{"id":133,"date":"2023-11-08T15:44:32","date_gmt":"2023-11-08T20:44:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ironmaster.com\/iron-blog\/?p=133"},"modified":"2026-01-27T15:27:54","modified_gmt":"2026-01-27T20:27:54","slug":"fitness-journey-bikini-competition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ironmaster.com\/blog\/2023\/11\/08\/fitness-journey-bikini-competition\/","title":{"rendered":"My Fitness Journey as a Bikini Competitor"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

I think very few people simply wake up one day and decide out of the blue \u201cI\u2019m going to compete in a bodybuilding competition\u201d. I\u2019m sure they are out there. But I\u2019m willing to bet that most of the time it comes after years of trial and error with working out, exposure to the sport from a video, meeting other competitors, or a life changing event that strikes a match that begins a fiery passion for the sport.<\/p>\n

\"Jessie<\/a><\/figure>\n

My journey towards competing started many years ago while I was in college. I had just changed majors and universities, and started a new job at a local gym here in the metro-Atlanta area. I started working at the front desk then gradually started taking shifts in our in-gym caf\u00e9. As I began getting to know my coworkers, I learned most of the personal trainers were current or previous competitors. A handful of the gym-goers were competitors as well. Day after day, I would see them come in, nail their workouts and drink their shakes or eat their meals they brought with them (the caf\u00e9 was a great spot since there was a microwave for warming up post workout grub).<\/p>\n

Chatting with everyone during the day was an eye opener. They were consistent and disciplined in their routines. I could watch their bodies change as the weeks went by and I was able to ask them about their experiences, even if it was just a few minutes at a time.<\/p>\n

I found it fascinating! At that time, I had just started my nutrition classes and fell in love with how the body works, especially from a nutrition and sports\/performance aspect. This started my interest in a consistent, structured workout routine, while applying my nutrition coursework on myself. I was not thinking of competing at that point, but more interested in seeing if I could improve my flexibility, endurance, stress relief etc. and I also saw a nice change in my body composition.<\/p>\n

After a couple of years, I started thinking about competing and was ready to start looking for a coach. However, unfortunately, I did not have the support at home, so I let the dream go for many years.<\/p>\n

Fast-forward after having my twin boys, I was learning how to manage life with two little ones and wondering how to keep my health a priority. Jogs with them in the stroller or Pilates in the living room while they napped was the daily routine for a while. Spin classes were a lifesaver since my momma brain was fried, I actually liked just sitting in one place having someone tell me what to do and think for 45 minutes, ha!<\/p>\n

Being interesting in food and nutrition, meal prepping while my twins slept or played on the floor became an important aspect as well. However, as anyone with kids knows, you think you have a good routine going and then *BAM* life happens, the kids\u2019 go through a growth spurt, or sleep regression, sickness hits the house, etc\u2026<\/p>\n

My life event was starting to go through the divorce process and working out was a way to keep my mind off of all of that drama, at least for a couple of hours.<\/p>\n

I had joined a gym with a kids club, so I could maintain some semblance of a \u201cnormal routine\u201d with the boys there with me.<\/p>\n

It was therapy; being in the gym\u00a0made sense to me<\/i>\u00a0and gave me focus, purpose, and drive at a time I needed it desperately.<\/p>\n

I met other competitors and coaches then and decided to sign up for a bikini competition\u2026 it raised some eyebrows at the time but I stuck with my decision. Having the structure and accountability of the workout, diet, and check-ins with a coach showed me how intricately it all works together, and how\u00a0different<\/i>\u00a0competition prep is from a standard workout and eating routine.<\/p>\n

The competition world also has posing routines, bikini suites and jewelry, shoes, tanning, makeup, etc. things I certainly didn\u2019t know about before my coach brought me up to speed. It is a fascinating and fun sport, but can get pricy, so beware. Thankfully, I met some great people who showed me economic ways to make my first show happen.<\/p>\n

I practiced posing daily for about 8 weeks out from the competition and I\u2019m so glad I stuck to that advice! It helps take the edge off and give you more confidence when you\u2019re on stage; muscle memory for those poses is crucial with all the excitement and adrenaline of show-day. Also, if you\u2019re putting in all the hard work at the gym, you need to be able to show it effectively on stage.<\/p>\n

Twelve weeks of prep and show day arrives! I step on stage and win 1st<\/sup>\u00a0in my Novice category and 5th<\/sup>\u00a0in the Open\u2026 a great accomplishment for a first-time competitor. I was on cloud 9 for weeks.<\/p>\n

