if you go back to episode one and you see like, was like right in my off season.
My face is like the entire screen because my cheeks are so big.
My off season face.
had, I went, I saw it.
It was like a couple of weeks ago.
I was like scrolling back to look at something and I was like, I showed my
husband.
was like, look, I look like a little chipmunk.
And
I just used my, I was sitting at my desk with a big messy shelf behind me and like
didn't have good lighting, know, like, we didn't know anything when we started this,
but it's just really cool that like we got to share the whole prep and then now we're
here and you just introduced me as an IFBB bikini pro, it's like, wha!
What?
Like, it's so crazy.
But no, I met so many amazing women this weekend who listened to the podcast and
that's so great.
Like, I love all of you so much and, you know, everybody's so deserving.
It's such a bummer to see so many girls.
disappointed because they didn't reach their goal and I've been there so many
times and I'm going into the pro leagues.
I'm sure I'm gonna experience that disappointment a whole lot more.
But you know, I just think just keep going.
Like just keep going.
And like I think being a student of the sport is the best way to kind of go about
it.
Just give me the feedback.
Don't take it personal.
Don't feel like you suck because they tell you that you need more conditioning.
Just use it to get better.
And then when you get better,
you're like, I did that, I got better.
Because I looked at my photos at Universe and I said, you know what, I didn't win
today, but I won in improving because I improved so much since 2022.
And you look at that and you just go, man, that was a lot of training, a lot of time
spent doing that.
And that's a win.
Even if it's not a first place, it's a win.
Well, it's all about your mindset.
you know, you look, compare you and me.
Like this year when I started competing, my mindset was I was going to go to
universe with you.
I was going to do North Americans.
I was going to push and train.
And I had all of this like strategized out and nowhere in my wheelhouse was my back
acting up a part of that.
Right?
Like knowing that this pain was going to come back and this pain was going to stop
me from like being able to really push myself with conditioning.
It put me in a bad head space multiple times.
But like I had to, I had to, you know, come to Jesus moment and be like, you
know, like you say, like we all say, the stage is always there, but use this time
to grow, use this time to, you know, grow in the sport and train and do other things
and, you know, other things that can help you further along in your athletic career
or through coaching, through all of this stuff.
So instead of like, you know, being
mad or negative, especially like knowing that my conditioning could have been
better, all this stuff, like instead of getting mad at myself or being upset that
this this year wasn't my year, it's like, no, I just got to take a step back and do
something else and and cheer you on and all of our athletes and you
You know all the people that we know all the listeners to all the listeners that
write us and say this is our first show Or this is you know, this is my first time
competing in 20 years.
This is my first time competing after kids It's like I want to cheer them on go you
good job Like if we can help you if we can do anything like if you have any
questions, like I just love that and that's
where my focus and give is right now to do that.
You know, I can't step on stage right now.
So it just, it's all about your mindset and how you look at the sport and how you
look at training and focusing that energy.
Like don't be negative.
Don't be mad.
Don't be mad at yourself or the judges.
Take the feedback, the life events and do, and then go grow from it.
Yeah.
And that is, I mean, probably why we connect so well and we have such a close
bond because of your mindset, because never at any point did you take the
feedback or the placings and like even, you know, at Clash, I mean, it took you a
little minute to even tell me that you were disappointed.
You you kept it to yourself and you just sort of processed it then, you know, you
were like, yeah, I was actually pretty bummed.
And it's not to say that you're being fake by not telling people that, but you're
just the type of person that
you take the feedback and you grow from it and you're positive and I think that's how
you've got to be if you want to last in this sport because it is so challenging
and we've talked about this before I think it's tough to take the feedback as a woman
because it's your body it's like your naked body and then they're telling you
things that you need to work on you can't take that personal it's just that's the
sport and you just take it you do okay perfect I'm gonna go back to work right
but I love that about you Mandy that
You're such a positive person and you're a true leader in the sport and you've
encouraged me so much on this journey and I think it's cool that we're gonna be
sharing our journeys to come as the next year kind of transpires with the pivoting
goals now that we've ticked a big one off the list, what comes next.
A big one.
I couldn't do any of this without you.
Like I couldn't, like even though like you said earlier, like this podcast may have
been my idea, but it was my idea knowing that I could do it with somebody like you.
That was it.
Like I couldn't, I didn't want to do this by myself.
didn't, I knew after, I think we were, was like several months I was working with
you.
It was, cause it was fall.
Yeah.
And I knew I'm like, I know.
that she has the mindset, the attitude.
I know that you have, I can trust you.
That's a big thing in this sport, in any type of business endeavor.
Like, I can trust you and we can communicate with each other.
And so I couldn't do it without you.
And I know you and I have never had a relationship like we have being prep
besties, being able to text at four in the morning, know, do cardio together via
messenger watch shows together overseas like just and then like losing our shit
and having to be like I need a minute and then just go off you know it's just it is
so
I know it's so, it's been awesome just to like have you, I mean, you were my first
phone call after all of the shows, not even Brian.
He's not listening.
my husband and mine 10 year anniversary of the day that we met and we were out to
dinner and I think we were walking when you called me I don't remember but we were
doing oh yeah absolutely I looked at him and I was like no no I think we were maybe
out to sitting already at dinner and I was like mm like I there's no way that I'm not
picking up
But so we're almost at our hour mark.
of course, one of the questions we always ask our pros is what are your future
plans?
Okay, these are my plans right now.
And I did tell James that I wanted to take August to like see what was in my heart.
not taking off, but like, you know, I'm obviously, you know, I'm gonna let my body
heal, recover, we have a trip.
