DR. IRINA POST

In this episode, Celeste speaks with Irina Post, a Russian
immigrant who came to the US to pursue her American Dream,
working diligently to put herself through school to become a
pharmacist, and found bodybuilding after countless attempts at
fad diets. Irina first competed in 2014, being inspired by bikini
girls she saw on social media. Due to life’s ups and downs she
took a break from competing, yet made her return to the stage in
2019 after passing her boards and seeking new coaching, &
obtained her pro card at USAs in 2020. 






Starting off the episode, Irina shares the routine she performs
before her heel hits the stage. Next Celeste mentions the five
year break from competing, asking Irina when she knew it was time
to step away, and what fueled her decision to return. Irina talks
about her reaching out to work with Whitney Jones, the initial
plan for her prep, and the changes they had to make because of
show cancellations and postponements due to Covid. Irina also
shares how her diet approach became macro based as opposed to
meal plans, and she shares how she adjusted to this new method
for her contest prep nutrition. 


 


Celeste also asks Irina how, despite the uncertainty, she and her
coaches worked together to combat her plateaus and “sticking
points” since her prep was longer than originally anticipated.
Irina discusses how she had to make the decision to continue to
prep or take a step back and try to get pregnant, as that was
something she and her husband had been talking about before
starting the season. 


 


Irina shares her feedback she received from her first show of the
year, the Arnold Amateur, and describes how she and Whitney
strategized so that Irina peaked properly going into USAs. Noting
the passion and desire Irina had to assure she was bringing
nothing short of her best to the national stage, 


 


Celeste asks if Irina trusted and followed her coach’s protocol,
or if she asked for modifications to her plan. Irina shares how
her prep changed in the final weeks leading up to the show, and
Celeste asks Irina about the feelings she experienced hearing her
name being called for her pro card. Irina shares where her
mindset was at during her prep as she became busier than expected
at her pharmacy job due to periods of work being short staffed
during Covid. 


 


She mentions that between long commutes, twelve hour shifts, and
feeling like she was “running on fumes,” winning her pro card at
her first national show wasn’t in the front of her mind. Celeste
then mentions Irina’s proximity to snagging the overall title and
what feedback she received from the judges. 


 


While on the topic of winning her pro card, Celeste touches on
the fact that Irina’s husband, who is also a competitor, won his
pro card as well, and asked Irina what it was like for them to
turn pro at the same show. Irina tells listeners that, while
excited to celebrate her husband's success, she also felt
pressured to bring home her pro card as well. 


 


Moving on, the two women discuss Irina’s approach to diet and
training post show, as she had mentioned how her and her husband
had wanted to try and have a baby. Irina expresses certain
hesitations and concerns she has about getting pregnant and the
changes to her body, but also her feelings of excitement for this
next chapter in her life. 


 


Although there are talks of both a baby and making their pro
debut together, Irina discusses how her and her husband came to
the decision that it was time to start a family.  Irina
talks about her and her husband's feelings towards having a baby
and how she foresees her husband being as a future father. 


 


After talking about family matters, Celeste mentions Irina’s busy
work schedule that she manages with competing. She asks Irina if
the mentality and habits she developed from her experiences of
coming to the US, and working full time while earning her
doctorate had an influence on the way she approached
bodybuilding. Irina then shares her story of immigrating from
Russia to the US. 


 


She discusses how coming to the US influenced her decision to
choose to commit to pharmacology and also how she found
bodybuilding. Irina acknowledges that nothing was gifted to her
and that she had to work hard to put herself through school and
establish her career. Because of Irina’s story, Celeste was
curious to ask how the “American Dream” was depicted in Russia
and what inspired Irina to come to the US. 


 


Irina discusses how she came to the decision to apply for schools
in the United States as she wasn’t sure how long she was going to
stay upon arriving. Celeste and Irina discuss how Irina got into
pharmacy and she shares an important goal she would like to
accomplish in the field. 


 


The conversation shifts and Irina shares financial goals she has
for herself, which leads Celeste to ask about any strategies
Irina has or is taking to set herself up for this financial
success. Next, Irina briefly shares how she met her husband
before giving her best advice for both first time competitors and
for the girls on their road to pro.


 


CONNECT WITH IRINA:


IG: https://www.instagram.com/irina__post_/






CONNECT WITH CELESTE:


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


WEBSITE: WWW.CELESTIAL.FIT






Episode Time Stamps:


[0:50] Celeste introduces Irina.


 


[2:20] Irina shares her pre-stage ritual.


 


[4:30] Celeste asks Irina how she knew it was time to step away
and then come back to the stage.


 


[8:10] Celeste asks how Whitney’s approach to Irina’s prep has
differed with the show cancellations due to Covid.


 


[10:50] Celeste asks if Irina struggled at first with figuring
out macros.


 


[12:15] Irina shares what she did to combat the plateaus she
experienced during prep.


 


[15:50] Celeste asks how Irina & her coaches assured that she
peaked properly for USAs.


 


[17:30] Celeste asks Irina if she was asking for changes on her
prep plan or if she followed the protocol given. 


 


[19:45] Irina shares her focus going into USAs and how it felt to
hear her name called for her pro card.


 


[24:40] Celeste asks Irina about her feedback from the battle for
the overall.


 


[27:30] Irina shares what it was like to win her pro card at the
same show as her husband.


 


[31:20] Celeste asks Irina if she felt pressured to get her pro
card after her husband received his.


 


[34:45] Celeste asks if Irina’s post show approach has changed
because she is trying to get pregnant.


 


[40:55] Irina talks about how she & her husband knew they
were ready to start a family.


 


[48:00] Celeste asks Irina if she believes her life experiences
thus far have influenced her approach to bodybuilding. 


 


[50:30] Irina explains her journey as an immigrant and how she
came to have the success she does in her career and bodybuilding.


 


[58:30] Celeste asks Irina how the “American Dream” was seen in
Russia and what inspired Irina to come here.


 


[60:15] Irina shares her thoughts on deciding to go to school in
the US.


 


[65:15] Celeste clarifies what Irina means by her goal to own her
own pharmacy.


 


[69:00] Celeste asks Irina what steps or strategies she has taken
to set herself up for financial success for herself and for her
future family.


 


[72:45] Irina shares how she met her husband.


 


[73:30] Irina gives her best advice to first time competitors and
for girls on their road to pro.


 


[76:40] Irina tells listeners where they can find & connect
with her on social media.