In today’s episode, I chat with IFBB Pro Zoey St. John, a rising star and natural athlete who made her mark in the NPC before earning her Pro card. Zoey took the overall titles at the 2024 Natural Ohio and 2024 Northcoast Championships, and went on to win the Overall at the 2025 Pittsburgh to earn her spot in the IFBB.

Zoey is a lifelong athlete with a background in volleyball, track, dance, cheer, and softball. Introduced to bodybuilding by her father, who competed in the 90s, she shares how the sport has shaped her physically, mentally, and emotionally.

We dive into her experience with disordered eating, the pressure to do everything perfectly, and how working with a therapist helped her redefine her relationship with food, fitness, and self-worth. Zoey brings refreshing honesty about competing naturally, finding your identity beyond the stage, and giving yourself grace through every phase.

TOPICS COVERED

-Disordered eating habits and mental health

-The importance of eating enough food

-Letting go of the all-or-nothing mindset

-Prioritizing recovery and rest

-Identity outside of bodybuilding

-Competing naturally in the NPC and IFBB

-Tools for self-awareness and grace

CONNECT WITH CELESTE:

Website: http://www.celestial.fit

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/celestial_fit/

All Links: http://www.celestial.fit/links.html

CONNECT WITH ZOEY:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoeystjohn_ifbbpro/

TikTok: @zoeystjohn

TIME STAMPS

1:00 introduction

5:10 making gains early on

7:30 balancing the sport with friendships

9:58 working with a therapist

14:27 relationship with her parents

19:40 loving the sport

26:05 having supper going into Pittsburg

28:20 her road to Pro

34:11 tools to support mental health

37:55 being a natural competitor

43:10 plans for the future

46:20 adjusting post-show

54:50 advice for competitors

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In today’s episode, I chat with IFBB Pro Gemma Nanista, athlete manager for Raw Nutrition and posing coach. Gemma began competing in 2021 at just 19 years old. She won the overall at her first show, then took a three-year offseason before returning to win another overall at a national qualifier. She earned her Pro card at her first national show, USAs, in 2024.

We discuss the value of taking intentional health phases, handling pressure with a sports psychology mindset, and what it means to truly evolve in the sport. Gemma shares how she’s made meaningful connections backstage, what it’s like having her fiancé as her coach, and why she believes in always outworking your past self.

TOPICS COVERED

-Taking health phases and long offseasons

-Handling internal pressure through sports psychology

-Making genuine connections backstage

-Pushing your personal limits

-Evolving mentally and physically as an athlete

CONNECT WITH CELESTE:

Website: http://www.celestial.fit

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/celestial_fit/

All Links: http://www.celestial.fit/links.html

CONNECT WITH GEMMA:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gemmananista/

TIME STAMPS

1:00 introduction

6:40 from volleyball to bodybuilding

14:54 avoiding burnout

22:00 being a Type A athlete

23:25 interests outside of bodybuilding

26:33 embracing femininity

34:01 approaching training

40:13 changes to support muscle growth

44:40 body image and changing physique

50:23 reversing after shows

57:04 having her fiancé as her coach

67:51 what the future holds

75:24 advice for competitors

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE FOOD RELATIONSHIP COACHING SERIES

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE POST SHOW BLUES COACHING SERIES

LEARN MORE AND APPLY FOR MY 5 WEEK FOOD RELATIONSHIP HEALING & DISCOVERY COACHING PROGRAM

FOR OTHER FREE RESOURCES, LIVE EVENTS, AND WAYS TO WORK WITH CELESTE CLICK HERE

In today’s episode, I chat with IFBB Pro Mahsa Rogers, personal trainer and posing coach at Rep Republic. Mahsa began competing in 2020 and earned her Pro card and the Overall Bikini title at the 2024 NPC Nationals. With eight shows under her belt, she is currently preparing for her Pro debut. In our conversation, Mahsa shares the importance of being honest with yourself, how she’s grown through the sport, and what motivates her to keep showing up.

She also opens up about the loss of her husband and how that shaped her journey, mindset, and mission both on and off the stage.

TOPICS COVERED

-Growing through the sport

-Being honest about feedback, placings, and physique

-Finding her “why” in bodybuilding

-Competing and learning from past shows

-Post-show mindset and reversing

-Navigating grief and life transitions

CONNECT WITH CELESTE:

Website: http://www.celestial.fit

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/celestial_fit/

All Links: http://www.celestial.fit/links.html

CONNECT WITH MAHSA:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mahsa_rogersfit/

Gym: https://www.instagram.com/reprepublic_gym/

TIME STAMPS

1:00 introduction

5:30 bringing your own energy to stage

8:24 building someones confidence

16:12 having what it takes

18:48 growing in bodybuilding

26:55 taking action to improve

29:02 how training & nutrition have evolved

31:20 taking the sport seriously

39:40 transition from prep to post-season

43:40 committing to the off season

57:02 losing her husband

70:59 thriving through routine

75:08 having a support system

76:26 goals for the future

83:23 advice for competitors

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE FOOD RELATIONSHIP COACHING SERIES

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE POST SHOW BLUES COACHING SERIES

LEARN MORE AND APPLY FOR MY 5 WEEK FOOD RELATIONSHIP HEALING & DISCOVERY COACHING PROGRAM

FOR OTHER FREE RESOURCES, LIVE EVENTS, AND WAYS TO WORK WITH CELESTE CLICK HERE