In this week’s episode, host Celeste Rains-Turk speaks with newly crowned IFBB Professional who played and coached club and collegiate volleyball and has been competing since 2016 and just went pro at NPC universe 2020, while working as a sales executive marketing rep for Ticor Title and living the wife and dog mom life, Maeghan Egli, to discuss the ins and outs of her road to her pro card.   Maeghan starts by sharing what initially got her interested in the sport and how she began her first prep with a novice coach. She talks about how they learned about the methodology and competing together and how maybe honey-glazed salmon was a little too complicated of a meal while prepping.    In her first two years of competing working with this novice coach, Maeghan talks about how she went to her first national show with no understanding of the weight that nationals carry and what it truly means to earn a pro card, despite walking away from that show with a 4th place title.   Although she received an incredible placing, Maeghan talks about the day of prejudging for her first national show when she experienced a scare – passing out prior to stepping on stage. As someone with a very all-or-nothing mindset, Maeghan learned the importance of listening to her body and eating or drinking water when she needed it, especially because the incident left her with 12 stiches underneath her chin.   As the episode progresses, Maeghan shares the importance of researching a coach and what factors influenced her decision to hire a coach that had more experience in the world of competing than she did as opposed to someone who would learn along with her and the experiences and expectations she had of herself when working with this more experienced coach.   Maeghan shares in depth about her no-excuses mentality and how it has brought her this far in not only competing, but in her career and her marriage. She shares the importance of routine in her daily life and how her athlete mentality has influenced her to become the best possible version of herself, which includes merging her professional life with her competition and fitness life. Maeghan shares about all the wonderful opportunities that have presented themselves to her since she made the decision to no longer isolate each part of her life.   As the episode draws to a close, Maeghan shares how her strategies have changed between Universe and North American’s as well as the feedback she has received and how she plans to grow and change (which also includes a surprising, uncommon area where she is looking for growth). Maeghan talks about how her suit and hair color have changed over the years and the reasoning behind the decision to make these changes.   In perfect Confessions of a Bikini Pro fashion, the interview wraps up with Maeghan sharing her best advice for those new to competing as well as those looking to go pro. This wonderful, insightful and relatable episode, Maeghan shows how to live by the words “If it’s important to you, you’ll find a way; if not, you’ll find an excuse.” CONNECT WITH MAEGHAN: https://www.instagram.com/maeghanegli/   CONNECT WITH CELESTE: https://www.instagram.com/celestial_fit/ EPISODE TIME STAMPS   [1:20] Pre Stage Rituals [3:02] The first Prep [5:04] Working with a novice coach [7:13] Knowing when to switch coaches [10:18] Stepping away from a show and taking time to grow [12:33] Showing up at nationals with a love for the sport over nerves [13:12] Passing out before the stage [16:30] How passing out changed a view on bodybuilding [21:59] Signs your body is giving you that you need a break [24:25] Working with an experienced coach [25:56] Expectations of a new coach [27:36] Post-Wedding Prep [29:00] An athlete mentality and it’s influence in life [33:01] Leaving no room for excuses [36:19] Developing a morning routine [39:08] Managing a work schedule with competing and a marriage [43:01] Sharing her business and fitness together on social media [46:10] Inspiratio