But I'm gonna take the month of August to just really think about, you know, what I
wanna do.
But I think I've kind of already kind of figured
So, you there's the Masters Olympia in 2025 and I believe they're going to start
accepting applications like probably around Christmas time.
I haven't even competed as a pro yet.
you know, I don't think they were going to take, they only take like 20 people and
there's so many amazing Masters pros that have, you know, multiple titles and have
been competing a lot.
My body feels really good, but I know that I need to, you know, just get some balance
back
ease off of the cardio and bring my food up and all of that.
So I don't know if it's smart to jump right into a prep in September and push to
get a bunch of shows in before the end of 2024 so that I can try to make the car for
the 2025 Olympia, Masters Olympia.
So with that being said, what I think my plan is is to build that density and look
at doing some like late summer
in 2025.
So I don't even know what that looks like.
don't even know, you know, I know there's the Tampa Pro is like in August, I think,
or it's either the end of July this year anyways.
Yeah.
or something, it's like really close.
Yeah, so, and just pick like two or three master shows and you know, I want one of
them to be a cool destination that my family can come to because you know, I do
want to start bringing them to shows.
I just, on the national scene, it's just, you just can't.
30 people with you, just can't, it's so much and I had to get in the zone and I'm
not saying I won't be like as focused or I'm not gonna not take the pro league
seriously, I'm totally gonna take it seriously, but it's just different.
It's very different.
And also, when you're a pro, they tell you what time you're going on stage and then
you're off stage.
So when you're a national, I'm like, I could be going on at nine, I could be
going on at one, I don't know.
So that's the other thing too.
So yeah, that's kind of like tentatively what I'm thinking
doing and there's a lot of it has to do with cheer too because we have so much
traveling in the spring so I'd like to avoid kind of like being in prep in the
spring but kind of going into fall like you know towards the end of 2020 and
hopefully you know the Masters Olympia last year was a huge success I would love
to see them do that more than once every two years but I think yeah I think I mean
the numbers of Masters athletes continue to grow and so I think if we just like
keep building up the
of women competing as masters then they'll just they'll have it every year which
would be totally amazing so so yeah that's kind of what I'm thinking right now
That's a good plan.
That's a smart strategy.
And of course it can always change, but that's a good, I think that's a healthy
strategy.
And so as we wrap up this episode, another question we always ask all of our pros,
which I always find how, I always find it fascinating how amazing you are at this.
And I really would love for you to share with the, with our listeners.
I almost said viewers, viewers and listeners.
and listeners.
Yes, if you're watching on YouTube.
What is your tip for juggling everything?
Work, business, wife, kiddos, especially, especially, I wanna put like
capitalization on the kids being home over the summer, because they all have summer
activities.
How on earth have you managed to juggle everything?
What is something you would love to share?
How you do
Well.
I think the biggest thing is finding a time for training that fits into your
schedule that is optimal.
and then every day I train at the same time every single day seven days a week.
And so that time is carved out.
Nothing goes in that time except for that.
I'm a planner like and I use a paper planner with tons of notes.
I write I need to see it in a note.
It's a big like calendar.
It's like this big.
And so that's
That's a huge one too.
I look ahead to the next day, make sure I've got everything taken care of.
think just being organized.
I was thinking about this, the kids being home, I love it.
I love them being here.
It's weird when they're all not here.
It's very strange to me.
was having those crazy stuff.
Yeah, I'm like lost.
It's like I don't know what to do.
It's like I'm the type person if you give me, I have too much time on my hands, I
get nothing accomplished.
you know, if I have the whole day to clean the house, I will not clean the house, but
give me 45 minutes, I get the whole thing done.
So I'm very much like, you know, just bring it on.
like to juggle a lot, but yeah, I guess that's it.
You know, just make lists and, you know, just prioritize what you can and you will
not be able to get everything done.
But I just, for me, training was a huge priority and dieting and I keep my food
simple, that makes things easy too.
So I don't know, think it's the same thing that we all do, all of us competitors.
If we don't know how, we find a way.
And there's so many resources, I've learned these things from other people,
but it's just possible.
Know it's possible and believe you can do it, for sure.
I think I always think that's great.
I think it's great advice, especially for somebody.
Like you said, you're 43.
You have all of the kiddos at home.
You have all this stuff going on.
You got to drop and pick them off.
Every pick them up everywhere.
Wake up early, go to bed.
You have your meals.
You have your training.
Somebody at your elite level is doing something like that.
You just think if you're just starting out and you're trying to learn how do people
do it?
Well, that's how like you prioritize things.
You're not going to get everything done, but try your best schedule your shit and
do you just get it
no excuses, you just do it.
And that's really it.
Anyone can do it.
It is.
Well guys, thank you so much for listening.
I'm just still so like, I can't believe it, still so excited, I'm just excited for
you girl, like I am.
So we'll have, yeah.
for all your kind words and congratulation messages and for supporting this podcast
too, because we love it.
We want to keep bringing it to you and it's just going to keep getting better.
You know, we're just going to line up some great guests and great topics and you
know, we just, love, we love all of you.
Thank you so much for the support.
Yeah, thank you.
And of course DM us if you have any questions or leave us a comment if you
have any ideas of anything that you would like to hear as a new competitor or
seasoned competitor if you just are curious about anything and then everything
that Gillian named about like her booty bands that she's been doing we'll have in
the show notes below.
But thank you guys for listening and we'll talk to you next week.
Bye.