In today's episode, I chat with IFBB Pro Rachel Farganis, a 40-year-old mom of two, full-time professional photographer, who lives in St. Paul, Minnesota. She is a former D1 sprinter and high jumper. After dealing with a string of autoimmune issues and becoming a mom, fitness took a bit of a backseat. But, around 2018, a fellow photographer started their bodybuilding journey and it sparked a flame in her life. She dove in head first in 2019, and hasn't looked back since.

TOPICS COVERED

-prepping for the first time during COVID

-competing as a mom

-finding the right coach

-balancing competing and marriage

-missing a Pro Card by one spot three different times

-winning a national overall with a broken foot

-the aftermath of going viral

-mindset and the mental difficulties

CONNECT WITH CELESTE:

Website: http://www.celestial.fit

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

All Links: http://www.celestial.fit/links.html

CONNECT WITH RACHEL:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelfarganis/

TIME STAMPS

1:00 introduction

7:07 the aftermath of going viral

14:48 competing with a broken foot

24:10 focuses in the offseason

27:07 competing as a mom

34:40 warning label to competitors

37:02 lessons for her kids

43:33 falling in love with bodybuilding

53:28 first show experience

58:47 finding the right coach

69:04 becoming a photographer

71:44 advice for competitors

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This episode includes a HUGE announcement for 2026. I haven't shared this anywhere with anyone yet! I cannot wait for what's to come and figured I would throw in a little teaser from a mini off the cuff interview done with fit model pro Emily Chanel when she won her pro card at the Pittsburgh Sports Power and Fitness Festival Natural Pro Qualifier securing her IFBB pro card.

Connect with Celeste:

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

www.celestial.fit

Connect with Emily:

https://www.instagram.com/emilychanell/

In today's episode, I chat with IFBB Pro Jessica McLaughlin, an active duty officer in the U.S. Air Force and former NFL Cheerleader for the New York Jets. During the 2024 season, Jessica claimed three overall NPC titles and placed 5th at the 2024 Ben Weider Natural Pro Qualifier before earning her IFBB Pro card at the 2025 North Americans.

Jessica shares her journey as a natural competitor, how her faith influences her approach to bodybuilding, and the lessons she's learned about discipline, patience, and perspective both on and off the stage. We also talk about her transition from cheerleading to bodybuilding, balancing military life with prep, and how she keeps her priorities aligned with her values.

TOPICS COVERED

-Being a natural competitor

-Competing as a Christian

-Nailing your reverse

-Overcoming instant gratification

-The importance of early posing practice

-Using a dance background to enhance presentation

-Keeping perspective on what's truly hard

CONNECT WITH CELESTE:

Website: http://www.celestial.fit

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

All Links: http://www.celestial.fit/links.html

CONNECT WITH JESSICA:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessie_sbk/

TIME STAMPS

1:00 introduction

5:00 competing as a Christian

10:17 perspective on bikini division

13:18 focus for off season

20:57 growing from 2021 to 2024

24:56 advocating for staying natural

31:18 the pressure to keep up

37:31 lessons from bodybuilding

40:17 red hair on stage & posing

51:33 getting comfortable in heels

61:29 being an NFL cheerleader

66:08 joining the air force

72:54 balancing the military and bodybuilding

86:55 advice for competitors

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE FOOD RELATIONSHIP COACHING SERIES

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE POST SHOW BLUES COACHING SERIES

LEARN MORE AND APPLY FOR MY 5 WEEK FOOD RELATIONSHIP HEALING & DISCOVERY COACHING PROGRAM

FOR OTHER FREE RESOURCES, LIVE EVENTS, AND WAYS TO WORK WITH CELESTE CLICK HERE