SUZANNE FARGO

In this episode Celeste speaks with Suzanne Fargo, an athlete who
has overcome major adversities through her two regional and two
nationals shows to achieve the success she has today and who is a
true representation that age is not a limiting factor in the
sport of bodybuilding. 

As always, Celeste kicks off the episode by asking Suzanne about
her pre-stage ritual. Next, Suzanne goes on to describe her
experiences at her national show, where the morning of her
competition did not go as expected. With the make up artist
running late and a mix up of when her class was being called,
Suzanne explains the anxiety she felt as she rushed to get ready,
only to find out that she was ready early as the Pro class for
her age group was being called instead of the amateurs.

From there, Celeste asks Suzanne to recount her experiences and
journey to that national stage, including the show where the two
women were able to meet in person, Gold Coast Classic, which was
Suzanne’s first show. Suzanne shares what her feedback was from
the judges and what she worked on to improve her physique for the
national stage. 

Before diving into the challenges and obstacles Suzanne has dealt
with throughout her journey, Celeste asks Suzanne what inspired
her to get into the gym to start lifting. Suzanne shares that she
was diagnosed in December 2016 with Osteopenia, early
osteoporosis, meaning that she had weak bones, which was a
condition she was unaware of having. She explains that for four
years before her diagnosis she experienced various broken bones,
which led her to get a bone density scan. 

Suzanne’s doctor recommended she start weight resistance training
to prevent more serious problems in the following years and she
found out that her Osteopenia was genetic given that was not
deficient in Vitamin D or Calcium. 

Being that she is half Taiwanese, Suzanne also learned that both
osteopenia and osteoporosis are common conditions throughout the
Asian community. With her doctors advice in mind, Suzanne sought
out a trainer at a local gym and after a few months she really
began to see her body change. It was then that her trainer at the
time suggested she try prepping for a bikini competition. Celeste
asks Suzanne about if she ever had any pain in her bones when she
began lifting weights, as it was something her body was not used
to and had broken so many bones in the past. 

Next, Celeste opens the conversation to the topic of age. Celeste
asks Suzanne to share her thoughts on getting into competing at
her age and if she ever felt she was too old, which leads to
Suzanne revealing her age. Suzanne shares that she has never felt
that her age has been something to hold her back from going after
her goals. Celeste asks Suzanne if she knew she would want to
turn pro after her first experience on stage. Suzanne reflects on
her experiences as a collegiate athlete and states that she knew
that if she wanted to reach the next level she would have to
reign in the necessary discipline and mentality to do so.

Since Suzanne first started training in the gym and getting into
competing she has had the opportunity to work with more than one
coach. Celeste has Suzanne share the different approaches and
techniques each coach has taken, how her preps have differed, and
if Suzanne prefers one particular training method or style over
another. Suzanne notes that each coach has served a particular
purpose in her journey and talks about if she had any doubts or
fears while transitioning between coaches. She then shares how
she likes working with her current coach, Shane, and what she
likes most about working with him. 

Celeste asks about the influence Shane’s belief in Suzanne and
her abilities has had on her journey to achieving her pro card.
Suzanne shares that her coach never once doubted her potential to
go pro and the importance of strategic planning they discussed
when it came to competing at the national level. Celeste has
Suzanne share her favorite part of her road to pro between the
experiences with her different coaches, the methods she
personally liked most, and what she’s learned along the
way. 

Suzanne talks about Shane’s “old school bodybuilding” approach
when it comes to training, using the same workout plan over years
yet progressing in each individual movement. From there, the two
women further discuss that strategy and its benefits instead of
constantly switching up ones workout routine. 

After discussing training Celeste and Suzanne talk nutrition.
Suzanne explains her reasoning behind eating a pure plant based
diet for a portion of the week along with her meat based meals.
The two women talk about their favorite preferred animal proteins
yet that they can appreciate and enjoy fully plant based meals
from time to time.

Celeste discusses the psychology between positive and negative
reinforcement with behaviors and how that translates to nutrition
and bodybuilding and seeing the physical results one desires.
They then discuss the difference between actual cravings and
perceived cravings and the perceived norms associated with post
show treats.

