JOVANNA GIBBS-ARNOLD

In this episode Celeste speaks with Jovanna Gibbs-Arnold, IFBB
Bikini Pro and owner of So Frea Lingerie who started competing in
2018 and earned her pro card in 2019 after having early success
as an amateur. She recently competed in her first pro season and
comes on to share many of her most real and raw parts of herself
and life as a whole!


 


Celeste starts off the episode by asking Jovanna if there is
anything special she does or thinks about before hitting the
stage. Next, Celeste mentions Jovanna’s experience competing in
the SNBF before finding and competing in the NPC. Jovanna goes on
to share what competing in that federation was like, how she
decided on switching to the NPC, and what inspired her to set the
goal of becoming an IFBB Pro. 


 


Jovanna shares her beginnings in the bodybuilding world and some
of the feedback she received amongst her first few shows. Celeste
asks Jovanna how her approach to nutrition and training has
changed over the years to help her both put on muscle and achieve
her desired shape. Jovanna discusses why she found weight lifting
appealing, how her training has evolved and Celeste also asks her
to share the story behind her infamous addiction to
Chick-Fil-A. 


 


Next, Celeste asks Jovanna more about her “quick prep” approach
she’s taken leading up to all of her shows. Jovanna opens up and
shares how bodybuilding has become a confidence booster and how
she tends to “run away” from certain looks or “standards” that
the majority of women tend to desire and run towards. 


 


Celeste dives deeper by asking Jovanna how she has come to foster
self-confidence regardless of the season she is in, and Jovanna
opens up about how she not only loves and embraces her curves,
but shares what inspired her to strive towards her goal of giving
her body more shape. She mentions how cultural norms & body
image “standards” that are common amongst those living in the
South have affected her, since bodybuilding requires Jovanna to
maintain quite a different look. Jovanna shares her struggles in
her relationship with food, weight loss, and what she views as
her version of body dysmorphia. 


 


After vulnerably sharing her battles with self-confidence,
Jovanna also shares how she overcomes feelings of wanting to
self-sabotage when she starts to second guess her progress or
experience self doubt. Jovanna touches on the impact her coaches
have had on her journey and how they’ve been vital to keeping her
on track mentally, especially leading up to a show.


 


Then, Celeste transitions to discuss Jovanna’s performance at the
Chicago Pro, asking Jovanna what exactly made her feel she was
not deserving of first call outs and how that will influence her
approach to future preps. Again, Jovanna touches on her
preference of having shorter preps and the success she’s had thus
far, yet the dissatisfaction she felt about her overall
presentation. 


 


Jovanna shares the realization of needing to step up her game by
putting in more time, effort, and attention to detail before
hitting the pro stage again. She admits she got away with not
“giving it her all” in her days as an amateur but where she knows
she needs to adjust to have success as a pro. 


 


Celeste acknowledges the progress Jovanna since having that
realization and goes on to ask about the reasoning behind
Jovanna’s idea to potentially be self-coached for her next show.
Jovanna explains how attending the yearly seminar put on by her
sponsor, Shawn’s Couture has taught her the importance of stage
presence and where she has room to improve in her overall
presentation at future competitions.


 


Branching off of the knowledge Jovanna has gained from her
sponsor, Celeste asks more about what bodybuilding has taught
her. Jovanna shares her thoughts on the importance of both
communication and discipline which leads Celeste to ask Jovanna
if bodybuilding has had an effect on her decisions or work ethic
when it comes to her approach to her business. 


 


Celeste then asks Jovanna about the inspiration behind the name
of her business, the meaning behind it, and how things have been
going since the launch. Jovanna also talks about the changes and
adjustments she’s had to make in her schedule now being both a
professional athlete and a businesswoman. Before wrapping up the
episode, Celeste first asks Jovanna for her best advice for
novice competitors and for the girls on their road to pro.


 


CONNECT WITH
JOVANNA:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlatthebar/


Lingerie and
loungewear:https://sofrealingerie.com/ sofrealingerie.com/

https://www.instagram.com/Sofrea.lingerie/


CONNECT WITH
CELESTE:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/celestial_fit/

For loads of free resources like the free food relationship
coaching program or the competitor mindset card deck or ways to
work with Celeste visit: http://www.celestial.fit/links.html


Time Stamps:


[0:50] Celeste introduces Jovanna.


 


[1:30] Jovanna shares what she does right before she hits the
stage.


 


[2:40] Celeste asks Jovanna about her experience competing in the
SNBF.


 


[3:45] Celeste asks Jovanna if she set a goal to become an IFBB
pro after her first NPC show.


 


[5:00] Jovanna shares some feedback she received as she was on
her journey to pro.


 


[7:00] Celeste asks how Jovanna has changed her nutrition &
training over the years to achieve her physique.


 


[8:35] Celeste has Jovanna share the story behind her Chick-Fil-A
addiction.


 


[10:00] Celeste asks Jovanna about her “quick-prep” approach.


 


[12:40] Celeste asks Jovanna how she has been able to foster
self-confidence regardless of the season she’s in.


 


[14:30] Jovanna shares what inspired her to gain more shape in
her physique.


 


[18:00] Celeste asks Jovanna if living in the South for 15 years
had an affect on how she felt or saw herself because she looked
different.


 


[19:50] Jovanna talks about how she works through periods of
wanting to self sabotage.


 


[22:50] Jovanna shares how her feeling of not deserving first
call outs at Chicago Pro has inspired how she’s going to approach
future preps.


 


[26:00] Celeste asks Jovanna the reasoning behind potentially
prepping herself for her next show.


 


[28:20]Celeste asks how being a sponsored athlete had any affect
on how Jovanna showed up at shows.


 


[31:00] Jovanna shares lessons bodybuilding has taught her.


 


[34:50] Celeste asks Jovanna how bodybuilding has influenced her
decisions and work ethic towards her business.


 


[36:30] Celeste asks Jovanna how has pursuing the lingerie
business has inspired her to influence other women to embrace
their version of sexy. 


 


[38:45] Jovanna shares the inspiration behind the name of her
business & the success she’s had.


 


[43:40] Celeste asks Jovanna about adjustments she’s had to make
to her schedule being both a competitor and a businesswoman.


 


[48:45] Jovanna gives her best advice for first time competitors
and girls on their road to pro.


 


[52:50] Jovanna shares where listeners can further connect with
her.