Bikinis After Babies

This week, we have a fun episode for you as we share stories from our early competition days and reflect on how bodybuilding prep has changed over the last 10 to 20 years. From food choices, supplements, cardio, water manipulation, and show-day routines, in this episode we talk about how the sport has evolved into something more technical, more flexible, and much better for long-term health.From tilapia-only diets and no-salt peak weeks to more data-driven, sustainable strategies, back then, we thought suffering was the strategy. We cut water, cut salt, and did cardio like it was punishment.  Now, we’re paying closer attention to biofeedback, recovery, sleep, steps, and what our bodies are telling us.Same sport—way smarter approach. And honestly, we’re grateful for more science, more support, and less chaos so we can do what we love for longer and enjoy the journey every step of the way!!  We want to thank our amazing audience for all of their support and love this season!  We hope that you enjoyed this episode and the inside scoop that we are sharing- it’s our way of giving back and adding value to your investment of time listening to our journey and supporting us along the way!  We would LOVE it if you would rate, subscribe, and leave us reviews on how this podcast has helped you 💕 We’d also love to hear from you about future topics you would like us to discuss so please leave us a comment or reach out to us with your questions and suggestions!About Momshell Method Fitness:Ready to embark on your fitness journey?  We would love to help you reach any fitness goal from losing the baby weight to crushing your competition goals!  Follow this link to schedule a discovery call with one of our team members and learn how Momshell Method Fitness can provide you with the tools you need to be successful with customized nutrition and training plans for busy moms → http://bit.ly/loseweightgetsexyContact your hosts:Mandy Rochon Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mandyrochonfit/ Facebook: Mandy RochonGillian Hughes, IFBB Bikini ProInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gillianhughes_momshell/Facebook: Gillian HughesMandy’s Posing Sessions1:1 In Person (KC Posing Studio) →  https://bit.ly/inpersonposingwithmandy1:1 Virtual Posing → https://bit.ly/virtualposingwithmandyPosing with Gillian Hughes, IFBB Bikini Pro1:1 In Person (St Louis Posing Studio) → https://bit.ly/stlposingwithgillianifbbpro1:1 Virtual Posing → https://bit.ly/virtualposingwithgillianifbbproNuethyx Formulations Supplements → https://nuethix.com/(Use code “Momshell” to save 10% off your order)Toxic Angelz Bikinis → https://toxicangelzbikinis.com (Use code “GILLIAN” or code “MANDY”  to save 10% off your order)MISAJO Sports → https://shopsiham.com/collections/workout(Use code “GILLIAN10” to save 10% off your order)Squeeze Me Skinny Waist Trainers → https://www.squeezmeskinny.com (Use code “MOMSHELL” to save 10% off your order)The Shoe Fairy competition heels → https://www.shoefairyofficial.com (Use code “momshell” to save 15% off your order)Labwork and Personalized Recommendations:  Practitioner Depot: https://bit.ly/practitionerdepotxmomshell (Use code “momshell” to save 5% off your order)Our Amazon storefront- fitness outfits, more supplements, beauty items and competition needs → https://amzn.to/46GL1nd

In today’s episode of Bikinis After Babies, we are sitting down to chat about and share the results of our latest shows:  the NPC Midwest All South Muscle in Hot Springs Arkansas for Mandy and the IFBB Battle of the Bodies in Fort Lauderdale Florida for Gillian.  In this episode, we are also breaking down what the judging feedback means, and the strategies we are using  to bring improvements to our next shows of the season.  This episode really highlights how prep is managed as a season, not a single show, and how small changes in conditioning, presentation, and strategy can change everything. We want to thank our amazing audience for all of their support and love this season!  We hope that you enjoyed this episode and the inside scoop that we are sharing- it’s our way of giving back and adding value to your investment of time listening to our journey and supporting us along the way!  