Time hop again\u2026 COVID happened and shows were put on pause. I changed gyms, and coaches, and was blessed with an incredible support system that believed in me and encourages me still to this day.<\/p>\n

The wonderful human beings in my corner encourage me to keep going, because yes, even when you\u2019re passionate about something, you can still have bad days.<\/p>\n

Competing and learning how your body responds to certain diet, exercise, sleep, and stress changes are all key to maximizing your physique. There has been something new I\u2019ve learned through every prep and it makes me more excited and confident each time. Life is about learning, becoming wiser and applying it all so we keep moving forward.<\/p>\n

Perfection is not attainable and I don\u2019t think there is a point of \u201carriving\u201d in life, but as you hit your goals and milestones, see how you can use what you learn in the next phase of life.<\/p>\n

I just finished my 8th<\/sup>\u00a0show and am preparing for my 9th<\/sup>, however this one is different as it will be with the OCB, an all-natural league. I\u2019ve always been an all-natural athlete so it feels more appropriate to be a part of a league that is more in line with my approach and philosophy to the sport.<\/p>\n

I am nervous and excited.<\/p>\n

Nervous because it\u2019s a new league and new show format, new posing routine, new show locations, new judges\u2026new check-ins.<\/p>\n

However, excited to get on stage with a more level playing field, and the opportunity to advance in a sport that I am passionate about. Excited because my coach, team, friends and family system is amazing and supportive of me and this change.<\/p>\n

\"Jessie<\/a><\/figure>\n

I have learned that most of the time our paths have twists and turns but as long as you focus on the small wins, the few steps in front of you, progress happens. Slow and steady wins the race.<\/p>\n

You may have no desire to ever step on stage, and that\u2019s OK!<\/p>\n

Find what you\u2019re interested in and do it with gusto and a willingness to learn along the way. You may find you\u2019re passionate about some things and not others, you will find your groove when you look for it and pursue it, but don\u2019t just wait for life to happen.<\/p>\n

What I have learned the most in my journey as a bikini competitor is to let go of fixed, rigid expectations\u2026 that just sets us up for disappointment when things don\u2019t turn out as we have imagined. Instead, as an author I like, Bob Goff put it, \u201cembrace life with hopeful anticipation\u201d. It leaves room for the unexpected and allows us to learn something from every experience and walk away with gratitude.<\/p>\n

Whatever your fitness journey, I hope you don\u2019t give up despite setbacks. There are many ways to get to a destination, some are more scenic than others, so enjoy the view on the road you choose. \u263a<\/p>\n

About the Author<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\"Jessie<\/a><\/figure>\n

Jessie Gall, MS, RD, LD<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Jess is a Metro-Atlanta-based dietitian in the state of Georgia with 8 years of experience as a Registered Dietitian in the hospital setting, as well as corporate wellness events, and individual counseling. She received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science from Georgia State University and is a Licensed and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.<\/p>\n

Jess enjoys helping her patients have the \u201clightbulb moments\u201d in their nutrition care and recommendations. Her \u201cfood philosophy\u201d is that food is functional\u00a0and<\/em>\u00a0fun! Eating for health does not have to be boring or tasteless. All things in moderation make for a more enjoyable, and healthy relationship with food. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to nutrition, but there are research-based recommendations, and she enjoys helping each patient\/client find what works for\u00a0their<\/em>\u00a0lifestyle, goals, and needs. Jess is also an NPC Bikini division competitor, NASM Certified Nutrition Coach, and mother of twin boys.<\/p>\n

Instagram\u00a0@Jess_G_Fit<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

You can also find Jess across\u00a0Ironmaster.com<\/a>\u00a0and our own\u00a0social media<\/a>. Seen below modeling the landmine press on the\u00a0IM2000<\/a>, and throwing the\u00a0Quick-Lock Adjustable Dumbbells<\/a>\u00a0around.<\/p>\n

\"Jessie<\/a><\/figure>\n
\"Jessie<\/a><\/figure>\n
\"Jessie<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Follow Jessie Gall as she illustrates her journey as a Bikini Competitor from unsure beginnings to confidently striking a winning pose.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[122,123,13],"class_list":["post-133","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-health-fitness","tag-bikini","tag-bodybuilding","tag-fitness"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ironmaster.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/133","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ironmaster.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ironmaster.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ironmaster.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ironmaster.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=133"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.ironmaster.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/133\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":583,"href":"https:\/\/www.ironmaster.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/133\/revisions\/583"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ironmaster.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=133"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ironmaster.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=133"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ironmaster.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=133"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}