In today’s episode, I chat with IFBB Pro Cicily Phillips, who was born and raised in South Carolina and now lives just outside of Atlanta, Georgia. Cicily works full-time as a Project Manager. She started competing in 2017 and earned her Pro card in 2023 at North Americans. In 2025, she made her Pro debut at the Charlotte Pro and continues to compete in both the open and masters divisions. She’s 42 years old, recently got engaged, and is a proud dog mom to her sweet dachshund.

We dive into her journey into fitness, how she balances career, competition, and life, and her experience going Pro later in life. Cicily shares her strategies for managing a reverse diet, how she navigates the unique challenges of competing in both masters and open divisions, and the mindset that has helped her stay consistent over the years.

TOPICS COVERED

-How she got into fitness and bodybuilding

-Running a personal training business

-Establishing balance between life and sport

-Reverse dieting strategies

-Masters versus open divisions

-Going Pro and getting engaged

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 HEATHER:

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

TIME STAMPS

1:00 introduction

3:08 guided by faith

5:47 evolving her approach

11:08 new pressures going Pro

14:15 finding fitness and bodybuilding

19:55 dealing with post-show cravings

21:29 what winning her Pro card meant

25:17 masters versus open

32:51 making her Pro debut

38:28 working towards future goals

44:07 time management tips

46:27 working as a personal trainer

50:20 advice for competitors

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In today’s episode, I chat with IFBB Pro Heather Brewer, a United States Naval Academy graduate, former Division 1 swimmer, and Major in the United States Marine Corps. Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, and the oldest of eight siblings, Heather is also a wife to a Marine officer and a mother of two. She began competing seriously in 2019 and earned her Pro card at the 2024 Masters USA, where she took the Overall title.

Heather opens up about balancing life as a wife, mom, athlete, and active-duty Marine. We dive into her long journey with bulimia, the physical and emotional toll of eating disorders, and how bodybuilding helped her rebuild a healthier relationship with food. She shares her experiences transitioning from prep to improvement season, blending her many roles, and co-owning a coaching business with her husband.

TOPICS COVERED

-Her journey as a wife, mother, Marine, and athlete

-Battling and healing from bulimia

-The impact of eating disorders on the body and mind

-Learning about macronutrients and nutrition

-Navigating post-show blues

-Running a coaching business with her husband

-Preparing for her Pro debut

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 HEATHER:

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

TIME STAMPS

1:00 introduction

3:38 blending different identities into life

8:33 approach to parenting

11:25 avoiding eating disorders

18:15 being honest about your actions

24:23 admiring that you’re vulnerable

25:19 from prep to improvement season

34:40 planning out shows

41:25 planning her Pro debut

50:22 evolving your stage presentation

53:00 hitting military fitness standards

54:56 becoming a coach

59:15 prioritizing her marriage

63:47 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

In today’s episode, I chat with IFBB Pro Zoey St. John, a rising star and natural athlete who made her mark in the NPC before earning her Pro card. Zoey took the overall titles at the 2024 Natural Ohio and 2024 Northcoast Championships, and went on to win the Overall at the 2025 Pittsburgh to earn her spot in the IFBB.

Zoey is a lifelong athlete with a background in volleyball, track, dance, cheer, and softball. Introduced to bodybuilding by her father, who competed in the 90s, she shares how the sport has shaped her physically, mentally, and emotionally.

We dive into her experience with disordered eating, the pressure to do everything perfectly, and how working with a therapist helped her redefine her relationship with food, fitness, and self-worth. Zoey brings refreshing honesty about competing naturally, finding your identity beyond the stage, and giving yourself grace through every phase.

TOPICS COVERED

-Disordered eating habits and mental health

-The importance of eating enough food

-Letting go of the all-or-nothing mindset

-Prioritizing recovery and rest

-Identity outside of bodybuilding

-Competing naturally in the NPC and IFBB

-Tools for self-awareness and grace

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 ZOEY:

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

TikTok: @zoeystjohn

TIME STAMPS

1:00 introduction

5:10 making gains early on

7:30 balancing the sport with friendships

9:58 working with a therapist

14:27 relationship with her parents

19:40 loving the sport

26:05 having supper going into Pittsburg

28:20 her road to Pro

34:11 tools to support mental health

37:55 being a natural competitor

43:10 plans for the future

46:20 adjusting post-show

54:50 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