We would LOVE it if you would rate, subscribe, and leave us reviews on how this podcast has helped you 💕 We’d also love to hear from you about future topics you would like us to discuss so please leave us a comment or reach out to us with your questions and suggestions!About Momshell Method Fitness:Ready to embark on your fitness journey?  We would love to help you reach any fitness goal from losing the baby weight to crushing your competition goals!  Follow this link to schedule a discovery call with one of our team members and learn how Momshell Method Fitness can provide you with the tools you need to be successful with customized nutrition and training plans for busy moms → http://bit.ly/loseweightgetsexyContact your hosts:Mandy Rochon Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mandyrochonfit/ Facebook: Mandy RochonGillian Hughes, IFBB Bikini ProInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gillianhughes_momshell/Facebook: Gillian HughesMandy’s Posing Sessions1:1 In Person (KC Posing Studio) →  https://bit.ly/inpersonposingwithmandy1:1 Virtual Posing → https://bit.ly/virtualposingwithmandyPosing with Gillian Hughes, IFBB Bikini Pro1:1 In Person (St Louis Posing Studio) → https://bit.ly/stlposingwithgillianifbbpro1:1 Virtual Posing → https://bit.ly/virtualposingwithgillianifbbproNuethyx Formulations Supplements → https://nuethix.com/(Use code “Momshell” to save 10% off your order)Toxic Angelz Bikinis → https://toxicangelzbikinis.com (Use code “GILLIAN” or code “MANDY”  to save 10% off your order)MISAJO Sports → https://shopsiham.com/collections/workout(Use code “GILLIAN10” to save 10% off your order)Squeeze Me Skinny Waist Trainers → https://www.squeezmeskinny.com (Use code “MOMSHELL” to save 10% off your order)The Shoe Fairy competition heels → https://www.shoefairyofficial.com (Use code “momshell” to save 15% off your order)Labwork and Personalized Recommendations:  Practitioner Depot: https://bit.ly/practitionerdepotxmomshell (Use code “momshell” to save 5% off your order)Our Amazon storefront- fitness outfits, more supplements, beauty items and competition needs → https://amzn.to/46GL1nd

In today’s episode of Bikinis After Babies, we are sitting down and sharing the details, mindset shifts and emotional journey as we make our return to the stage this month!   This episode covers Mandy’s plans to compete in Arkansas September 12th after more than two years away, while Gillian’s shares the story of her experience at her recent show in Oklahoma, the first show of her 2026 Pro Bikini season after a year-long building season and under the guidance of a new coach.  Through this conversation, Mandy and Gillian share strategies and insights into the physical and the mental side of competing, how to handle past experiences when your body, feedback, and expectations do not all line up and what it takes to present your physique after months of hard work, sacrifice and dedication.The episode is a reminder that while preparing to compete is hard, the growth, health, and discipline behind it are invaluable, even when placements do not go as hoped.  Listen in as we get honest about prep timelines, hormone recovery after IVF, stage-day nerves, and how much of bikini competition comes down to timing, presentation, and judging panel dynamics.  Whether you yourself compete or plan to one day or just want the real story behind what goes into a prep and show day, this episode is packed with perspective and authentic emotion. We hope that you enjoyed this episode and if so, we would LOVE it if you would rate, subscribe, and leave us reviews on how this podcast has helped you 💕 We’d also love to hear from you about future topics you would like us to discuss so please leave us a comment or reach out to us with your questions and suggestions!About Momshell Method Fitness:Ready to embark on your fitness journey?  We would love to help you reach any fitness goal from losing the baby weight to crushing your competition goals!  