Switching gears, Celeste asks Suzanne about her career prior to
competing. Suzanne dives into her 25-year career in retail
fashion and how she fell into that industry after majoring in
Sociology, a degree she decided on after not feeling called study
subjects she did not enjoy, such as math. She shares that now she
would love to become more involved in the health and fitness
industry and focus on working with women over 40, encouraging
them to believe in themselves and break the belief that age is a
limiting factor on ones goals. 

Next, Celeste asks Suzanne to share some of the setbacks and
obstacles she experienced throughout her competing career.
Suzanne shares that her first national show experience was
delayed because of a surgery her doctor refused to let her put
off after fighting through a hernia to step on stage at her two
regional shows. Suzanne walks us through her journey of fighting
through various injuries and sicknesses while doing everything in
her power to step on those national stages and achieve her pro
card.

Suzanne shares the impact her coach had while she was going
through these tough times and how, no matter what, he encouraged
her “not to let anyone beat her” and to push through the
struggles. While on the topic of all things competing, Celeste
asks Suzanne about her plans to step on stage for her pro debut,
which leads Suzanne to share her plans and setbacks she is
currently working through. Concluding the episode, Suzanne shares
her best advice for new competitors and girls on their road to
pro. 
 Connect with
Suzanne:  https://www.instagram.com/suzannefargo_ifbbpro/

Connect with
Celeste: https://www.instagram.com/celestial_fit/


Episode Time Stamps:
[1:40] Suzanne shares her pre-stage ritual with
listeners. 

[3:00] Celeste asks Suzanne about the morning of her national
show and what happened that made it such a crazy
experience.

[8:30] Suzanne shares the feedback she received from the various
judges she competed in front before hitting the national
stage.

[10:50] Celeste asks Suzanne to share what inspired her to start
lifting. 

[12:00] Suzanne explains what Osteopenia is and how she came to
be diagnosed.

[15:35] Celeste asks if Suzanne had any pain in her bones when
she started lifting due to her Osteopenia. 

[17:15] Suzanne talks about feelings she had regarding her age;
did she feel she was too old when she got started in
competing?

[18:15] Celeste has Suzanne share her age with
listeners. 

[19:45] Suzanne shares her original thoughts on whether or not
she would become an IFBB pro.

[25:00] Celeste asks Suzanne to share her experiences and
approaches to preps with the different coaches she’s had
throughout her career and if she’s found more enjoyment with one
method in particular.

[28:40] Celeste asks Suzanne about her experiences switching
coaches and if she had any doubts or difficulties leaving one to
work with another.

[30:40] Suzanne shares how her coach, Shane, had an influence on
her because of his strong belief in her abilities.

[32:00] Celeste and Suzanne discuss the importance of strategic
planning with ones coach, especially while on the road to
pro.

[34:15] Celeste asks Suzanne about what aspects she has enjoyed
most about the approach she’s taken with her various coaches
during her preps while on her road to pro and now starting her
pro career. 

[40:00] Suzanne talks about her nutrition and her method of
taking half the week to eat a fully plant based diet.

[43:00] Suzanne talks about how she’s not one to crave sweets;
her and Celeste talk about honoring your body’s cravings and not
stressing over what to eat, especially post show.

[46:40] Celeste asks Suzanne about her career prior to finding
competing.

[50:00] Suzanne talks about wanting to help women over 40 not let
age be a deterring factor from them competing and her hopes that
one day there will be a Masters Arnold & Olympia.

[54:00] Celeste has Suzanne share some adversities and
difficulties she overcame while on her road to pro.

[56:30] Suzanne talks about how a hernia surgery impacted her
post show plans after her second competition.

[60:00] Suzanne shares how she got ready for North Americans
despite not being able to do any cardio due to bronchitis.

[63:15] Celeste asks Suzanne about her recovery after North
Americans.

[64:40] Celeste asks Suzanne if she’s currently in prep for her
pro debut and Suzanne shares what setbacks she’s been working
through.

[70:30] Celeste has Suzanne share if there's anything else she’d
like to tell listeners.

[71:30] Suzanne gives her best advice for first time competitors
and girls on their road to pro.