JULI LOPEZ

In this episode, host Celeste Rains-Turk speaks with Juli Lopez,
a personal trainer and owner of Iron Babe Fitness, a business
student and IFBB Bikini Pro who earned her pro card at Miami
Nationals in 2018.

Celeste kicks off the episode the way she always does by asking
Juli about her pre stage ritual. Then, Celeste asks Juli about
the process she took to build muscle after always being skinny
growing up. Juli explains that through consistency and goal
setting she saw her body changing, eventually leading her to
diligently research coaches before finding the right fight and
making the decision to compete.

Celeste and Juli discuss the potential her coach saw in Juli
before ever having competed and what they did to bring her
thoughts and projections to fruition. From there, Juli talks
about her early success as an amateur and how that really set the
stage for her pursuing bigger goals and aspirations as a
competitor. 

Celeste then transitions the conversation into the mindset that
Juli took on, not just setting her sights on becoming a pro, but
enjoying the journey and bettering herself as an athlete
overall.

Next, Juli talks about what made her decide to take a break from
the stage despite being so determined and focused. Juli shares
the feedback the judges gave her that led her to return to the
national stage and eventually earn her pro status, as well as the
strategies and approaches she and her coach took with her
training and nutrition to make the necessary changes.

Celeste then asks Juli the fun question of which exercises for
glutes, hamstrings, and shoulders, Juli finds best for building
those target muscle groups. From there, Celeste transitions the
conversation to a newer topic that has not been discussed much on
the show before and that is the topic of dating during prep. Juli
shares her thoughts, opinions, and experiences with dating during
prep and living the lifestyle of a competitor. 

Next, the conversation shifts to a day in the life for Juli.
Celeste asks Juli what her typical day to day looks like and Juli
discusses certain rituals and practices she has to keep herself
focused on her goals, despite having a busy schedule. Here, Juli
talks about her idea of “don’t cheat yourself” and how that
mindset motivates her to stay focused on going after her
goals.

Celeste and Juli discuss Juli’s business and what misconceptions
and stereotypes others tend to have surrounding the concept of
being your own boss. Juli also offers a discount on her booty
bands with code 'Bikini20' that you can find using the link to
connect with Juli in the show notes! Celeste talks with Juli
about how prep has positively influenced her life and business by
teaching her to be very detail oriented. 

The conversation then shifts back to Juli’s career as a
competitor and what it was like to step on stage next to some of
the top competitors in the sport who have graced some of the most
prestigious stages and what then led her to take time away from
the stage and transition into her first real improvement
season.

Juli shares that during her prep for her pro shows she ended up
injuring her hamstring, yet did not disclose that information to
her coach and continued to push through to the stage. Juli also
walks us through her mindset and thought process as to why she
decided to continue prep and hit the pro stage shortly after
earning her pro status instead of first taking an off
season.

Celeste asks Juli the process it took for Juli to finally find
her show day look and she shares tips on how to choose the suit
and hair color that best fits your physique. Finally, concluding
the episode Juli shares her advice for new competitors and girls
on their road to pro. 
Connect with Juli:
https://www.instagram.com/ironbabejl/
https://www.ironbabe.shop/
​
 Connect with Celeste: 
https://www.instagram.com/celestial_fit/
 www.celestial.fit


Episode Time Stamps:
[1:25] Juli shares with listeners her pre-stage ritual.

[2:20] Celeste asks Juli about the process it took her to build
muscle.

[4:40] Juli shares how she discovered bodybuilding and what led
her to competing.

[8:10] Celeste asks Juli if her early success as an amateur
really propelled her forward to keep striving for more in the
sport. 

[9:48] Celeste asks Juli about what she did for her mindset while
staying focused on her goals.

[12:00] Juli talks about how she knows when it's time to step
back and take a break.

[15:35] Celeste asks Juli about the strategy she took to help
grow her upper body.

[19:10] Celeste has Juli share her top exercises for glutes,
hamstrings, and shoulders.

[20:27] Juli discusses the topic of dating during prep.

[24:00] Juli shares what her typical day looks like.

[26:40] Celeste asks Juli about rituals and practices she has to
keep her goals at the forefront of her mind.

[30:00] Celeste and Juli talk about what it’s like owning their
own businesses, what it’s taught them, and common misconceptions
people have about “being their own boss.”

[32:50] Juli discusses her thoughts on how prep has influenced
her life positively, in competing and her business, by being
detail oriented.

[37:30] Juli shares what’s changed in her approach to training
since stepping away from the stage since her pro debut and
starting an improvement season.

[39:30] Celeste asks Juli to share her experiences stepping on
stage as a new pro amongst top competitors and seasoned
pros.

[43:30] Celeste and Juli discuss what Juli’s mindset was like
continuing to prep with an injury and without her coach
knowing.

[48:40] Juli talks about what drove her to push to compete on the
pro level instead of first taking a break after earning her pro
card.

[50:00] Celeste asks Juli how she went about finding her best
show day look.

[51:20] Juli shares her advice and opinions on picking the proper
hair and suit color for the stage.

[54:30] Julie gives advice to new competitors and girls on their
road to pro.