Follow this link to schedule a discovery call with one of our team members and learn how Momshell Method Fitness can provide you with the tools you need to be successful with customized nutrition and training plans for busy moms → http://bit.ly/loseweightgetsexyContact your hosts:Mandy Rochon Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mandyrochonfit/ Facebook: Mandy RochonGillian Hughes, IFBB Bikini ProInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gillianhughes_momshell/Facebook: Gillian HughesMandy’s Posing Sessions1:1 In Person (KC Posing Studio) →  https://bit.ly/inpersonposingwithmandy1:1 Virtual Posing → https://bit.ly/virtualposingwithmandyPosing with Gillian Hughes, IFBB Bikini Pro1:1 In Person (St Louis Posing Studio) → https://bit.ly/stlposingwithgillianifbbpro1:1 Virtual Posing → https://bit.ly/virtualposingwithgillianifbbproNuethyx Formulations Supplements → https://nuethix.com/(Use code “Momshell” to save 10% off your order)Toxic Angelz Bikinis → https://toxicangelzbikinis.com (Use code “GILLIAN” or code “MANDY”  to save 10% off your order)MISAJO Sports → https://shopsiham.com/collections/workout(Use code “GILLIAN10” to save 10% off your order)Squeeze Me Skinny Waist Trainers → https://www.squeezmeskinny.com (Use code “MOMSHELL” to save 10% off your order)The Shoe Fairy competition heels → https://www.shoefairyofficial.com (Use code “momshell” to save 15% off your order)Labwork and Personalized Recommendations:  Practitioner Depot: https://bit.ly/practitionerdepotxmomshell (Use code “momshell” to save 5% off your order)Our Amazon storefront- fitness outfits, more supplements, beauty items and competition needs → https://amzn.to/46GL1nd

In today’s episode of Bikinis After Babies, we delve into the inspiring journey of Alexa Cardon, a fitness instructor and newly crowned IFBB Bikini Pro.  Alexa shares her story of transformation, beginning with her background in ballet and leading to her recent achievements in the competitive bodybuilding world.  Competing since 2017, Alexa shares her journey of overcoming body image, struggles with her relationship with food and building her body after babies- resulting in her pro card win in July of this year at NPC USA’s!  As a wife and mother of two, Alexa is incredibly passionate about everyday fitness for moms and reminds others that you don’t have to step on a bodybuilding stage to love yourself, take care of your body, and become the strongest version of yourself.  Today we’ll be talking about her journey with food and body image, the realities of prioritizing competition while raising young children, learning to embrace flexibility in a sport that often demands perfection, and what it feels like to finally achieve a goal you weren’t sure was possible.Alexa shares how dance, motherhood, and years of competing shaped her approach to prep, food, and self-worth, and why flexibility and a bigger life outside bodybuilding made this season her strongest yet.We hope that you enjoyed this episode and if so, we would LOVE it if you would rate, subscribe, and leave us reviews on how this podcast has helped you 💕 We’d also love to hear from you about future topics you would like us to discuss so please leave us a comment or reach out to us with your questions and suggestions!Contact this week’s guest, IFBB Bikini Pro Alexa CardonInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexacardon_ifbbpro/About Momshell Method Fitness:Ready to embark on your fitness journey?  We would love to help you reach any fitness goal from losing the baby weight to crushing your competition goals!  Follow this link to schedule a discovery call with one of our team members and learn how Momshell Method Fitness can provide you with the tools you need to be successful with customized nutrition and training plans for busy moms → http://bit.ly/loseweightgetsexyContact your hosts:Mandy Rochon Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mandyrochonfit/ Facebook: Mandy RochonGillian Hughes, IFBB Bikini ProInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gillianhughes_momshell/Facebook: Gillian HughesMandy’s Posing Sessions1:1 In Person (KC Posing Studio) →  https://bit.ly/inpersonposingwithmandy1:1 Virtual Posing → https://bit.ly/virtualposingwithmandyPosing with Gillian Hughes, IFBB Bikini Pro1:1 In Person (St Louis Posing Studio) → https://bit.ly/stlposingwithgillianifbbpro1:1 Virtual Posing → https://bit.ly/virtualposingwithgillianifbbproNuethyx Formulations Supplements → https://nuethix.com/(Use code “Momshell” to save 10% off your order)Toxic Angelz Bikinis → https://toxicangelzbikinis.com (Use code “GILLIAN” or code “MANDY”  to save 10% off your order)MISAJO Sports → https://shopsiham.com/collections/workout(Use code “GILLIAN10” to save 10% off your order)Squeeze Me Skinny Waist Trainers → https://www.squeezmeskinny.com (Use code “MOMSHELL” to save 10% off your order)The Shoe Fairy competition heels → https://www.shoefairyofficial.com (Use code “momshell” to save 15% off your order)Labwork and Personalized Recommendations:  Practitioner Depot: https://bit.ly/practitionerdepotxmomshell (Use code “momshell” to save 5% off your order)Our Amazon storefront- fitness outfits, more supplements, beauty items and competition needs → https://amzn.to/46GL1nd

In this episode of Bikinis After Babies we are sharing  updates on our prep journeys, and recapping the behind-the-scenes moments from our girls-coaches-trip to Pittsburgh for NPC Teen, Collegiate, Masters Nationals. In this episode we discuss:A detailed discussion on the differences between regional and national shows, including judging criteria and stage presentation nuances.The evolving landscape of fit model division and its misconception as an "easier" path0 what it truly entails at the highest level for conditioning, posing, and discipline.Personal stories about Gillian’s son Brady’s first national competition and a reflection on coaching her own child on his  journey to the stageInsight into the mental and emotional aspects of competition, including experiencing the "pre-competition gloomies" and managing expectations.Travel and how this can affect the routines associated with preparing to compete as well as our travel essentials, skincare tips, and how we handle nutrition and supplements while on the road.This episode offers a real look into the realities of bodybuilding, family life, and the importance of loving the process instead of just the stage results.  We hope that you enjoyed this episode and if so, we would LOVE it if you would rate, subscribe, and leave us reviews on how this podcast has helped you 💕 We’d also love to hear from you about future topics you would like us to discuss so please leave us a comment or reach out to us with your questions and suggestions!Referenced in this episode:Episode 70:  Brady “Born 2 Be A Beast” Becker: Growing Up as The Child of a Bikini Competitor Mom :Episode 70:  Brady “Born 2 Be A Beast” Becker: Growing Up as The Child of a Bikini Competitor MomAbout Momshell Method Fitness:Ready to embark on your fitness journey?  We would love to help you reach any fitness goal from losing the baby weight to crushing your competition goals!  Follow this link to schedule a discovery call with one of our team members and learn how Momshell Method Fitness can provide you with the tools you need to be successful with customized nutrition and training plans for busy moms → http://bit.ly/loseweightgetsexyContact your hosts:Mandy Rochon Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mandyrochonfit/ Facebook: Mandy RochonGillian Hughes, IFBB Bikini ProInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gillianhughes_momshell/Facebook: Gillian HughesMandy’s Posing Sessions1:1 In Person (KC Posing Studio) →  https://bit.ly/inpersonposingwithmandy1:1 Virtual Posing → https://bit.ly/virtualposingwithmandyPosing with Gillian Hughes, IFBB Bikini Pro1:1 In Person (St Louis Posing Studio) → https://bit.ly/stlposingwithgillianifbbpro1:1 Virtual Posing → https://bit.ly/virtualposingwithgillianifbbproNuethyx Formulations Supplements → https://nuethix.com/(Use code “Momshell” to save 10% off your order)Toxic Angelz Bikinis → https://toxicangelzbikinis.com (Use code “GILLIAN” or code “MANDY”  to save 10% off your order)MISAJO Sports → https://shopsiham.com/collections/workout(Use code “GILLIAN10” to save 10% off your order)Squeeze Me Skinny Waist Trainers → https://www.squeezmeskinny.com (Use code “MOMSHELL” to save 10% off your order)The Shoe Fairy competition heels → https://www.shoefairyofficial.com (Use code “momshell” to save 15% off your order)Labwork and Personalized Recommendations:  Practitioner Depot: https://bit.ly/practitionerdepotxmomshell (Use code “momshell” to save 5% off your order)Our Amazon storefront- fitness outfits, more supplements, beauty items and competition needs → https://amzn.to/46GL1nd