LAUREN ADAMS RETURNS

In this episode, Celeste brings back Lauren Adams, an IFBB Bikini
Pro that Celeste spoke with about many deep and eye opening
topics in her first episode. To start off Lauren’s return episode
Celeste asks Lauren about her first year competing as a
pro. 

Lauren shares what it was like stepping on stage with Olympians
and prepping through COVID, and she also talks about how she was
determined to step on stage at the Klash Championships despite
the uncertainty of the new show date despite various cancelations
and postponements. Next, Lauren talks about the feelings she had
surrounding her placements and the feedback she received. Celeste
then asks Lauren about her feedback from the judges and has her
elaborate on how the feedback has changed from the amateur level
to now competing as a pro.

Lauren talks about her dedication and drive she had to build as
much muscle as she could before stepping on stage for her pro
debut, and the pros and cons that came along with that growth in
relation to the criteria for the bikini category. Lauren shares
what she learned in terms of what the judges were looking for on
the pro level, how that differed from the amateurs, and what
training and nutrition changes she made to fit those criteria.
After talking about the critiques and feedback she received,
Lauren emphasizes the importance of competitors creating a
relationship with the judges, especially if one wishes to be a
true student of the sport. 


Celeste then goes over the transformations that Lauren made with
her physique, overall look, and presentation based on the
feedback she received from the judges. Lauren then talks about
her feelings associated with the critiques she received about her
physique being too big or too muscular for the bikini division
after working so hard to bring a new and improved package to the
stage.

Celeste then asks Lauren about her coaching switch, what inspired
the change, and the new approach they took with her training and
nutrition to bring the look the judges were looking for. By
mentioning the changes in her training, Celeste and Lauren go on
to discuss the various coaching methods and approaches to cardio
during prep. Next, Celeste touches on Lauren’s approach to her
nutrition and asks Laure if she prefers to track macros or take
an intuitive approach. 

Circling back to a topic Lauren wanted to elaborate on, the women
discuss all things judging, specifically the differences between
what is being rewarded at the amateur level and then what is
expected for the pros. Lauren touches on how as much as she loved
training heavy, she didn’t need to go quite as “beast mode” as
she did for so long and how the judges do not always reward the
girl that shows up the most lean or “shredded.”

Lauren also shares that at the pro level, the judges tend to
focus more on the minor details including posing and overall
presentation. The two women discuss more in detail the importance
of posing itself and Lauren shares what she felt has made the
biggest impact on the improvements she’s made on her posing
routine. 

After discussing judging criteria, Celeste asks Lauren about her
feelings around getting sick and asks Lauren to share if she felt
any grief while watching her physique change because of the
inability to train due to being sick. Lauren reflects on the
feelings and emotional waves she has experienced during this time
and what she will be focused on moving forward.

As a result of this reflection, Celeste asks if Lauren has had
any breakthroughs, whether about herself or about life, during
this time. During this discussion, Celeste and Lauren talk about
expectations athletes set for themselves and also the healthy,
real and raw feelings or reactions they experience around
competing and placings, both positive and negative. 


Next, Lauren and Celeste both reflect on how they feel this year
has been a blessing in the sense of learning to trust life’s
timing when striving to achieve personal goals. They also touch
on how this relates in the competition space and how girls tend
to have a scarcity mindset around sticking to the timeline they
set for themselves when it comes to achieving specific
competition goals.

Celeste opens up and shares valuable insight about the importance
of the journey, self growth, and personal lessons that one learns
through a competition prep. Both women also share the importance
of competing for the love of the sport and the desire to truly
better oneself instead of competing for the external validation
they receive from others.

After sharing some valuable insights Celeste switches subjects
and asks Lauren about the friendships she’s made backstage and
the difference in the dynamic amongst competitors between the NPC
and IFBB levels. Lauren then opens up and shares if there was
anything she wishes she would have known before competing in her
first pro show and season. Lastly, to conclude the episode Lauren
shares how others can reach out and connect with her.

HEAR THE FIRST EPISODE WITH LAUREN 

CONNECT WITH LAUREN:
 https://www.instagram.com/lauren_elizabeth_fit/

​CONNECT WITH
CELESTE: https://instagram.com/celestial_fit

Time stamps:
[1:00] Celeste reintroduces Lauren and shares what topics will be
discussed.

[2:50] Celeste asks Lauren about her first year competing as a
pro; sharing the stage amongst Olympian’s, prepping during Covid,
etc.

[7:15] Lauren talks about the feedback she received from the
judges, how her feedback as a pro has differed from being an
amateur, her plans moving forward.

[9:30] Lauren mentions what the IFBB Pro judges typically look
for versus the physique she originally brought to stage.

[11:15] Lauren shares why she think it’s important for
competitors to have a relationship with the judges.

[14:00] Celeste asks Lauren how she felt after receiving feedback
such as being too lean or too muscular after taking the time off
to build.

[19:20] Celeste has Lauren share the inspiration behind her
coaching switch, what major changes were made in both her
training and nutrition.

[24:40] Lauren and Celeste talk about different coaching methods
& approaches when it comes to cardio.
 
[27:40] Celeste asks Lauren about her approach to nutrition
during prep; intuitive approach versus weighing her food and
tracking macros.

[31:00] Lauren talks about judging; what is being rewarded at the
amateur level and what is expected in the pro circuit.

[35:40] Celeste asks Lauren about judging at the pro level and if
they focus more on posing and presentation as being part of the
whole package.

[38:10] Lauren talks about what had the biggest impact on
improving her posing.

[40:00] Celeste asks Lauren to share her feelings or possible
grief she’s experiencing from the changes in her physique as a
result of being sick.

[44:00] Celeste asks Lauren about personal breakthroughs she’s
had during her first pro season. 

[48:30] Lauren and Celeste talk about expectations as an athlete
and healthy reactions around placings and competing.

[51:00] Celeste and Lauren talk about how this year turned out to
be a blessing in disguise in relation to trusting life’s
timing.

[53:40] Celeste and Lauren discuss the concept of competitors
having a scarcity mindset around one’s competing timeline.

[59:00] Celeste shares valuable insight on the importance of the
journey and self growth and lessons one can learn about the self
through competing. 

[64:00] Lauren talks about friendships that develop backstage
amongst competitors.

[68:39] Lauren shares if there’s anything she wished she would’ve
known before going into her first pro show & season.

[72:15] Lauren shares the best way for listeners to connect with
her.