In this episode Celeste speaks with Jennifer Aresco, an IFBB Pro who starting competing in 2015, winning her pro card at USA Championships in 2020 after 11 regional and 7 national shows. Celeste and Jennifer talk about Jenn’s journey throughout her 18 shows leading up to her pro card win, discussing what changes were made during both preps and off seasons that led to Jenn’s success. Jenn talks about how her stage confidence grew with her experience which grew most after finding her current coach, Shane Heugly. Jennifer opens up and shares her struggles with anxiety and how she realized one of her medications caused her to gain and hold onto 20lbs, despite the efforts she was putting into her diet and training to get ready for stage. She talks about how she manages her anxiety now given that she prefers not to use traditional medicine as a means to help mitigate her symptoms. Jenn also highlights challenges outside of her mental health battles she had to overcome to prove to herself she was capable of competing. Jennifer mentions her experience at nationals in Orlando and how she felt that show was her “alley oop,” or her time to succeed. She highlights how one can be both a competitor and a work in progress when it comes to mental health and identity, and how working with a therapist helped her through that. Jenn also dealt with adversity in a relationship when her boyfriend at the time wanted her to take a year off of competing, which led Jenn to realize she should never let her passions take a back seat because of the opinions of others. Celeste mentions the importance that bodybuilding has in teaching competitors patience instead of instant gratification, leading her to ask Jenn to elaborate on her lengthy journey to becoming a pro. Jenn shares how she feels bodybuilding has changed over the years in regards to the science behind prepping and all that she personally has learned throughout her preps. Celeste asks about Jenn’s pro debut experience and her future competition plans, allowing Jenn to share the strategies and approach her and her coach have taken to get her ready to compete at the pro level. Finishing off the episode Jenn shares her best advice for first time competitors and girls on their road to pro. Topics Covered: -Struggles with anxiety, medication & alternative treatments -Challenges Jenn overcame to compete -Financials in competing -Finding her “alley oop” in Orlando -Breaking away from “society’s timeline” -Benefits of a long journey to pro 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 JENNIFER: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennnygirll/ Time Stamps: [0:45] Celeste introduces Jennifer. [1:20] Celeste asks Jennifer her pre stage ritual. [3:50] Jennifer shares whats changed in her approach to off season and prep over the years. [11:45] Celeste asks Jennifer how she now manages her anxiety. [17:00] Jennifer breaks down a day in the life both in prep and improvement season. [19:20] Celeste asks Jennifer to discuss some challenges she overcame to be able to compete. [30:50] Celeste asks Jennifer when she knew she wanted to become a pro. [36:02] Jennifer shares how she was financially able to compete. [40:50] Celeste asks Jennifer what changed between shows that helped Jennifer know when it was “her time.” [46:00] Jennifer shares how she dealt with being told not to compete for a year. [58:40] Celeste asks Jennifer what she feels are the benefits of not having a fast journey to pro status during her bodybuilding career. [65:30] Celeste asks Jennifer to share her experiences at her pro debut. [68:20] Jennifer shares her next competition plans. [70:10] Jennifer talks about what she did between USAs and her pro debut to prepare. [74:00] Celeste has Jennifer share some of the details her and her coach honed in on to bring her best to stage. [82:20] Jennifer shares her